Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1881-06-29
AIMS HOUSE AND OUT DOOR rooa,

AIMS HOUSE AND OUT DOOR rooR
In treating tho subject Of the Aims House
might content myself merely by pointing TO ~.
visible improvement in the appearance of tbs Pub,
lie Institution, and its economical management; ~
an evidence Of its condition, but gives me rcnn
inc pleasure that charity that is so cordially sun.
ported by our people is doing so much coed. In
sttutions of this character are often subverted 10
ends altogether unworthy OF the support they re-
ceirc, but in this case after some years Of intimate
relations with those who have had the Aims Hons
in charge, I can with satisfaction say, that th;,
charity so christian in It's conception is really the
homo Of those who fate has smltten with an I'm
kindly hand
Mr.. B. Cornwel, deceased, our lamcn,cd s,tno,.
intendent and the Committee on Poor have rem.
dercd services that cannot be ovcrcstmated
may be permitted to indulge the hope that the in
mates ofthe Poor House may find as true q friend
In the next Superintendent of the Aims House as
Mr. Cornwell proved TO them. Accompanied and
by invitation OF the Committees on Poor and Pub
lie Property, visited early in this month the Aims
House, and Inspected the Institution thoroughly.
Instead of finding rough and uutdy accommoda-
tions, was surprised, and gratided at the unusual
neatness and comfort that mark our Asylum for
the Poor. The indefatigable efforts Of the Com
mittee on Public Property in putting our Aims
House in such admirable condition, the excellent
system of economy, as practiced by the Committee
on Poor, with the administrative abilities OF the
lamcnted Superintendent have combined, TO make
the conduct of this Institution for tho past two
years most judicous, and present an example to
those whose duty may DO in the same direction
The winter from which we have so recently emerged
has taxed the ingenuity of cities much richer than
our own to support their POOR and all reports con-
firm the assertion, that in the wealthy cities of the
North, there were many deaths from starvation and
cold, but our town, heroic as she has ever been in
the past audwill ever be in the future, opened her
generous heart, and gave with unstinted hand, and
fear no contradiction when assert that few il any
of our poor suffered. Capt Rock, the Oversecr OF
tho Out Door Poor, has happily illustrated the
theory that charity and economy may 90 hand in
hand in good work.
FIRE DEPARTMENT..
This community has been sinCularly eyemn.
from fires during the past year and those that have
occurred have been managed with that courage and
dircctness that control this dangerous element |
feel that do rot fully realize the great good that
is rendered our people by our volunteer department.
whose unselfsh devotion TO duty is manifested upon
every trying occasion: Since my last Annual Mes
sage the Sun Engine Company has vacated the
building occupied by them since the completion o!
the market building. If Il is not in our power to
equip more than two steamers, VIC ought never to
forget the fidelity, courage and devotion of the fire
men of other days, when the hand engines rendered
such valuable services, and now that they are in /:
measure superseded by the improvements OF science,
they ought always to enjoy the respect Of our com
munlty.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Public advancement is so intcrtwincd with men
tai progress that when the one strides forward in
the development of the material side Of life, the
other catches the light that leads to wisdom which
Is foremost in the rank ofthosc Indispensable trails
that only conquer greatness. Human society is
never more securely assured from abuses, than
when the mind is taught to distinguish between
right and wrong, and of all the blessings Whose
permanent influence is extended far beyond the
transitory present, none SO generously yield an
abundant harvest as an education. l am happy to
be able to state, that in the last year, there have
been taught in our Public Schools l2lo children,
7n7 whito. and 5o3 coored. The entire expense.
has been about ten thousand dollars an amount
which to the eye, seems large, but is small com
pared to the blessings that will in time flow from
this source. Two boys from Washington school
have Just passed the University Examination in
English and Mathematics, which is high com,
pllmcnt to the teachers Of that school
POLICE FORCE.
The police force Of the city, regard as more i'm
proved than could have been anticipated taking iuto
consideration the obstacles that thrown in the
way of establishing q regulating discipline among
the officers must do the officers of the force the
justice to say that have passed through some try
ing ordeals with them and that they stood sLcrnIy
up 10 the performance of their duty, and it affords
me pleasure to add this testimonial to their efficiency
| have endeaVOred in my administration OF the
Police force to point to the officers the necessity
of discipline and to ncite them to emulate the laJ
its and traits of soldiers. My efforts are best illus
trated by the present condition of the Force and /
am proud In saying the Police Of our city is more
efficient, aud more vigilant, and that the morals
more elevated than they have been since the oranl-
cation Of the body.
DOG CENsCs.
| would respectfully suggest that a competent
man be selected or appointed at a small salary for
the purpose OF taking q censu OF the dogs in The
city "a am convinced that there arc q large
Der Of dogs in our town whose either do not
or will not take out medals, and thus divert por
ton OF tho revenues our city is entitled TO.
CITY sCAvENGEI.
matter important to all of our citizens is the
WI y In which the Scarenger conducts his business,
and really feel that express united conviction
when say that more improved system ought to
DC introduced Into this Department. During the
Summer especially, when tho weather renders the
opening OF windows almost q necessity, the truth
OF my suggestion is moro surely apparent, and
feel when your honorable bodies attention is called
to this subject, it will receive that consideration
and redress that will best meet the case.
COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE
1t affords me great pleasure TO say that Major
George Dudley has performed the varied and inlri
cate duties connected with his Office with fidelity
seldom seen in official life, anu it grali(ics me to
add this acknowledgement
TREAsUaxR.
The City Treasurer, Mr.. NJ B. Harlow, Is cnt-
tied to the estimation in which he is universally
held, for certainly no officer was ever more accom-
modRtlug, efficient, or accurate, and as the keeper
OF the public purse he has. never been eoualled
during my recollection.
AUtIToE.
The commentator that l might apply to our
Oily Auditor, +. l.. Brockett, might appear in the
extreme if his labors were not known by our whole
community, and will say that the labors and re-
spopsibilitles assumed and performed Treasurer
Harlow and Auditor Brocket in the funding of our
Guys debt entitle them not only to the thanks OF
tne community at large but also to extra compen-
sation.
CATTAIN WEBSTER.
My official relations with Capt. J. f. Webster
nave Oh necessity been Of very intimate cha racer
ana take proud satisfaction in saying that
curing the term of my Office I have never had occa-
Of