The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-09

eminent this year Will be between $40 600
and $4,000. TIE increase of the money
order department for the year jus, closet is
$4,000 over the number issued i'm 1885, and
has been cooped up in miserabiy inadequate
quarters, until quite recently new and
much larger office has been opened on New
Broadway, several blocks further, and not
near as convenient to patrons.
THE SCHOOLS.
The public schools of Oakland are the
boast not only of the city but of the sur
rounding country. Their reputation has
done more than is generally supposed
toward tie increase of the population
Families from all parts OF the State, having
faith in the unusual efficiency of the
schools, moved there to reside and edu-
cate their children. One serious obstacle.
which it is hoped may be removed within
another year. stands at present in the way
of a completely efficient system. More build
ings are necessary; the schools are too
crowded. The city is trying to give l., 200
pupils the advantages that an excellent sys-
tenn nsures with only fourteen school,
buildings in which to house them. or nearly
1000 to each building. About 175 teachers
are employed; there are seventy four gram
mar grades and eighty-six primary, besides
the High School. The salaries paid last
year were $4,000, an increase of about
$4,000 over the previous year. The total
expenses of the School Department last
year were SZDu,uUU, Luc lOUal valuation OF
school property is S500,090
For the past two years or more the city
has been endeavoring to get an expression
of the people as to the wisdom of issuing
bonds for the Improvement of the schools,
but the scheme has not yet come to focus
At Monday nights Council meeting an or
dnance was proposed which, if perfected,
and approved by the people, Will put $780,
Geo in the fund for new schools or additions
to the present buildings. The ordinance
was referred to committee, and it Is hard
TO speculate now on the result.
AT this same meeting an ordinance was
also proposed to bond the city for $500. 900
more, to be used in converting the large
marsh in West Oakland, about fiity-eight
acres in extent, into magnificent park If
this should finally carry it will be the be-
ginning for Oakland OF another Golden Gate
Park. The place at present is a sort of
pestilence, and as 1t is the first thing that
strikes the eye upon approaching Oakland
ii gives bad impression of the place. 1t
is pretty generally believed that if the
measures ever get before the people they
will be ratified.
STREET CARS.
Already the street-car system is excellent
ana it is going to improve wonderfully in
the next year or two. A cable stretches
from the foot of Broadway, about two
and half miles out San Pablo avenue.
and another runs on Washington and CLAW
IL. IL
distance of about three miles and through
as picturesque scenery as ever cable road
was run. An electric road splendidly
equipped and charming success, carries
passengers from the loot OIL Broadway TO
the State University, over winding route
of four miles in twenty minutes for a
nickel. Another electric road is being built
that will extend from Broadway south
ward or eastward, taking in in its gener-
Gus sweep nearly all portions of East
Oakland to the city limits. A road is soon
to be built TO West Oakland from Broad
way. taking in all the unfrequented parts
Besides these named are several small
horse-car roads now in operation, and it is
said TO I've the Intention to change them to
electricity as soon as practicable. notably
the one extending out Telegraph avenue to
the University.
The dredging of the estuary Is an ex-
tensive Improvement that promises great
results for the city. The soil moved by the
dredger Is being thrown on the tide lands, so
that every foot of it is put TO splendid use in
making new land. Several acres have been
thus built up during the last two winters.
and the owners expect in time to build ex-
tensive wharyes on them for shipping pur-
poses.
An Improvement that will add very much
the pleasure of Oakland rs a beautiful drive
will be the large boulevard around Lake
Merritt, which is being now constructed.
This completed and the lake dredged,
which, it is understood. is part of the plan,
will make it one of the most charming re-
sorts in the State.