Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-14
the MAYORS Message.

Inc MAYOR 5 ASSSdko'
The MAYORS annual message to the City
Council, which we publish this morning,
ia characteristic of that gentleman. IL
shows d~iligencein research and paInstaking
grouping OF facts, and gives wise counsel.
II could not be easily excelled asa digest OF
departmental reports OF IN lucid presenta-
ton of important truths.
II verifes the general judgment that
Richmond is rapidlygrowing in population.
wealth. and business. The Mayors in-
vestieation Of each Of these subjects 10
confrmatory Of the statistics given in
elaborate detail in the lst of January No.
of the DISPATCH.
The fact that never before at any one
time IN the history of this community
were so many fine public buildings under
construction is commented upon. Inc
rapid development of our suburbs is also
referred to with an expression of regret
that in view Of the recent decision OF the
Virginia Supreme Court. which, 1T IS
thought" prevents the assessment OF abut-
tiuc property-owners for street improve
ment, Lee District Will be delayed in get
ting it's expected street improvements. A
rehearing will be asked; that IS to say q
new test case will be carried TO the su-
preme Court, and better luck is. hoped for
from 1t.
The Governors Convention to be held
here in April is referred to in appropriate
terms. The attention of the City Council
Is called to the fact that the remains OF
the Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS will be removed
here from New Orleans in May, and the
suggestion is made that in connection with
the duties and ceremonies of that occa-
SION o city appropriation may be neces-
sary.
City finances very properly occupy much
space in the message. Appropriations
amounting to 81 100, 900 have already been
made on account of the new City Nail,
and $500 600 more will be needed to COM
plete the building. 1t is expected to be
ready for occupancy before the close ofthis
wear. By that time, TOO. we shall have ell
croached very near indeed TO our bonded
debt limit. while we also carry o large
floating debt.
The Mayor does not preach q sermon on
the necessity for prudence in spending
public moneys. It is not necessary. The
figures do that. and they are very eloquent.
We have either to cease voting special or
unusual appropriations or make up our
minds to increase taxes. The Mayor sees
this so plainly be viii give no countenance
to the idea of spending a large sum upon
our water supply. Instead of that he re-
commends the general adoption oil water
meters. He shows that the daily per
capita consumption OF water here Is l6S
gallons-double what it ought TO be.
An emergency hospital is urgently re-
commended. The Mayor also advises the
appointment of an expert inspector of
plumbing and an inspector of milk and
meat. Upon the authority Of the Presi-
dent of the Board of Health 1t Is stated
that one eighth of the deaths here are
caused by tuberculous diseases, which
NAV be conveyed by eating the meat or
drinking the milk of tuberculous cows.
An instance is related where a Richmond
veterinary surgeon called the attention of
n milk-vender to the fact that n OF his
COWS was diseased in this respect, where
upon the vender promptly sold the cow.
AND ncI IneuLs WIS DutthClpa IA SOi0 80
one of our markets.
Our death rate was lower last year than
the wear before, and was lower the year be-
fore than the year previous to that.
Praise is given by the Mayor to the work
of the police and FIRE departments. The
Chief of Police asks that the men now
detailed az sanitary officers beTeturned TO
regular duty. and that a separate sanitary
force be formed. Suggestions are also
made as to improvement Of the freely
drants (plugs), &c.
The Mayor urges the appointment Of an
inspector of buiidingsand the adoption of
more stringent regulations with reference
10 the occupation of streets by builders.
On its own account the DISPATCH may say
that il Is often astonished at the latitude
which the police allow builders. Important
streets are often blocked up for weeks
where the builders could for q few dollars
erect covered ways and not interfere with
the use of the sidewalks, and heaps of re-
fuse and debris are sometimes allowed TO
remain in front of new buildings for
months.
The people OF Richmond pay into the
city treasury about $1,400, 900 per annum.
For our volunteer soldiers the Mayor
speaks a %seasonable word.
The telephone, telegraph. and street-car
wires are referred to by the Mayor as on
stitutins q dangerous obstruction in fight
ing fires.
The water-gas plant is expected to be in
operation by July 1st. Additional purify
ing capacity is needed at the works also,
larger pipes between the Upper and Lower
Gas Works.
The new Central School building is ex-
pected to be in readiness for use by the
fall.
jefferson Park formerly Doing's HID,
near Church-Hill avenue, is being graded,
and will be planted in trees later in the
year.
Ibo new lake at the reservoir will be
flushed this season.
Bach Of the city departments is referred
10 il words Of praise, and some recon-
menjations are made with respect to
each.
Mayor ELLYsoy recommends O number
Of public improvements which will in
yOiyo expenditures Of mo- sy, but he takes
the pains to say that in the present fnan-
ciai condition Of the city he does not ex-
pect immediate action uoon the majority
Of them. Economy must be the rule Of
practice in Richmondfo for a few years-that
IL to say unless our people wish to have
taxes increased. The alternative is clear.
Whoever reads the Mayors message will
DO impressed with this fact, especially as
he is w~ell-known to be VOID Of sensation
alism and all forms of exaggeration.
10 tho Times.