The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-06

bOUiC ullluSluR tiIdlT, anu tlic NONtOt 10
made to refund the money and expose his
quackery.
Burlington City Government.
The new city government of Burlington
was organized IN Monday. On the third
ballot A. G. Whittemore was elected presi-
dent of the board of aldermen, and w. Ii.
Root was reelected city clerk. A commit
tee was appointed to wait on the mayor,
Hon. 10 d. Hatch, who appeared and de-
livored his inaugural message. AS our
citizens may desire to know the financial
condition Of Burlington, we give few ex-
tracts from Mayor Hatch's sensible and
straightforward message. In opening, he
says;
Conference.-The citizens Of Burlington
have entrusted to us the management of
their municipal affairs for the ensuing
year, and hope that in the discharge of
this duty we may lay aside all partisan
feeling and Act solely for the public good.
The severe and ong-contiuued financial de-
preston through which the country is pass
ing presses upon all classes, and on every
side is heard demand for the most rigid
economy. We shall prove false to the
trust reposed in US if we fail to respond to
that call and exert ourselves to the utmost
to reduce, IN all proper ways, the city ex-
penses.
FINANCES
The bonded debt OF the city Is as follows
The several Issues of water bonds. s2l4 900 90
improvement bonds. ............,..... $4,000 90
Bonds igSlel In Aid of the burlington
Lamoille Railroad. ................ 100000 90
1otaL....... f459,9Oo w
OF the above the sinking fund holds, 9o,5s7 OF
Leaving the present amount of
It viii require s2e, 90 to meet the Interest,
| an amount equal to about CT cents on the dollar
| OF the present grand list.
| From the treasurer's books find there
was az indebtedness January 1st, 1876, in
| the form of temporary loans, of S22, $50 81.
| To meet this there was in the treasury at
the same date-cnsh. So, 1877. 81 due from
school fund, $2,25S "A uncol!ected taxes,
'74-'75. $4,000. 90 less amount at present
collected water rates, 81 ,2S4 90: due from
Green Mount cemetery association, 1925 IS
-SlS 097 90.
| There has also been drawn from the
treasury and charged to the several depart
ments since January 1st up 10 the present
time, $12,007.93.
He thus speaks of the
CRIMINAL AND POLICE.
The expenses of these departments for
| the year have been for costs in city and
| justice courts. 81 ,l34 49, board of prison.
ers in Jail, S4l3.00; pay of police, So ,410 20;
incidental expenses, 9l50.33 total, 81
| l06 50; less received for fines and costs,
| $6S7 80; leaving balance of 81, 400 81.
| There are seventy-tive unsolicited mittimu-
ses now in the officers hands, amounting to
| $976.3S The principal items of the ex-
| penses appear to be the costs in the city
court and the police. The latter item is
under the control of the city council and
the sum to be expended must be deter
| mined by them. While it cannot and
should not be expected that the criminal
department will pay its own expenses, it
| does seem that the cost Of the cases in the
| city court are exorbitant.
This, OF course, is not a matter under
our control. No defect which requires q
| remedy by legislation can affect our expen-
ses the present year. still we should have a
care for the future as well as the present,
and | would. Suggest the appointment of a
competent commission 10 thoroughly ex-
| anime the administration of criminal law
in this CITY, and report whether any, and if
So, what legislation is necessary to relieve
the city from the apparently excessive and
| unnecessary expense of this department.
would also recommend that the jaior be re-
questcd to report to the board monthly the
number and names of persons in Jail
chargeable TO the city and for what com
mitted. OF course the protection of prop.
erty and maintenance of good order must
he attended with expense, vet
that expense should be reduced to
as small Il sum as is consistent with
the proper management of the depart
ment, aud while prosecutions and convic-
tons are necessary great care should be
taken by all connected with this branch Of
the city government that no complaint
should be presented unless there is suffi-
cient evidence TO reasonably expect con-
viction. Indeed this is implied by an ac-
ceptance of their office, and it requires the
constant exercise of good judgment and
the same rules of economy which men use
in their private business affairs to keep
these matters within just limits.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The reputation of this department stands
high, and deservedly so. II is efficient and
active and with the ordinances and regula-
tions recently adopted still greater efllc-
ency is expected. The apparatus of the
several companies Is well kept and cared
for, and unusual interest is manifested by
the flremen in the performances of their
duties.
While an active, efficient fire depart
ment is OF the greatest importance, our
firemen should bear in mind that they are
citizens alike with us must bear, near or
remotely, that burden of taxation. Rigid
economy should enter into the workings of
this as well as all other departments, and
the current expenses reduced rather than
increased.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
The amount drawn from the treasury by
this department is $1,000. 46, exclusive of
the sum Of 1904 81 paid for general vacci-
nation, and $l,Sl1.23, invested in the new
hospital. The extraordinary expenses of
the past year are owingin great measure
to the presence Of the smallpox, which
prevailed to qulte an extent until some
time in July last, and partially to the gen.
eral stagnation of business by which many
persons were thrown out of employment
and forced TO call on the overseer for as
sstance for themselves and families.
FLETCHER FREE LIBRARY.
This library, the munifcent gift of Mrs.
Mary l. and Miss Mary M. Fletcher, of this |
city, was opened to tho public ON the 9th |
day of July last. But two acoves could |
then be used. Nine more are now avail |
able to readers. The librarian reports a |
daily average of more than 100 vnlumea