Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-01-03

It will be seen that the appropriations of 1 the present year exceed those of 1857 by over $35, ,00O. This was deemed proper by our predecessors in order to provide for the payment of $15, ,O00 of the general tenn porary loan and of $10,O0 on the special 1 temporary loan on account of Water Depart ment, provided for laying the new water main The balance in excess of the for mer year was required on account of the ] increase of our police force, the expense of l the Fire Department and of the Health 1 Department.
 | To meet such extra expenses and to pay such indebtedness, tax of f5 mills on the dollar was laid. Unless the Board of Fiji nance will suggest and this Council in it's wisdom adopt some plan to fund the tenn porary loan, it is hoped at lower rate of interest, the finances of the city will be in the same situation the present year as they have in the past.
 an empty treasury. The largest share of l the funds raised from taxes is soon exhaust cd in canceling temporary loan,an with l it fast accommodating interest account only continuing 8 system that from the 1 first was unwise both in theory and prac- l tice. We can only hope for it's abatement l by rigid economy, fair and equitable as- l sessment of the city's grand list, and a general reduction of expenditure on the several boards of public works.
 l With the dawn of 8 new year, a new Council, with new hopes and purposes, will have good opportunity to institute radi- cal reform in this respect. You are called to renew class of public duties that grow and increase with an advancing population, and never cease You must share these duties and responsibilities, however much divided they may be. It is there fore essential, gentlemen, that we should | become familiar with the authority under which we act,so that legislation shall stand the test of criticism and at the same time be just to the taxpayers; so that all the obligations and requirements of the charter may be fulfilled, and all proper demands 1 for public Improvements may be responded 1 to- I trust you will observe the necessity for strict economy in all public expendi- | tures-Measure your outlay with the amount of public funds entrusted to your care, and keep strictly within the limit of 1 the appropriations. There is nothing that will so reflect discre upon our city as the transgression of this plain provision of it's charter-the pernicious custom of exceed ing the annual appropriations and carry ing over from year to year an increasing floating debt of altogether too large pro portions
 It is to be hoped that it will not become necessary to deviate from this rule. By it's observance we shall make successful an ministration possible.
 The time and place to supply the treas ury for this years municipal voyage was with our predecessors. That duty has been performed, and this Council is bound by it's acts It will be your duty after g l years experience to perform similar ser vice for the coming fiscal year.
 POLICE.
 The efficiency of the police force is 6 cause for congratulation. The substantial immunity from crime and felonies of an aggravated nature during the past year is a credit to this department, which is held 1 responsible for the peace and good order l of the city It is surprising that there has been cause, as the records show, for so few arrests for petty offences and misdemean- ors when it is considered that in the past few years our population has rapidly in creased, that the building of railroads sew ersand other public works haveinvited large classes to our midst who hay no local habi- tation nor interest in our affairs, as have our citizens and taxpayers who have be come permanent inhabitants. From these sources and from transient persons come a great share of the lawlessness that our police have to contend with.
 l It is commonly said that the chief duty of physician is to cure the sick; yet the best of all physicians is the one that pre- vents sickness. So with policeman l While it is his duty always to arrest or view of crime or on immediate information, he is the most excellent officer who pre- vents the crime.
 There are number of ordinances of the city calculated to afford the citizens con venience and safety on our streets and side walks. These, as well as other ordinances pertaining to the duties of the Police De partment, commend to the attention o1
 every officer on the force. I would recon mend a careful perusal of the charter, ,ordi
 nances and the rules of the department
 so far as they are consistent with the char
 ter, by all the members of the department
 This duty, believe, is one of the rules o
 the Police Manual.
 l It has been said by veteran chief en
 gineer of this state that 'sThe department of fire in city, like the military depart
 ment of state, should always be ready for action, completely organized and equip
 ped" To this end the Common Council has
 been prompt in attention and liberal in ap
 populations. Nearly all the recommends
 tions of your Board of Fire Commissioners
 have been favorably responded to. As ], result the department has made rapid pro gress in complying with the requirement. of modern fire service, and in attaining, s, far as undertaken, perfectly organized and equipped department.
 Two engine houses have been completed
 within the past year,-No. 6, on East Mai1
 street, organized as hose company; No.
 Hook and Ladder, and No 3 with steame
 and hose. The latter companies, nov
 quartered in new double house on Scovil
 street, seem to be an example of complete
 ness suitable for the city government t,
 follow in behalf of other companies whe1
 it deems prudent.
 While we feel greater security in tn
 consciousness of having engines and hos
 wagons with horses always ready for i'm
 mediate use, we may yet speak with par
 donable pride of the volunteer service o
 our several companies that have so lon
 and faithfully served the city; who have, i.
 season and out, elicited the admiation o
 citizens at home and abroad, and merite
 the highest commendation of the press.
 Better and safer water service, effected ' by the relaying of a larger iron water mai ! and iron service pipes, affords additions . security and renders the hydrant servic