The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-01
MATTERS OVER THE RIVER.

THE WATER WORKS QUEsTIoN.-Tbe
purchase Of the Water Works by the city Is the
allabsorbing topic, and public sentiment. is
being extensively canyassed. Next Thursday
evening the City Councils will meet to receive
the report OF Mr.. Berkenbine, who has been EN-
ployed to ascertain the value OF the machinery,
and 20 give such other information as may lead
to Just valuation OF the property. The original
cost of the machinery, iron pipe, and all other
articles necessary to a supply OF water can
scarcely be correct basis upon which TO decide
its present valuation. Since the works have
been IN operation, real estate, machinery, iron
pipe, and all other implements have nearly
doubled in value especially IRON pipe, which is
perhaps three times more costly. Be that as II
may, there seems to be general desire TO place
the works in the ownership of the city for
various reasons. -
The growth of the city demands a larger sup
ply OF water than heretofore furnished Tor pub
lie and private use. While the domestic wants
are but poorly supplied, the Fire Department Is
rendered dangerously inefficient. Our costly
steam engines are really no additional safeguards
against the destruction of property without bet
ter supply of water; and the annual apprOpra-
tions made to the different companies must, in
measure, be thrown away, unless the city furnish
all the necessary facilities to enable the depart
ment to meet public expectation. We have an
active and energetic fremen5 organization,
second TO none, and none are more chagrined
than they when their best efforts are rendered
futile at a fire. Nor is it likely should the
Water Works be retained by its presen. owners,
that they will make the necessary outlay to inn
prove and enlarge the works to the extent de.
manded by our rapidly increasing population.
Ii vested in the city, every voter would have
voice TO enforce such improvements as would
satisfy the needs of the city; and the taxpayers
could thus exact supplies, and make their pub
lie servants adopt such measures for publication
as would meet their appreciation.
A PLEASING CHANeE.--Travellers on the
West Jersey railroads cannot but notice the
pleasing change effected by the fine improve
ments progressing throughout that whole sec
tion of country. The present Is q busy time
with many, who are clearing bush land, and fell
ing trees in the extensive forests, where trees
we're suffered to reach an enormous growth, for
the want of facilities TO bring wood and timber
TO market. While making recent trip 10 Salem,
we noticed many "boYs In blue" welding the
axe and grubbingh hoe, clearing and preparing
acres tor spring cultivation, while carpenters
we're framing houses, and farmers were ditching
and tiling the low lands. Immense piles OF
cord wood are are to be seen on on the
depots, at most of which new buildings are
| going up. At Salem the spirit of improvement
is manifest throughout the city. In addition to
| the new glass works which will be built the
! business establishments Will be constructed.
| Several new and attractive residences will soon
| be finished, and the whole city gives evidence of
| rapid improvement in business and population.
| The efficiency of Mr., Van Rensselaer,, the Super
intPndent OF the West Jersey Railroad, and Judge
| Yorke, the Treasurer, has inaugurated a dis
| cipline and furnished facilities which make it
| second to none in the State for public accommo-
| dation. The differences between the present
evidences OF prosperity and past stagnation can
not escape the eye of the most casual observer.
JANUARY FINANCEs.-The financial col
| lections Tor January we're as folows:-North
Ward-school tax, $l04'S5 special tax, $46; city
and ward purposes, $S44'66; leaving uncollected,
| $1ll4760. Middle Ward--school purposes
| $685.; city and ward, $6O1 'SS, balance due,
$6260'Sl. South Ward-School purposes, S66'l0;
city and ward, $l439'12; uncolected, $9522'l7
CENTENARY.-The New Jersey Conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church will hold its
inaugural meeting in the Third street NJ. Il.
Church, on the 7th nst on the occasion OF the
Centenary OF Methodism in the State. ABLE and
distinguished divines will be present on the
occasion.
TAVERN LICENsEs.-Samuel w. Thoman,