The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-02

| public business is the first that will
! naturally arise. The present town hall
| is inadequate for the accommodation
| of the new city officers; our needs in
| this respect are of the most pressing
| nature, and the reasons thereof will
| readily present themselves to your
| minds. A new building might be erect
| ed upon the site now occupied by the
town hall, or the present building could
| probably be enlarged or remodeled, so
as to meet the demands that have now
come into being. 1t might be we'll to
consider whether the old building and
site could not be profitably disposed Of,
and to purchase of less valuable
lot in another part of the city and erect
thereon a new municipal building. As
to which would be the best course, ]
have no opinion to offer, trusting the
| whole matter to your consideration,
Fire Department.
The volunteer fire department Is one
in which the citizens OF Pittston have
always entertained pardonable pride.
In efficiency and excellence. 1t is
equalled by no city in the country hav-
ing volunteer firemen. TOO much praise
| cannot be bestowed upon it's members
for their earnestness and self sacrifice.
In the past the borough council has fire.
quently rendered generous financial
assistance to some of the companies.
1t would, however, seem but Just that
in the future no discrimination should
be made among the different COM
panies, since they all are animated by
the same purposes and are working for
the same ends. Such being the case, 1
would respectfully recommend that an
appropriation be made each year for
fire purposes, and the moneys so appro-
priated be equally divided among the
various companies or as their necessi-
ties may require It,
Police Department.
The work accomplished by the police
organization during the past year, is
deserving Of notice. While there has
been but one salaried officer, the others
being special officers receiving no COM
pensation, except the fees for arrests,
yet the town has been remarkably free
from any very serious violations Of the
law or breaches of the peace. This is
certainly in great measure due to the
faithfulness and energy Of the present
chief Of police and the men he has
assisting him. If.the city's resources
would permit, it would be well to have
a few more salaried officers in this
branch of the city government. Owing
to the distance separating the upper
portion Of the city from the present sta
tion house, a place should be provided
for the temporary detention of offend
ers In that section Of the city.
Public Improvements.
Under the former borough councils,
public improvements received an impe-
tus that is worthy of encouragement.
To the new city councils will pass the
opportunity Of continuing and carry
out the system Of progress inaugurated
by their predecessors.
The paving and sewerlng of Main
street was a great step toward ad-
vancement in municipal affairs and it
will doubtless prove but forerunner
of many benefits to come. The annex
alton Of outlying towns and boroughs
is a matter deserving of special atten-
ton Such was the object in view of
the projectors Of the present city. If
the councils by their united efforts will
enieavor to attain the end, by proper
legislation and the creation of a public
sentiment In favor of such a movement
in the adjoining territory, at no dis
tsnt day we shall have q city that will
cbmpare favorably with any In north
eastern Pennsylvania. And while on
ouuJSCt, ~ Uc dppiopi idtc W
advert to the recently organized board
CT trade. 1t is an organization COM
posed of the most prominent and repre-
sentative men Of the city, It's purpose
Is the building Of the city and the en-
couragement of industries and institu-
tions that are conductive to the welfare
of the city and the public good. Coun-
ellis can be of invaluable assistance to
the new organization in the way of
special legislation in favor Of outside