Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-04-10

taken into account in determining the amount
to be raised by the city tax.
The rate OF taxation must, OF course. depend
largely upon the sac of tue grand lis, but it Is
without doubt true thpt an understood de-
termination on the part Of the Board to AVOID
extraordinary eNpcnl tures and to keep the
rate OF taxation nw, viii greatly as 81 the list
ers In securing n fun return OF taxable property.
Moreover. such denomination will, il car
ried out, givca considerable impetus to the
various m Ivcmcnts Looking to he Investment
of capital in business enterprises of local
character.
TIE STREET DEPARTMENT..
A new stage in the management of our street
department has been reached in con
sequence of the Amendment to our char
ter which cuufers the immediate con
troll of streets and sewers. upon n board of
shall not be members OF the Board OF Alder
mon. suggestions rs to future work In his
department may be expected to come from the
commissioners TO be chosen As the change In
the control of the department taxes place, the
municipality will do well to recall the services
of the various street committees of the Board
of Aldermen, who az street conn! issioncrs
have without compensation devoted vast
amount Of time and attention TO our streets
and sewers.
THE WATER DEPARTMENT.
A conservative policy should continue TO
characterize the management of the city 5
water works, the estimated value of which is
S4uuUlI. Proposed changes shoul be scrutin-
lied with the same care which has been be-
slowed by he commissioners upon the question
of a gravity supply.
The amount OF water pumped during the
year 1879 was greater than ever before. This
amount, about 81 galous per capita daily,
although gratifying Us an evidence of adyanc.
ing civilization, suggests the near approach OF
"A time when at certain seasons of the year the
/ capacity OF our pumps will be insufficient.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department is we'll organize1 and
efficient. The hre which recently consumed
tho cotton mill progressed with such rapidity
NNNH Inc fnrln n
render the loss of the building aud its con
tents inevitable. As 30 the needg of the depart
chief engineer. Libcrality should characterize
lie policy OF the city toward the defenders OF
its property.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Adequate protection to persons and property
can hardly he afforded without two policemen
ON Church street and in its vicinity through
Pearl street and one in the western and south
ern parts OF the city for at least half the night,
and one day policeman, either the chief or
some other member of the force. The best re-
suits for the money expended are got by haV-
/ ing the same policemen on duty every other
/ night only, so that a force of or II regular
| policemen is no more than sufficient. IT ought
to be understood that the al. might policemen
are to give substantial y the whole Of their
| time and energies to business Of IN official
character.
The duty of restrain ny lawlesaness and pre-
venting crime IS as important AS that ot secur-
ing the arrest and punishment OF offenders.
Both duties should be feariessly and Impair
tialy performed, and to this end II should bc
expected that policemen Will not in social
woy frequent places in which the law is un-
deretood 10 be hahitually violated. otherwise
their official action il likely 10 be hestating
amt ineffective. Acts of rudcness and wan
tonne>s on the public streets, particularly at
night, should be noticed and restrained by the
police, since thoy lead by easy degrees to De
liberalization and crime. Official action or in
action with II view to political results IS in
tolerable as 1t begcts an utter disre-peCt for
loN t.ll
the politics OF a citizen whose property IL IN
- f,9 tii ''', , ti ' MS i'
The duties o, policemen are however, dill
cut and many times dangerous AMI jhoir com
peusation is small. and they ought not there.
fore 10 he subjected to strained and visionary
criticism
The charter has wisely provided that APP
pontmcnts to the police force sha be made
subject to your con rmatlOn, and il will be
your duty to say whether the appointments
submitted Tor your approval are OF men who
mag fe"9VI'"T'y Dr p e,a " intet tne re-
named
.-uoo,.
s'hooi'H'
Care should be take that nothing be done to
| the detrlment of our schools, the excellence
| # which is widely recognized and Ii II
matter Of just pride at home. our commun-
| lty is unan nous i'll tie desire to have Hitter
| aCy unknown among the younger generation
! and to this end would generally welcome some
/ extension of evening school ms ruCtion. With
| our private, pHrOChiAl ana public schools II
| ought is DE practically impossible for any one
! to grow up IN the community in ignorance Of
reading and writing. The estimates of the
| finance committee of the board ~ school g m
! missioners show tho amount Of money needed
| to be returned to Burlington out of the fund
provided 10y the state school tax is matter
| Of uncertainty. but 1t viii be small probably
/ not more than ouo-tUurth of the amount which
/ the city Will contribute to the fund What
y vrd 'n na pg IT In pe E"pfieu
! /, L. dad p.