Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-07-07
MESSAGE OF MAYOR YOsT.

To the President and Members Of the City Council
Gentlemen.-In obedience to the provisions
of the charter, herewith submit a statement
of the general condition of the city," &C., to-
gether with such suggestions as seem perth
nent.
At the commencement of the fiscal year.
May LIST, the bonded debt of the city aggregated
1901 900, sum less than 10 per cent. of the
estate and personal property. OF this amount,
s4S 800 is held by the Sinking fund.- together with
other solvent securities and cash sufficient to
debt. Since the close of the last fiscal year,
one bond of $1,000 has matured and been re:
9e on the rst of pong Oh SSv VIII d aa
provision has been made in the estimates for
the current year En- Or On the first of November
terest due Nov. list, 1891, and exempt from city
taxes, may be called in and substituted by
bonds bearing a much less rate of interest.
The excellent financial condition of the city:
the prOmptness with which all of her obliga-
tions are met; the ample security she Offers
her low rate of taxation and her demonstrated
ability to meet will ease the demands that
will be made upon her. justify the belief that
saving may be effected The demand for safe
bonded investments has rarely been more pro-
be little difficulty in negotiating this loan,
even though the amount be small. at a low rate
| of interest.
THE HEALTH
OF the city is good. Few places of equal size
can boast of so low dsath rate and fewer still
| are blessed with greater freedom from cpl
DENIES. And whilst these causes for con-
graduation. and demonstrate the natural ad-
vantages of our location, they should not in
so essential to the health and comfort on a
growing population.
SEWERAGE AND STREETS.
A thorough system of sewerage is needed
not network ofopen and covered drains emp
tying into a creek, the grassy sides of which
eaten and retain the rank deposits-but
popuious and lilly drained sections. and furnish
an underground conduit for those unhealthy
| find their way into the street. To this end
Lewis creek should be arched between desig-
aaodip oihts, WIN proper provision made for
noooIng IL at regular intervals whenever
necessary.
Another suggestion. more immediate and
OF the streets, especially the principal thor.
| oughfares. Instead of the weekly visits of the
| city earts.the accumulations,i in warm weather,
should be removed every twentyfour hours from
| the crowded portions of the city. more thor
| ough supervision should be exercised over the
| condition of the open lots cutters pavements
| and streets One has but to examine Certain sec
| tious, even in the heart of the city flor in
stance, Augusta street from Main to Frederick,
/ TO be impressed with the force of this sugges-
| ton. The odor from decaytng vegetation; the
| uns1gb tly appearance of the cutters, the I'M
| tidy and crowded condition of the streets and
| The generally unpleasant effects resulting from
/ these and cognate causes demand a more
/ searching inspection and prompter application
| or the necessary remedies. Under the existing
ordinance, as construed and enforced, the ten
ants or property holders along the principal
| business streets, within certain limits are re-
quired to sweep in front OF their premises every
SATURDAY morning. III 1t happens to be muddy,
| instead of dusty, on the last day of the W eek
| the citizen considers himself exempt from the
| operation of the ordinance, and 1t seems to be
the duty of no one to make up for the neglect.
| As consequence the streets may go uncleaned
| for a fortnight. This should not be tolerated.
| II the citizen is not required to comply with
/ the provisions OF the ordinance in wet weather,
then the city should provide for the work.
| The approach of the heated term admonishes
us that there is much to be done before the
condition of the city is as neat and inviting as
| there is just reason to expect.
| There is need of
GENERAL SYSTEM OF STREET IMPROVEMENT,
| the details of which the Council is best quali-
fed to determine. The work when ordered
| should be prosecuted according to the plans
ana under the direction OF a skilled engineer.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
are entitled to and have received generous sup
port from the council. The system is becoming
| centage of attendance to school population ia
| large and growing. The efficiency of the in
struc.ors and the progress made by the pupils
encountered are considered. Chief of these
difficulties is the very defective accommoda-
tions afforded for the conduct of the schools,
| both white and colOred.
| The old Methodist Institute building into
which majority of the white pupils are
crowded, is not only, under its present arrange
| ment. grossly inadequate to meet the essen
tials to the progress and comfort of the schol-
ars, but is absolutely unhealthy. The lower
room is damp, disagreeable and lily lighted and
ventilated. Careful statisticians estimate that
1
| feet of breathing space for the maintenance of
! a proper physical and mental condition,
that the best results from study may be real
| lied In some of the more crowded of the rooms
at the Institute, this standard of breathing
over, and the vitiation of the atmosphere,
resulting from the number occupying the
room, Is aggravated by the unwholesome odors
of damp walls and Objectionable surroundings.
The recent removal of the offices of Treasurer
and Commissioner of the Revenue from this
| building, Will add to the available space that
| may be utilized for school purposes during the
| approaching session. This may render further
| accommodations. for the immediate future,
| unnecessary, but in any event the building
| should be rearranged and placed in a thorough
sanitary condition.
The academy building, occupied by the white
pupils. and the Heidenrick building in which
number OF the colored children are taught.
demand attention. Both of these houses, in
| their present condition, are unhealthy, and I'M
| fit for the purpose.
Client in space and altogether unsuited for it's
present uses. By reason of it's location and the
practical impOssibility of remodeling it, SO as
| TO make a desirable school house, a removal of
the schools, as contemplated by YOU seems the
only solution of the difficulty. In this connec-
tfon permit me to call attention to the report
| made TO the last Council, just before the expi-
ration of its term, by the clerk of the school
board, and by your predecessors referred to you.
To the end that this subject may receive i'm
| mediate attention, respectfully suggest that
| special committee be appointed to make the
necessary examinations and report at the
earliest date prac ticable, so that the work may
be completed before the commencement of the
next scholastic year.
The city is unfortunate in losing the services
of two such educators as Prof. Bowles, superin-
tendent, and Prof Perry, principal of the high
school, both of whom have accepted engage
ments elsewhere. trust their successors may
be equally as competent, efficient and devoted
to their work.
THE POOR
are neither we'll nor economically provided for.
There quite number for whom the city
makes only partial provision. These, very
properly, live at their homes and have their
scanty means supplemented by municipal aid.
White manners those who ABSOLUTELY
dependent, are boarded around at various
places. As their numbers are few, this
may perhaps be the better system for the time
being though as they are either invalids dis
abled or infirm from age, and necessarily re-
tons are made to this class, that consideration
for their condition and regard for the citys In
in distinct building, and properly cared fol-.
The condition Of the aimshouse, where
the te eeoreS are kept is dsGredt
out of repair that part of it is uninhab-
liable: Its situated under a bank, the water
practical absence of guttering, causes the lower
floor to be always damp, mouldy and I'M
healthy. A leaky roof produces somewhat
similar effects in the second story AS one Of
the first duties of the Committee on Poor will
be to visit this is, house f0rbear to mention
prove plainly, If not painfully, apparent.
This property is rented at SIPS per annum,
whilst the city has outlying lots upon which a
suitable building for the accommodation of the
poor could be erected, for an amount less than
tne rental now palu represents IN tins way
not only would greater comfort be secured to
the unfortunate inmates. but the saving in
fuel, and other economies, would be consider
able
STATION HOUSE.
A pressing public need is a station house. 1t
not unfrequenty occurs that parties are held
in custody for trial. 1t is neither Just nor
humane to condemn such offenders to associa-
ton and intimate fellowship with hardened
criminals, to say nothing of the danger
from disease and various forms of Ioafh-
someness incident to such contact. The
limited number of cells. and crowded
N mai LODGING all classas