The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-03-16

The proportion Of infantile Deaths con
tinues very large, those unjer five years con
stiLuting over 45 per cent. OF the whole num-
Der of deaths rs against 435 per cent. the
preceding year; and this, too, with notably
diminished deatl-list from diphtheria and
ciolera-infantum, the most fatal infantile
complaints in our climate. The death-rate,
which in 1874 vas 33 to each 1000 Of pop
ulaton, was last year reduced "a in the same
number. if the Boards estimate of the pop.
ulation at $4,000 is reliable.
The systems followed in the various cities
are so different, and probably the degree OF
fidelity in accumulating facts so varying. that
little reliance can be placed on the general
table of this description for comparative re.
suits. No one, l presume, could be per-
suaded by any array OF statistics that the
mortality in Richmond was G5 per cent.
higher than in Louisville, KY, city OF about
the same latitude, climate. and general con-
ditions, yet such is the affirmance of the Ia
bes.
| beiye that in this city as true and com.
plete an account OF deaths is obtained as Is
possible, aud am quite sure that nothing Is
left undone on the part OF the Board to sc.
cure it. l venture to repeat the hope that
the Board will at some future time make an
effort to obtain the information on this sub.
ject to which in two annual messages have
called atteuton-that is to say, dlSelscre.
cord, showing the amount and locality oil the
various diseases, whether resulting in death
or not, which prevail in Richmond. Making
every allowance for the carelessneSS with
which the reports Of many other cities are
made out, the death-rate in Richmond re-
mains excessive when we reflect on the ad.
vantagas Of climate, site, water, and room, for
expansion Of which we justly boast.
The Board, it will be observed, ask for a
considerable Increase of their powers and
duties, including among others the power
TO order and coercce the grading and paving
of private alleys, the fencing in OF unoccu-
pied lots, the closing up or regulating OF
houses which in their opinion are unfit tene-
mentS, the closing up OF damp cellars or
their regulation, the prevention OF over
crowded dwelling-houSe$, the cleaning oi
the streets under saaricd officer. DC.
The Council will, Of course, be cautious
about conferring these extraordinary powers
upou a bureau whose acts are subject to nc
snecial revision or control; and one which
albeit now guided only by an enlightened re-
gard for the public |ell.being, can by nc
process be insured.
THE GAS WORKS.
The report of operations in this depart
ment is in every respect satisfactory. Fol
thorough publication, high illumnary
bower. and entire adequacy of supply the
gas production of Richmond will compare
with any in the country, while on the score
of cost it is not only the cheapest gas fur
nished in the Common wealth. but the rate l.
| lower than the average in any State or Ter
ritory in the Union. have before nae u ia
| BILE Of the average cost of gas to the con
sumer in each political subdivision of The
country, and the lowest-West Firginia-i!
| $311, while to the people of Richmond ga:
| is furnished at $3.50 per thou,and-the ave
| rage net price throughout the United State:
being S4.323 per one thousand cubic feet
When we remember that this low rate i.
charged for an unsurpassed article, and tha
| wthal q profit Of $4,000 was realized las
wear on au estimated capital in the value o.
The works OF 81 900, 900, the management o
this branch Of the public service may will
confidence claim The appreciation Of the citi
Zens.
During the coming year arrangements viii
be made for the direct delivery OF the ga:
from the lower instead of as ut present, max
ing second storage in the old works Oh
Cary street.
This will be the prelude to the abandon
ment at no distant day of the upper works
| for the continuance of which no better rei
son can be assigned than the uuwillingues:
TO reinquish property which cost grea
deal of money, however useless at present
| The manufacture and storage OF gas shoult
be at the same point and under single con
troll: and there are, besides, reasons OF sa!et,
| to adiaceut property which make it deslra
BILE that the upper works should be removed
as soon as practicable.
During the year the consumption OF ga
! has been diminished nearly two millions Q
cubic feet. An examination OF the feco!u u
at the office will show that this Is que mrs
TO the greater economy III the pu6Ac eSpeh
| diture. which was one million four hundre
and twenty-three thousand two hunare
and ninety-four l,42SS,20D feet iess In ls'
than in 1873, and secondly, to the diminisne
consumption by the Chesapeake ana ohl
Railroad Company, which. during the year
lS73-'74, paid the city Sth4ot lor gas, use
principally in the tunnel
The private use of gas has increased, an
must continue 20 increase. l recomme'
that section 81 Of chapter 81 OF the city
dinances be amended by the adoption II I
words: "or the chief OF police So as
: allow that officer when the access
arises to order the lighting of the city lam
on other nights thar those INDICATED By t
almanac as moonless nights. As the lam