The state journal., 1884-04-12

all proves conclusively that the pres
ent Council is caring well for the fire
department, and approaching the ser
vices Of the gallant men who belong
to IT, Those Of our people who are
obliged TO earn living or sleep in
high bulldogs, will feel easier since
the purchase 0s,fs /" yes truck, for
until that famous ladder arrived there
was but little hope in case Of fire for
any person WHO was isolated in high
building ever escaping alive.
SANITARY AFFAIRs.-No measures
IN a city are 80 important as those of
a sanitary character; no duty that
derolves on any committee is more
important than that which belongs to
the sanitary oommittee, and no COM
mittee is more unpopular with the
Ignorant, thoughtless rabble, while
none receives higher appreciation
from the Intelligent masses who take
pride in having 4 healthy city and a
low death rate The prompt and
effective measures which in such
short Tins relieved us of that terrible
scaurge, small pox, the system of pa
trolling the streets in order to have
the cutters kept clean, the attention
paid to the cleaning Of cess pools and
the proper deposit of the contents,
the constant work aud supervision of
the entire city has resulted in good
geueTal health and a remarkable low
death rate, during the past year.
Iron ROLLER AND CRUsHER. The
pu chase Of these machines for the
improvement of our streets is a long
step il advance in improvements and
We have no doubt if they perform the
work required Of them we shall have
better highways aud less complaint
about their condition.
WATER SUrPLY-Six streets have
had water pipes laid for the extension
Of the water supply, and six more
expect 10 have shortly. For forty
years and upwards an eight inch pipe
has lain in the ground from the water
house to the old reservoir, and for
nearly fourteen years it has been
useless. 1t was taken out last fall
and is about to be again laid at the
lower end Of the city, to furnish
water where it is very much needed
and where large amount of property
is constantly endangered in case of
fire.
WATER SUPPLY.-Our water sup
ply is not only abundant but its char
aGter il excellent The,reyenue from
this department. amoup(s to one-third
Of all that is requir C'rfr the expen-
OF the city. ph lring the past
year nothing has transpired to inter
fere with full supply, both fur do
nestle and manufacturing purposes.
The breaking of the fire plug at the
Lcchiel Hotel and the forcing out of
a wooden plug on East street, gave
rise to considerable feeling among
parties who did not take the pains te
carefully inquire into the cause of
these affairs, Both have cost the
city some money, which has been
promptly paid, AMI other claims now
ia will doubtless meet with fair and
equitable adjustment. The plant at
the water house is sufficient to furnish
double the supply needed at present,
which ought to be very gratifying to
our people, especially when so many
cities are constantly 10 trouble, either
about the quality o. quantity OF their
water supply.
SEWER DISTRICTS Dividing the
city into sewer districts is just and
equitable measure which is required
by law, and which will produce good
results when completed especially in
distributing more equitably the as
sessment.
GRADING STREETS. The present
method Of grading streets, though in
accordance with law is not altogether
acceptable to the people, yet it is
difficult to point out any other plan
except that OF drawing on the general
fund for the necessary funds.
OPENING STREETS. - In opening
streets somewhat conservative
course has been pursued, and in this
as in many other matters the mayor
has given cordial support, having
used his veto for that purpose which
was sustained By councils.
CODE OF ORDINANCES There seems
to be an unaccountable and inexpli-
cable opposition to the adoption OF
the code on the part of certain men,
bers in Common Council although
the laws have been compiled and the
ordinances revised and both printed
in book of nearly three hundred
pages. The revised ordinance have
been before council once On first
reading ard were read about half way
through. Since that time although
specials were called for the purpose
quorum could not be secured. We
nope this measure VIII yet receive
that attention which its Importance
merits,
Tua NEW RA1LRoAD.-The ordi-
nance granting the right to the South
Pennsylvania railroad company to
place piers in Harris park to the river
side Of Front street, was the first step
to the connection of the Reading
with that road and WI ich when COM
pleted will give competing line with
the Pennsylvania.
We have thus briefly reviewed the
most prominent municipal legislation
during the year just closed, the first
Of the three for which the present
councils were elected to serve, and