The Mayor's Message

Mayor Darling read his message to the common council last evening. The message was as follows: To the Honorable, the Common Council: According to custom, it becomes my duty as well as pleasure to greet you with a few words of recomtuendation concerning our work for the coming year. ïhat our city has made wonderful progresa in certain directions, is a sentiment silently expressed by the people who are continually coming here to build substantial homes. The improvements, whicli have been instituted from time to time, are in accordance with public demand and they show the valué which ourcitizens place upon progress. There are, however, some questions conceining the welfare of our citizens that will require action by the eommon council during the present year, iL our city is to be progressive or even maintains the place which she dow holds among the cities of the state. That the finalices of our city have been well conducted in the past is shovvn by the low rate of taxation and the prompt payment of taxes. Few cities eau boast of so little want and discontent among the laboring classes. While faetones in other cities have been shut down, ours have been running on full time, thus giving the laborer the opportunity to provide for iiimself and family. Among the questions which the council should consider early, is the completion of the main sewer, or putting it in such a condition that the building of laterals may be started at once. This is necessary that we as citizens may begin to realize on our investment. The Street Railway company has made little progress towards reorganizing and equipping their road and they will probably expect some concession from the Council. So far as 1 am able to learn, there have been no serious efforts made to increase our water supply. Our streets and sidewalks are not in a good condition and should receive immediate attention. There is no ordinance to regúlate the closing of saloons. As the matter now stands, they must be regulated by the law of custom or close under the State law. aThe unequal representation of the people by the wards as they dow stand should be considera!. All of these topics are of public interest affecting the welfare of every Citizen and with this end in view - our progress and happiness- I offer the followiug recommendations: That the Council request the Board of Public works to put the main sewer in proper condition to be used, as soon as possible. The building of lateral sewers shall be done by contract according to the requirements of the charter, and it should be specified in all contracta that only citizens of Ann bor should be employed on public works. The Street Railway is a public improvement though operated for private interest. The eompany should receive all the encouragement in the way of concessions for changing route or neeessary delay in reorganizing that can consistently be given. The dangerous climax which bas nearJy been reached iu our water supply on more than one occasion should not be repeated. While no hardships should be imposed upou the Water Company they may be warned, to live close to the requirements of their charter in lïirnishing an adequate supply of pure and wholesome water. üur streets, while comparatively inexpensive are occasioually our reproach. They ave so nearly'ilat as not to be well drained, and are frequently repaired with gravel that has but one redeeming quality of being cheap. An ordinance establishing a cross section of a street properlj elevated in the center and rounded to the gutter would greatly improve the drainage as well ms the appearance of the streets. I would also suggest that the common council consider the advisability of paving parts of soine of our principal streets at the expense of the adjacent property holders. Many of our streets liave been beautified by the extensión of the lawns to the curbstone. The tune has come when the council should compel these extensions to be built at the expense of the property nolder, when by so doing they can greatly iniprove the appearance of the street. and at the same time increase the value of the property. The ordinance which governs the building and repairing of sidewalks should be strictly enforced, not only for the benefit of pedestrians, but to prevent dauiage suits because of injuries sustained by falling on a detective walk. üur city is fairly well lighted, yet the cost of lighting is great when couipared with that of other cities owning their own plants. We should look forward to the time when we can f urnish ourownlight with a large annual saving to the city. Any person passing ilong our street at niglit, must be painfully surprised at the number of small children playing about at a very late hour. Many of these children are already bejond the control of parents and are rapidly becoming '-tongh," I would recommend the passage of an ordinance which would subject to arrest all children under twelve years wbo were out after eight o'clock without parent or guardián. The city ordinances should be rrw and pubiished in proper form, not only for the convenience of city officers, but for citizens as well, that they may study therri and understaudingly comply with the requirements of tlie law. As a last recommendatiou, let the council of '94 make a record, to which this and the nextgeneration may point with pride and sy, they worked for the greatest good to the greatest number. Mayor. Ann Arbiik, April lü, '94.