Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-18
STREETS AND PARKS.
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE MAYOR OF THE
CITY ENGINEER.
colousI w. T.. cuishaw Gives His Views
on Variety Of Topics OK Great
Public Imnortanco.

Following is the annual report OF
Colonel Cutshaw. He points out TO the
Mayor and City Council the impolicy
and false economy Of insufficient appro-
priations to streets generally. If Rich
nond is TO grow she must "paye The
WAY" literally Tor those who desire to
build residences or bnsiness-houses, and
what is more she must not let the old
md much-uscd thororghlares deteriorate
in condition. For two or three years
past our streets have not been kept up as
we'll as they should have been, chiefly
for the reason that tic street approprla-
lions were stinted, while other depart
ments had theirs increased.
CITY ENGINEERS OFFIcs,l
RICHGoND. Va. March Il. 1883. !
hon. y. C. Carmot0n, Mayor Of thc ctr n
Rfchmouf:
sir.--I have tho honor to submit herewith my
iitecn'h annual report, phi cipolly IN in0nlaied
form. showing The operations AMI expenditures
OF tho department for tao scar cnii1g Deem
Der 81. l''ff.
mo ugssations made IN former reports beg
o. reiiera'3 with the hOpo that a moro LIBERAL
consideration viii te given this department OF
the citys expenditures. Iha; tho apploprla-
tons Co streets haze not kept pace Will lhe
eoTth and Increasing demands OF the city the
lsrge accumulation OF petitions and papers
selunR forth the wants in various sections OF mo
city. and which cannot be- acted upon Tor want
Of funds. viii readily attest
From i-53 20 1881, inclusive, thuty-tWo 6hl
n ha'i mics Of streoIs were graded. tWcnty-ohc
n hall miles Ruitercd. twenty miles cnroec,
six and ono third miles rcDavod with stone
Hud two and one third miles paved WIN
10 ~ n
eight miios u curbs, elx;F-dre mics OF
cutters. twelve miles Of grading. ana aoFob
ead half miles OF new stone paving Following
tho lines Of etrect-car treck- eo1e. without
taking account Of renewals a paving, paving
siiewa H. paid for by The ci,y, and other neces-
sary mprOgOmeuta 10 will be- 3c5r thHt AZ INC
present rate Il 80 Il take u0arly hfty years 10
complete tho work needed within the present
limit. OF tie city.
An examination of the table Of expenditures
exclusive OF sewer-) upon s.reetg froin l.3 To
1sS, inclusive. shows . reduction OF s2,l-nsl N
lSa, briOW tho expenditures Il lSi2, ana mat ul-
ring the greater part OF ;hIs period tho expenll-
tures were reduced even moro than this amount.
In this same time appropriations TO many 90
partments nave been largely Increased ana eVoh
new itcws OF expenditures created. II inns
policy Of meeting me increased demands OF
other departments and CurtatHng tnose OF
stree ts i- continued. IL VII bccp the city IN the
present unfortunate position a consuming over
a million OF dollars annually ~ tho geueral al
rill~Lft to OF lt- dAht1 Hllii p4l' l'litA
O. this -iiu civ0u 80 those permanent street I'M
prOYemcut5 which mainly enhance the taxable
values upon which TIE revenues principally de-
pend.
owing 20 the delay In tho appropriation 10
srWers-RLlch was not available III December,
about iLe end Oh The working seasOn-very few
Sewers wore constructed. making 10 necessary 10
carry most Of ;his Wock over 70 the following
year.
BesiIes tho completion Of the new school
hmidi1C-. some small changes ~ the city ial,
rcynI,5 aud attention 30 the other public build
ing- and ground. no Improvements Of import
Hnca were made during The year.
Its matter not only Of regret on. will be one
Of great complaint that tho improvements al Re
servuir Park are NOT carried out We may eX-
poet tnesc grounds % be tnrOnred with visitors
This coming summer, and liberal appr0pria-
lion should 0e made TO meet the demands Of the
public.
ueg % commend the officers and employees
Of The department for Continued faithful and
efficient services. Very respectfully,
v. L. GUSTAV.
CITY Engineer