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

tuW ptilou EIoWtn OF PnilRdelDhia has been
| very great and the whole increase in the twelve
! years, as represented by the assessment, is not
more than the increase Of one prosperous year
| taken outof the twelve.
Although our system Of assessment is expensi ve
1t is very defective. Sixty-four assessors, with
salary of $3.50 each elected by the voters of the se
| veral wards, are now charged with the duty. Be-
ing responsible only to their immediate oonstitu-
ents, their popularity is dependent on their libe
rality, and their neglect Of duty is in many cases
the assurance of their continuance in ONCE. Re.
cent legislation has given limited supervision TO
two superior omcere, and in some other particu-
lars aimed at an Improvement; but had an entire
new department been created, under the supervi-
sion OF the two very competent and respectable
gentlemen who now I'LL the two superior Offices
Just alluded to, with power to appoint an adeouate
number OF suberdinates, responsible TO them aud
qualihed for their posts thorough and system.
attic assessment with detailed plans and particu-
lars of all the real estate of the city, with properly
equalized values, might have been made an a gent
mp for one. halt the cost which is now incnTrsd
for the unreliable and unsatisfactory returns of
the present system,
But the inference is not 10 he drawn from tho
criticism which has been made upon improyiden
expenditure and insufficient and unreliable as
sessments that the annual expenses of Philadel-
phia contrast unfavorably with either Boston or
new York, for on careful examination it appears
I@1at @ the tax per capita was, in 1865, 1922 in New
VOTE, S54 IN Boston; while in Philadelphia, in
1866, when the tax was greater than in 1865 il was
only VII, IT. is true that the wealth both Of New
York and Boston relatively to the population is
greater than that Of Philadelphia and that IN botn
places the taxation, with the revenue, covered
thelr whole expenses, whilst in Philadelphia it
allowance for these differences, the com parison
results very tavorably for our own city.
. our iunded debt, although large, ought not to BE-
tne cause OF embarrassment, nor is there anything
dlscouraeiuE in our financial position. IMPROVE
oehce In the past is to be regretted but by its avoid
ance in the future, with our daily Increase of
population and wealth, every obligation may be
readily met as 1t natures, without increasing the
burden OF taxation,
The sanitary condition OF Philadelphia during
the past year has been such to demand thank
fulness to the Great Disposer of all things, A
q n no fipnn nod to nvta
over the whole Of this continent, and which in
some portions Of the United States was felt with
great severity, touched our city gently. For this
blessing, undoubtedly, we are primarily indebted
TO the Almighty, who has kindly shielded us from
m mtne lmpenolng oanGeri but much is due also, to
the wise precautions and the energetic means en-
ployed to avert and subdue the calamity. As
soon as the cholera made its appearance on
shipboard in the harbor of New York, our Board
OF Health adopted vigorous sanatory regulations,
and, with the and of the authorities having charge
of the Street Cleaning Department. secured, so far
as 1t was possible to do so, wholesome state of
cleanliness and freedom from disease. breeding i'm
purities.
And in this connection may say that the system
OF cleaning the streets by contract inaugurated
in April last under the sanction of Councils
mas worked admirably. 1t Will be conceded by all,
think, that at no period since consolidation have
the streets OF Philadelphia been in so good condl-
ton during the latter half of the year 1866 and
taking into view the heeXtraordinary character OF the
recent winter the same may be claimed for so much
of the year 1867 as has already passed. Occupying
as Philadelphia does an almost level surface and,
(party owing this cause and partly to the imper-
tect system of sewage entaled upon us by previous
generations) having insufficient drainage, 1t offers
unusual obstacles TO thorough cleansing. And
when in addiucn to these difficulties we bear in
mind that our cobble-stone pavements gather and
preserve the debris of the carriage ways, and that
our horse railways accumulate large amount OF
filth, it is creditabe to the contractor, Mr. Henry
Buckley, that be has performed his arduous under
taking so much 20 the general Satisfaction.
The operations Of the Police Department, the
only one OF all the executive departments over
which any direct control is exercised by the Mayor
in the min, bPPn satisfactory. rule the
men composing the force are orderly, attentive and
efficient and on several occasions during the past
year. when they have been called upon to perform
extraordinary and delicate duties they have shown
such courage, endurance and forbearance as entite
them to high commendation.
Since January !, 1866, harbor police, consist
ing of ten persons, specially appointed for the pur
pose, has been organized for the river Schuylklll
and its vicinity. The concurrent testimony OF the
officers OF the Schuylkill Navigation Company,
and of the property owners generally near the
banks OF the stream well as those whose business
requires them TO occupy Its waters IN addltlon 10
the increased security given the public works and
grounds, sufficiently attest the value OF this organ
tors one in the Twenty second and one in the
Twenty-third wards, making in the whole twelve
men, have been added TO the force since the date
last mentioned. As now constituted, the Police
Department comprises:
l Chief of Police.
Fire Marshal.
/ Chief Of Detectives.
Detectives
High Cons tables.
is Leutenants of Police.
80 Sergeants
Day Sergeants,
SO Telegraph Operators
PARK Policemen,
20 Harbor
6eS Patrolmen.
Is Turnkeys.
SAB. nn"A'Hs '0'a' u
When it is considered that the closely built por-
tions of Philadelphia cover vastly larger terri
torial area, and embrace some thirty thousand
more houses, than the corresponding portions of
the city of New York, the statement of the fact
that in the latter city there are eighteen hundred
| patrolmen, while in the former there are only
! seven hundred, carries with 1t it's own commen-
tary As 1t is not pretended that the patrol force
OF New York is beyond the needs of that great
city, it cannot be doubted that the patrol force of
| Philadelphia Is far below the needs of onr own
great city. IL is, indeed, wholly inadeq uate to
meet the requirements made upon il, and while
this is true OF the thickly settled wards it espe-
cially true OF the semi-rural districts, in which,
owing to the necessities of the case, officers are
| assigned to beats which take them hours to pass
| over in q single direction.
| am quite aware that IL is undesirable to add to
I the heavy burdens already imposed upon the citi-
zens. But as ample protection to persons and pro-
| perty is principal element Of good government,
the cost OF obtaining this is among the most eco
| nomical of all expenditures. Indeed, as L have
upon former occasions submitted to your consider
| alton, projected improvements have been sus-
l pended, if not abandoned, by reason OF apprehen-
sions on the score of insufficient security, which
1 improvements, If carried to completion, would
/ have largely augmented the public revenues. In
| view of the facts presented, renew the recon-
mendation heretofore made, both by myself and
NV predecessoT that such an increase of the police
force shall be authorized as will at least PARTIAL
meet the existing wants of this prosperous metro
Rnt not only is the amount of the force made
| quate In many respects the present biographies
arran cement of the Police Districts is objection.
| able IT would be supertiuous to argue the mani.
| fest propositon that Station house should be al
| nearly as possible in the centre OF the area ira
versed by the officers for whose accommodation
| Is Intended Every motive of convenience, econo
NV and efiicency rec uires this. There are reasons