The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-07-06

President Buckner Announces His
Committees.
Promptly at s o'clock last night Presi-
dent Buckner called the Council to or
der On motion the reading of the
minutes OF the last Council was dis
pensed with and the minutes of the last
meeting Of tho new Council read and
adopted Under the head Of the report
OF officers the message of Mayor Trout
to the new Council was read by the
clerk and received by the body, with
the underst landing that the recommenda-
tions therein con tanned are to be acted
upon at tho next meeting. The message
is as follows:
MAYORS OFFICE,
ROANOKE, VA, July, 1892.
To the Honorable the Members of the
City Council OF Roanoke.
GENTLEMEN: In conformity with the
req uirements Of our city charter, l have
the honor to submit for your considera.
ton my first report of the condition of
our city, with the accom- panying recon-
mendations, for which l ask your con-
sideration.
1t is matter of congratulation that
despite the severe stringency in the
financial markets of the world for the
last two years, Roanoke has steadily
increased and prospered. Our building
operations have continued to steadily
increase. Many buildings were erected
during the last year, whose taxable
value amounts to over $500, 900. Our
manufactures have, with few except
ions. been prosperous. Our financial
institutions make a most satisfactory
exhibit. No banks in the country have
withstood the financial depression bet
ter than those of Roanoke.
FINANCIAL CONDITION.
The financial condition of our city is
most excellent, and for detailed lnfor-
nation ] refer you to our published
financial exhibit, as of April /, 1892.
HEALTH.
The health of our city is now, and has
been, most excellent The question of
health is one of great interest to our
city and I would recon mend most earn
estly that every effort should be made,
looking towards good drainage and
sewerage for our city. which is the
greatest factor towards keeping it in It's
present condition as to health.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The public schools of our city are fast
arriving at that point of excellence to
which they should be. Several new
school houses have been built during
the last year and several more are under
contract Much credit is due to our
efficient superintendent and school
trustees for placing our schools on par
with those OF other good cities.
THE POOR
have made personal inspection of
the almshouse property and find the
same TO be in first-class condition. The
magnificent farm owned by the city was
a most wise and judicious investment.
This property should soon, if not wholly.
be nearly self-sust4ining
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
There is no department. of our city
government which deserves more credit
than the fire department. This has met
promptly every demand made upon it,
and much valuable property has been
saved by their prompt action. Much
valuable apparatus was added to the
department during the last year. l re-
gard our fire companies equal, if not
ooo.Oi, ohoh oHy fOluuC06r uro COM
panies in the country. would earnestly
recommend that the department. receive
at your hands substantial recognition
whenever you may deem it proper to do
so.
STREETS.
There is nothing that adds more to
the appearance and taxable value OF a
city than we'll paved streets. While
much has been done towards the i'm
provement Of our streets during the past
year, yet we have not been able to &C.
complish all that we could desire.
would earnestly recommend that the
paving of the principal soreets of the
city be prosecuted with all the energy
possible.
REVENUES.
The estimated revenues from all
sources for the city for the year ending
July l, 1893, will be about Sl55, 200. to
which add $4,000 carried over from
July 1, 1892, making total of So3G, 200,
from which deduct for delinouents.
treasurer's commission, interest and
sinking fund S60,3l2, leaving balance
for expenditures of Sl75,sss for fiscal
year, ending July 1, 1893.
The continued Or0ypth apd oroooor;+u