Morning journal and courier., 1889-02-01
THE MAYORS MESSAGE.

 Mayor Peck Speaks Upon Various
 Matters of Municipal Importance
 The City.s Debt-FavorabI as Conn
 pared With Other Citfes-The Vart-
 Ous City Departm ents-The New Pulp
 He Park-Our Bridges-The old State House Q Question.
 Gentlemen of the City Council: The government of the city is now organ ized and we are ready to attend to the bust ness which may come before us. It can hardly be expected of me, just en- tering upon the duties of Mayor, to be sufh- ciently familiar with the machinery to give you 8 complete memoranda of matters re- quiring your attention, but there are some | important subjects which need yoar conside- ration at an early day, which I will now pre- sent.
 The city debt has been decreased during the year ending December 1st, 1888, about SIS. .OOo. The bonded debt amounts to $974, ,O0O. Cash on hand December 1st amounted to the sum of $99, ,508.19, and the sinking fund for the redemption of bonds amounts to $368, 1000.
 The net indebtedness of the city is now S516, ,491.81. There is no floating debt. For details see the auditors report. When we compare the indebtedness of our city with others in New England correspond ing to ours in wealth and population it would seem that there should be no reason for tax payers to complain; and in view of the extended development of our sewers (of which we now have ffty-three miles), and it not be we'll to consider the matter of ask ing the legislature for power to issue bonds for the purpose of carrying forward these enterprises at this time.
 GROWTH OF THE CITY.
 From the fire marshal's report for the year just closed find that there were issued AIS permits for new buildings, the value of which, given by the parties interested, amounts to about $1, 800, 900, which is great CT than any year since the establishment of this department, eighteen years ago. When the census for 1890 is taken have no doubt it will chow that our city will hold her rank with other large New England cities in re- gard to growth of population.
 The recommendations of the fire marshal, concernining the inspection of all public buildings, also the extension of the fire limits, are well deserving of your attention.
 CHARTER AND BYLAWS.
 The supply of books, containing the char ter and bylaws is exhausted and the fact that the amendments added since the old book was issued cover as much space, as the original would indicate the necessity of a thorough revision and the issue of new edition. This should be done as soon as practicable.
 The standard of efficiency and usefulness in this important branch of municipal ser vice has not only been maintained but in- creased as the years have gone by. The disci- pline of the force is strict without being op- pressive, while meritorious conduct in it's members in the prompt and faithful perfor- nance of their duties is quickly recognized by their superiors.
 The modern improvements and facilities afforded by patrol wagons, the telephone and signal stations, have increased immensely, and perhaps double the ability and effec- tiveness of it's police department, without adding largely to it's members.
 The appropriation by the common council for police matron and for the necessary changes in the lookup, seem to be fully jus tifed by the experience of other cities. At least twenty cities have adopted the sys- tenn, and many more are considering thS ad- visibility of the employment of matrons. It is claimed by its friends that in no instance has the employment of matron or matrons been discontinued after @ trial, while in sev erel cases, in the larger cities, the number has been increased. It would seem self-evi- dent that young women and children, at least when arrested for ordinary offences, should be placed under the guardianship Of women rather than men.
 At any rate very large number of ladies of this city, of the highest responsibility, have repeatedly petitioned for such an appointment, in this concession to their wishes and feelings is very properly and justly made.
 Some alterations and changes in the lock- up, and in the city hall, will be necessary to carry out the plan; but all who have seen the plans must admit that these changes will ef- feet great improvement over the present management for the mems and womens quarters, both for the safe keeping and for their maintaining at all times of proper sur veillanoe over prisoners.
 The introduction of the patrol wagon sys- tenn into the police department neoessitates provision for room at police headquarters To supply this need-for the erection of a morgue and other city purposes-I would recommend the purchase of available land at the rear of the City Hall.
 BOARD OF HEALTH.
 As our city becomes more densely popu- lated, the relations of such board to the sanitary condition of the community in- creases in importance. What the proper and ruIas of fha hoard are and what