The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-02
r,oesA a. T,TE IRIS.
s,Erp sTREETs.
Apnual Rspers 81 Colonel cnsshaw.

csTY sTREErs.
Annna, Repsrt OF tosonei 'Csasshaw.'
RECOMMENDATIONS AS no srREEsT-LINEsss,3
2 AND GRADES AND PERMANENT SYSTEM
or Observation-Disclosures SUGGESTED
4 EoR pusTY sTRE ON O OF |
sRwERs-oUR T,tBLIcs fsRoI5Nf es-aA "
SBLEs HILL And GIBBS BoRA2o 40 BE Ia-
PROVED. h; #
The following report is OF interest and
importance to all our property holders ana
h,,siness-raen. and should receive careful
attention from them and from the sSisy
Council: = .,..... ];
RIcHMosp, VA, March IL. 1873.
Hon. W. G. CQriagtoa, Mayor:
I. Dear sir,--It again becomes my duty up- !.
der the ordinances to submit for the con-
sideration Of your Honor an nnnual report
OF the operations OF this department., ana
in presenting the report hope may be
excused the persistency Of reiterating sug-
gestions already made In every az aual re-
port OF the lat Eve years. 4.
It must be recognized by all TINT we need
pIan OF improvements for this city syste,
matica!ly carried out--one which shouio
embrace all our wants, looking aheaa 70 y
reasonable future, which should coordlpats
the work OF one year with another. ana
which should be strictly adhered 10 I'LL tue
whole has been completed.
II the system proposed should be ques-
toned in any particular, very simple
mode OF testing its correctness wound De 10
refer it TO ~.
4 COMPETENT BOARD OF EXPERTS,
and If individual interests are affected in its
working. surely some equitable mode OF
setting this can be devised by proper iegis-
Iation. have endeavored to present this
in q proper tight before now. but must re-
neat that the first and most essential part OF
any plan is the establishment OF permanent,
properly-arrange grade-lines. Without
This no citizen can be assured OF the per-
manency OF the improvements TO his pro-
perty. and no guarantee is given that other
city work is fixed in its position.
After the establishment OF grades our
sewer-system should be laid out fully and
completely, so that every detail OF construc-
ton affecting this part OF the plan will be
provided for. II this is not attended to
next to the establishment OF grades the To-
CclIOu Oh .6dtclst hu1 pipes VIII otsSh
interfere with this important work. After
the proper location OF water and gas-pipes
the final work Of surface improvements can
be made in such manner and such order as
the means and demands Of the city will
warrant.
We have been engaged for some time in
arranging and perfecting
A SYSTEM OF PERMANENT GRADES,
which until very recently we have never
been able to present in any order; and not
withstapding the fact that permanent grades
are now ready to be recommended for more
than one half the city, with prospect OF
having the whole ready within the next
year or so, from not having them adopted
we are still delayed and embarrassed and
the department made to suffer complaints
from causes beyond its control. The adop-
ton of plan Of improvements has already
been too long delayed, and it does seem to
me that an ordinary forecast demands imme-
date action in regard to it; and If we are
to make any advance in our improvement
as great city 1t is very evident that prompt
and decided measures upon the subject are
needed now.
IThe Engineer here gives an account of
the grading, grayelling, repaving. and re-
pairs Of streets, &C., showing that n great
deal of work has been well and cheaply
done.1
There Is still great complaint Of the
DUSTY CONDITION OF THE STREETS
during dry spells OF weather, and especially
OF the lGacadamized streets. AS this is
matter for. the attention OF the Board Of
Health, / would suggest that the streets be
sprlnkled and scraped often enough to pre-
vent the accumulation OF mud and dust.
This will show when the surfaces require
re-rolling to render them even and smooth.
The police are thanked for services to
the department; the work Of the hands and
carts and Of the cbain-gang arefuliy stated,
as also much information about sewers laid
and repaired, &c. Prices paid for latter
were much lower than for former year,
- HE BEALTH DEPARTMENT
is still urging the importance OF proper
ventilation in houses having connections
with the sewers. In recent conference
with the Board / took occasion to suggest
that the public sewers should be ventilated
through pipes from the inlets and carried
above the houses. instead of through open.
gratings at the man-hules. am glad to say.
that this plan meets the approval OF the
Board.
Attention is again called to the necessity
of having the pipe-connections with the
public sewers made at the time OF building
the sewers and under the supervision OF
this department..
THE WALKS
OF Monroe Square were reiirranged and a
few trees and evergreens were planted du-
ring the year.
Marshall Square has been improved and
partially enclosed.
CANDLES Hill and 'Chimborazo are unim-
proved, but it is intended to start some i'm
proYements ut these places during the pres
ent year. ..
The grounds around the new reservoir
are being slowly improved. l would sug-
gest that additional land ut this place be Sc
cured by exchanging land and other unim-
proved property in the city for it.
&c was suggested ut one time to secure
ground Tor q public square near Leigh and
Second streets. 1t is very important that
this should. be done before the property is
built upon.
The city is: under obligation TO the super
intendents OF the 7 DIRK River and the Dam
vile railroads for free use Of trains Of flats
after the freshet OF October last, and Itake |
pleasure in returning thanks for their cour-
tesy in the matter.
Officers and employees OF the department (
have all been faithful and efficient, and il |
gives me pleasure to.commend them to you.
Very respectfully, sss'stt =.
w. e. CuTsHAw, City Engineer.
Accompanying the report are a great |
OF tables giving information con-