The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-01-11

ErOIn llCeUse6. @@o>o'1 w
ftS loapsS a. .................... nei s 1927 80
In all. ....... .s7l2,os 81
THE CITY SHERIFF.
On the 7th November, 1871 the
sheriff reported in tax execu-
tions of 1870 remaining in his Of
of farms under protest. 2,737 IA
az Churches and societies, 8,868 80
Railroads. 800 90
In all........................ s5s, ,4sO 7s
The arrears for taxes lst January, =,
1872. .a..... ..... .s..'. ou,oVo w
A committee Is now engaged in an examl-
nation Of the Office. !:
THE CITY ENGINEER.
A city engineer ls a necessary and useful
officer. The present incumbent has been
prompt, obliglng and efficient In the discharge
OF his dulles, and deem 1t my duty to ex-
press myieptire satisfaction with his capacity
and Industry. had requested OF him report
for the Information of Council Of such matters
of improvements as had been In part acted on
by the former Council, and would have TO be
either carried out or abandoned by Ibis ad-
minstralion. The report will be found COM
prehensive. 1t will include other suggestions
which will be valuable as Information.
Under this head will be found the compre-
henslye report OF the city registrar, which, at
my request, has been extended son1erhat be-
.yond the usual routine, but, trust, not Will.
out profit 10 the inquirlng mind. The hospital
institution is almost perfect IN iis organizatlon
and administration, but the Board OF Aealth
/ baipp now under your consideration for reor-
raniSstion, 1 will abstain from any sugges-
Lions in reference TO the same. During the
lale distressing season of epidemic tevers,
great additional duties and responsibilities
have been Imposed upon the health offcers,
which do believe have been conscientlousiy
responded to. The public has, however, been
much exercised by different opinions, mostly
10 reference to the causes OF the epidemic. ~
has been numerously attributed to the want OF
proper drainage, and also especially to The
non.attention OF large class Of our innaol'
tants to The cleanliness, ventilation and polio
Ing of their babitations and yards. am mol
prepared to argue the case, but have taken
steps to have the city put, during the winter
season, in complete state Of preparation to
encounter the dangerous months, with every
| confidence and reas enable hope OF exemption:
| Our drains are being thoroughly cleaned aud
repaired, and our sewerage gradually lmproV-
ed. Our sanitary laws Will be strictly enforced,
| OF which timely notice has been given, and our
Citizens of ali classes will be held to realize that
upon the active cooperation OF each In
| dividual, In the full observance Of the muni-
cipal regulations, the health and Well-Delng OF
| the entire community depends. Cities cannot
| be too severe in the enforcement OF sanitary
precautions, and especially Southern cities,
| the inhabitants of which are subject to such
| long and protracted season Of o sultry and de-
pressive atmosphere. In this connection
NAV express my regret that many years ago,
under mistaken apprehension, the beautiful
| trees that shaded our principal thoroughfares
were removed. Every effort should be maae
to encourage and protect the replanting OF
shade trees, and where the citizens are unable
40 10 do of their own means the corporation
should supply The deficiency. Indeed, 1t would
seem to me that every street in Southern city
should be an avenue OF live trees.
V.-THE STREET DEPARTMENT.
Our streets are not In desirable condition,
| but we are making the most strenuous efforts
| for their imrrovement. have made diigent
| INQUIRIES into the values of paving material,
| and have come to the conclusion that, 10 our
condition, when we are on all sides admonish-
| ed 10 be strictly economical, we must conhne
ourselves to the cobble and cracked stones,
shells or planking. The cobbles We can easily
| obtain at low rate from ballasted vessels,
and the larger rocks can be cracked at small
| expepse: The shells we have in abundance for
the cost of hauling, and the planking, especial
| ly of our suburban outlets, can be done as
| cheaply with us as in any other city. Whilst
am always in favor of the reasonable Improve
ment OF our highways and byways, think
that, wherever extensive works are required
for sections that yield but small return to the
| city treasury, the benefited propery-owners
/ should contribute their share. It Is now de-
sired to plank EE!Eg street aoove Line, LiIicc IL
street to Rutledge street, Spring street to New
Bridge, and Rutledge street from Beaufain to
Line street. I favor 1t all. but the citizens
should assist. Our street department. works
/ well. have combined with It the tidal drain
department, and included in It's operations the
shell road. But deem it worthy Of inquiry,
whether the tidal drains could not be better
and T.Jre economically cleaned by contract,
/ to be supervised by the keeper and inspectors,
| than as now by the street hands, Our drains
| generally are cleaned BY contract. They were
] mostly in most wretched and eff1nVl?us con-
( dition, and their cleansing public necessity;
The lighting of our streets Is but lmper1ectly
/ done. and there Is great necessity for an in
crease of the number Of lamps. Light is secu.
rity. There are at present five hundred and
4 sIxty-fYe lamps in. use, which cost the city,
i per contract, forty-six dollars per annum each,
| This is more than most other cities are made
to nav, and new contract should be made
erected, our city institutions, which consume
q great quantity OF gas, should be supplied
with suitable patent generators, which are les:
exnensiye. During the last summer have
had personal practical experience tnat sucf
light is cheap, very readily generated, and al
luminous as the gas Of the Charleston works
v.-THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The reorganization of our police has giveI
us larger and more efficient force at q mqcl
less cost. Much and violent ohjectlon ma
been expressed against our reduction OF tA'
pay of the day police, whilst, nevertheless
the applications lor membership of the sam'
have been exceedingly numerous. 1t has no