The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-01-01

her public schools cannot be over-esti-
mated, and their Importance should be
brought To theattention OF our children
in as emphatic a manner as possible.
There is no better way than by a pub
lie celebration OF this event.
There is one further matter I'm con-
nection with the public schools To
which desire TO call your attention.
During the month OF November, 1888,
the Kindergarten teachers gave their
services 10 the city without compen-
sation I'm order that the kindergarten
department might not be discontinued.
and the children deprived OF its advan-
tages. These teachers lost not only,
Ike others, two weeks salary by the
premature closing OF the schools IN
June, but also an additional montns
pay. While l recognize and admit the
public spirit manifested by these
teachers, I do not think that the city
should permit them 20 lose their pay
for services so Loyalty and generously
rendered, especially as there was an
unexpected balance I'm the treasury at
tbs. close OF the fiscal year An appro-
prlation of two thousand dollars
would pay them, and / recommend
that such appropriation be made as a
matter OF common justice to deserving
public servants.
ASSESSORS OF TAXES.
The report presented to me by the as
SCISSORS of taxes discloses an extern OF
work performed by them greater than
Il ia generally supposed. The additional
labor made necessary during the last
year, on account of the annexation or
a part OF the town OF Johnston, includ-
ing revaluations of property. both per-
sonal and real, the preparation or new
plats and making of new records mas
been very considerable. / think IL credl-
table TO the assessors that this extra
work has been performed entirely py
their own office force. with very little
exception, and very little extra ex-
pense. The systematic method OF con-
Quoting the affairs OF this office has
been remarked by experts who have
been sent here 70 investigate such mat
ters. especially by the national govern
ment, and has been highly commended.
A study of the figures presented by
them, showing the increase OF taxable
property assessed last year over the
year before is highly instructive. 1t is
as follows:
Increase:-New buildings, additions,
etc, 81. POS, 900; increased valuation OF
land, $3 233, 200; making total increase
In real estate of, si442.6 600; reductions
net increase in real estate. A,21, 700;
the increased valuation of personal es-
tate, SSH. 400; reductions in valuations
OF personal estate, on settlements or
estates, sworn returns, etc, 30, ,fiO'
net increase in personal estate, 2.oil,-
800.
You will notice from the above that
the increase in the real estate valua-
ton for the last year was si,442.6O0.
and that this valuation, less reduction
of $40 800, remained TO be taxed. You
will also notice that, while the personal
property valuation was increased to
ss.ll7 400. a reduction OF $5.4i5, 440 was
made necessary by reason Of 1.-THE set
tlement OF estates, sworn returns, etc,
leaving a net increase OF $261, $50.
which shows the unjust proportion in
which personal property escapes taxa
ton. ftIat our present tax fsrws are ttft-
just and unwise, and of such nature
as to compel an unfair distribution of
the burdens of supporting our public
institutions is well known. and the
only wonder is, how long our cl''pssns
win stand this condition OF affairs. Last
winter the Providence delegation 10 the
General Assembly spent a great deal OF
time and earnest effort i'm preparing a
| measure which would. IL enacted into
| law, have done much toward making
our tax system more equitable, and
this measure was introduced into The
Senate and hearings were given by the
committee on judiciary, but nothing
! further came OF II. The excuse for the
failure OF this measure TO pass was
that "the country members were op-
posed to it," but 'the country mem.
bers" were not given an opportunity &c
show their hostility by actual vote.
s,,I. l,,s L. n..I x,ssl
again call upon the Providence ,teprs
sentatives to the General Assembly tC
| do their utmost towards bringing abou
| such legislation as will remedy a few
| if not all. of the evils OF our presen
| tax laws.
ORDINANCES.
The commissioner appointed by m,
on the 9Th day of March 1899 TO col
| lect, arrange and revise the city ordi
nances and the public laws relating L
the, city OF Providence. together Will
| the rules and regulations of the boar,
| of aldermen, has completed h.s rori
| very satisfactorily. so far as the frs
| part of his work is concerned. and TIT
| ordinances, as revised, and the rule
and regulations Of the board of alder
men, have been adopted at sessions o
| the common council and board of alder
| men, neld IN december last. Inc wOrl
of arranging the laws relating to tn
! city of Providence will so rapidly on
and a report upon the same will b.
| presented TO you at an early day.
/ regret very much that so little at
tention has been paid 10 the draft of
new city charter, which was presente,
| to the city council i'm 1898. The commits
-sieHeFs- appointed "a prepare if4t tif-a (
| were very able men, who put into il
great deal of time and earnest thought
| and the result OF their labors is wei
worth most serious consideration.
certainly hope that this importan
matter will not be allowed TO drop ou
! OF sight.
| BOARD OF CANVASSERS AND REG
1STRATION.
The board of canvassers and registra
ton has made TO me quite an elaborat
| report, In which il suggests, amonj
other things, the necessity OF a redl
| vision OF this city into wards, givin,
! therefor the following reasons:
"ta)Since the present ward lines wer
established in 1887 the city has increas
ed at least fifty thousand i'm population
| from 1lS.070 Census OF 1850 to estimat
ed population OF 10000 at the presen
| time.
(b) The population of certain ward