The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-09
CITY NEWS.
MAYOR KEiLEY's ANNUAL MESSAGE
ON CITY AFFAIRS.

N0 JNpA ' .
1t commences with an expression O
grateful thankfulness at the general i'm
munity from sickness, appalling acct
dents and dire calamities which
claimed SO many victims else
where. Though, in common with every
commercial and manufacturing community
in the country, our business interests sui
tered from the great financial panic of the
fall, there has been no resulting abatement
Of that hopeful courage of our people,
tried in the furnace Of so many and great
Affections, to which Richmond owes what.
ever she boasts of achievement or promise
to-day.
The reports of the various heads of de-
partments are unusually full of informa.
ton and suggestion, and present q picture
of the condition of the city as satisfactory
as could be expected.
A reassessment of the real estate of the
city shows a value of $29, 166, 979-an in
crease Of 50. PIG, 736-about one million
dollars of which represents the construc-
ton of new buildings or additions and i'm
provements to old ones made during the
year.
From the new census it appears that we
have 34,492 white and 27,213 colored in
habitants, a total of go,
There has been, despite unavoidable
drawbacks, a notable and steady increase
in commercial enterprise, and more graft
flying results are predicted in that line dur
ing the present year.
Bonded debt of the city $3,977, 99O.97
floating do. 2,251. 81, being thirteen and
two.thirds per cent. of the taxable real
Qcf0taA nf fha aitvy pr 02 &c A. -Llz --
BILE property of the city. The estimated
value OF the assets of the city is $780,
10000, so that the bonded debt is about
half a million in excess of the actual pos
sessions of the city in its corporate capaci.
ty. An increase of the bonded debt is
soon highly probable for necessary local
improvements. 1t is suggested that in fu-
ture coupons for interest be made payable
at the option either in New York or Rich
mond. His honor here makes a number
of judicious financial suggestions, which
we omit.
Estimated ordinary expenditures for the
year ending January 81, '75, 1896, SS2.45.
Of which $265, 1886 are for interest. Esti-
mated total of real and personal estate in
the city, Sal ,000, 700. Estimated receipts
Tin taxes, water, gas and other ~levies),
1878 900 leaving $47 1882 to be supplied
from miscellaneous sources, which may
be safely calculated on for $50. 900 or more.
The finance committee of the city coun-
ell is mentioned in terms of commentator
for its faithful discharge of duty, and strict
economy is %enjoined in future.
The average of paupers fed in the aims
house in 1873 was 22S previous year 237,
at a cost Of 5000 per head.
For outdoor relief for that year there
were issued $3.50 bushels of meal and
1852 cords of wood. The citizens relief
committee prevented these figures being
Both the white and colored aims
houses are kept in an admirable manner.
In consequence of detected swindles on
the part of some of the employees OF the
gas works, new books have been intro.
duced, rendering impossible a similar coup
de main on public funds. Delinquent gas
bills for 1873 amount to only 1870 ; in
previous years they aggregated thousands
dollars. There was a profit made in the
works in 1873 of 1914, 5s2, as follows:
Coal consumed (bushels). 29S, 1903
Gas produced cubic ft.)......... "a, 1862, 200
Private consumption Cubic ft.). So, 523 ,SS1
Public consumption cubic ft.)... II, 1862. IT'S
Gross receipts
Gross expenses. l67 ,603
The works are in good condition and the
character OF the hands employed has visi-
bly, improved. A shed is asked for in
front of the retort house for the repose of
man and beast.
Net receipts of the water works for 1873
Construction account SIS 900,
and enlargement of the works $139, 800.
The turbine wheel at the pump.house is
not YET at work. 1t will give water
whether the river runs high or low. The
big pipes on Cary street have been lard,
also some on cross-streets. The new res
ervoir is mentioned as likely to be q salts
institution when completed.
The total loss by fire last year only
amounted to o~ne-twentieth of one per cent
of the assessed value of the taxable prop
erty of Richmond. The fire department,
barring exercise, is in tolerable good work.
ing condition. 600
Cost of the police force $84, 000-three
thousand dollars was paid for work not done
account Of sickness, of which the mayor
complains.
Arrests during the year G.393 ; year pre-
ceding 6,12l. The chief of police reports
that a good many of these arrests are due
to the fondness of the colored people for
redressing their own wrongs, which the
mayor shows to be wrong by facts and
figures.
Improvement of streets cost $1l3, 1856
for '73. .e
Births in '7a 1889, marriages 500,
deaths 2,037.
Improvement of James river is CO.
going on. Already the cost has amounted
to about 100000, part borne by the
United States. Expenditures in '73 about
$49, 900; length of improvement from
Rockets eastward five or six miles.
The public school year closed with June
last. Average daily attendance-whites.
2,151 /; colored, 1886. The large attend
ance is c~ommendable. Number of
schools for past season was-white, 90;
colored, 80; teachers, log. Total ex-
penditure for same in 1878, 1856, 1850. 80.
Each scholar cost $3.50.
ROLL OF HoNoR.-Richmond Normal
school for the week ending March g., 1874 !:
Senior Class-Edward Boiling, Eddie
Carter, Henry Hucless, Ann Smith, Vir-
ginia Warren, Mary Wells, Hester Willis,
Jennie Roberts.
Middle Class-William Gwathmey, Rich
ard Scott, Martha Trice.
Junior Class-Richard Boiling, Rich
ard Combs, James johnson, Emma Blunt,