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

The balance, principally routine work, has been executed as the funds would permit, and l can vouch for the atten- ton our paved streets have received, and, as a rule, kept in a cleanly condi- ton.
 Our citizens are constantly demand ing public improvements of various kinds and importance, many of which are, no doubt for the welfare and fu- ture prosperity of our city Among these I desire to call your attention at this time is the matter of street widen ing and extension, and which are in many instances justified and deemed necessary. As a rule, the city govern ment, after proper hearing, are fa- voralbly inclined to grant the prayer of the petitioners.
 We must, however, bear in mind, gem tlemen, that street widening and eXten- sion, after they have been improved by the erection of substantial buildings, is very expensive item in public im- provements.
 There is no doubt that there are sev- eral localities where such public work is a necessity, which, if consummat ted, would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and should benefit the sur rounding property to a considerable ex- tent.
 The recent widening of Washington street, from Congress avenue to Liber- ty street, distance of 560 feet, with out any very costly buildings to be re- moved, except one cost the city about $50 900, the city realizing from this inn l ments but $522. 50. From this we are led | to believe that the adjacent property owners were not very much benefited thereby If the results of the Wash ington street widening is a criterion of such expensive work, and the adjoin- ing property receives so little benefit, what may be expected If the Grand ave- nue and St. John street widening, and Crown street and Union avenue exten- sions, and other similar Improvements, as projected, are carried out?
 Confronted with the fact that our yearly income from all sources is scarcely sufficient to meet the running expenses of the several departments, l therefore, not until the new method of assessment, or other means, have de- veloped larger income for our city, can We expect to carry forward only such public works as are regularly pro- vided for, and our pressing needs re- quire.
 Patrick Doyle, late superintendent of streets, died March IS, 1895. He filled | that office, and served the city in vari- ous capacities for about twenty years. with entire satisfaction. Society lost by his death a valuable and exemplary cit izen. and the city a conscientious and faithful public servant. can bear tes- timony to his faithfulness in which he performed the manifold duties incum- bent upon him throughout his official connection with the city government. | It is to be regretted that owing to the bipartisan composition, and the inter- ference of politics in the board of pub lie works, that to this time they have failed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of MT. Doyle. The assistant su- | perintendent has, however, ably filled the position, and the duties have been performed in a satisfactory manner. l The usual detailed report of the va rious work performed in this depart nent will prove of interest when print l ed
 STREET PAVEMENTS.
 The most prominent question before { the last court of common council, and which no doubt will be presented this year for your most careful considera- ton, will be that of street paving. The 1 fact, however, should not be lost sight of, that the so-called Telford, or Mac l Ioy Ill.,, at great expense, makes 3, most excel lent roadway, when kept in good condi- l ton. and many of our citizens are l strongly convinced that no good reason 1 exists, because of any neglect in the . past to keep them in repair, for entirely abolishing them, and the expense and attention required for their preservation would not prove very great if proper methods were adopted.
 Because of our privilege to bond the city to the extent of half 8 million dol | lars is no reason why we should expend | the income derived from that source, and the assessments in one, or even in two years. The income from assess ments, desire to remind you, Is not all ways fully realized, and to repave broad avenues like Whitney, Whalley, How ard, Congress, and some others, from the anticipated resources, would prove in my estimation, at present, very un- l wise, as they can and should be kept | in good repair at small expense.
 Careful consideration should first re- quire your attention toward improving the condition of our business treets, and those included in the original nine l squares, where the dimension granite block, which we do know is suitable and durable, can be utilized. Sectional in- | terests should not enter into the general interests at large, and business locali- ties should receive preference, such as Church, Crown, Chapel Temple State, Grand avenue and many others.
 Our city will soon experience a bel ginnig of public work of this charac- ter already ordered and now in the hands of the board of public works for : execution. Sheet asphalt will be laid in Chapel street from York to Mott streets, a distance of 5000 feet, and in Orange street from Crown to Gamer streets, a distance of 1920 feet, and in Trumbull street from State to Pros pect streets, a distance of 2640 feet. Vitrified brick has been ordered laid in Wooster street from Union to East streets, a distance of $500 feet, and in York street from Elm to Grove streets, a distance of 300 feet. All of which, in connection with sewer contracts, the