The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-04-12
Population.

If could lnCluuG ull VINO 10 business III Clll-
cinnau but who live across the river and in the
suburbs, the aggregate of our population at the
next census would be well on to six hundred
thousand. The suburbs in this county should be
annexed and it seems to me that it would be to
the interest OF the county as well as the city, to
consent to annexation, with the understanding
that the parts annexed incur no responsibility for
the payment of any portion of the present debt of
the city and in the future are not to be taxed for
anything from which they derive no benefit at
least for number of years, as may be agreed
upon. IL,
Cook County Illinois, as does the city of st. Louis
of st. Louis County, Missouri: Lake Michigan is
in front of the former city, and OF course there are
site st. Louis. the population, from all advices |
have received is not much more than one-half of
that of our Newport
Acting on the plan of our two examples in an
nexaton and at the taking of the next national
census in $780, Cincinnati would still be seen TO
be the actual "Queen City of the West
Within a circle of seven miles of this spot there
are eleven acting Mayors, over the same number
of cities and villages which is quite injury to
our CITY as they take away from the aggregate Of
our population, which otherwise would make
Cincinnati the metropolis she really is.
TAXATION.
| full and detailed list of our municipal bonded
indebtedness is part Of the report showing total
bonded debt of $23. .594 75 with tax levy for the
! current year of S4,20O,0OO.
| The Mayor recommends the most stringent
economy and says to Council
The estimates should be large enough to meet
all reasonable demands, while floating debts OF
every description ought to be carefully avoided,
for they are evidences of recklessness in finances
and tendency to bankruptcy plainly showing
that city is living beyond its means
| As an Offset to our debt the report contains a
schedule OF city property, estimating the value OF
| it at $50 489, 900.
AS measure of economy he recommends the
consolidation of the City and County Infirmaries,
and the sale of all non-productive property.
another reduction, and which, while at it, want
| to give my views about very clearly.
Out on the Colerain avenue, in the Twenty
| fourth Ward is stately, massive building, with
| fine park in front, and other adcrnments of quite
an attractive character, which is pointed out to
| the visiting stranger who is told by our admiring
citizan tnat sit is the Cincinnati Work house"
This is our local prison, where drunkards and
persons convicted of petty crimes are incarcer-
ated. These persons are here employed at differ
ent trades being sold out at so much per day, al
ways petty sum, to enrich wealthy contractors
One Of the greatest objections to the curse of
slavery in the South (Which l am thankful is for
ever abolished from the land) was that, in the
language of Mr.. Seward, it raised an irrepressble
conflict between free and slave labor The owner
of the slave having the work of the latter for the
few cents that it cost per day to keep him, would
not as business matter, employ the free white
man, who had family to support. consequently
slavery existed the workingman's condition was
not as good as the slaves; and so 1t is wherever
prison or contract labor is brought into competi-
| ton with free honest labor.
| In most cases the prisoners in the Work-housc
have families to support who, Just as soon as the
support is taken away, become in many instances,
recipients of public aims. This is very seriou q,
Question, and one needing calm deliberaton upon
the part of those who feel an interest in the well
fare of their fellow-men.
| If the prisoners must be employed they should
be placed at such labor comes as little as posi-
BILE in competition with that of honest people and
the proceeds of such labor at least part thereof
| should be given to the families of prisoners,
thereby preventing them from becoming public
paupers If this plan was not found after fair
test 10 be feasible then let the work done by the
convicts be for the benefit of the city, and the
profits therefrom go into the city treasury.
| As the law now stands a very large part OF the
public business rests with the Board OF Public
Works, which consists of five members, at the
well-known gentlemen: Hon. John E. Bell, Pres
ident; Jacob Gessert, G. b. Foote, John u. Cald-
well and David Baker.
The members of the Board are elected by popu-
lar vote, one each year. and occupy positions of
the highest responsibility, having charge of the
streets and their improvements other public prop
erty well as exercising sort OF veto power over
the actions of your bodies and the Mayor
After all, the Chief Engineer of the Board Is the
advisor, and to certain extent, upon his judg.
mcnt depends final action; and congratulate all
that the city has had the good fortune to secure
the valuable services of Col. A. L. Anderson. an
experienced army engineer OF the highest reputa
ton, who is honest beyond question, and abso
lutey fearless in the discharge of his duties
| The Mavnr recommends that the supply Of water