The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-06
THE MESSAGE.
Continued from Page l.

The popularity of the public schools Is seen
in the fact that though there are 2s2l NOR"
childran Of school age now in the CITY than
four years ago. the number not attending
school is 35 los than that date. Every
EFFORT shoula be- made on our nart O. MAINTAIN
the high stRnuara of excellence for which our
schools have been no. ed. and nothing should
ha left undone To give our children the hest
education furnished by any city in the coun'
try.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT..
During the past year the health ~ the city
has neen fairly good. The death rate mas
been slight gSnvs ,he aysrass % ens WIN aIs nps
outbreak IL typboid fever IN Dece her, due 20
a contain mated milk supply, we have been
spared any special or unnsual visitation OF
epidemic ar cOntaeion~ disease: and, in fact
have thad rather les. thau u-utl o. those
diseases with which several nei .'lhoring com
munlties have been attacked. But ~ - only
by continual vigilance and no strictest
measures of isolation and di-infection that
these diseases oan I've comb ted.
During the past year there has been begun
the construct ion of a conimodious hospital or
contagious diseases, which viii permit the
proper care OF many ca>fs for which there
hitherto mas heen no place. and which have,
while In their homes, heen n menace To the
community. A new and superior plant also
has heen established for dtsinffcting goods by
steam, hut better methods OF dl@infecting and
cleaning houses need 10 he adopted 10 put
Providence on footinr Wi the most pro-
gre sive cities. Moreover, the rules for $50.
lation of the sick need 20 no made more
city has not for several wears suffered from
typhoid detection OF the pnwtuxet River, hut
with the growth OF what "a practically eitv
along its hanks it cannot be dounted that the
danger from this source will in the future in
crease, AID carefni consideration should be
given TO means 10 secure supply OF water OF
unquestioned purity. Tho completion OF our
sewer svstem viii soon. IL is expected. greatly
relieve the nui snncr arising from the Provi-
d.nce River. and The recent great extension
OF the lateral sewers viii nermit OF the re-
moval Of tho vaults and oesspools which so
crowd some sections of the city. fhe work
of aholishing these local nuissnces should bo
u Ished as rapidly az possible, so as 10 secure
.he Intimate goal for which our sewerage sys-
TEN has been constructed at such enormous
cost. namely the imme tiate removal from our
dwellings OF all excrementitious matter. IL
is | believe. a proper function of a CITY TO
further personal as well as municipal cleanli-
ness. Hence puhlic baths have ihaen in many
PLACES established. At present our only pub
lie bathing facilities are furnished nv the
Seekonk and Providence rivers during the
summer months. hath-house could he built
where hot and cold water, towels and soap
could he furnished free for about thvee cents
a bath. such an investment would give
ample returns In increased health and COM
fort.
THE HIGHWAYS.
The money expended for highway work
during the last five years has created some
comment among our taxpayers. and while the
wisdom OF this outlay may be- proper sub
ject of criticism, yet there can bo no doubt
that the policy whicn has been heretofore
followed should he abandoned. Providence
must not continue TO borrow money for its
highway department Since May, 1890. over
$1,000 600 have been borrowed for the prose
cution OF highway work. which shoulG properly
have been paid from the receipts from taxes.
The annual appropriation of Sls5,COO made
during the last few years is hardly more than
enough TO keep the streets cleaned and in
good -apair, and therefore. in order TO build
new highways, money has heep hired-SGOO. 600
having been used during 1866 for this purpose.
While L am convinced that clean. well built
streets are an essential element OF our pros
perty, yet this City Council should decline to
receive any new streets until there is money
TO build them. Make the appropriation large
enough SO that you can maintain your present
highways and build such rev ones as the
best interests OF the city demand. In that
way only can this department be conducted
on a true business hssis
Economy in the maintenance Of Highways
can best be secured by proper system OF
watering our streets. and i recommend TO
your careful consideration the question OF
sprinkling all streets used by the electric rail
road company, following the plan alread v
adopted with great success In some other
cities.
PROGRESS or TERMINAL FACILITIES
The work of carrying ont tho plan for new
terminal facilities, bota for passengers aud
freight. has gone along without Interruption
during the year. The city has carried for
ward the laying Of water pipes and extension
of sewers, also street construction and hri lRe
work. an fast as warranted. Gaspee street,
Railroad street. Promenade street, stillman
straet, and portion of Francis street and
Cove street. have been paved with granite
blocks in a thorough manner. The city yard
ON tho Cove lands was completely vacated in
June, and notice thereof served upon the New
York a New England Railroad Company.
Tho transfer OF tn. land for the west ap-
proach to the passenger station. to the
New York New Haven a. Hartford Rail-
road Company. has heen delayed
by reason of the reorganization of the
New England Road. and the change in the
controlling ownership, but it is now expected
that this transfer viii no made in Few days,
and temporary ARRANGEMENTS have been made
for the freight service of tho New England
Road. so that upon completion OF the t-ans-
fer, Immediate occupation ana the grading
OF the west approach may 20 on.
Upward of s9OJ, 900 have been expended dur
ing the year by the railway company upon
construction work mot inclua,nv any land),
in connection with the terminal improve
ments in the center Of the CITY. aud like en-
ergy for two seasons more will undoubtedly
allow transfer Of the passenger business to
the new station.
would recommend TINT measures be taken
by the proper committee for making agree
ment with the State House commissioners for
tho improvement OF Gaspee and Francis
streets. Gaspse street should he widened and
strengthened and tho grtde raised. while
Francis street should possess good, easy
grade from tho new passenger station to
Smith street.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Important changes have been made i'm this
department during the past year board
of three commissioners has been elected. and
the entire control of tho department. placed
in their ba.ds. Since sssuming control of
tho force the commissioners have zealously
labored to slavSte tho department to the
highest stsndsrd of SScelleuce.
They hsve given much time snd attention
TO the requirements OF the service, End every
tacility should be afforded them for the sue
cessful prosecution OF their imp pnrt"nt work.
Additional legisl"tion II needed relative to
conferring greater powers upon the board Of
hre commissioners. IN tho matter of causing
rubbish and other conibustibia material to be
removed from premises whore it has been
allowed TO accumulate. Thes commissioners
have accomplished valuable work IN this
direction. but their efforts have heen greatly
hampered on account OF the limited authority
which they possess.
Tho efforts of the commissioners TO conduct
this department in fair and non partisan
manner. by making appointments and promo
tions according 20 merit alone. have won the
appreciation OF all good citizens. and 10 should
ba the aim and duty of the CITY Council to so
sustain them that thoir lahors inav be at.
tended with that success which cordial co.
operation ON our part is only necessary TO en-.
sure.
uARGoR.
The advantages OF Providence as n com.
merral center arc apparent 60 every intelli.
gent observer. Situated at the head Of Mar