The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-02-11
S13,oOo,0oO
STREET sPRINKLrNG.

STREET SPRINKLrNG.
 By resolution passed during the last general assembly, section l, the court of common council is authorized to pro- vide for the watering and sprinl1ling of the paved streets. Authority is also in- vested in your honorable body, section ?, to assess property owners and the street railway companies portion of the expenses attending the same. And section provides that such assessments shall be and remain lein upon the land or property so assessed.
 Therefore, the court of common coun- cil of 1895 made the necessary provision called for by the resolution, section 1, as above, by appropriating the neces- sary funds for the work, and by placing the matter of street sprinkling in the hands of the board of public works.
 While the action of the last common council may be satisfactory to the ex- tent provided, yet it is not clear to many that the necessary provisions were made for the, collection of the amount of the lein against private property. If this be so. it will be necessary for your honorable body, in order to carry out the full intent of the cat, to cause the committee on ordinances to prepare and submit suitable ordinances covering this point at issue, as well as any others that may arise.
 STREET RAILWAYS. The last court of common council thought proper to impose direct tax upon all new street railways hereafter constructed within the limits of the city. This action was no doubt prompt ed by certain court decisions, and in the interests of the people, and which has received approval.
 Our city in the past had little conl- prehension regarding the magnitude to which the street railway system would develop, and by their munificence in in granting privileges, corporations were not slow to improve the opportuni- ties. We must, however admit, that we have provided our city with a sys- tenn of tramways, which for rapid tran sit and accommodation cannot be ex- celled, and which our people fully ap- preciate.
 So extensive, in fact, has the system
 
 municipal authorities in the interests of all concerned is continually required, and as new questions are brought to light will no doubt continue in the future.
 The city should derive the benefits from street railway property by direct taxation, the same as other corpora tions within the city limits. There fore, a strong effort should be made during the next general assembly that will result in diverting the proceeds now received into the state treasury to those of the cities and towns interested. It is also very evident that great wrong has been done by the states as suming altogether too much authority in it's almost exclusive Jurisdiction over our streets. From power invested by chartered rights we have been led to believe that the streets were controlled by the city; therefore, it appears that there is a confliction with state laws which may not be constitutional. How ever, decided action should be taken that will result in bringing about, if possible, different condition of affairs by placing the authority of the right to occupy streets for any purpose where it properly belongs. The street railway corporations of our city, I assume, would prefer this, for, as rule, they exhibit kindly dis position to conform to all municipal re- Guirenlents.
 To still further improve the accommo- dalton, long anticipated by the people, a general system of transfer should by some means be adopted. SPECIAL CoNsTABLEs. Permit me, gentlemen, to express my self regarding what I consider mat ter of some importance-the appoint ment os special constables. By virtue of their appointment they are liable to be called upon in case of emergency to aid the police, therefore, they should be licensed, and a badge issued to them by the city; and when appearing before the nominating com mittee the applicants should submit to an examination that would prove them practically fitted for this duty upon all occasions.
 If it is deemed necessary to establish
 
 year, with no particular responsibility, a system should be adopted whereby in some respects they shall qualify. But few other than private watchmen, jan itors of schools and buildings, sextons of churches and cemeteries, should be con- sidered by the committee on nomina- tions.
 PUBLIC COMFORT AND BATH HOUSES. It is very evident that our city has arrived at that point in population and importance when the public demand is for more of natures conveniences, and they should be established in localities where the public can have access to them at all times.
 By the abolishing of the public urinal on the Chapel street side of the old Green, it leaves but one remaining. which is located on Court street. near the city hall. This one should be coy cred with a roof for protection from storms, and properly screened with shrubbery and running vines. If prop erly maintained and located, such con- veniences should not become nuisances. and others should be established for both sexes.
 With the present street car facilities