The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-01-26

quantities the cost has been dimin-
ished abo,1f one third. l need not
add anything in reference to the ex-
cellence of these drains over the old
4 sewer
STREET REPAIRS.
There are some of our streets bad
ly in need of repair, during the com
ing summer The macadamizing on
Wiley street should be continued as
soon as practicable to the end of
East street at the corporation line.
A portion of this work could no
doubt be done this year and the re-
mainder next year. But it is neces-
sary that High and Peasants streets
should have some repairs<as soon as
circumstances will permit. The road
bed of Peasants is broken and worn
down in number of places. The
repairing of High street is not an
expensive undertaking. The road to
the Mackey mill is in very bad
condition; also the roads near Deck
er's creek bridge.
STREET LIGHTS.
The one thing that has given rise
to more complaint on the part of the
people and has caused more annoy
ance and vexation to members of the
Council is, no doubt, the street-light,
The contract entered into with the
Sergeant nearly year ago, by which
he was to light the lamps at two
cents per lamp per night, and was to
forfeit five cents for each lamp not
lighted by his neglect, caused for
some time reasonably faithful ex-
ecution of the contract. But gradu-
ally the failure to fulfill it came; the
forfeitures were imposed and allow
ances cut down; the people complain
ed, but all to no purpose. As an
end of the matter you rescinded the
contract. Another agreement has
been entered into, and its fulfillment
promises, from the short time it has
been in force, to give to the citizens
as good light as can be got out Of an
oll-lamp.
But this town ought to have bet
ter light for its streets than can pos
sibly be got out of any lamp and oil
/ recommend that you give the sub
ject of improved street-lights special
attention.
THE BONDED DEBT
The charter requires a sinking
fund to be annually set apart from
the revenues of the town of not less
than seven per centum to be applied
to payment of interest and the prin-
cipal as the same may become re-
deemable and payable. In pursu-
ance of this requirement $3.50 have
been set apart for that purpose and
loaned out upon good security, as
the beginning of sinking fund to
meet the first bonds that become due
in ten years from the date of issue.
This plan of providing for meeting
public debt is certainly better than
to make no provision at all; but it
suggests danger. There is more or
less risk about all loans of money
upon any security. / think it would |
prove safer and more satisfactory to
set apart a sum of money each year
with which to buy up the bonds at a
reasonable premium to the extent of
the money so set apart. This would |
be safe. So much Of the debt as
might be redeemed in this way
would be cancelled and no accident
could affect it. If the holders of the
bonds would not allow any of them
to be redeemed at fair premium,
the Council could still continue to
make their additions to the sinking
fund. / recommend that the method |
of buying the bonds at premium
be tried.
THE LEVY.
To meet the estimated expendi-
lures for the year ending 31st May,
1888, the following levies and esti-
mates were made:
Levy of 45 cents per 500 on