Ann Arbor's Government

Ann Arbor was incorporated as a city in 1851. The governrnent has during the past forty years been managed with marked economy and efficiency. As a result, the city bas been kept clear of debt, and at the same time has secured all the modern improvements. The present charter was adopted in 1889, and was amended in some particulars during the past spring. The city is divided into sx warde, f rom each of which a supervisor, constable and two aldermen aro elected. ïhe flrst two serve for a year, and the latter for two years. A mayor, president of the council, clerk, two justices of the peace, and au assessor, constitute the reruaining elective otlicers. The appointees of the mayor are the city attorney, marshal, treasurer, members of the board of public vvorks, members of the board of fire commissioni'is, and nierabers of the board of health. The position of mayor of Ann Arbor is one of honor and dignity. It is his duty to exercise a general supervisión over the carious departrnents of the city government, and to use the veto power when in his judgment it is necessary. The present incumbent is Hon. W. G. Doty. He is a gradúate of the University, having left its portals in 1875. He is an accomplished scholar and an enthusiastic student of politics. He is a lawyer by profession. He has won many honors in masonry, and in 1890 became grand commander of the Michigan Knights Templar. He has given general satisfaction as mayor of Ann Arbor. The next position of importance in the city Government, that of president of the city oouncil, is held by Mortimer E. ('ooley, the eminent professor of meohanical engineering in the University of Michigan He makes a model presiding offloer, and is able, by hia knowledge of engineering, t.o be of great assistance to the council. The city clerk, William J. Miller, before hia election last spring to his present position, served as alderman for several yeare. Ho is thoroughly acquainteil witli the details of city governrnent. He bas been engaged for several years in the manufacture of pui The jueticesof the peace are E. B. Pond and X. (. Butts. The former was for many years editor of tlio Argos He was also at one time warden of the Jackson ))rison. He is thoroughly versed in the statute buv, and makes ii vory efficiënt judge. The same may lj' said of Mr. Butts. who, together with his official work, oarries on au extensivo real estáte and insurance business. The treasurer, S. W. Beakos, is able editor of the Aun Arbor Argos Ho is a gradúate of the University, and has served two terms as mayor of the city. È. B. Norris, city attorney, is a prominent member of the Washtenaw county bar. He was for years prosecuting attorney. He has made a careful study of municipal law. The marshal, James Murray, has provecí himself a competent otïicer. He has under him two patrolmen, David Collins and Clarence Tice. The pólice forcé is remarkably small for a place like Aun Arbor. It costs the city less than 82,000 a year. The assessor, Patrick O'Hearn, has held his position for several years. He has given suoh general satisfaction that at the last election there was no opposing candidate. The members of the board of public works are: Thomas J. Keech, a prominent lamber dealer; J F. Schuh. a hardware merchant, and W. H. MoIntyre, a grocer. The board of tire commissioners consists of George H. l'ond, editor of the Courier; Muses Seabolt, a prominent grocer and capitalist, and Titus F. Hutzel, one of the proprietors of a large plumbing establishment. The president of the board of health is Eli W. Moore, manager of the Bgricultural works. Dr. John Kapp is health officer, and Martin Clark inspector. The board of building inspectors consists of Gottlob Luick and Herman Krapf, proprietors of planing milis, and John Koch, a prominent contractor. The city council now in otlice is a very efficiënt body It wil] be seen that its tnembers represent all the varied interest8 of the city. They are: Eugene G. Miinn. druggist; L-evi D. Wines, professor of mathematics in the high school; William Herz, proprietor of a painting and deoorating establishment; Christian Martin, a brewer; G. D. Allmendinger, B wood worker in the a?ricultural works; A.H Fillmore, aretired capitalist; C. Frank O'Hearn, proprietor f ;i billiard hall; A. P. Ferguson, owner of an extensivo carriage (aotory; Walter L. Taylor, fruit grower; Ernest A. Rehberg, toreman of the Northern brewery; Louis P. Hall, instructor in the denta department of the University, and Arthur J. Kitson, a eontractor. THE ('I I'v's I'OOl!. Ann Arbor is a charitable city, and henee does not neglect the worthy poor who need her assistanoe. This whole matter is placed in obarge of a poor commissioner. During the year 1890, sixtv six families, comprising one hundred and Beventy-eight individuals, received aid from the city. and the total amount paid out was .-1.1'iS.Tl - about sixteen cents for each inhabitant of Ann Arbor. It is doubtful if any other city in Michigan manages this department so econoinically. ANK ARBOB A PEAOEABLE CITY. The inhabitants of this Western Athens are generally not of a quarrelsome or vicious disposition. By far the greater number of them never see the inside of a jail. During the year ending July 31, 1891, the marshal "made only li! arrests. Probably one half of the culprits were not residents of Ann Arbor. The pólice department numbers only three men, one marshal and two night patrolmen. and this forcé has proved amply sufiicient. What other city of its size can get along with three poiicemen?