The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-05-11
FIRES AND FIRE DEPARTM ENT

42G; vagranc2, PAL; larceny, 40; assault
and battery, 90; all other ofenses, 1876.
FIRES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT
At the recent very destructive fire of the
Cairo Box Factory, many sections of hose
which had been in use but very short
time proved entirely worthless and caused
the loss of much valuable time and great
Inconvenience TO the flrenen, and while
they worked with untireing zeal aided by
the tugs and the Steamer II. s. McComb,
the fire had made such progress that all
efforts to save the building were futile
The loss of the factory was serious one to
the city as well MS TO the owners Messrs.
Bell and Halliday. With this exception
the loss by fire in the city during the
past year has been very light.
| FIRE LIMITS.
The ordinance fixing the fire limits
would seem to require some amendment or
modification
There is demand for small cottages far
in excess Of the supply If there shall be
no amendment to the ordinance this same
state Of facts will in my opinion continue
to exist. We cannot afford TO restrict the
erection Of buildings that are so much
needed as neat residences are, except where
such buildings will materially increase the
| risk on business interests and blocks al
ready erected. This matter ought to be
carefully considered and some ordinance
framed that would at least admit the cree
ton of certain class of wooden build
ings in portions Of the blocks now included
in the fire limits; and believe that all
buildings, whether wooden or brick,
should be required 10 be constructed so as
not to become-as many do--dangorous to
the occupants and to persons living in the
vicinity. No building should be allowed
to be erected within the corporate limits Of
the city which is not constructed so as to
be reasonably safe and secure, not only to
its occupants, but to the buildings and &C
cupants on adjacent property.
WATER SUPPLY.
suppose the ordinance passed extend
ing to Travers Daniels and associates Ger
tain privileges has become null and void
ny reason Of failure on his part to com.
ply with the terms Of said ordinance, but
learn from him that he is still expecting To-
go ahead with the work aud | have had
letters from a gentleman in Montreal, who
has been asked to take an interest in their
construction, making inquiries about the
city, asking for maps, &c.
CITY COMPTROLLER.
think the ordinances should be amend
cd SO as to provide the appointment Of q
city comptroller. 1t seems to me that his
salary could be saved, and more by hav-
ing some one especially charged to look
after the collection Of the city taxes. The
special assessments more particularly re-
quire careful and constant attention, and
are source of annoyance to owners of prop
erty and the city officers. There must be
complete record kept Of all property
when special assessments are made, show.
ing lot, block estimate Of commissioners
and if built by the owner Of the property
or the city, and such other information
will avoid the confusion that has always
attended the collection Of revenue by spe-
cial assessments. Large portions of the
revenue due the city is annually lost
through Negotiations in making this spe.
cal levy.
sIPE WATER.
1t is urged by many that the abrasions
Of the Mississippi bank at the upper por.
ton Of the city has exposed the sand
bars which run diagionally through the
city, and has tendency to increase the sipe
water which proved 80 troublesome during
the late protracted high water, and that by
cutting these bars or stratas Of sand near
the base Of the levec and filling with clay
or other soil more compact than sand that
very much of the water could be kept out
Of the city.
This strikes me as being reasonable
view and one / would commend certainly
so FAR as TO make a satisfactory test The
ridge at DesRochcrs can be cut and refilled
with good material at slight cost and the
cutting OF that one ridge would almost de-
terminc the practicability Of the scheme.
STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND DRAINAGE.
would recommend such appropriations
for the improvement Of the streets and
sidewalks as will insure their being kept in
good condition and repair. | believe the
broken lime stone or macadam will make
for US the most economical and substantial