The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-01-17
CONDITION OF THE CITY.
ANNUAL REPORT OFMAYOR PILLS
BURY.

ANNUAL REPORT OFMAYOR PILLS
BURY.
Gentlemen of the CounciLThere Is nc
teacher more trustworthy to those VINO are
willing 10 profit by its lessons than experience
| When we first entered upon our ofhcial du'
ties. most of us were unpractlced in the par
ticuar sphere to which we had been called
But now, after having gained degree OF
Knowledge. at least as to the actual condition
and needs of the city, it is time seriously 70
direct our attention to such measures as small
be most likely to promote its greater advance.
ment. Before entering upon q new year, II
NAV be we'll to take retrospect OF the
old. in order to avoid any breakers upon
which we NAV have dritted to our injury, and
to open wider and deeper any channels tnat
may have served us, though partlaly, YET we'll
FINANCES.
First in Importance to any city are It's
| finances, because upon them depends tue ad-
yancement of every identical interest. The
amount appropriated for all purposes OF the
present year was $769, 900. This seems TO nave
been sufficient, though in some cases, no
doubt, more could have been ludleloasly e6-
pended. at any rate, the general necessltles
seem to have been well answered. VI the
amount raised it has required 1920, 900 to meet
The, in crest upon the city debt, leaving $4i9,
| OOC to be applied to the varied purposes OF the
| CITY government. From this last sum $50, OOl
were set apart for general improvements, and
unless it shall be deemed advisable 10 enlarge
this particular expenditure, am OF Inc opln-
| ion that the same amount fOr 1871 Will answer
| the eyigencies to be met In 1871, with the eX-
ceptIon of that part applied to the city debt OF
which shall speak under another head. To
raise less might impair the general good, while
to raise more would certainly impose burden
! upon the people which they are not we'll able
| to sustain.
IMPROVEMENTS.
Under this head take pleasure in alluding
to certain changes for the better which are
evident in various parts Of the city. Not the
| least OF these is that In King, street, from
| Broad to Calhoun. This, together with the
| plank road from VanderhOrst to Line, from
thence to the shell road, affords very COM
Portable and agreeable drive OF over six miles,
through the entire length of the city, into the
| country.
Then another pressing need has been sup.
piled by the construction of many miles OF
sidewalk, particularly in the northern and
western portions of the city.
a large and substantial brick drain has been
constructed from the Market directly into the
basin above the old Fish Market. This not
only affords thorough drainage tor the Mar
ket. but It may be rendered available also for
removing the mud from the basin, alter the
channel into the river shall have been tho
roughly cleared, which could be accomplished
at no very great expense by the use OF
dredging machine.
Thus The basin, very costly, but hitherto
almost worthless structure, might De maue 70
answer many valuable ends.
A small appropriation was made 10 COM
mence improvements around the pond be-
tween Beaufain and Broad streets, and the
| work has already progressed considerably upon
the Rutledge street side. would recommend
that the work be continued till the contem-
plated design be executed, as it will not only
enhance the value of property In that vicinity,
but also viii afford cool, healthy resort for
the weary, pent-up Inhabitants Of the city.
The widening of King street has been con-
stanty advancing, and will, no douot, ere
long be completed.
All the prellmlnaries OF the long contem-
plated widening of East Bay street nave at
length been arranged; and nothing Is now
needed but comparatively small appropria-
lion for the purpose, and the work will be
done, Other minor changes have been effect
ed. too numerous TO- mention, but yet oil con-
tribuLng to the general convenience and COM
fort.
There are still loud calls for greater outlays;
but their answer must depend upon the aollity
of the city to 60 outside OF what may Dc
termed its actual necessities. Among tnese
street, the extension of Hayne through Guis-
nard, the planking Of some convenient
thoroughfare from King street to Ashley River,
raising the sauseway In Rutledge street, near
Calhoun; additional drains through Mary and
Morris streets; through Pitt, from Montague TO
Wentworth; from South street to tidal dram;
the filling of various lots, which, IN their
present condition, retain quantities of stagnant
water. all this, and much more, we woulo
gladly accomplish II the means should be at
our command.
APPRAIsEMEST OF PROPERTY.
Much pains and expense have been incurred
during the present year, to arrive at Il fair.
equitable valuation Of the property OF the city.
This object has been approXmated, though lt
may not have been absolutely reached. There
are evidently exceptional cases, where The
valuation has been placed above the average;
and there are also cases where the reverse
has been true. These mistakes, (lOr regard
them only as such,) should be corrected.
There Is some complaint that the general
standard of property has been elevated above
what it can properly bear. This may be true;
but II so, it could hardly effect owners TO their
disadvantage, provided an equal valuation
could be established. A certain amount must
be raised by taxation; and it Is immaterlai
whether the valuation Is higher, anu the
per cent lower, or whether the valuation Is
lower Ind the per cent higher, In raising the
required amount. 1t certainly would be bad
po.icy to place the estimate too low. The city
certainly needs all the credit to which 1t can
Justly be entitled. Better Insist that we are Il
Iarden, rather than desert, II we would at
tract the stranger within our gates. No crter
would EXPECT to realize more largely by de-
preciating his wares; while any undue Imitation
of our financial consequence would neither be
honest or judicious; still. to assume all the
credit due us would be both honorable and ad-
vantageous.
HOSPITALS.
In the hospitals all the departments are un-
der the general supervision OF the CITY regis
trar and his assistants. The treatment OF pa
tients IL regular, thorough and humane, go iar
as believe and am able to Judge. me dlner-
ent wards are kept in excellent order; every
thing around indicating an alr Of qulet anu
comfort that should invite the sufferer In,
rather than repel him, as is TOO often tle case
with institutions Of this character.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
This board, as newly constituted early IN the
present year, has proved vital, effective
hodv. II held its meetings regularly each
week during the sickly season. All matters
nertaininp to the sanitary condition of the city
were thoroughly considered. Epidemic and
contagious diseases were watched and guard.
ed against wi zeal that seems to have been
abundantly rewarded by the total absence oil
these scourges from the city during the entire
year.
HOUSE OF CORRECTION.
This institution answers certain purpose;
but it does fur from affecting the object which
a. I,y hn fila il hp0rq sHOllSe of