Daily national Democrat., 1860-03-07

se""U' Is now situated. the only play grounds
are tle puhle streets on viii h the s.h.J r,
are restricted from engaging in the ,pnre
masculine school plays for several rc,.ors d.
one OF which Is the ANNOYANCE il oivas ,a
residents IN that neighborhood The roor,s
themselves are lily ventilated and to, oop-
iracted IN space to be occupied in hot waot,-
er hy the number of scholars that v.o,.,.
| crowded into them last summer. Win tLo
present increased number Of scholars t,.sa
objections must lie aggravated the coming
summer To provide against which vn,l5
recommend the sale of the basement If
me church, now in use as a school to tLo
Methodist Society, and the erection of a suit
Hhle one story building en- Nanoleon Souar,
Ihe Board found it Necessary to take me,s-
ures Tor closing the vault at the rear of the
city school house, and for changino tl,e lo,o-
u"h oi The apartments constructed over il
which now form part of the main building
o carry out their ol ject, and to provide suf-
nclent space for play grounds, Il piece of
ground, 4OXl6p feet, adjoining the school loft
was purchased at cost Of S275. and cnn-
tracts entered into for enclosing the proprrt, &.
ana erecting building at the north end o.
the lot What has been paid towards thasc
! Improvements and changes, with the cost of
repairs, the contingent expenses and the nav
OF teachers and janitors make up the sum ey-
pended The amount now on hand is abonl
$1,000, all of which will he needed to meet
present liabilities and to defray the necessary
expenses of the schools, until the school fnn1
for 1850 is paid in.
The tax for school purposes cannot. in ms
tee to the cause Of education be redrced for
the ensuing year The increase in the mum
Der of pupils, and the Advancement Of many
to the higher branches of English learninS
will necessarily demand additional means 0f
instruction. which, as a matter of course
will he attended with an increased expense
Retrenchment in this branch Of our ejtv of
fairs is not demanded The attemnt I nm
satisfied, would he detrimental to the eflicicn.
cy of the schools. Besides it is a system
which has justly been styled "The harpiest
institution of the country" and as such should
be cherished 10y all free governments. wbetb.
er State or municipal. Cherished-not by
resting satisfied with what is done, but bv
continuing the active efforts and the unceas-
ing vigilance Of our governments to the en-
couragement OF the schools in our district
For the district school, properly governed
and instructed is the real nursery of demo
cratic sentiments Its univesal culture of
the mihd is the best protection of the natur-
al equality of the people, and the surest
means of their constant advancement
kindred to this subject is that OF the CITY
Library, which, for the information of the
public, 1t may be proper to announce, still
eNists-eXists, however, more as Il monument
of the enlightened liberality and the pro-
gressive spirit of the past than as q valuable
and useful thing of the present. At one
time it was much cherished institution of
citizens Of literary taste and Of those friend
ly to the diffusion of knowledge. But of
late, it appears to have fallen upon evil days
and evil tongues" For want of that friendly
support which is necessary for its proper
cherlshment as an important public insttu-
ton, 1t has become almost useless. There IS
no more certain evidence of the intelligence
and literary taste Of community than the
liberality and enterprise manifested by it, in
extending the sphere Of usefulness Of these
institutions. In yindication of this commu>
nifty, however, l will take occasion to say.
that the fault lies not with it-nor is it to he
attributed to the Board of Library Directors.
for they have been unceasing in their efforts
to promote its prosperity--but it is to be
sought for in this body upon which the Ii
brary is unfortunately dependant for all Una
terial aid" A small pen of a place, with
scarcely room enough for three or four per-
SOUS to turn around in, without iosteling each
other; with the only window in IL for the ud-
mission Of light and air. obstructed by the
high wall Of an adjoining building; contains
the works, collections aad furniture which
an association Of our intelligent, liberal and
enterprising citizens purchased and donated
to the city, with, as the reality appears, the
vain hope that it would, through the support
Of the city authorities, become what institu-
tions Of its character invariably do when
properly encouraged and provided fora
source Of inestimable benefits to the yourg in
our midst, and the profitable and popular
retreat of the learned, and of those who
praiseworthiy seek after the tranquil revela
tions of knowledge
In view of the un6tness of the present
stall of place, l would recommend that a
more commodious and suitable room, easy
and pleasant Of access be provided for with
out delay, in order that we may escape the
reproach of being inimical to the success Of
an institution which, besides being incalcua-
bly, useful would be a credit to the city At
an early day of our labors, became sensible
of the existence in this body of an unfriendly
disposition towards it, which caused me, on
former occasion, to suggest the appropria-
tion for library purposes Of room now va
cant in the upper or Fourth Ward Engine
House. as the best measure. in its behalf
that would be likely to receive the sanction
of this Council
Over the Police Department have, as re-
quired by the Charter, exercised a constant
supervision. That supervision gave me in
sight into the working of our present police
system, which warrants me in saying that it
is defeetiye-so detective that its natural
tendency, when shielded by partisan favor,
is to engender corruption. The great defect,
am satisfied, is the election of the members
of that department 10y the Council. ! shall
therefore recommend to you the transfer of
their election to the people. 1t would re-
move from the Council the only incitement
to partisan action which has operated upon
it as a mischieyous hiudrance to the impair
tia and speedy transaction of more impor-
tant public business. The same influences
which now operate prejudicially to the in
terests of the city in the selection of police
men, could not be brought to bear on the
mass. They should be elected at the city
election for the term of one year, removable
for good and sufficient cause, aud he required
TO give bonds for the faithful performance OF
the duties Of their office.
1t is gratifying to me to inform you that
the present administration, notwithstanding
the comparatively low rate of taxation fixed
by it, will be able to retire from charge of
the city affairs with small balance in the
treasury after the payment of all the liabil-
titles and necessary contingent expenses.
There is on hand now about S7,54S 95
OF incoming revenue. about 100 O0
50 24S 95
Against this amount, there viii accrue by
the lst of next month, in liabilities, the pro