The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-26
THE MAvoR,s MESSAGE


The annual message of Mayor Kelley
was presented at the regular semi-monthly
meeting of the City Council last evening,
and is published at length in the morning
papers. 1t treats Of the city finances, the
condition of the public schools, streets, the
fire department, water department, Gas de-
partment, almshouse, police department,
house Of refuge, sinking fund, etc. 1t pre-
sents clear, and, in the main, satisfactory
resume of the condition of the several de-
partments of our city government, and
makes very creditable municipal paper.
Of the condition of our public schools,
the Mayor speaks in deserving terms of
commentator, referring to the advanced
grade of instruction therein, the perfected
classification of scholars, the experience
and training of the teachers in the best
methods of teaching, the decorum and good
order secured, and the highly gratifying
results which have been reached under the
present and past management of the
schools. The number of scholars taught
this year has been 3,421, an increase of
700 over the previous year. He recon-
mends an appropriation for high and
normal school, as among the most i'm
portant and useful measures that can
come under municipal consideration.
lie dwells at some length on the unlavor-
able condition of our public streets, on the
limited extent Of the city sewerage, the un-
satisfactory state of the sidewalks, and re-
commends that the work of improving the
condition of them, and extending the bene-
fits of sewerage, be one Of special consider
alton and care on the part of the Council.
The amount expended in these improve
nents the last year was $l10,2l5, against
$77 ,052 the year previous, and he urges
that the work should still be theoretically
pushed forward by the proper municipal
authority. @
The condition Of the fire department is
represented to be very satisfactory, the
system Of fire-alarm and police telegraph
having proved most valuable adjunct to
the successful working of the department.
The loss of property by fire the past year
has been only s66,295, against loss of
1927 ,785 the year previous.
The water department is also spoken of
as being in excellent working condition.
There are now 40 miles and 500 yards of
pipe and 300 plugs within the city limits.
The works are claimed to be a model of
cleanliness and care, both as to buildings
and grounds, as well as to the means Of
distribution. .-
The consumption of gas during the year
has been AZ Sos $40 cubic feet, an increase
of 5000, 900 over the previous year, and
the largest proportionate increase for many
years. There are between 80 and 40 miles
of gas pipe laid within the city limits, and
1910 public lamps. lax
The number of whites admitted into the
alms-house during the year was All. and
the number of colored $50. The Mayor
speaks in high terms of the management of
both the white and colored alms-houses.
The police department is highly COM
mended for its efficiency and general good
management during the year. There are
various miscellaneous recommendations in
the message, the most important ofwhich are
the establishment of a reformatory and puni-
| tory institution for women and boys. the
procuring of new city seal; an amend
ment to the city charter so as to secure
greater deliberation in the appropriation
of public money /; en- early codifcation of
the city ordinances, and providing that the
reports of the city departments be made
directly to the Mayor.