- Mayor-elect SMITH and Aldermen-elect MUELLER,
NEEDHAM, GESLEY, GARDNER and LEDELL
- having previously taken the oath of office the meeting was
called to order by Mayor SMITH and the roll called as
follows:
- Present - Ald. Isaac BUCKERIDGE, J. C. CLARKE,
L. E. CUNNINGHAM, E. A. DAY, F. N. GARDNER,
- Torris GESLEY, E. F. HANSEN, A. C. HELM,
D. E. HEWITT, J. H. LEDELL, S. R. MERRILL,
C. F. MUELLER, J. T. NEEDHAM, D. H. POLLOCK,
R. H. SHARP - 15.
- Mayor SMITH addressed the Council in opening as follows:
- Gentlemen of the Common Council: - Again we are brought
to face the problems of another municipal year, and
- unto us has been assigned to task of carrying forward to
the best of our ability, the affairs of our city, and all of
our labors here should be done with an eye single for the public
good. Private interest should be subservient to the public welfare,
and we should always remember that the same power that has elevated
us to our several positions will demand of us a full account
of our stewardship, and will hold us personally responsible for
all our actions while in the public service.
- The year just closed has been an interesting one for our
people, both public and private. The last obligation, known as
- "railroad bonded indebtedness," has been canceled.
The City Hall property is now free of all encumbrance; we have
paid for it out of the first story rent, and what we would have
had to pay for the use of a Council room had this never been
built. It has practically cost us nothing. The manufacturing
and mercantile interests of our city have been prosperous beyond
our expectations. More men have been employed and better time
made than ever before; all of which must be attributed to that
era of prosperity and confidence which has been universal throughout
the length and breadth of our nation. Large additions have been
made to our factories and shops. Business houses have been remodeled
to meet the growing demand of trade. New houses have been built
by the hundred, and all of them occupied, and today it is almost
impossible to find any business blocks or private houses but
what are in active use. The coming year will bring before you
many questions which will demand your careful attention, chief
among which will be that of purchasing the water works plant.
You will be called upon to name a man who will represent the
city in es- [continue to Page
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