Morning journal and courier., 1882-01-17
Tuesday Morning, Jan. 17, 1882.
THE MAYORS MESSAGE.

Tuesday Morning, Jan. 17, 1882.
 THE MAYORS MESSAGE.
 Mayor Robertson's message, read to the Court of Common Council last evening, is an admirable document, and deserves the care ful attention of all interested in city affairs Its merits are many. It is not too long. It \ is firm, not to say bold, in tone. It deals with several important matters in way that is refreshing and, to tell the truth, unexpect- ed. It shows clear comprehension of the city's needs. It contains not 8 few wise and judicious recommendations It is we'll writ ten. Perhaps it lays out too much for those to whom it is addressed to do, but this is a not uncommon fault in mayors messages.
 In his opening remarks the Mayor refers very appropriately to the national bereave- ment. He then pays attention to the fnan- cial condition of the city, which is on the whole satisfactory. During the past year the city's indebtedness has been reduced $72,- 827.27. Our funded debt is now SS0, 900 less than it was year ago, $6O, ,OOO of the City Hall bonds and $2O, GOO of the Derby railroad bonds having been paid. The prospect is good that we shall soon be out of our in- debtedness on behalf of the Derby railroad and in position to attack the sewerage debt.
 The proposition to have the city raise 8 fund to be loaned to needy persons to enable them to pay the city for such sewers as may be built in the future is treated by the Mayor just as it should be- As he says, the city ought not to constitute itself loan agency, and it is not certain that persons who are not now able to pay for sewers will be able to pay for them at some future time. He also points out that there is no urgency for an ex- tensive increase in the sewer facilities of the city which cannot be provided for in the usual way. And if such an emergency should arise he would prefer 8 temporary increase in the rate of taxation rather than an increase in the bonded debt. A large majority of the citizens will probably agree with him in this.
 What the Mayor has to say concerning the large amount (more than $2oO,0 ,00O) due and unpaid for taxes, sewerage and street assess ments will also be generally approved. Many of those thus indebted can easily pay and there is no good reason why they should not.
 The review of the work of the various de- partments, Public Works Fire, Police and Health, is clear and interesting The records of the Fire Marshals office reveal gratifying evidence of the prosperity and growth of the city. The total value of improvements for which he has issued permits during the last year is $694, $50, an increase of $278, 96O over ha Io recommendation of the Chief of Police that few mounted policemen be appointed for the better protection of the outskirts of the city and he believes that it is a wise and necessary precaution to make such an annual appropriation to the contingent fund of the Health department as will enable that depart ment to attack infectious and contagious dis eases as they should be attacked. He would also have the Board of Health empowered to make contracts for the removal of garbage, since said Board has the oversight of the exe- cution of such contracts
 Not the least important and commendable part of the message is that which refers to the proposition to move the tracks of the Derby railroad so that the trains of that road can enter the depot of the Consolidated road. It is pointed out that this can be done at comparatively slight cost, that no loss could possibly result to the Derby road from the change, and that the protection to human life which would follow it is too important consideration to be lost sight of even though the change would cost large sum. It is to be hoped that the Common Council will pay early and effective attention to this matter.
 The Street committee has recommended paving few of our most prominent thor oughfares, such as Congress, Howard, Whit ney and Dixwell avenues, and Dixwen aven- ue has been ordered paved. The Mayor thinks, with the committee, that these aven- ues should be severed before they are paved. He is also of the opinion that there is justice in the claim of property owners in main thoroughfares that they ought not to be bur- dened with the greater portion of the cost of paving them. This is true, but it will be a work of considerable difficulty to justly fix the proportions to be paid by the property owners and the public.
 The East Rock park gets good word, as it ought to, the plan to use the old State House as place for free public library is commended, and the truth is told that no community could possibly exceed our own in forgetfulness of public benefactors. The Mayor thinks there ought to be on the Green a statue of James Hillhouse, who did 80 much to beautify the city, and also initiated the school fund of Connecticut There can be no question of the propriety of this sugges- tion. And there have been other inhabitants of New Haven whose memories might well be thus honored
 The subdivision of the wards of the city into two or more voting precincts is favored, the system of having practically two forms of local government for the same people and territory is not favored, the ''charter tinkers" are fairly and sharply hit, and the message then ends. It is, as whole, very interesting reading.