Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-04-10

amendments 10 inc Guy Charter INV |
pending in the legislature. contain a
provision authorizing the city council
at any time to demand of any Official
a new bond II the enc IN force is not
deemed sufficient.
The temporary loss of these funds
win seriously embarrass the city for
time The tying up Of about $4,000
cannot but be injurious to the interesta
Of the municipality. and the utmost
care and prudence VIII have to be
exercised in order to maintain the
credit OF the city. believe each and
every one OF you Will fully appreciate
this, and will cooperate in the effort
to pay as you GO"
There is no profit in looking back
ward" II avalls MS nothing at this
time to exclaim, II told you So" but It
is painfully evident that this loss, or
large part OF It. is the legitimate result
of the unfortunate litigation had with
the city treasurer over the Investment
Of the sinking funds. But for this
fully one-half OF these funds would have
been employed in the purchase Of
bonds outstanding against the city.
l do not deem IL necessary that l
should urge upon Won the duty of leav-
ing no means unemployed TO obtain
possession Of this money as speedily as
possible. All sympathize with the mis-
fortune OF every ono Interested, but II
does not become us to indulge In senti-
ment in this matter. Every remedy
which the law provides should be In.
voked to restore these monies TO the
use of the city, without unnecessary
delay. The situation will call for the
exercise OF good Judgment, rigid
economy and many sacrifices on the
part OF ourselves and our constituents.
1 rely with implicit confidence upon
your patriotism and devotion to the
NsNfa 60. so 4VNu ~
and conduct its affairs that the least
possible injury may result from this
unavoidable misfortune.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Fort Worth has great reason to re-
iolce in the excellent sanitary condl-
tions prevailing in our city and the
low rate OF mortality which has marked
the last year The expense of this de
partment for the year shows marked
decrease, and no complaint has reached
me that the unfortunate and lIsilyent
have not been promptly cared Tor.
The expense attending the administra-
ton of this department has been
S377l.6j, OF which S2i3.9i was for the
care OF a few cases Of smallpox which
have appeared In the city within the
past month.
wATERWoRKS.
now come TO the discussion OF n
subject that has given me great con-
cprn-which IS surrounded by many
difficulties and embarrassmcnts, and
which seems as far from solution as IL
was u year ago Fort Worth has n
system OF waterworks, so far as perfect
| machinery and pipe lines are con-
cerned, that IS not eNcelled in the
country. Unfortunately an adequate
| certain supply OF water is lacking.
| What there is Is uneNeclled IN quality
but the quantity Is not sufficient TO
meet the demands OF a rapidly growing
city. The dag Is not far distant when
| provision must be made for more
abundant supply, During the past
| year your waterworks committee has
expended much time, thought and
money IN an effort to Increase the sup
| ply OF water
STREET DEPARTMENT
During the past year but little has
| been done toward the extension OF
/ our already very superior system Of
| streets A new street was graded and
paved extending from Penn street to
| the new waterworks station, and new
| streets constructed In the northwest
section OF the city. The total eNpcnd-
| iture for this new construction was
| 1881 II. The street commissioner has
made additional improvements OF a
limited amount, with the regular force
under his control, but the exact amount
| of this can not be definitely stated
The total expenditures In this depart
| ment I'm addition to the sum men
! toned for permanent work has been
tl5,Ol2.53. This was divided as FOL
lows:
Pay roll for labor. Sti,o9i; lumber.
rock, tools, etc, %; feed for
teams, 3577.5O, Total, Si5.Ol2 90, only
exceeding the estimated allowance for
the year in the small sum Of $i2.5O,
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Sufficient time has elapsed since the
FIRE department was changed from a
volunteer to paid department 10 en-
able us to Judge of the wisdom OF the
! change. Fortunately there is no OPP
/ portunlty for difference of opinion
upon this subject. The present force
by reason OF It's superior discipline
| 10 much more efficient than could be
expected OF any department composed
OF volunteers. The most rigid disci.
pline has been maintained and the
highest perfection achieved. The losses
by fire have been greatly reduced, and
our noble fire fighters deserve the
highest word Of praise that can be ac-
corded them by the citizens OF the city
! The total cost TO the city has been
S2S, 255 "A. which has been expended as
follows; Pay roll, s22, 60; feed FOL
teams Sl4G7 Il; horses purchasd, S2O7 so
current expenses. Si159. %. Total, SIS.
2J5.47,
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The police force of the city Is
| smaller in numbers than that OF any
other city OF the same population In
| the country. with only one officer Il
| approximately each $500 Of population
| the good order that prevails and our
almost entire immunity from crime
tells OF the vigilance and efficiency OF
the police force Of the city more elo-
quently than can any words OF mine
An examination Of the report OF the
city marshal will show that the en-
| rorcement OF LIv ordinances OF the
city Is mol the only duty pefi rnieC
by the Police or the total nbuber OF
arrests made, about one In SIX were
for onenses OF which the city court
lad no Jurisdiction. and the Oxen ler'
wcrr .urned ever to the state authorl,
ties and were uled BY tie STATE
Courts.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The conduct Of the public schools oil
the city is entrusted to board OF siS
trustees, with your mayor as eH-ofiiciJ
chairman Of the board l can mo-
speak too highly OF the manner II
which the trustees have performed tn,
trust committed ia their keeping
Tney have been active, vigilant ant
earnest; have improved the system by
the adoption OF improved rules ant
regulations, and have exercised tn,
s1an.