The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-01-01
PORTSMOUTH and HER GROWING Suburbs
Her Con1rr7ercial Growth and
DGvGI0prner1t.
THE TERMINUS OF THREE VGLUABLE TRUNK LINES
Handsome Structures and
Public Buildings
4 LHRGE End INCREASING NUDIBER OF INDUSTRIES.
Three Banks and Two Building Associations and the
Amount of Capital Invested.
THE MAYNARD AND BUILDINGS
The Vast Number DeChacS Employed and The amount HDRuu
Expended
Three Banks and Two Building Associations and
Amount of Capital Invested.
THE MAYNARD AND BUILDINGS

the distinguished John Haviland, OF
Philadelphia. 1t cost, completed,
$500. 00O aud there has been spent
in identifying the landscape, in re-
storation, repnirs, ETC., Oh the prem
Ises q sum approaching 50. 500, 900.
1t has accommodation for GOO pm
tients, and is, strictly speaking, a
naval hospital, seamen of the mer.
chant marine being treated at St.
Nincent's Hospital. DIR. Cleborne
now has charge.
GOVERNMENT.
Portsmouth has q somewhat an
tlquated aud cumbersome form of
charter. u is governed by a mayor,
Hon. l.. II. Davis, and council OF
nineteen members aud board of
aldermen. The latter have no legis
latiye function, but have certain
maglsterial powers. One of them
acts as mayor in the absence of
"his honor" but the office is an
honorary one, and the persons
elected sometimes do not qualify at
all.
The real administrative officials
are chosen by the Council and per
form their dut es under TINT BODY,
or under Commissions of Health,
Schools and Police. Portsmouth is
one of the guietest towns In the
State. Sunday law ia strictly en-
forced. 1t has few saloons and in
respect Of the social evil is o model
place. The majesty of the law has
Its representation in modest force
OF fifteen men with Capt. +. L. w.
nan as chief. For tho fire service,
manufacturing, purposes, and the
| health and we'll being of the resi-.
dents, there is
4 WATER SUPPLY
provided by the Portsmouth and
Suffolk Water Company. re is
brought from Lake Kilby, twenty
miles distant. is stored in stand.
pipe reservoir and is exceedingly
clear anu wholesome. The pumps nj
the lake have $500, 900 gallons daily
capacity.
The fire department. consists, OF
2OO volunteers and eight paid men
organized i'll two Companies, and
equipped with two tirst.class en-.
gines and 1000 feet of hose. There
are ITO fire plugs distributed so MS to
AFFORD thorough protection. Capt.
| w. L. Robinson ia chief of the
Portsmouth Fire Department. which
position he has held for the past
twenty years.
There has not been a really severe
fire III Portsmouth, for ten wears,
Last years losses, all told. did not
exceed SO, 600 to the Insurance com
panies. although they collect $40. OO0
or 30 year in premiums. The de
partment Is considered the finest in
the State, and Portsmouth ENJOYS
the lowest rates of any city in Viz.
GINA.
The streets are laid ont with req
iarity and are exceptionally broad,
Lney are either paved or shelled,
High, Crawford, Middle and County
streets, the principal business thor.
oughiares, have Belgian block pave.
ment and cobble stone. The streets
are handsomely shaded, and many
OF the homes III tho residence quar-.
ter are chnrmingly EMPOWERED in
magnolia. sycamore and elm. Say.
enty are lights. furnished by tbs
Portsmouth Gas Conn any, illnm1.
nate the city. TIE Citizens Iioht
Heat and Power Company furnish
nearly all the incandescent LIGHTS r.
business places and residences,
SCHOOLS.
Inc pubic schools in Portsmouth
are thirty two in number and three
school buildings, all of which are ir
good condition. One is for colored
children. There is a High Schon
department for those advanced
About 1,S00 children attend the
schools, and thirty two teachers are
employed. With the annexation Of
rark view during the past year, the
necessary Tor another school Is ap
parent. There are two good Cath
Ole schools, one for boys and tb,
other for girls. with n combined at
tendance of 200, and several priyat,
schools. The Portsmouth Seminary
and Portsmouth Academy are mos
OF note among these last. Major
Moses L. Handy, of Worlds Fail
lame was educated at the latter.
The tax valuations are So, 500. 346
the tax rate $3.50, and 40 cent.
state, OF which % cents goes for The
SCHOOLS. Tho city debt OF $3.50. O0(
10 oiisst by assets in the shape oi
buildings. forty franchise, raiiroaG
stock and other items.
the annual revenue is SlO4 Ono
anG the expenditures, 800, 600,
portsmouth Is the county seat O,
Norfolk county. Among the publit
Dnilolngs is the county Court House
City Hall and Postofice.
Anew Jail for the uae Of city ano