The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-11

slitct Improvements however Is YET ~
| be expended, and when this is done it Is
| hoped the streets will be in a condition
| which Will not require further bonded
| Indebtedness for their Improvement.
| While on this subject we cannot re-
| FRAN mentioning the fact that hye-
| sixths of the taxes levied to work the
roads Of Raleigh Road District by con-
| Wet labor is paid by the citizens living
| in the corporate limits Of Raleigh, Of
when not dollar Is expended inside
the town. This is by virtue Of Chapter
3d3. Public Laws of 1880, a law which
never had the sanction of the voters OF
the city, and its enforcement upon the
| citizens of Raleigh is, we believe. in
equitable. 1t should be insisted that
some OF this money be expended for
WORK inside Of the city and not all on
| the outside. If this were done there
Would not perhaps be objection to the
| tax, Notwithstanding graveNdoubtS rs
To us legality. The tax provided in the
original act Chapter 1863, Public Laws
| 1851, was cents on the 500 valuation
OF property now increased to 10 cents
by an amendment of the original law,
Thy Act of 1897, without the sanction
OF the city authorities or the voters
OF the city. Every now and then since
1889. Chapter 363 Public Laws OF
1889 is amended to increase the taxes
of the citizens of the town without
the authority of the voters therein, and
this law and the amendments thereof
should receive some attention in the in
terest of the Taxpayers of the city. 1t
is an inequitable law we believe as now
enforced.
The public schools Of Raleigh have
long been its pride, because they have
been under the best management. Many
people have come to Raleigh to he
come citizens because they desire to get
the advantages Of its public schools;
and thus the population OF the town has
been increased The people with great
unannrity have, during the present
year, voted $4,000 to increase the ac-
comniodations for these schools, and
that money is now being expended in
buildings and ether equipments, and
these improvements will give to the
youth of the city the very best public
schools advantages to be found any
where. Good public school advantages
are one of the best evidences OF a
live progressive community and we re-
ioice at the high esteem In which the
public schools are held by our citizens.
But this report is already too long, and
though there are many other things that
might be mentioned we will desist, ex
pressing the hope that our city may, in
the year before us. ENJOY greater
measure of prosperity than the year just
past. We also express the nope that
The Chamber may have the active CO.
operation of the business men generally
of the town during the coming year
to push forward its interests. The
efforts of the Chamber are appreciated
by many of the citizens as is shown by
our roll Of membership, but there are
some of our business men and those
too who enjoy every day the trade and
earnings of an increased population,
brought about by associated effort, who
are enever seen in the sessions of the
| Chamber. We hope that their tribe will
grow less, and that during the coming
| year many may see it to be their duty
TO increase the membership of the
| Chamber by adding their names TO our
roll Respectfully,
w. y. JONES,
go Pres. Chamber Commerce.
q SECRETARY'S REPORT.
| Mr.. George Allen, Secretary of the
| Chamber. presented hisafepout, which is
| published below by. the request of the
Chamber
The past year has been one of great
progress iii the city of Raleigh. More
substantial improvements have been
made than during any previous year of
our history. Two railroads have been
builta-the Raleigh and Cape Fear and
the Cape Fear and Northern, both of
which penetrate the valuable timber dis
tricts lying South of the city. Another
rond has been chartered, the Raleigh
and Eastern, for which surveys are now
being made eastward from Raleigh.
The macadam roads leading out of
the city are being extended, and several
iron bridges have replaced antiquated
wood structures. Another bond issue
for street improvement has been voted
with great unanimity, and the work of
paving and macadamizing the streets
is being rapidly carried forward. Many
miles of granite curbing has been placed
and brick or granohthic pavements can
be found in all parts of the city. Dur
ing the past year Boylan avenue has
been opened and it will soon be extend
ed to the Methodist orphanage.
Several notable buildings have been
erected, the Capitol Club Building was
completed at the beginning of our year
The Tucker building. probably the finest
office building in the State, built of
cream colored brick, five stories high,
and containing two elegant stores and
nearly one hundred offices, all finished
and furnished in the best style; the
Olivia Raney Public Library building,
now being erected near the Confederate
monument the Presbyterian church
nearly completed; the Episcopal church
of Good Shepherd, which will be one OF
the finest church properties in the State;
the completion and opening of the Bap-
fist University, already filled with young
ladies; the reorganization of st.
Mary's school and Peace Institute, by
which both of these old and honored
schools will be better prepared for an
creased work and influence; the IN
creased school facilities that will be
given to the Public schools of the city,
though the issue of 1000 school bonds,
with which to purchase, build and to inn
prove and equip the school property ia
conservative estimate gives four thou
sand five hundred students in the entire