The Cairo bulletin., 1908-05-11


wear ago. after careful and patient
consideration had been given to the
ordinance it was adopted and APP
proved as presented by the parties in
terested In the interurban railroad
and 1t was afterwards learned that
this ordinance was asked for by the
promoters of the project without hav-
ing secured petition of majority
of the owners Of abutting property,
as required by the statute. In Sep
TENDER last, new ordinances proyid-
ing for interurban service were pre-.
scented TO the city council, and in
January last, these ordinances We're
rushed through the council very hur'
riedly. They, in addition TO being
extremely broad in their provisions,
both as 10 the time when the roads
We're TO be constructed and the priyil-
almost without limitations, also
seemed to be deficient in the neces-
sary frontage petition, as Indicated In
Mr.. Fischer's letter TO me, dated
January Both last, in which he says
1T will be necessary for us to ex-
anime closely the frontage signatures
on Sycamore street and other
streets" AS you all know, | did not
see my way clear to approve these
ordinances as they We're passed by
4 hA nj I pl 81
undivided and forceful cooperation of
your Honorable Body in securing the
adoption of a liberal ordinance. Grant
ing a franchise to any interurban
company that will construct and orer-
an interurban railroad running into
the city and pledge you my most
earnest support in securing the con
summation of such a project at the
earliest date possible; with this end
in view. | am ready 10 continue the
donating TO any interurban railroad
that will build and operate an inter
arban into the city, the right of way
fifty feet in width along and over any
lands that | now own or control on
the line of the contemplated railroad
which distance at this time. amounts
to about three-fourths OF a mile IN
length.
CITY Hall.
| had hoped to have started a plan
providing for the erection Of suitable
accommodation for the city officials.
and with this end In view. a meeting
was held on the 18th Of February last,
1t which large number of represen-
tative citizens were present and dis.
cussed thoroughly the needs, as well
as the ways and means, for undertake
ing the erection of a city hall. After
very careful consideration of the
whole matter, a committee was APP
pointed to further consider the pro-
iect. In view of the financial strin
gency that has existed during the
past few months, and other causes,
such as the general conditions result
ne from the approach of a presiden
-ial election 1t has not seemed wise
% push the matter of building a city
nall too hurriedly, but the proposition
has not been lest sight of and | trust
hat active work in this direction will
" started before the end of the pres |
mt year. The condition of the pres !
mt quarters occupied by the city Off |
'iaIs is disgraceful and | would fall
hort of doing my whole duty to the
'ity of Cairo if | did not urge upon
3ou the necessity of considering In |
he very near future. plan to provide |
suitable accommodations for the city
government.
Finances.
The present laws providing for the |
'aising of revenue for the manage-
nent of the city are wholly made,
luate to furnish sufficient funds with |
which to conduct the affairs OF the
eity. even in the most economical !
way. Every citizen demands modern |
improvements as rapidly as they are
Introduced in other places, and ii is /
IN absolute necessity to have them, |
,nt the average tax payer forgets that
til of these improved interests cost |
money. The police force Is wholly in
ldequate to properly protect the /
ives and homes of the people, the |
Ire department Is not equal to the
necessities of the city at the present
inc; the lighting Of the city is mi
ufficient for the present needs of the
increased population of the city The
mounts expended on these different |
of the city government are
,ut very little larger than were used
when the city was only half its pres
mt size in population, and yet our
resent laws do not allow corpora
ions to raise any more money than
$ being obtained now under general
ay laws.
The mayors Of the cities Of the
tate have realized this condition and
ire now organized to present to the
legislature ways and means to Sc
Gre additional money for city pur
joses without materially burdenlng
he taxable property of the state
With this end in view mayors of the
tiles of this state are today at the
State Capitol, calling upon the legls-
ature to enact such laws as will give
elief to the already overburdened
reasuries of the cities of the STATE.
With the efforts that have been made