The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-05-11

In addition to all these and as a means
of disseminating useful knowledge among
the people are our well-conducted and ell
Gent high school, our seven churches with
their attentive congregations, each led by
exceptionally excellent pastors, their re-
spectivc Sabbath Schools leading the young
to practices of morality and nobleness OF
life and character, and lastly our two ably
conducted weekly newspapers whose edu-
eating and refining influence is felt far be-
yond the limits of our own county-all OF
these are evidences of thrift and prosperity
to which we as citizens can point with hon
est pride.
FINANCIAL
From the City Treasures report we find
that the total credits for the year are $27,-
56741, disbursements for the year ST.
387. 90, leaving balance on hand Of $l99.-
43. Contingent fund: Total of credits,
$40, 140.78 Disbursements for contingent
purposes, $17,954.30 amount drawn out
of this fund to pay Highway orders, ST..
040 "a; total SIS, 99494 Balance on hand
in this fund, $145.84; amount on hand for
Bridge fund, SAC. SO. Total disbursements
from Highway funds. So, 419. SO; total cred
its for this fund, $1,379. 10; amount over
drawn from Contingent fund, 81 GAO. "a,
total So, 419.83. The amount then in the
Treasurers hands at the date of settlement
is $199 43. There are outstanding orders
which were allowed tonight amounting to
about 81, 100 This leaves the present
council to begin the financial year with a
small Indebtedness.
Let us now, for few mowents, turn our
attention to the needs of the city.
L hat h. s.I< eto
on Exchange street, be presented to the
County Agricultural Society, gratis, pro.
vided they move it to their grounds free Of
the Council establish good well with its
proper appurtenances for the public bene-
tit
RESTRICTION.
In order to prevent loss of life and the
destruction of property, recommend that
measures be taken to restrain railway en-
ployees from leaving cars standing across
the various public roads leading into the
city. This has been nuisance for some
time and has already been productive of
mischief.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
recommend that you cause a the cree
ton of suitable building for the proper
fire department, which has already cost
this city large amount of money, and, as
further protection from fire, that you fin
ish the reservoir already partly constructed
adjoining this building, and cause the con-
struction of three additional reservoirs, of
sufficient capacity; one to be located near
the school grounds and the other two in
West Owosso, at such points as you may
select, which will best protect property in
that part of the city.
SANITARY.
During the year the question of sewerage
will be brought up for your investigation,
and here, gentlemen, let me state, that this
subject is one which will demand your
earnest, thoughtful and careful considera-
ton and attention. geographically we
are favorably situated for the establish
ment OF an effective system of sewerage,
and with our present population it appears
| to me to be the part of wisdom, both on
the score of health and economy, that q
commencement be made. The soil is q
vast filter, both mechanical and chemical
but of very limited powers, and in proper
ton as our population increases, so in
creases the danger of its approximation
with poisonous organic matters derived
from barns, cesspools, and privy vaults
Rain water falling upon our porous soil de
scends vertically till it comes in contract
with an impervious substratum of CLAW
concrete or rock, and flows horizontally
some times for great distance Thus you
see, this water holding in solution the pro
ducts of animal decomposition above nam
ed, readily gains access to wells, and al
though limpid, bright and sparkling may
yet contain the elements of death and bt
utterly unfit for domestic use.
The privy vaults on our school grounds
are merely blind holes in the earth without
any outlet, receiving the excrement OF
about thousand pupils, seldom cleaned
out, but left there putrefying mass, ready
to start an epidemic at any time. Will
the excellent facilities for sewerage from
these grounds, and the almost mex
haustible supply of water with which tC
flush the sewers and keep them clean. thai
such condition of things should be suffer
ed longer to exist would be discreditablc
reflection on the sanitary knowledge OF
our otherwise intelligent community. The
scarlet fever epidemic of 1880 with its sac
fatality, should prove salutary warning
and it loudly calls for sanitary reform
Edwin Chadwick has made the remarkable
statement that there are in England annu
ally 100, 200 preventable deaths, being
direct yearly loss to the English govern
ment of 500, 900, 900. DR.. r. G. Kedzie
of our own State, says that one-half tn,
sickness and deaths occurring in Michigan
annually are due to preventable causes anI
might be avoided by proper sanitary regu
lations. What proportion of this death
rate is furnished by Owosso, and what i
its direct yearly loss caused thereby?
Health is wealth; it is the basis of al
that makes life enjoyable. When societ,
violates the laws of nature, disease ant
death arc the penalty of the transgression
Disease, vice and crime consort with filth,
surroundings. The dirty classes are in
variably the dangerous classes. The rem
edy is cleanliness, clean air, clean water
clean SOIL In order the more effectivel,
to carry out the above sanitary suggestion
/ recommend that you appoint Board O
Health composed of four active, compe
tent men, and elect City Physician, VIII
l.. 4 q