Morning journal and courier., 1889-02-01

"Barnesville" bridge over the westerly chan nel of Mill river on Grand avenue is equiva-
 lent to per cent. interest on the cost of
 super structure similar to the new "Neck" bridge. It would therefore seem good policy to build durable structures, if possible, where we need new bridges, or where the old ones need rebuilding.
 SEWERS.
 Tho completion last fall of the western boulevard sewer to Davenport avenue and of the Davenport avenue sewer, from the boulevard to Vernon street, affords an out let for sewerage to a large portion of the | western part of tho city. Through mains, | together with those previously constructed, ! gives available outlets for sewerage purposes to nearly the entire area of the city. In view of this and the fact that less than forty per cent. of our streets are severed, and the appreciation of good sewerage shown by ! our citizens in the constantly increasing de- mand for sewers, should not attention now be given particularly to the construction of | the smaller laterals on thickly built streets, I the return for which, both from a sanitary | and financial standpoint, being greater than from the large and expensive main outlet? The latter, of course, are necessary before the laterals can be built, but with the excep- tion of comparatively small district, the city is now quite we'll supplied with outlets. THE OLD STATE HOUSE QUESTION. The condition of the old State House calls for your immediate attention. On no sub- ject of local interest has there been such di- versity of opinion. Capitalists, business men, scholars, professional men and laborers have expended much time and considerable temper upon the question of removal or re- pair.
 The only point upon which all parties are in happy agreement is that the State house, S.T Tku Enr1~ L. kzk city.
 Estimates on repairing the State House have been made at various times by several committees, running from 5000 upwards, according to the amount of work to be done. In 1885, committee of which Eli Whit ney, jr., was chairman, employed two master builders from Hartford, and Gen. William P. Trowbridge, professor of engineering in Columbia college, to make a careful survey
 and estimate, including new marble steps and buttreeses at the south entrance, re-
 building those at the north entrance from
 the material removed from the south en- trance, new marble ashlers and water table, eight in sewer steam heating apparatus and new chimney for same, steam ventilating ap- paratus, and all stucco, plastering, wood
 work and paint to be put in frstclass con-
 dition. Their estimate was $23, ,00O. In November, 1887, the eourtss of common
 council voted to submit to the people at the next city election two propositions, one to pull down the building and one to repair it at an expense not to exceed $30, ,000. The vote was taken on December 6, 1887, after a full discussion in this body, in the newspa- pers and by numerous handbil!s and circulars and resulted in majority in favor of repair. The proposition thus adopted by our con- etituents was as follows:
 Proposition eecond-The State House building shall be repaired by the city at an expense not to exceed thirty thousand dollars as soon as practicable and shall be put to such uses under the control and direction of the court of common council as that body may determine and prescribe"
 A few days after this proposition was adopted by the people the court of common council December 19, 1SS7,) passed an order that the building 'be repaired in accordance with the terms and con- ditions of said second proposition" :" appointed 8 commission to make the repairs, and ordered tax laid to meet the expense. This commission not having made the repairs, the building remains in the same condition as before the vote of the people was taken, notwithstanding they decided it to be repaired 'as soon as practicable" It seems to me that good faith towards
 our constituents requires that. having asked for and received public expression of their will, it should be obeyed. And I think also that the building is valuable one, adapted
 to many public uses, and can be put in good COAOALlOI AOE AesS IDon tuo ToO,OUc WHICH uas
 been voted. The proposition voted on by the people, was to repair first and then decide what uses to put the building to. Having briefly attended to a few of the more important questions which will be brought before you for action trust you will take up, discuss and dispose of them as in your judgment is for the best interest of our city, without prejudice or party bias. The natural advantages of our city for the devel- opment of various industries should be sec- onded by the judicious action of the city gov ernment in carrying forward all reasonable Improvements without incurring burdensome
 taxation, leaving wide open door to wei
 come all new enterprises seeking field for
 development. The superior educational ad
 vantages of our city have made her famous
 throughout the nation and no doubt contrib
 ute largely toward the prosperity which we
 enjoy.