The Republican journal., 1898-03-24

transactions in which the city has been in
terested for many years, has been practi-
cably accomplished.
FINANCE OF THE CITY
Our assets and liabilities are as follows:
LIABILITIES.
March 7, 1898,
" 1926 option lso5) $4,000 90
% " 1slS..... ....... 10000 90
Outstanding orders ........ ......... SIS Sc
Roll of accounts allowed this day.. 1858 Is
S6l5, ,s4s II
Cash in treasury y......-................S 4,25l 81
Due on account of 1897 taxes ........ 1885 q
90 " sewer assessments 1892, '94 '95 2O2 81
5000 shares B. & NJ. l.. R. R. stock, par
value. 5O0, ,OO0 %
Sheritfs deeds for taxes. ......... ..... 598 80
S523,6Os 81
Balance of ascertained liabilities ..... 92,240 09
S615,s4s II
For detailed statement of the financial
standing of the different departments refer
you to the city treasurer's report.
| congratulate the city on the assurance of
having its bonded Indebtedness reduced the
present year S20700, its interest account
about Sc, 100, and after this year it's interest
account will be reduced about $40, 800 annu-
ally. This will be accomplished by re-
| funding our six per cent. bonds with
The arrangements for refunding have
all been completed and $4,000 of
the bonds exchanged These new bonds
We're made very desirable and brought
high price by placing the cty's railroad
stock in a sinking fund to secure their pay
ment. This sinking fund method has the
great advantage over the former method,
adopted in 1882, which placed the citys
stock in the hands of trustees, because it
gives the city the right to sell the stock at
any time when it can be disposed of advan-
tageously. In addition to this it reduces our
net Indebtedness within the five per cent.
limit, thereby making ,,ur bonds legal for
Massachusetts Savings Banks, which en-
larged the market, gave them a reputation,
and increased their price about two per
cent (according to the estimation of brok-
ers) thus yielding the city about SO 600
more than it could have received by any
other method.
HIGHWAYS.
A law was passed at the last session of the
legislature compelling towns to elect a road
commissioner and aboliShing the office of
highway surveyors. Although the language
of the law does not appear to include cities,
| have been Informed by our city solicitor
and other good legal authority that it was
probably intended to include cities and that
the court would doubtless interpret it in
that way. Consequently it will be your duty
to elect road commissioner this year in
the place of highway surveyors. | am not
quite certain which way is preferable, but
am of the opini N that the success or failure
of this method will depend almost entirely
on the ability and honesty of the commits
sioner. If he is a suitable person for the
place, it will be preferable; if not, it will be
greater failure than the old method.
| am of the opinion that the money appro-
priated for this department last year was
for the most part very we'll expended and
that the roads were kept in as good condi-
tiOn as could have been expected, especially
when we consider the amount of rainfall of
last summer and autumn, and the heavy
SHOWS of the winter.
We have large amount of plank side
walks, and, as they are very expensive to
keep in repair would advise that walks of
a more permanent nature be substituted
whenever and wherever practicable. The
public demands better roads and walks, and
l am in favor of improving them as fast as
our circumstances will permit
SCHOOLS.
Although this department is one of the
most important we have to consider and for
which we have to provide, shall say but
little in regard to it, but refer you to the tx
cellent report of our superintendent of
schools which sets forth the condition and
needs of our schools in very able manner.
This department merits your most thought
full attention and | trust that you will care
fully consider its needs and furnish all the
relief our means will allow.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Our free Public Library is constantly
growing in the esteem of the public and its
patronage steadily increasing Especially
is it growing IN Importance as an adjunct to
our educational system Books are pur-
chased with special reference to the needs of
the schools and much valuable assistance is
rendered in their selection and distributi
by our very excellent and pains-taking lib
rarian and her assistants.
SEWERS.
An excellent piece of work was done last
year in the construction of 1885 feet of sew
ers on Church, Grove and Congress streets,
where there Was great deal OF ledge to re-
move. Although this was an expensive job,
it was done at a cost of about sixteen per
cent. less than the estimates of Parks and
Wheeler. These sewers will furnish an out
let for the sewage of a large territory in the
southwest part of the city, where it seems
advisable to make the next extension. |
would, therefore, recommend that the re-
mainder of the Miller street district sewer
system, west of Church street, be completed
this year.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In my opinion, our fire department needs
some additions. l would recommend that
volunteer hose company be organized in the
southern part of the city and provided with
Iiio ioCooooAy aPPoioouo "iAA q puiuihs III
which to store it,
The deep SHOWS of this winter have de-
monstrated the need of runners to be used
on the hose carts, ladder truck, and engine
at such times, and l would advise that they
be procured for that purpose
CEMETERIES.
Public interest in improving the appear
ance OF our cemeteries is constantly grow
ing, and as means of aiding this commend
able work. l would recommend that the
cemeteries be placed under the control of
board of trustees, whose duties shall be de-
fined by an ordinance. 1 would also suggest
that the board consist of three members, one
to be elected for the term of one year, one
for term of two years, and one for the term
of three years, hereafter eecting one mem.
ber annually for term of three years. In
view of the fact that most of the cemetery