The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-14
which should receive your cordialand earn
est support in carving out its Recommending

which should receive your cordialand earn
estsupport in carrying out its recommenda-
tions. y & h''1 h.list.y
The births for the year 1875 were 2,121,
or 116more than 1875. '.S w ". l,'ss s3
The marriages were 548;---an increase Of SO
over the former year. - !, I. -. :
,c ~, CHARITY AND PRISONS. ri }, VA
From the reports submitted by Captain
Charles P. Bigger and personal inspection
Of the premises he superintends, and In
which he Is so ably assisted by Captain w.
J. Epps, feel Justified In saying we have
cause OF specia! congratulation In having
such managers OF this important depart.
ment. During the past year. there have
been 944 persons who have been cared fol
in our almshouse; 5o4 were discharged al
different dates, 12S died, and 312 remained
there at the close of the year. OF the 312
remaining there 14S were white and 164
colored. .l III s,.itts..5.ss,.)
Total amount expended, $S0,5S1. 40. This
includes repairs, &C., of S2,S37.84, and the
total expenditure makes the average cost
per year each inmate S11S.53,' or per week
1928. Taking the cost Of subsistence alone,
it averages per inmate per year 1888, OF
73 70-100 cents per week.
When the clean1y and systematic condi-
tion of the premises is considered, and thu.
all needed comfort has been given this un.
fortunate class, this exhibit OF expenditure
shows proper economy.
In the department Of outdoor poor
there were distributed for the relief
of the needy, not inmatesof the almsbouse,
8,38G bushels of corn-meal, or 1900 bushels
more than in 1875; also, 1,036 cords OF wood,
or 36 cords more than last year; also, 1.765
bushels OF coke, or 235 bushels less than in
1875.
The accident ambulance attached to the
hospital department has relieved PA per-
| sons during the year, who were injured or
taken sick on the streets. The hospital for
smallpox patients has had only FIVE in
mates-two Of whom were cured and dis.
charged, and three died.
The hospital department Of the a}mshouse
seems to have been skilfully and faithfully
managed by the surgeon in charge and his
assistants. There were 423 patients re-
ceived in the hospital. of whom Al remained
at the close Of the year; in addition there
were 421 cases treated in the almshouse
whose sickness was not severe enough to
be placed in hospital.
Shockoe Hill Cemetery, also under charge
L
and in good order, and every proper atten-
ton paid to its protection and adornment.
STREETS AND ENGINEER's DEPARTMENT.
Too much attention can scarcely be paid
this very important department OF the city.
Upon the proper grading OF the streets de-
pends the facility with which trade can be
carried on between the various sections Of q
city; upon the appearance OF streets de-
80 pSfr 10
gree; upon the reputation Of a city and its
inviting appearance depends the increase OF
population and trade; and, beyond all, upon
the proper grading, convenience, and eXten-
sion of streets, chiefly, il not altogether, de-
pends the increased value OF property, which
gives increased taxes, or which, from in
creased facilities of convenient communica-
tion, leads to erection OF new buildings,
thereby increasing the aggregate taxes and
decreasing the pro rata taxes on existing
improvements
The report OF the Committee on Streets
shows two very remarkable facts: that this
work has been greatly enlarged each sue
cessiye year, and that the cost OF the same
has annually decreased; while the books OF
YOUR tax department will show that no other
expenditure has paid the city half so well
by the increase Of tax on property increased
in value, or vacant property made produc-
tive by new buildings.
II the suggestions OF the committee and
their engineer be carried out OF laying
some enlarged plan of street grades and
improvements upon which to base future
operations it will be wise action.
This plan to small extent in the past has
alone brought out the remarkable results
shown OF increased extent Of aeOrE at de.
creased pay for the past year, because the
most expensive part Of laying the founda
ton had already been done. The report Of
the Engineers department shows that $685.
269.91 was expended during the fiscal year