The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-04-08
And many others approximate the
named rate.

Anu llaill oliciS apploAiui"iS 'he 1881
named rate.
The Mayor then proceeds at length to re-
view the operations OF tic several depart
mcnts, the reports of which have already
been printed in the Dispatch.
The Mayor dwclls at length upon the
recommendations OF the President OF the
Board Of Health, and urges. the Council to
be liberal in the expenditure of funds 10
preserve the health of the city. He pays
high compliment to the unusual energy dis
played by the chairman Of the Committee
on the Fire Department. Concerning the
Engineers report, the Mayor says: You
should keep an eye to constant improve
mcnt in the street department, and not
draw the purSe-Strings too closely to allow
proper and timely attention to repairs and
extensions. On the subject Of new city
hall the Mayor says: 1T would be wise TO
act on the suggestion OF the Engineer and
begin at once at least TO plan for this build
ing and prepare funds TO pay for it.
lie says the building at the Third police
station is almo>t IL disgrace to the city, and
has been often called to Your attention. II
YOU will each pay Il visit to this filthy,
crampct;-up. and dllapidatcd building, you
will scarcely suffer it to remain as it now is
Il reproach to taste and Judgment. The
Mavor endorses the report Of the Chief OF
! Police. and compliments the police gene
Er.lly. He recommends additional accom-
noda,ions for the fire-alarm and police tele-
prarh. He recommends repairs to. the
Dumps at the water-Works. On the sub
iect OF the James.river Improvement the
hJayor has much to say, chiefly in cndor>-
inr what has already been accomplished,
and the fact that the value OF the Improve.
ment cannot be underestimatcd. lie says
the city should spare no effort to reap the
full benefit offered by proper expenditure
and proper cXertions in that beh2if.
| Already vessels OF large tonnage are
seeking cargoes here. and still greater in
crease Of such applications will come il we
prepare for them to come in. Our
own experience in this regard should urge
us to speedy, vigorous. effective action.
The work is in charge OF a most skilIul and
reliable engineer, and you will be much in.
terested by examining the report OF Mr. Ii.
d. Whitcomb, engineer in charge. | trust
YOU will take this important matter fully IN
hand and do what is required to advance
the interests of commerce, in which our fu'
ture is so deeply interested. lie recon,
mends needed improvements 10 schoo
buildings, and Improvements IN streets td
prevent further suits. He opposes rcduc'
ton OF gas this year because it is ineXpe'
dient.
SUGGESTIONS.
Jt apnears from the record Of many year;
past that many Of the departments persist in
expending larger amounts than you have
deemed it proper to appropriate TO them
| until at the commencement OF each year
large sum is absorbed 10 pay arrears, and
consc uucntly too little left 10 pay the way
for the current year.
Not only this, but the city has now a float
ing debt OF over S34, 900, and its estimated
income was so fully absorbed that only about
s.. 800 was left for a contingent fund-a sum
already far more than absorbed by uneX'
Dectcd demands.
Tbis procedure should be stopped, for il
is a growing evil that of itself enlarses from
the necessity it creates, ana unless checked
| leeds TO danger Of disarranglng your Wnole
| financial calculations. ..:.,,
| II the present rate OF taxation VIII MOI
| furnish revenue to meet all dcmands, lhen
you should have the nerve 10 increase u
The income is such as to meet the expenditure
you deem proper, then you should nave tnt
nerve to enforce your DEGREES. no" u
remedy this is difficult to DECIDE; veth you
aciH you surely can do it,. 1t would certain'
| " Oc accomplished Uy iSquh 'hS ~ oS->
| tIlre to be made until it has been sanctionco
by your action. Yet this seems impractlca'
bic. IN view OF the emergencies which often
require sudden outlay, and OF the vast labor
! imposed on you. 49,. .,.-i..
1t seems to me that it is more reasonal ly
to be prevented by making tia subject OF
charges against the officer or committee al
lowing any expense In excess ofapproprla.
| ion and milking the: penalty dismissal IRON
office Iat the same time requiring q bono
1 from from nil officers and chairmen Of commit
| tees who make expenditures, with condl
tion OF personal liability for any excess O. O
expenditure, and placing like penalty o.
dismissal aud liability against disbursins
officers who pay any bill beyond The INN
| Of credit for the year 10 which the expendi
ture was made,
to these rsriedies, then you should seek b!