, 1877-05-01

which possesses many advantages which our Libra
~ cannot expect to have for years 70 come: Ine
st report after the opening Of tne ,rors
Of fiction and juvenile composition; Wnlle
now the cali for these classes OF books docs n nol
:sue 81 Of Tits s End IN al
country is about rs per cent From personal OBJ
eeryation an, satisfied that tho institution Is =
already the demand for books is far greater than
the Library with its present resources can supply.
This, however, cannot ut present pc iemeulea.
and not until, By the observance Of practical econ
only In ali branches OF tho administration. the con-
ditfon Of the city's finances shall have attanea
healthy standard, can the Library be apnrec!a9,y
to- do and we'll. disposed eltizens: The appropria,
ton recently made, however, will enable the Board
OF Directors to add very respectable nnmoef Oh
volumes to the Library.
SIN the matter Of gas consumed am able to
show to your honorable body considerable sav-
unetf @ The he control Of The City. Of this< number
<&O52 arc in the South Division, 2,lS1 Ill the
North, and 5, BAL in the West Division The ayer-
Hpr as T. ls was 1t eabc eet IN the South
and North Divisions, and 49, ioe3 cubic feet in the
West Division. ,-.,.
lamp in the last-named Division was 10, 672 feet,
and in the South and North Divisions 10, al
feet THIS Eea1s'io1 s is the 0wlnS a'Se o9
tie the burners and in lesscning the number Of hours
or burning, The largest saving has been effected
during the last four months, the consumption 9t
s. aSO cubic feet in the South and North DIVISIONS.
and 3, 912 in the West Division, while during the
corresponding period last year in the sontn nha
North Divisions the consumption was 7, 20! cube
feet, and in the West Division, T, 478 feet, or
Constant supervision has been had over the
test metres and burners, which are examined anu
tested ut frequent intervals. and reports are care
fully made OF the lamps not lighted, and deduc-
tions made monthly frum the bills sent in
1.-The burners now in use are 1ested TO consume
e. 3 cubic feet Of gus per hour Under pressure Oh
two inches Of water, but the average street press
uro being greater than two Inches, the actual con
sumption is about 3.S cubic feet per hour. With
out making an accurate estimate from the lofe-
going data. can safely say that the total saylnss
in this matter Of gas alone are over S3oo' ooo PEI
annum. ..... >, ..,
..lhaye, gentlemen, perhaps necdless,y, reviewed
the principal departments OF The city, ana IN must
cases given you facts ind hgnres contrasting the
changes that have been suude during the past year.
Tue Council have. III all these matters OF economy
and reform, tlcd the expectations of the eommun;
ity. Our financial condition is nov hea!thy anu
urosperous. The credit aud good name OF our city
are restured. The expenses Of all the departments
have been reduced without imparing the pnbl!ce
service IN any particular On the contrary III IL
question that the large reduction In the nnmher OF
city employees hus benefited the several depart
ments and increased their efficiency.
..Durinr the years Of our very remarkable pros
perity persons were frequently employed by the
city whose services were not reauiEed vague
feeling seemed to exist thar the ideus VI economy
and business sagacity governing all careful people
in their private matters did not include the ex-
pcndjture Of money from, the public Treasury. and,
result the hn Of hs S. e gon na
eli. With due appreciation OF the danger;
Gus s tendency OF an, habtual personal
solicitation for position u the city lave o. mat;
friends for any place in the gift Of the Executive
or Of the heads OF departments. Though think it
evident that the reduction Of our expenses a %as 70
matter of duty the ground alonc that IL could DC
done without injury to- tine service. 1t was also
matter Of necessity, and this necessity stu exists
Our people are POET and many maj o ,nf amonnt
to practical connscation. We cannot torcc tribute
where there is none to give. Taxation must be
RsSb Mbs to ths sa
aud the strict and impartial enforcement OF
Tie laws will and should be the central
idea ot The present admiast3af'on ae1 H., as ,oas
sieht Of tic fact that in all our economical
measures we should be governed By wise discre-
ton. Il Is incumbent upon a. to MAKE me @ inna N
the credit of any private citizen, anu II We la!l
short OF this We will not properly execute our
but i would not oe sonna eeopo9 10
OF the public service, nor By pEeyentin: improve
1nents required for the hcallh and welfare Of gu,
for by the Council Should be completed without
unnecessary delay and shopla l!, the laxes 9, Due
the CITY for the years 1878 and 1874 he
covered into the Treasury, a portion at least
OF The additional school accommodations
for which appropriations have already
been nude should be provided In MY message TO
the Council Inst July, called attention to the col
lection Of back taxes for the years 1879 and 1871
and thought upon an opinion from the Lazy De-
partn1eut that the collection Of the taxes might be
enforced. The suggestions then made have taken
practical form by the introduction in the State
Legislature Of two bills, both seeking to attain
the same object and containing practically the
same provisions. As the passage Of either
upe OF these bills is OF the greatest Import
auce TO the city, it Il very unfortunate that the
fate Of the measure is jcopardlzed on account or
the division of its funds. II either Of these bills
should become I law and prove constitutional en-
actnent ~ there seems doubt that it would then,
we have arrived the beginning Of the end OF our
financial difficulties, and of the time when our
certificates Of indebtedness shall be entirely paid
of.
ttlt will be my aim, gentlemen. ns the Executive
officer OF the city look with the closest scrutiny
upon ali matters involving the expenditures of
public moneys and Of enforcing {as tho obligations
OF my Office require to do the provisions OF the
city charter and the laws ami Ordinances now
enacted. and which may from time to time be
enacted by yon, will confidently seek your advice
and assistance ~ HEATH, Mayor.
On notion the message WIS ordered to be refer
rcd 10 the appropriate committees when appointed
T,n15F FTf1.