Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-03
NUMBER 329

ruins of those beautiful buildings would not now stand like grinning specters, re- mlnding us of false economy. FIRE DEPARTMENTS Again, I am pleased to state that the men at the South Side station, especially Messrs. Somers and McLemore, have most generously made with their own hands, new hose wagon at a cost to the city of about $50. Such a wagon made elsewhere would have cost not less than $500 or $400. Also a considerable amount of inside repairing, mainly by the men themselves and without cost to the city. The plan of detailing trusty from the jail to do watchman's duty there when the men are out at fires, has worked re- markedly well.
 During this administration, thirty fire escapes have been erected on our tall buildings.
 The record of the fire department for the past year is a good one, and speaks well for the spirit and capacity of the men. The annual report of the chief to be made later, will fully embrace details and data.
 It is with no little regret that I sever my official connection with these men. Had I been of own blood kin to them, I could not have more unfailingly received courteous treatment at their hands.
 CITY HALL.
 The room for the better keeping and preservation of papers and records has been completed and has already proved of great aid in the more orderly and sys- tematic handling of the citys business. As far as l am advised with two excep- tions by search of records, l go out of office either with the original or attested copy of every deed and contract of the city on file. This has been a difficult as well as most mortifying task. Two are yet to be obtained.
 Tables and a desk outside of the clerks office have been provided for examina- tion by citizens of books and records. without interfering with the other work in the various offices
 A room in the city hall has also been set aside for the street and poll tax col lector. This Is also used by the police commission for their official meetings, being properly supplied with tables, desks and chairs-all city property PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Again mention must be made of the ex- cellent work being done by these schools. Well may they be called the glory and pride of Birmingham.
 The board of education wisely deter mined this year to give the patrons the very best service possible since they were being specially taxed to support them.
 The supply of teachers being locally in adequate to supply the demand, the Training school has been re-established, and is being most thoroughly taught.
 The increased number of pupils has necessitated a considerably increased force of teachers, and as far as the board, superintendent and teachers could act, the schools are in splendid shape. Most unfortunately, slip in preparing the caption of the OBrlen bill has caused temporary delay in collecting up the special tax. If this delay should be per manent, I am forced to fear that the schools will have to close early in 1897 or run on small tuition fees, but which will be large enough to keep them open. This board aided the schools by an appropria- tion of some $17,985 in 1895. None has been made this year, as 1t was hoped that the money arising from the O'Brien tax would be sufficient to meet their req sonable and economical needs.
 A constitutional convention Is sadly needed in this connection. Much repair ing and painting of the buildings has been done in order to protect them from further damage. An earnest effort was also made, but without success, by which an annual appropriation of $3,000 from the Slater fund could have secured indus trial training for the colored girls in the sixth and seventh grades.
 The attention of the new board Is re- spectfully called to the fact that they must at their earliest practicable mo- ment, elect three (3) members of the board of education.
 PARKS.
 Much and expensive work in the way OI TepdlIS anu PdiHtlHS hcS pCSh uohN OiA the fences of the parks. Also many benches and band stand built. The city convicts have also done much work in them.
 Again have the city bands furnished free music to the great pleasure of many who were not able to afford car fare out to our suburban parks. Such generous deeds by men who have in many in- stances already done hard, hot days work, deserve the thanks of this entire t,,,it nd nf now venture to thus publicly and in be- half of our people, express our sincere thanks to them.
 CEMETERIES-OAK HILL.
 The maintenance of this cemetery has again drawn heavily upon the exhausted strength of this city. Much expensive grading has been done. The fence re- newed, tools purchased, sexton and help CTS and guard paid, women and boy pris- oners employed, and teams hired. Ref erence is again made to my views re- garding this and Red mountain cemetery as expressed in my last report. This | board wisely followed the advice of the attorneys of the former board and of our own and discontinued the sale of streets and alleys. This was emtnently wise, since no shadow of law exists for such sale of streets once dedicated to the pub- lie, and this may yet be the cause of much expense and litigation to future boards.
 l am more convinced than ever, that interments should cease at Oak Hill, and that some ten or fifteen acres of the Red mountain cemetery purchased by the Lane administration for that pur- pose, be plated and laid off as burial place.
 The mistake of locating a cemetery so near to the town as was Oak Hil now entirely surrounded by a thick popula- tion, is no new mistake. Time and again 1t has been done. The final result is all ways the same, forced by the inevitable settling up around it of dense popula- ton. First closing by the health authori- ties, then gradual neglect and pitful de- cay, then removal or abandonment. This should all be wisely considered by the new board, as they grapple with the fearful problem how to care for the liv- ing.
 Messrs. Gregg and Thornton still have a number of claims in their hands for collection due on lots not paid for. STREETS AND ENGINEERING But little permanent sidewalk or street paving has been done. Times seemed out of joint to force 1t, despite the unus- ually low price of material and labor, irI. ,l..