The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-01-17

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turned empty away some who should have
been supplied. However much this is to be
regretted, Il could hardly have been avoided,
except at the risk OF sanctlonlng that degree
Of lavishneSs that would have worked injus
tice to the city, and at the same time would have
fostered In hundreds habits of dependence and
ideness. l am Of the opinion that this institu-
ton could be made In great degree self-sus-
talning If the present buildings and grounds
should be disposed OF, sufficient would be real
lied to purchase outside the city proper
sufficient of fertile land for cultivation. and to
erect upon it buildings ample for habltation,
and shops for mechanical labor. This accom-
plished, there would be no longer any need
of the heavy annual appropriation which is
that immediate steps be taken to effect this
evidently important change.
POLICE.
The only essential change in this department
for the year past has been Its gradual dimnu-
tion. The appropriation for the present year
| having been greatly reduced, this 6imiRution
became necessity. The regular force has
maintained nearly Its original members, while
the night watch has dwlndled almost to ex-
tinction. The force as now constituted Is not
sufficient; also some change from the old basis
Is desirable. II we had only regular force, it
wonld be far more efficient, even with less
number OF men. In either case, I do not
think 1t good policy to reduce the number to
/ too low minimum. We have great extent
of streets, and the more thoroughly they are
patrolled, the greater will be the security to
life and property. 1t has often been said that
in many Northern cities OF equal population
with OURS, less number of police than we EN-
ploy answers every purpose. This is true; but
the circumstances are different. There
yet remains here an old antagonism
OF race. which, though becoming gradually
molll1Gd, is constantly confronting the police
man at every turn of his beat. A slight hostile
demonstration from either side is aUn 10 set
q whole neighborhood In an uproar, unless the
sentinel is near at hand to check it in its in
cipiency. Then, owing to the peculiar status of
our population, to the lack OF diversified occu-
patton, to the apathy of great portion of the
population with regard to schools, and 70 nu-
| merous other causes that do not operate so
unfavorably there as here, our streets are
thronged, day and night, with iders, particu.
| larly or the young, who must be watched con-
stantly to prevent disturbance of the peace,
and depredations upon property. 1t Is, there
| fore, for the general interest that we keep up
o substantial, well regulated police force.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This is of itself little army, and Is thorough
| " equipped. 1t consists OF eleven steamers,
all 1rst-class; nine hand engines, In fair
condition. and two well furnished hook and
|
companies. II is very seldom that halt this
force Is called into requisition, or that 1t could
| be used at the same time. With better sup
plv of water, which Is much needed In various
| localities, and with one-half the present organ
lied force, we could defy the devoprlng ele-
ment. But it would be matter OF great dell
cacy to attempt reduction. Each company
| has, at the expense OF much time and money,
procured Its apparatus and perfected Its prac-
tice. and to discard either half might seem
inyldlous. To avoid this, and yet to conform
the expenses to the low estate of the city
finances, the pay for the year past was essen
TALLY lessened, and the reduction has been en-
dnred without murmur Still, 1t is question
| whether we can be justified in maintaining the
department In Its present overgrown condi-
| tIon, am confident that to reduce the Num-
ber of engines one-half, and then to constitute
'.paid department" would save large
amount annually to the city, while the prop
erty would be quite as secure as 1t Is under
present arrangements. Therefore. your earll-
est and candid consideration OF this subject is
| invoked.
LIGHTING THE STREETS.
The city is but imperfecty Illuminated.
There were originally over twelve hundred
lamps, about half of which are now In use.
The number has been much increased during
the year past, as the necessity seemed to re-
quire, but with no dmlnutlon In the price,
which is still SAG per year for each lamp. More
light has been deemed extremely desirable. 1t
would not only conduce greatly TO the comfort
and convenience Of the Inhabitants, but 1t
would afford additional safety 10 life and prop
erty. To this end a proposition was made to
the Gas Company, at conference held by Its
committee with the committee Of Council OIL
lighting the streets, to light the entire city,
and at a rate which was deemed equitable, ,inas.
much as it was quite equal to that paid by any
ottt a
of our neighborinT cities. But their counter
propositions We're deemed go eXtravagant as
10 make 1t evident that they considered them
selves monopoly. IL therefore became al
most q question OF morals whether to regard
the monopoya and let the people have light, or
10 discard it and keep the people In darkness.
At any rate. the conference ended without re-
suit, and no subsequent negotiations have
been attempted.
CITY ENGINEER.
The services of this officer have been indis-
pensable. Some OF the Improvements hereto
fore attempted have been conducted on plans
far from scientific. The drainage, so vital To
health, Is very imperfect The main drains, SO
far as completed, are well done; but the infe-
ror drains seem to have been projected with
out any well-defned system. The present en-
gineer has surveyed extensively, with view
10 correct what has been done wrong, and to
tive, TO the basis OF the tidal or main drains.
He has performed all his duties with faithful
ness and ability, and the question should be
considered whether the salary he receives Is
adequate for the kind and degree OF service lie
Is expected to render.
oRPHANHOUSE.
This is an institution, towards which the city
may very properly entertain tender, but lofty
pride; for 1t provides for very great number
OF the otherwise homeless and trlendless. Its
OUTLAWS must, OF necessity, be very great; but
being under excellent management, the eX-
penses have been much reduced from those
OF former years. with no curtallnlent OF COM
forts or privileges. Still, as 1t Is a costly char
ity, economy should continue study; 1t should
ever be borne In mind that 10 husband charity
is virtue; to lavish 1t Is n crime. The school
is the candelabrum OF the institution. With
Its lights constantly trimmed and burning,
cheerful and healthy glow Is cast over every
oLher interest, some Of which otherwise might
wear the tiuge OF sadness. An addition to the
industrial pursuits Of the inmates, If possible,
would be of great advantage; not so much for
the pecuniary benefits that would accrue, as
for the habits of industry and Independence
| that would be thereby instilled, and that would
arm the possessors the more thoroughly to
combat successfully with the struggles OF alter
| life.
CITY DEBT.
This Is the financial nightmare that presses
heavily upo every interest of the city, forbid
ding either healthy waking or repose, and, at
the same time, precluding oil ability 10 shake
| off the smotherlug incubus. Still there begins