The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-11

Dy reference TO the report OF the chair
man OF the Board OF Audit and Finance
it viii be seen that at the time this adj
m~inistration took charge Of the city
the sinking fund amounted to about
$4,000. Il now TO more than
$45, 900.
The report Of the Clerk and Treasurer
shows that the total receipts from De-
cember LIST. 1898, to December 31st. 1900,
exceeded the total receipts for a
period prior to December LIST 1893, by
more than 800, 600. One item illustrative
OF the change is hat the receipts from
the Mayors court during the period
were over s., 900, while the receipts of
the said court for the same period pre-
vious thereto were S226.07. The dis
bursements have been proportionately
larger, but the very satisfactory expia-
nation is that there is something to show
for it. At the expiration of the first
year of this administration, ending
March 31st, 1900. besides the refunding
bow mentioned, and increase of the
sinking fund, the city had paid an Old
note-the legacy of the former admins
tration-for $4,000. and had in cash,
debts paid, n permanent improve
ments more than 3 1900. There had
been no increase in the rate of taxation
except in liquor licenses, and this was
partly Offset by a reduction in mer-
chants license tax of ten cents on
the hundred dollars. Since that time
the same policy has been pursued and
for every dollar expended there is to be
found an equivalent benefit to the city.
City taxes have been more promptly
and cheerfully paid, or have been more
closely collected, than ever before, and
I can not too highly commend the Clerk
and Treasurer, and his assistant, for
the diligent and faithful in
which they nave discharged their duty.
In this connection I wish to urge upon
the board the necessity for a change
in the arrangement of the office of the
clerk and treasurer. 1t ought to be re-
constructed and made a more credtta-
bic place for the transaction of the city
business. and I hope the chairman of
the committee on public buildings will
be furnished with the necessary funds
and directed to make the changes so
plainly required in it.
The tax rate of the city 0.75 per cent?
is not as high as in many other places,
as was shown by the comparative
statement compiled by the city attor-
ney some months ago but we conf
IDENTIFY indulge the hope that, even with
the increased expense of street and
other improvements. it will soon be re-
duced.
Attention is called TO the report of
the city attorney, which shows that
during the incumbency of the present
officer he has collected in back taxes
from April list, 1899. to December 31st,
1900, $23, 743.OO. His report or back
taxes and recommendations in regard
thereto. and of suits for and against
the city. are commended to your at
tention-
STREET IMPROVEMENT AND
SEWERAGE.
Next to the restoration of order and
-1ol n nd tho hoo hu finn N
cial condition of the city. perhaps the
most important improvement has been
that which has been made in connection
with streets and sidewalks. The report
of the committee ON streets and
wharves sets forth in detail the work
that has been done. From this report
it will be seen hat never before in the
history of the city has such extensive
and permanent improvement been
made. There is much yet to be done,
of course, but if the rate of progress
during the past two years is kept up 1t
will be but a short time before Will
mington will be able to show as fine
streets and drives as any city of it's
size, and the correspondents improve
ment in the county roads leading into
the city emphasizes the importance of
this improvement. The sewerage of the
city is a subject that las been called
to your attention frequently, and is one
lI1dl l. Hill IotlpI OIiolSA
alton and action. Lack of means and
unwillingneSS to increase the city debt
has prevented the establishment of a
modern system of sewerage heretofore,
but the intelligence or the community
recognizes the necessity for it, n will
sustain the board of aldermen in any
effort they may make to secure it. There
is an act of assembly still in force
which authorizes the board of alder
men to submit the question of issuing
bonds for sewerage to the voters of the
municipality. I make 40 recommends
ton, however, at this time in regard
to it.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department OF the city has
for some years been we'll aged, and
is now in a more efficient condition than
ever before, as will appear by the re-
port Of the, chief of the department,
Some better arrangement than now e.
lists for the eXtinguiShment of fires on
the western side of the river, opposite
the city, ought to be provided. Under
the present plan of ferrying engines
across the river as occasion may de-
mand delays are unavoidable, and the
risk of destruction to valuable property
belonging to is greater haT
it ought to be. I trust that this sub.
ject will receive your careful attention
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Inc ponce FORCE Is rellaDle and latin
full in the discharge of its duties as re
suits show, and L refer you to the re
port of the chairman of the police COM
mfttee and the chief Of police for full
! information upon that subject.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The greatly improved appearance O
all the public buildings. which wer
rapidly deteriorating when the presen
administration began. is a pleasan
feature of u municipal progress, an
reflects credit on the Chairman of tn,
committee in charge of them, who wa,
appointed to that position because o
his especial fitness for 1t. and who ha.
given a large part OF his time to it
duties. At the City Hall which is nov
the most attractive municipal buildin,
in the state. several much needle
changes have been made. In addition
to the exterior improvements tn,
prison in the basement has been trans
formed and made comfortable witt
&-~- -