Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-07-08

y plalu bLdtcmCAt W eAO kNpAAS 49,
corning the present conditions in the
administration Of tie city. We be-
lieye that it is due the voters and tax
payers that they should understand
clearly the position in which the city
Is placed.
Last year practically all the funds
available for the usual running ex-
penses Of the city were overdrawn to
such an extent that little money re-
mains in the treasury for present use.
This is particularly true OF the street
and alley fund, which is now entirely
empty. The mayor overdrew the
funds last year in making the street
improvements, many of which were
contracted for without the consent
or knowledge Of the council. The leg
islature Of last winter adopted q law
by which the council is forbidden to
spend any money or vote upon the
expenditure Of any money without
first having the same in the treasury
thus limiting the system OF borrow
ing from one fund to meet the debts
Of another fund, as has been the
practice during the past two years.
This accounts for the condition IN
which the city is placed as regards
its streets and alleys.
when the new fire department was
organized several months ago, 1t was
agreed by the mayor and council that
thew would do away with the PAID
marshal and use one OF the palQ
firemen as an emergency police ana
would combine the office OF street
commissioner and day marshal. An
ordinance was Immediately passed
discontinuing the day marshal put
empowering the mayor to appoint tne
assistants as had been agreed. This
ordinance was passed for the purpose
Of having the street commissioner
and fireman appointed assistant mar
shals The mayor had previously
akreed with the council to appoint
inc street commissioner and fireman
assistant marshals. The sheriff ano
deputy sheriff having agreed 10 &c
notice duty, it would give us an e4'
cellent police system in Abilene Ini'
was deemed necessary because OF the
small amount the city could afford tC
snend for a paid fire department un
less some economy could be prac
tised.
After the department was organ
,zed the mayor refused to deputiz'
the fireman as policeman and ais
hos refused to make the street com
missioner a deputy marshal, as wa
agreed The council has always pee
sSvilling and is now willing to confirm
snv fair appointment for marshal tina
The MAYOR may make, but it refuses U
confirm the appointment OF a younl
man who is not of age and whom
considers too young for the pos
ton. Va, -
We feel that the system agreed up
on by the mayor and councli 10
nolicing the city was more valuaDi
and would have more efficient serVic
than the old method. With one Q
the paid firemen appointed as emel
gency police the people would away
he able to reach a policeman on snCl
notice. He is constantly on duty
the city hall and could be found
once. In case of trouble teiepnon
al, would bring him in a few mn
utes. Under the old system wne
the day marshal was needed ne mgr
ha nm the outskirts Of town occupie
With other duties, and it would y
Cu,re two or three hours before o
corld he reached. Under the ne
system we would have marsnal 'n'
could be reached at any time ana
street commissioner and marshal COZ
blned who would take care OF u
streets, look after the general pup
peace. etc. Along with this would
. measure Of economy when Is MAJ
necessary by the condition in Wni'
the city treasury is placed because
overdrawn accounts, and unpaid wa
rants outstanding.
The council has no intention n
wish to carry politics into the aoml
,stration Of city affairs. We are
business men with out interests &c
tered in Abilene and taxpayers WI
are vitality interested in city finance
However, we do not feel in justice
our constituents and to the city N
we should not vote any Of the cit'
money or any positions called Tor u
der city ordinances to the paying
poIitical debts. While 1t Is posHt
that the mayor has some political
LEGATIONS that he would like 70 me
We feel that the best interests OF :
+axnavers and Of the public reQul