The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-07-08
A petition from citizens asking a fire.

A petition from citizens asking a fir
plug, ETC., at the corner of Water al
johnson streets, was referred to the Wat
Committee. A number of petitions, asl
ing for remission of water tax. were r
ferred to the same committee.
The application of J. G. Newman f
position of fireman at Water House, We
read and referred.
A petition from Mrs. F. 0. Heydenric
was read and referred to Safety Con
mittee and the petition of r. F. Hose
was referred to Finance Committee
A number of accounts, turned over b
the old Council, were referred to the Al
diting Committee.
A message from the Mayor, addresse
to the President and Council was read
and on motion of Mr.. Crowle. was ordere
to I've recorded. 1t is as follows
Mayors Message.
| Gentlemen-In obedience to the provision
! of the charter, herewith submit a "statemen
! of the general condition of the city, &C., to
sether with such suggestions as seem peril
nent
| At the commencement of the fiscal year
| May LIST, the bonded debt of the city aggregated
ssol goo, sum less than 10 per cent; Of tn
estate and personal property. OF this amount
$iS,sOO is held by the Sinking fund, together will
| other solvent securities and cash sufficient t.
make SOL 7G3 49, or over 20 per cent. of the entire
| debt. Since the close of the last fiscal year
one bond of $1,000 has matured and been re
| RI 0o nad n x1riII fol
due on the first of Jany, 1887: For this last
90 tas 81 peT
terest. due Nov. ist, 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 with ease the demands tina
Will be made upon her, justify the belief tina
| by the proposed substitution @ very materia
saving may be effected. The demand for SAT-
bonded Investments has rarely been more pro
nounced than at this time, and there should
be little difficulty in negotiating this loan
even though the amount be small, at low rate
| of interest
THE HEALTH
of the city js good Few places of equal size
can boast of SO low u doath rate and fewer still
are blessed with greater freedom from epi
denies. And whilst these are causes for con
graduation. and demonstrate the natural adj
vantages of our location, they should not in
duce neglect OF those sanitary precaution,
SO essential to the health and comfort of 9
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
system that would meet the needs o.
pOpulous and lily drained sections, and furnish
and oensDe that too
find their way into the street To this end
Lewis creek should be arched between desig.
mated points, with proper provision made fol-
necessary.
Another suggestion, more immediate and
easier to carry out. is more frequent cleaning
of the streets, especially the principal thor
oughfares. Instead of the weekly visits of the
city carts, the accumulatiOnS,i in warm weather,
should be removed every twentyfour hours from
the crowded portionsof the city. A more thor
ough supervision should be exercised over the
condition of the open lots, cutters, payements
and streets. One has but to examine certain Sec
lions, even in the heart of the city (for in
stance, Augusta street from Main to Frederick
to be impressed with the force of this sugges-
ton. The odor from decaying vegetation; the
unsigf tly appearance of the cutters, the un-
tidy and crowded condition of the streets and
the generally unpleasant effects resulting from
these and cOgnate causes demand more
searehipg inspection ana pr9mpter application
ordinance, as construed and enforced, the ten
ants or property holders along the principal
business streets, within certain limits, are re-
CURED to sweep in front of their premises every
Saturday morning. If it happens to be muddy,
instead of dusty on the last day Of the week
operation Of the ordinance. and it seems to be
the duty of no one to make up for the neglect
for 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 lust reason to CXD6Ct,
There Is need of
GENERAL SYSTEM OF STREET IMpRov EMENT,
the details of which the Council is best quail
fed to determine. The work when ordered
should be prosecuted according TO the plans
and under the direction of a skilled engineer
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
are entitled to and have received a generous sup
port from the council. The system is becoming
more and more popular each year, and the per-
centage of attendance to school population is
large and growing. The efficiency of the in
are gratifying especially when the difficulties
encountered are considered. Chief of these
difficulties is the very defective accommoda-
tons afforded for the conduct of the schools,
both white and eolored.
The old Methodist Institute building, into
which a majority of the white pupils are
crowded, is not only, under its present arrange
ment. grossly inadequate to meet the essen
tas to the progress and comfort OF the sehol-
room is damp, disagreeable and lily lighted and
ventilated. Careful statisticians estimate that
feet of breathing space for the maintenance OF
q proper physical and mental condition, SO
that the best results from study may be real
at the Institute, this standard of breathing
space is divided by three. with a remainder
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
approaching session. This may render further
accommodations. for the Immediate future
unnecessary, but in any event the building
should be rearranged and placed i'll thorough
sanitary condition.
The academy building, occupied by the white
pupils, and the Heidenrick building in which
q number of the eolored children are taught
demand attention. Both of these houses, in
their present condition, are unhealthy, and I'M
The market house building is totally INSULT
| Gent in space and altogether unsuited for its
praciea imnossibity Of ~ it. a so 'a az
TO make desirable school house, removal OF
the schools, as contemplated by you, seems the
only solution of the difficulty. In this connec-
| ton permit me to call attentiQn to the repcrt
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
10 the end that this subject may receive i'm
mediate attention, respectfully suggest thai
| a special committee be appointed to make the
| necessary examinations and report at the
| earliest date practicable, so that the work may
be completed before the commencement of the
| next scholastic year.
| The city is unfortunate in losing the serviae.
Of two such ednaatars as Prof BoWles, sqperin
tendent, and Prot. Perry, principal Of the higl
school, both of whom have accepted engage
| ments elsewhere. trust their successors may
| be equally as competent, efficient and devoted
| to their work.
| are neither we'll nor economically provided for
There are quite a number for whom the city
| makes only partial provision. These, very
i q
scanty means supplemented by mum icipal aid
The white paupers. those who are absolutely
ara aeb aaana are few
| may perhaps be the better system for the tim,
being, though as they are either invalids, dis
abled or inflrm from age, and necessarily re
quire some attention, 1t would seem. ii addi
tons are made to this class, that consideration
for their condition and regard for the city's in
rh e'sleSs pFseass sass Whe
tn the Se0F cfyp ns are S aafp Is as95e se
out OF repair that part Of it is unlnhab
table. It's situated under bank, the waite
practicai absencs q guttering Causes the lowe
| floor to be always damp, moufdy and un
similar effects in the second story. As ere &c, Q
the first duties Of the ComMittee an Poor vii
be to visit this house. ! f6rhear to mention
| prove plainly, if not painfully. apparent.
| This property is rented at Sl25 per annunl
the e5y nas op 0ts opom Wn Of
| poor could be erected, for an amount less thai
| the rental now paid represents. In this way
the unfortunate inmates, but the saving il
able.
A pressing public need is station house. !
not unfrequently occurs that parties are he'll
in custody for trial. 1t is neither just no
humane to condemn such offenders to associa