The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-02-11

desire to simply and with sincerity say that l trust our friends who have so diligently labored, and so consistently advocated new departure in paving, and all others interested in these pub He improvements, will not be disap- pointed.
 And may the initiative soon to be comenced, be carried forward each year until our city may boast of a system of well paved streets, which our continued growth and prosperity demands, and that our health and business, as we'll as our private interests affected there by may be greatly enhanced
 BRIDGES.
 As our city developes in the vicinity of the harbor and rivers, it necessitates the construction and reconstruction of public work under this head. Several new bridges are required, their erec- ton having been contemplated for many years, and such structures are generally considered as permanent Improvements. They not only add an imposing ap- pearance. if well constructed, to the approaches to our city, but are also of great public convenience and benefit,
 The new bridge ordered by the war department of the United States govern ment over the Quinnipiac river at Grand avenue, will be consummated this year, and the city will be bonded for its share of the expense-about $500O0.
 Among the number of new structures which must sooner or later be consid- cred, are the contemplated bridges over the New York, New Haven and Hart ford railroad, at the foot of Chapel street, and the bridge over Mill river, to replace the present Chapel street drawbridge, which is now entirely in- adequate for the heavy traffic passing over the same. For good reasons, these two bridges should be constructed at about the same time, and which must necessarily improve the roadway be- tween the bridges and it's approaches, all of which will be a work of such magnitude that 1t will occasion heavy expense. But the growing easterly sec ton of the city, now developing into great manufacturing interests, is en- titled to and should receive the bene- fits of public improvements, and as soon as provision can be arranged to carry forward the work
 The necessity also exists for the con- struction of a new approach to the pres ent Tomlinson bridge, which when con- sidered should be with the view of a much wider structure; and the time is not very remote when the city will be obliged to share in the expense of constructing a drawbrldge over West river at Kimberly avenue.
 The present Orange street bridge over Mill river detracts very much to the principal approach to the entrance to East Rock park, and should be replaced with 8 structure in harmony with that attractive resort; and by proposed plans to extend Willow street over the mead ows and Mill river, recalls another ne- cessity for new bridge; and thus, gen. tlemen, we are confronted with many growing and expensive necessities un- der the caption of bridges.
 FINANCE.
 The financial question of our city is becoming each year one of the serious problems difficult to solve, and it will require the most careful legislation by the administrative powers in the future to place the same in position that will afford the necessary relief, thereby, if possible, preventing our officials from appearing before the money market each year as a borrower, which they are now compelled to do in order to meet the requirements of our monthly and yearly expenditures, in anticipation of the payment of taxes. thereby being ob- liged to pay interest on loans according to the conditions of the market. Our experience this year. owing to many complications arising from different is- sues, has been the means of causing se- rious trouble in meeting our needed de- mands, circumstances with which you are all familiar, and which are entirely beyond our control
 Our old system of borrowing, intro duced many years since, is erroneous, and question we must meet and the manner most feasible to afford the nec- essary relief It has Ibeen suggested that a sinking fund be established, its resources to be derived from either tax ation or bonding. Excessive bonding, however, meets many objections and no doubt should be limited by statute.
 The matter of an estimated income upon which we base our revenue each year is not always reliable; it fails sometimes to realize what we are sup posed to receive; as,r for instance, the item of S50000 for unpaid taxes, includ- ed in last years estimates, realized but one-half, and this was not the only item short of our anticipated income for 1895, which, with other reasons, necessarily occasioned a deficit, and this is liable to occur any year. It will be necessary this year, in order to execute public work ordered by the last court of com mon council and the United States gov ernment, to issue bonds for an amount, probably not less than $4O0,O00 to wit: For street paving S250,O00, sewers $1O0,- GOO, and for the new Quinnipiac draw bridge $50,000. The last series of sewer bonds, unissued, under the act of 18S9 are included in the above, therefore, this kind of public work should proceed hereafter according to our means to meet the same, until further provision can be made.
 Our bonds for these various purposes should not be rendered until the mar ket shall prove most favorable for real izinz a, fair premium from their dispo- sal. May We hope that the situation of the money market will soon assume conditions that will improve the finan- cial situation, and thereby also obviat te the necessity of borrowing at exorbitant ties of interest.
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