The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-28

"Ihe present works require reservoir capacity
the new reservoir shall still be deficient in sto
rage capacity"
reflection. No topic is more intimately connected
with the prosperity, the comfort, nay, the ex
istence, Of large city than the quantity and qua
lily Of the water furnished TO its inhabitahts. For
years past the annual messages Of my predecessor
nave directed attention TO the pressing necessity
LOT some e decisive action in regard 70 the future
gineer have constantly urged the same necessity,
and have myself on more occasions than one,
presented 1t for consideration. The intelligent
gentlemen who composed the former Committees,
" ell as those who compose the present Commit
tee on Water, have been and are impressed with
a conviction of its vital importance; and am sure
the members of Councils at large are not less sem
si6le OF it's exceeding gravity In addition to this,
tical recognition OF the public demand that some
thing effective shall be done; and yet we do not
were when the subject was first agitated. Why
this is do not pretend TO explain, but 1t is state
of things that ought not to continue. The people
have right to the best and wisest and most deter
mined action of their representative in this behalf
and hesitation will certainly be culpable, ana may
possibly prove disastrous
1t is admitted on all hands that, in the present
condition OF the Schuylkill, the works at and ad-
jacent TO Fairmount cannot much longer be made
available for the supply Of even that portion OF the
city which is now dependent on them. Supposng
their capacity to be sufficient, which we know 1t
lie not the steadily increasing impurities thrown
into the stream along both its banks, and espe-
cially the eastern, between Flat Rock and Fair
mount, AHOru reasonable ground for apprehension
that the water may become permanently unwhole-
some, as 1t Is now frequently unpalatable. Huge
establishments OF various descriptions, which
constantly discharge offensive refuse, already
exist in large numbers and are multiplying
in the vicinity referred TO-; and the question
is forced upon whether these shall bs per-
mitted to go on unmoested, or such measures
shall be adopted as will secure the Schuylki from
further pollution. And this question involves
grave considerations. philadelphia owes much OF
her unexampled growth and prosperity to the
facilities she has furnished for manufacturing
under favorable conditions and her progress here
after will be materially influenced by similar
causes. How far it may be expedient to interfere
with this growth and prosperity, and to limit this
progress, is a pregnant inquiry; but at the same
time no commercial sacrifice can be equal to the
want of pure and healthful water. Happily, how
ever, we need not be embarrassed by either alter.
native II il be desirable to seek other sources of
supply than the Schuylkill, they can be found
within convenient distance and under favorable
auspices; if IL be desirable to continue the
use of that stream, means of purification and en-
largement can be employed which will enable us to
do so without harsh disturbance of vested rights
damaging interpositioI against promised advan-
tages. But measures must be Immediately adopted
to solve these problems, and provide remedy for
the threatened evil. As first step in the right
direction, renew the recommendation so often
made, and so generally concurred in, but hitherto
never reduced to suitable action, that commits
sion Of scientific and mechanical experts, clothed
with ample powers and provided with ample
means, shall be organized, with instructions to
proceed at once to examine the whole SUBJECT, in
all its aspects and bearings. When such COM
mission shall have faithfully performed the duties
gatons are laid before Councils, prompt and con-
elusive action will certainly follow, and our citi
zens will be relieved of anxiety in a matter which
affects alike all classes.
The total amount appropriated during the past
year for the support OF the School department was
1884, 1903, 81, of which there was expended the
Of Ss77,757 90, leaving balance to merge of &c.
546 "a.
1884, there had been expended the lst of January
1867, the sum of Sl37,52 90, as follows:
For new schooihouses sl1O362 42
leaving vet TO be expended the sum of sss2 go 9i
There are 374 schools in active operation, con-
tanning ~ l64 scholars The cost of educating each
child per annum is $ll 49, which is less than in any
other large city in the United States.
Philadelphia is justly proud of her pnblic
schools. In the character and attainments OF the
teachers, in the numbers, discipline and progress
of the pupils, well as in the moral tone that
peryades Them these institutions will compare ia
vorably with any to be found elsewhere. With
the expansion of the city, and the more advanced
standards of education, the cost OF maintaining
our schools has necessarily increased but rela-
lively in this respect far below any other
great city. Our school edlfices with few distIn-
guished exceptions, nave not, heretofore, been SO
but with the liberal appropriations recently made
for this object it is believed that Philadelphia will
soon possess grammar schools as nearly perfect in
their design and construction as the existing con-
ditions will allow.
In the report hereto appended, Mr.. Shippen, the
energetic President Of the Board OF Controllers,
makes special alusion to the merits and the wants
OF the Girls High and Normal School. To the
merits OF tnlS SClOOl i CHn DedI personal WlLueSS
The brightness, the vivacity, the theroughness
that characterize its operations, both among in
structors and instructed, have never seen sur
passed, and IL would not be easy to overestimate
the beneficial results which 1t helps to &C
complish AS a means of preparing large
number of boys for pursuits requiring q closer
intellectual training than can be supplied IN
The Grammar Schools, the Boys High School,
under the able administration of Professor Richie,
is citing much good in the community; but the
Girls High School, as the source from which our
ables female teachers are supplied, is indtspensa-
BILE TO the successful working of our whole sys.
TEN. Gentlemen of the highest culture and widest
experience, representing the most famous public
schools of the land, have in my hearing pro-
claimed its superiority, and trust that whatever
may be required TO enable IL to sustain its reputa
ton and usefulness will be accorded.
The expenses OF the Department OF City Property
for 1865 were Sl53,4S7 81, and the revenue derived
therefrom amounted to S1l,215 20. The real estate
OF the city under the control OF the Commissioners
has been we'll cared for during the year, aithough
many of the buildings are reported by him
to be very much in need of repair The subJoined
extract from the report OF the commissioner Is
particularly recommended 10 the atLehuon OF
Councils
~ beg leave especially to recommend to your
Honor and City Councils the sale OF all pubic
properties that are not available for police or
school purposes, most of which do not pay
revenue to the city sufficient for their support
These structures are by no means desirable pro-
perties None OF them are substantially built and
the constant necessity for repairs upon them must
continue TO involve unceasing ana annoying eH-
pense. The rental derived from them has never
been sufficient to keep them even in tenantaole re-
pair and earnestly recommend that every build.
ing not kept in perfect repair be disposed OIL ana
the sooner this is done the better"
The improvements at Paramount PARK nave
steadily Increased under the supervision OF the
Commissioner, and during the past year seVerai
attractions have been added.
The recent purchase by Councils of the pro-
perty known as the LansdOwne estate on the west
bank of the Schuylkil accompanied as II was oy
legislation which looks beyond the present nour,
may be regarded as the inauguration OF new era
IN regard to our public parks. Until now the GUS
tody and management OF the grounds set apart LOT