The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-14

WEDNESDAY, tMORNING
Fappearance, comfort. and completeness Of
the works, and as the profit OF the establish
1nent viii far more than pay the cost, the
request should be most favorably consid-
cred. i s5fj.t =.
q: Z 3.1lftlFIRs DErARTsENr. i,ttissis2
The Fire Department has been called ont
sixty-eight times during the year. The ag-
gregate losses by fire during that period
amount to tSS45, ,458; upon which assurances
were paid Of s35, ,2f5. 10. The conduct OF
the officers and men seems to have been
good. The full apparatus rs kept in good
plight and under efficient service. -. ~ :
The ensine-house d Company D, on
Brook. avenue, is united to its purpose,
land should be rearranged or enlarged. -.
The engine-house Of Company B, on
Third street, is out OF repair, badly ar
ranged, and needs enlargement.
The vast exposure M property in the
southwestern portlon'Saf the city would
seem to indicate the wisdom OF removing
one of these eompaniesfo that section.
The appropriation OF 33s, 400 for the cur
rent wear seems to have been wisely ex-
pended, and we should be careful to sus-
tain such IN important arm Of city protec
ton to the fullest extent that judgment will
sanction. Too few men or too little apps
ratus may cost great loss to our people,
while an ample department is an expendi-
ture which wisdom. security, and prudence
demand. aa5s Isis
The record OF our iremen is one Of which
we can justly be proud; their ZEAL cou-
rage; and efficiency are unsurpassed, and
to their chief and officerKr in great degree,
| Sc, l,vo kI,of-,, fioSnr yU 9I1nnRSa
80 fully rouches they have attained.
,.,. POLICE.
The full force numbers S4-men and Of
ficers-of which 27 are at the First station,
q at the Second station, and "a at the Third
station. The others are on special detailed
duty. The details and officers of leave SO
men for beat duty.
The chief and officers deserve great credit
for the fine discipline and good conduct OF
the force, while the men cannot be too highly
praised for their efficiency in protecting our
citizens and property. We have now city
in which as much peace, order, and free
dom from theft and violence exists as can be
shown in any city on our continent. during
the year six changes have occurred IN the
force-two resigned, two dismissed, and
two died.
There have been 5,s11 arrests made-2,32S
whites and 3,4S3 colored. At the FIRST STA
ton lodging-rooms were arranged for those
without shelter, and l, ,791 have taken adVan-
tage OF the accommodation.
The aggregate number OF days lost Dy
sickness in the whole force was 1872, while
the aggregate days OF furlough to the whole
force was 481. This will prove very small
average to each man. The two exhibits
combined show great care and skill on the
part OF the police surgeon to pass only SOUND
men to the force, and that the men have not
only been faithful in discharge OF duty, but
very close in attending to 1t.
Furloughs to visit the Centennial made
the extent of absence greater than other
wise would have been asked.
The Police Board have never failed to in
vestigate fully every charge against any po..
liceman, and have promptly punished all
guilty OF any offence.
1t is gratifying, however, to know that
with the too common spirit to ind fault by
those who doanot appreciate the hardshlps
Of the life nor know the full facts OF the
case. and who are ever ready to arraign
the men, yet but few offences have been
committed by the force worthy OF serious
condemnation.
Our force is composed of good material.
who know their duty, and have most nobly
performed it.
The Police Board fully appreciate the
necessity for good conduct, and will strictly
enforce that discipline which the worthy
chief and officers seek to teach.
WATER.
The completion of the new reservoir
places the highest part Of the city SO that
full protection can be given and full supply
OF water be furnished.
The consumption is increasing rapidly as
the pipes are extended, and it is desirable
to look we'll to keeping our present pump
ing apparatus in good repair, so as to guar
antee placing and keeping in the reservoirs
such supply as the citizens may demand.
| 1t will not be very long before we must
have enlarged pumping-machinery, and it
is wise to prepare in full time for such de-
mand.
Ninety-eight thousand two hundred and
thirteen dollars and thirteen cents were
spent last year in this department; $780,
387. 70 on new reservoir, and SIG, 765.11 on
construction account; the rest on expenses,
&c.
The receipts from water paid to the city
were s67, ,321.95, which is remarkable ap-
proximation to the outgo OF the year, con-
sidering the special outlay to the new reser-
yoir and making new pipe-connections.
The total expenditure Of the city on the
water-works from their commencement in
1880 to the close OF the past year amounts to
the sum total OF 50, 181, ,574.4S; the total re-
ceipts were S1,359, 1929, which leaves an
excess of total outgo over total income
from our water-works not much more than
the cost Of the new reservoir. ~
With the exhibit of this long series OF
4 years. we may hopefully expect soon to reap
profit from all expenditures made. The
Superintendent reports all his officers and
; employees as faithful in the discharge OF
duty.
'.n PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
. These important institutions are in fine
:. condition.. Through the close attention OF
the worthy and well-quali6ed Superlntend-
ent and his well-selected principals and
teachers the pupils are under good discip-
I line, seem to take pride and be interested
in their studies, and are making remarkable
progress. ..
and no repairs of any large amount will be
needed within short time.
/ The number OF scholars has increased
over former years, and may make it neces-
sary to enlarge the accommodations.
70 meet this increase at least possible cost
for the present session, the superintendent,
by consent Of the Board, has divided the
classes OF smaller children, so that half at
. tend in the 'morning and the other hall In
! the evening.
This saves partially the salary OF another
, teacher, and, without additional expense
Z for school-room, accommodates double the
number of children. The Board have sought
in all proper ways to economlze the means
appropriated to their use and to do all
| ~ xbos- tn ody