The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-04

time, and for fairly asonable-either di-
rect or indirect consideration.
very much doubt the justifiable, il not
the legal, right of a city council of one
year to grant away public franchise be-
yond the power of their successors to re-
call.
The lighting of the city is necessity not
to be ignored, but in making provision
therefor, much is to be considered as mat
ter of practical present and eventual econ
my, and we should enter into no irrevoca-
BILE or untimely contracts.
Poor Department.
The poor should be dealt with hospita-
bly, by the city, but at the same time,
jealous surveillance should be observed to-
ward them, who, too indolent to earn an
honest living, are only too ready to levy
upon our generosity.
Public Schools.
We should not abate, by so much or SO
little as a ''jot or little" our interest in the
public schools. They are the city's hope
for the future, and are represented to be in
excellent condition. 1t is, however,
think, but fair criticism to say that the
laudable ambition to make them ideal, by
the management, through the multiplica-
tion of studies and experimental elabora-
tions is their present most threatening as
pect.
The mind is as truly creature of growth
and limitation as the body, and each sue
ceeding generation rising in evidence,
shows that the most useful and successful
citizens are those who learned the lessons
they may have had opportunity to study,
with an appreciative understanding, rather
than others, who, though equally
well endowed by nature but with larger
opportunities, attempted too much for
their own success. There is such phase
of education as a surfeit of scholarship,
though the pedantic mind may not see it,
and adult life shows that they are the best
equipped who have been trained to make
their way in the world among their actual
! industrial, rather than ideal surroundings.
Public Library
The public library is an essential assist
| ance to the students and teachers of the
| public schools, and as well, too, to that
| higher type Of education best attained in
an industrial and studious community in
| more adult life. Its management under
| the direction of the present board and IL
brarian has made it invaluable to our So
| cial development, and, model for emula-
| ton by others. 1t is entitled to our gen.
erous consideration.
The engineers and other departments OF
| expenditure should receive our careful con-
sideratien, and will have attention as ex-
| igencies arise.
More important than all others, becaus,
| all others are dependent upon 1t for sup
| port, our financial condition demands oul
most thoughtful attention.
Ours is one OF the most progressive o
New England cities. Our industries arr
well diversified and prosperous, giving EN-
ployment 10 a larger proportion OF ou
people than those OF almost any other cit.
in the country; and, because this Is so
ours Is comparatively gainful commu
nifty.
We are well able to and will and shal
pay all our financial obligations according
to their terms and tenor: nevertheless
there is pressing demand for reform II
the administration Of our fiscal affairs.
We find upon review OF the situation
that the city's expenditures for the pas
ten years, II not longer, have exceeded II
income upon an average, (speaking II
7 round numbers), OF some two hundre,
thousand dollars per annum, while within
the same time Its population has increase,
about 30 per cent, its valuation OF ratabl
: estates for taxation has been advance,
: about 20 per cent, and its indebtedness
; has increased 300 per cent
T II il not the amount OF our debt, large a
, IL is, which, as ! have said, we can wei
. pay, but its ceaseless accumulation tina