Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-01

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possible, the rcfc cucc of matters Of repairs of the
streets TO the conn ttec on Streets with power to
act for under this bad habit, work on the streets
has been done without SYST N which should not have
been commenced. The only systematic plan for the
GRADUAL Improvement of the ST t; Is ever known TO
the corporation laws, W IS instituted under the con-
| troll of the Board OF Public Works That body was
compos OF intelligent aud reliable citizens and
bau the members OF it, hecn allowed To pursue their
own Judgment, some OF our streets would, To day,
present more inviting appearance to pedestrians
and strangers The Board greatly improved one
strGet, but before it had time to complete the i'm
prorcmcnt, the law upon which it was based, was
repealed Brief as The existence of the Board of
Public Works was, 1t lived long enough to prove
not only its utility but Its system: and when its
members handed over their books TO the City Coun-
Gil, it vas found that at least three thousand dol
lars OF aSsct' were due TO the credit of the Board.
The law originating the Board, contemplated the
gradual Improvement Of the unimproved streets,
and commanded not only the Improvement of one
stree 1T time, but that not over live thousand dol
'ars year should he spent for the Improvement of
the streets. will, if you permit recommend 1.
perusal BY you of the law as found in the CORPORA
ton Code, and hesitate not 10 say that a more
economical, scientific and systematic plan for the
gradual improvement OF the stress cannot be de-
Vlsed Matters OF gradr, should, under all circum-
Stallces, pe lett 10 competent surveyor, whose
study and familiarity with such matters make him
master Ol the business The cleaning of the streets
should also be given out by contract and, can
assure you by The adoption OF this plan, the sum of
SIX or eight hundred dollars will he saved in the
course OF "A year. III connection with this subject,
l VIII take occasion to recommend the erection OF
suitable building To be u.3d as rendezvous for the
chain gang The building can be placed within the
JAIL yard al q small cost, and will all ,rd tie ov err
seer OF the gang All an opportunity to command n |
a proftahc manner, the services of the mem bcrs
and II built, have no doubt that IN short time
the city will find such building not only of utility
but OF great economy.
lntimat'ons have been, over and again received |
by members of The City Council, complaining Of the
expense connected with the Fire Department. While
it must be admitted that some of the fire apparatus
OF the city Is mos. efficient, it must also BIZ con ccdcd
That there is considerable chance Tor retrcnch-
ment, IN The department, inaslnuch as both steam
ers, cannot as a rule work the same time at the
same fire. Therefore, otter 10 yo favorable con-
the properly of retiring one OF the steam
RS, only flowing it 10 be used when the necessity
u the case demands It's assistance; and as the ro
orrty On the >uberbs of the city is almost without
protection from the steamers, would recommend
as undoubted ec.noIiy and as the adoption of q |
wise precaution, To furnish the hand engines with