The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1900-07-13
Lengthl Council Mcetlng.


definitely decided upon for the better
ment Of our thoroughfares yet it wa
clearly the idea Of the committee an,
council that heroic measures should b
taken for at least excepting down tn
grass and smoothing over rougl
places.
The councilmen present were Mayo
Blanton, presiding; Messrs +. l.
Morris, w e. Davidson, }. b. Farrar
+. l.. Erambert, w. +. Anderson, II
+. Wall, }. II. Martin
After the reading of the minutes the
mayor submitted his annual message
which was read by the clerk. A vote
of thanks was unanimously carried for
the excellent recommendations con-
tanned in the mayors paper Follow
ing is the message:
FARMvILLE, Va, July 10Th, 1900.
Gentlemen Of the CJmca:
Beginning, a. YOU are, upon a new
| term of office, l deem it an opp0rtune
/ time to present for your careful cOusid-
Grafton a few ideas and suggestions,
which, If carried out 10y you, will add
materially q, the interest Of our town
and To the welfare Of our fellow citizens.
First, ! wish To congratulate sou
upon the able, faithful, aud efficient
manner IN which each member singly,
and in committee, has performed his
duty.
1t is with pleasure that | allude to
the harmonious relations existing be-
tween the various heads of committees.
For this, more than any other fact, do
| attribute the unprecedented progress
made within the last two years
also wish to thank you for cOurte-
sizes and considerations shown me as
your presiding officer. In diScharging
the duties OF the office of mayor, you
have given me your support, and up
held my hand. trust our relations
for the next term of Office may be
equally as pleasant.
In submitting this message | will
first allude 10 our sanitary condition.
This is a matter of great importance TO
our town and should have your very
careful attention. | therefore beg TO
call the attention of the Sanitary Com
mttee to the importance Of having the
streets, yards and alleys properly clean
ed and drained, especially during the
summer months. Since we are put
ting i'm water and sewer pipe through
out the town it is of great importance
that this matter Of drainage and
the ordinances bearing upon this sub
ject should be rigidly enforced. | am
glad TO state that at present the shi-
tary condition of the town is good, and
| believe our efficient Sanitary Com
mittee, assisted by the police Will keep
it 50, IN the discharge Of which duty,
citizens can materially aid by report
ing such violations of the ordinances
bearing upon this subject, As may come
within their observation.
Our water supply is good, especially
for fire purposes, and / think We have
cause to congratulate ourselves that the
plant has gone into the hands of such
aLle and efficient management.
Our chief of fire department reports
all apparatus in good condition, but at
that, we are sadly in need Of more ell
cient means. / would suggest that in |
stead of having two reels and both |
stationed at one point, that we pur- /
chase two more reels and place one on |
the Southern extreme of Main street, |
and the other on West end of High |
street, so that in case Of fire in either |
of these localities it would be great /
saving Of time.
With our present arrangement, 1t |
would be almost impossible To reach a |
fire any distance from Main street IN |
the winter or when the streets are the /
least muddy or frozen. This has been
demonstrated upon more than one &C.
casion, when, in order to yet them to
the fire. horses had to be hitched to the
apparatus in order to get through the
mud and up the hills. This naturally
causes great DELAY, not mentioning the
loss that may occur therefrOm.
While under this head ii Is with
pleasure | allude to the prompt and
gallant action of our young men in re-
spending to the fire alarm and 10 the
ability aud courage displayed by them
in conquering this dreaded common
enemy. | cannot commend them too
highly for your consideration.
Our streets are in good condition and
are well kept. There has been more
permanent improvement In the way OF
bridges, brick walks and streets within
the last two years than for any ten
wears previous To this time; all this 10y
careful management and able imam
cieriug has been done without addl-
tiOnal taxation.
| would recommend that a certain
portion of the street appropriation each
year be used for such permanent I'M
prOvement.
Instead of expanding the entire
amount in hauling sand and placing
upou the walks to be washed away
again by the next rain, and the same
process repeated year by year, let us
use at least one-half of the approprla-
ton by laying such streets and walk
WAYS as are most used, with brick and
stone. thereby making the improve
ment permanent and having some
thing substantial to show for the mon
ey expended.
| cannot lay too much stress upon
this subject, because it is only by such
improvement can we ever expect our
town to grow aud keep pace with our
sister towns throughout the state.
If we wish to attract capital, If we
wish TO induce others to come and live
among Us, we must make our town not
only attractive but az nearly city Ike
as our means will afford.
Wish particularly to call your at
4. .l..A o.