The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-03

Mayor T. w. Harrison.7 presiding
The minutes IF the meeting OF Dec.
22 1893, were presented and On motion
III Ar. Fellows the reading Of the same
was dispensed with and ordered approved
as published in the official paper of the
city
Claims were presented and referred to
the committee on claims and accounts on
the several funds AZ follows:
General revenue fund 81, 042.54
Fire department fund ~ 27s.59
Metropolitan police fund -.. ], 462. 49
General Improvement find ~ 1.165.14
Judgment fund. J. w. kershner 2500O
$5.198. IS
The committee reported the several
claims back and recommend payment
of all except the claim If J. II. kershEer
for $3.50. They recommend payment IF
$3.50. On motion the report was adopted.
The committee on WAYS and means re-
ported back the claim of Elizabeth D.
Hampstead Of %1O,065 and recommend
that ii be referred to the city attorney;
report adopted.
Same committee reported back the
claim 0f William XII. low Of $4,000 for
damages, and claim Of Thomas Peat Of
9106.1O for hop tea tonic, etc, taken. and
recommend the rejection of both claims.
Oh motion the report was adopted.
The committee on streets and walks
reported back the resolution in relation
Fourth street and Sixth avenue, with the
recommendation that the proper steps be
taken to open the street
OH motion the report was adopted.
The committee on sewers and water
works reported back the communication
in reference to the flushing Of sewers,
with tile reeommendaticE that the finance
committee be Instructed TO ascertain the
cost of tank, wagon and hose and pur-
chase The same if 1T can be done within
limit III $3.50 Report adopted
A communication from p G. Noel ac-
cepting the appointment as financial
agent off the city was read and ordered
placed Oh file.
The mayor then submitted the follow
ing.
aGantIemen of the council. During
the past week ] have made a careful and
thorough examination Of the city build
ings and city property and it il but right
and fair 10 you and The city that l should
submit some communication IN regard
thereto. l requested tie head Of each
department To furnish an accurate inven-
tory of all city property in his charge,
giving his judgment as to its condition
and utility Most Of them have cheer
fully complied and expressed a ready
Willingness to cooperate with any sug-
gestion5 that may be made. In the per
Torrance of my official duties ! shall be
free rs commend and compliment where
it is deserved, and equally free TO crIti-
else and censure Wha1 appears to be
wrong.
CITY Prison and Police Station
'sThe general condition and surround
ings of this building are disgrace to the
city. Its sanitary cond tion il most de-
plorable. The basement is in horrible
condition Drip ping water, stenches from
water closets, foul aIr. vermin and filth
make ID an unfit place for the confne-
ment of any human being. Because q
person is a criminal or suspected of being
q criminal is me reason why he should De
confined in unhealthy quarters. The con
tnement Of itself may tend 70 impair
health, and when associated with foul air
and general filth IDS effect must be appar-
ent. Such punlshmen5 is not what the
law contemplates for criminals. And an
less these conditions are speedily RENE
died 1 shall personally superintend its
complete renovation from basement to
garnet. The old furnace. which seems 10 be
useless and r0tting where IL stands, should
be moved ont ana sold for what it viii
bring. The plumbing should be- care
fully Inspected and all leakage and drip
l'iMg stopped. Tire bEll pen, which has
cen SO much discussed. was a barbarous
Useless appendage and no tit place
fo the confinement of any person, human
Or thurman. Whether the police author
il had the right to remove 1t is an en-
ly different question. 1t had not been
Used for years, and there was probably
no necessity for removing il arbitrarily
without the assent of the mayor and
council. The rock plle is in low
wooden building which is r0tting down
and needs reconstructing and raising to
a level with the sidewalk. 1t was never
intended for the divers ON of persons mot
criminals The city prison is no place
Tor any persons not criminals. Per
sons not charged with any criminal
offense should not he confined pr harbor-
ED there. Accommodations should be
provided for them entirely away from
criminal classes and criminal ass0cia-
lions For convicted criminals 10 work
on the rock pile within building or suit
able Enclosure is far preferable and more
salutary than a public exhibition OF their
disgrace on the streets Or other public
places. just across the alley. and in
marked and startling contrast with the
condition of Che city prison, is the county
lail. where the sanitary conditions and
nigh perfect. where everything is scrub
bed and secured and washed from top to
bottom twice each week. and where no
offensive or disgusting odors shock the
sense of visitors or enCanger the health
of the occupants
Fire Departments.
This department mas four stations.
The officers and men are alert. yigilant
and effective and have and practice the
true theory of good Ere department,
that prevention is better than cure. and
that tile first five minutes at the begin
ming Of a fire are better than the last
hour They have com mendable pride in
their profession. and it is skilled pro-
fassi0n. far more DANGEROUS and eXacting
and equally as honorable As many other
callings which are known By that dis
tinction.
astation No /. III orth Topeka. IL
good two-story brick building. Six men
and one substitute are stationed there