Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-04-04

Cinctnndhf HfN 70
In accordance with the provisions Of an
ordinance passed December 8, 1850, here
with transmit to you my Annual Message,
with the accompanying documents, the re-
ports fthe several departments Of the City
Government
During the year that has Just closed, the
health Of the city has been good and not
withstanding the great calamity that has be-
fallen our nation, and the financial difficult
ties arisiug from the unsettled state of the
country, our city has been less retarded nits
prosperity, and her commerce and manufac-
lures less injured than could reasonably have
been anticipated for which, as people, we
should gratefully recognize the protecting
care Of all.wise Providence.
The municipal legislation Of the past year
has not been marked by measures Of very
great public interest.
City Buldin9s.-With an expense of $780,
600, our city buildings and public offices
have been much improved in beauty and
convenience, and are now well adapted to
the wants Of our City Government, furnish
ing TO all the various departments good and
convenient offices, and the general appear
ance and ventilation, equal TO most Of our
modern-built City Halls. Much credit is due
Messrs. Walker Gilbert and Kiersted, the
committee under whose charge said improve
ment was conducted, for their prompt and
untiring attention given It. The lott front
has been inclosed by a neat and substantial
iron fence, and has also been graded, turfed,
and planted with forest. trees and other
shrubbery, and a fountain has been con-
structed, according to a very tasteful design,
which makes it quite an ornament to the
city.
Pdrks-In my last annual message urged
upon you the importance of improving the
small squares belonging to the city. / am
grathed that during the past year Park
Commissioners have been appointed, under
whose management Washington square lin.
creased by the purchase Of the Episcopal
burying- ground) has been beautifully laid
out and improved, and is now an ornament
to the city. The West-End Park is also
being rapidly improved, and will, in time,
become the favorite resort of those residing
in that part of the city.
Mclick6R UniVerSity-This being q sub
ject of much interest to the city, and being
the first report of the Directors, ask your
especial attention to it as the condition of
the fund is clearly set forth, and the reasons
given why they can not proceed with the
erection of the University at present.
Oily Solicitors Report.-It shows that un-
der the management Of our very competent
Solicitor and his assistant the law depart
ment has been well conducted and properly
systematised.
City Civil Engineer.-The annual report
of the City Civil Engineer exhibits briefly
and clearly the cost and various kinds Of
public improvements connected with his
department the past year. 1t will be seen
that large amount of main gas-pipe has
been laid, and a greater number Of lamp
posts erected than perhaps during any
former year. The law regulating the pay
ment for lighting the public lamps having
been changed from a special tax to assess
ment upon the whole property of the city,
will, | think, prove beneficial not only to the
municipal authority in the collection, but to
the citizens generally, as large amount Of
gas tax was generally left uncollected to be
provided for from the General Fund.
The amount Of paving has not been so
great the past year as formerly, from the
fact that much complaint was made with the
Board of City Improvements in ordering
work when there was apparently no neces-
sity for it. The present Board endeavored
| to avoid this cause of complaint by making
careful examinations as to the actual neces-
sity for work of this description. AS much
complaint has existed among our citizens in
regard to the imperfect manner in which
much of our street paving has been done,
feel inclined to urge upon the attention of
| those under whose direction more parlicu-
| larly this branch OF the public work is exc.
cuted, thorough examination in regard to
| the character and quality of the work. |
take pleasure in stating here that to the
| thorough and careful manner of the present
City Civil Engineer in reference to these
contracts, which more especially come under
| his superintendent - the construction of
| masonry, sewers and culverts-the city is
| indebted tor a class of work superior to any
heretofore obtained. During the first year
| of my official term, the strictness Of the En-
! gineer in enforcing contracts was the cause
| of much complaint among contractors, and
n nf tho oF Trnn
ments my attention was, of course, called to
these complaints, and my personal examina-
tion in many cases rendered necessary, and
/ invariably found the Engineer was only
| endeavoring to enforce the terms of the
contract and specifications, which caused
several contractors to ask the privilege of
abandoning their contracts, stating that the
price obtained was not sufficient to justify
doing the work as required, though suf-
fcient for the work as it had formerly been
done.
/ believe it is for the best interests of the
city in all cases to pay q sufficient price, and
insist ON having the best kind of work done.
heartily concur in the views advocated by
the City Civil Engineer upon the subject of
a general sewerage system for our city.
During the past year. in company with Mr..
Mack, Chairman of the Committee of the
City Council on Sewerage and Drainage, and
Mr.. Gilbert, visited the Eastern cities, with
the view of examining the modes there
adopted for thorough sewerage, and after
examining the cities of Philadelphia, New
York, and Brooklyn, l became satisfied in
regard to the necessity of adopting some
plan for our own city to attain an end
ance as to justify the expenditure of very
large sums Of money.
The late ordinance passed by the City
Couuc Gil providing an entirely new system
for cleaning the streets and removing the
garbage has had much attention from the
Board of City Improvements, and under
their strict supervision has been the means
OF having the streets in a much better con-
dition than ever before at this season of the
year; and by proper attention on the par;
of the Board, it will doubtless be found the
most efficient method of cleaning aud keep
ing in good condition the streets of the city.
| Fire DepdTtment.-ln presenting the re
port of the Fire Department. | call your
especial attention to the very judicious and
pertinent remarks of the able and meritori-
Gus engineer, which express my views fully
and clearly. .--.
1t will be perceived by examination thai
the hand-machines have gone entirely out o.
use, ard the steam engines only are used al
present; also, that one new engine house
has been erected, and Others materially i'm
proved.
Your attention is further called to thu
fre-alarm telegraph; subject as | said il
my last annual message, demanding you
careful and candid consideration. Tht
whole report is very satisfactory, clearly de
monstrating what we have claimed for Gin
cinnati, that we have the most efficient Fir,
Department in America.
Water RorkS-The report of the Direc
tors and Superintendent of the Water
Works shows that the management hs
been very judiciOus. The water rents havt
been reduced about twenty-five per cent.
and it is contemplated making a further
reduction at an early day. A further ex-
tension of the water-pipes will also be mad'
during the coming Summer.
Gin L.frmdry and HOsPitaI.-These insti