Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-04

required and they have therefore submitted es-
1rtates loI 10 men additional of class one,
by law.
The statute requiring policemen to be selected
n trOn, the 1mose having an honorable discharge
rom tne army or navy no longer serves the
purpose of its enactment aud as If is sometimes
90 par 10 the selection Of the men best qualified
Suggestion that this statutory rule be repealed
IN May last careful enumeration of the in
ha6ltants OF the District was made by the
pouee Iorce, showing the following results:
Number of inhabitants of Washington city,
ia5,o06; onamber of inhabitants of George
1851; total, 2O3, 459. Divided as follows
White population, 1876, 271; colored population,
6alSS. Males, So, 44S; females, 1O8. oil. Over
&c years Oh age, $50; under Is years of age,
The Commissioners again urge upon the seri-
Gus a.Ientlon OF Congress the necessity of fur
lice regulations and for the better enforcement
OF those now existing. They, therefore, ask an
PROVISIONS of bs Of the main s9
Congress by the District committees as well as
by the Commissioners.
AS an emergencies calling for local reguia-
tons are not easily anticipated and Congress
is usually absorbed with more important busi-
ness, the Commissioners invite attention to the
tional duty and power of making such regula-
lions, especially as regards matters involving
tne puohc health, the use and occupation OF
streets ana public places, and the government
Oh criminals committed to their charge.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This department still maint ains its well.earned
reputation for efficiency. The accompanying
report of Chief Engineer Cronfn sets forth the
present condition of the department as we'll as
the annual statistics of fires and damage to
property thereby. The Commissioners espec-
tally ask favorable consideration of the rec
ommendat1on that a large fire engine be kept in
reserve in the central portion of the city for oc-
casions such as have recently occurred when an
engine more powerful than the ordinary one is
nhn5n ~
templates no additional expense for its service,
save supplying it with fuel when used and
keeping 1t in repair.
HEALTH OFFICE.
The report of the health officer shows the
sanitary condition Of the District to be good
The commissioners approve the suggestion
therein contained that future contracts for
removal of garbage should include the removal
of ashes and thus abate the growing nuisance
OF ashes deposited in alleys. The Commission
ers have submitted an estimate therefor.
Attention is invited to the important subject
discussed in the report that there is a gradual
extension OF soil pollution, especially in the
suburbs of the city, slowly poisoning both the
earth and water of the neighborhood, and
which should be stopped as far as practicable
by enforced drainage from houses into sewers
The reports OF the inspector of plumbing and
the medical Inspector are embodied in that of
the health officer.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
The public schools of the District of Columbia
educational institutions. The Commissioners
can say with some pride, that in all their details
these schools will favorably compare with the
PUBLIC schools of any community in the coun-
try. They know full well, of course, that this
condition OF things is due largely to the gener-
Gus appropriations annually made for these
schools, oy reason OF which it has been made
possible to procure the assistance of the very
best educational talent, but they are not un-
mindful at the same time OF how much is due
10 the industry, ability and fidelity of those
VINO nave had these schools in pharpa
ing the past year the average number of pupils
enrolled in the schools was 25,O26 out of q
During the past year school houses have been
erected in various parts of the District. The
Dennison, the WOrmley and the Blair school
built during the past year are large and WELL
built houses, containing in all % school rooms
capable of accommodating about fourteen or
fifteen hundred pupils and there is now in
course OF erection large annex to each CT the
old school buildings-the stevens and the Cur
tis-thcse will be completed early in the year
1886, and will afford accommodation for about
500 more pupils.
During the past year the Commissioners have
purchased two new sites for schools in localities
where they are needed and propose to build
new buildings as soon as there is money avail
able Tor that purpose. The report OF the trustees
oil schools hereto appended gives in detail the
wants OF the District as respects increased school
accommodation, and attention is invited to
that report tor all details.
Again this year the trustees of schools asked
FOR ii more liberal appropriation than the Com
nissoners feel warranted in approving and
the Commissioners renew their recommenda-
ton that the amount estimated for be supple
mented by the proceeds of sales of OUTLYING
property no longer useful With this assist
ance it is believed the wants OF the District will
be fully met.
ATTORNEY
The report Of Hon. a. G. Riddle, attorney for
the District, gives a summary of the disposition
or present status OF the more important litiga-
ton where the District is "A party.
Tie report OF Mr.. Padsett, special assistant
rive hn tntict % DBL;
prosecutions, and renews the request made in
his last annual report for additional legislation
The accompanying reports of the supernten-
dent of telegraph and telephone service the
coroner, the fire marshal, the sealer Of weights
and measures, the inspectors of wood, lumber
and -four, show the duties performed by those
officials respectively.
ASSESSMENTS
The report of the assessor shows that 1871
licenses we're issued from his office during the
past year, for which there was paid to the col
lector the sum of S144, 662.67.
This shows an increase over the amount re-
ceived for licenses during last year of
$40, .O6, and an increase over the amount
.seeived in the year preceding of sic, 233.s9.
increase in business generally in the District.
Attention Is called particularly to the details
OF this officers report for Information as to the
nature and character of the trades and occupa-
tons for which licenses have been granted.
This report also gives in detail the number and
value of improvements assessed during the
year, the assessed value of taxable property,
both real and personal in the District and the
amount of the tax to be collected for the year,
Attention is called to the several recOmmen-
dations made by the assessor in respect TO the
collection laws OF the District aud to the
amendments in those laws suggested by
him, and particularly TO those having rela-
ton to The law concerning personal property.
1t Is found impossible to collect large amount
OF the tax levied upon personal property prin-
cipaily because the remedy by which the pay
ment is TO be enforced is distrant, and by tue
terms of the act of Congress is limited to such
property on the premises as belongs to the
party owing the tax. AS the title to personal
property passes by delivery it will at once be seen
that when such property has been assigned and
delivered to other parties than those against
the subject OF distraint under the limitations of
the law cited. 1t Is respectfully suggested that
the attention OF Congress is needed to this SUBJ
Ject. as the assessor suggests. Under an act of
Congress requiring it, new assessment of the
property In the District subject to taxation
must be made in 1886. In order that this as
sessment may be full and accurate in every re-
spect, 1t becomes necessary to make preparation
Tor II at once. The assessor Is now employed In
having subdivisions and plats made in order to
facilitate this work.
LICENSES,
Attention is again invited to the present un-
satisfactory condition OF the law. relating to
licenses for the sale Of sprituous and fer1nented
liquors. These laws are so loosely drawn that
all the restrictions intended to be imposed upon
this traffic are easily evaded, and the licenses
issued under them are constantly SO used as to
encourage drunkenness and increase crime
tamil 10 Ixv ste<H1f