The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-01-23
Presents Annual Message to
The Aldermen
DEBT REDUCED 32,634.96
New Streets Laid and Muddy Roads Made
passabie-Does Not Fancy Encroach-
ment on Mayors Authority BY
the Aldermen.

Mayor William Barclay presented his
annual message before the board Of al
dermen at their regular meeting Iast
evening. n 1t be reviews the work of
the past three years, but refrains from
making recommendation for tie future.
Mayor Barclay laws considerable stress
on the reduction of the citvis debt by
SS2,654.96 during the past year The
message in full il as follows.
Barre, VT, January 22. 1907.
10 the Honorable City Council: The
disappearance of the year 1905 and the
entrance of 1907 found our little city
IN prosperous condition. During 1906
the principal industry of quarryinu and
cutting granite was one of the best N
our history. No idle granite enters
walked our streets, but rood many
more would have been employed If thew
could have been got. The result was
that many contracts had to be refused
as help could not be obtained to oet
them ready on time.
Our manufacturers were greatly do.
layed during the past year in getting
away their work, owing to the scarcity
ot cars. 1t seems to have been much
the same all over Tie railroad com
parlies were not prepared to meet the
prosperity and increase in business thar
took place all through the different
states, so we were not alone in the
difficulty. According to reports. the
western people were worse off than IS
in the east. II Is gratifying to know
that measures are being taken to over.
come this in the future.
In 1906 not so much building took
place AZ usual Lumber being 50 high
priced and also labor; with high tax,
real estate men say it doesn't paw to
build This high tax rate ii a serious
drawback to the growth Of Our city and
was distinctly shown at the meetings
OF the board Of civil authority. when so
many applied for reduction on their
property. | have noticed IN the past few
years that several of our property hold
ers have left us, taken up their residence
in Montpelier and there building large
tenement houses. There they claim q
receive good income on their monevAn-
vested. II should be the earnest endea
vor Of future boards to bear this in nia...
Cut down the expenses of the different
departments so as to yet as low tax
rate as possible This year a.our rate
should not be over $3.50. With iudi
cious management it can be done With
4 lower tax rate it will induce outside
capital to come here and increase our
grand list, then we can afford to have
lower taxes. This past year the tax was
$3.50, and with that we have paid off
rood deal Of our floating and bonded IN
iebtedness, and left fair balance in
she treasury at close of the year.
Several new granite plants have been
built, showing the confidence our manu-
iacturers have in the future Of the gran
te industry. Several new firms have
started up, most of them composed of
,ur Italian citizens ! hope they win
,e as successful In business as they are
at the banker, and in advane-
ng the welfare Of our city.
Schools Demand Economy.
0ur population still keeps increasing
doesn't seem TO me there is any con.
liberation given TO race suicide. Multi
,ly and replenish the earth Is better
han race suicide. This steady increase
axes our school accommodation. An
ddition TO Brook street school will liise-
Y have to be made this Yeag 10 acccn-
nodatc the number of school children IN
hat district. Trust that orr school
will see hat all of tIle
ooms In the other schools are filled to
heir seating capacity. In hooking over
ONE Of the rooms in ore Of aTfsehooIs
his summer, saw where from eight IL
welve more scholars could le copf0rta-
ly seated; the reason given By the
chool commissioners was there were as
lany scholars in the room aa one teach
r could attend to, If this Is 50, think
would be better to hire more teach
rs than TO pay out $4,000 To S50.Ona
II new schools every few years Was
orry to see one Of the best rooms in
he Spaulding school turnci into Chem
TRY department when they had i good
pom in the basement for that purpose.
We are all willing that our ,hil,en
hould have a good education To heIn
hem along in this commercial age, but
ant II with the hest economy possible.
economy win have to be practieed in
\ departments To keep down our tax
ito Our schools win now get zoe on
ie grand list instead Of 6Cc. This
iould be deducted from the different
apartments and not done BY 4 higher
*.
Lighting Cost More.
Lighting Of om streets has increased
this year 5000 more than
st year and IL viii keep increasing. It
very convenient to have our streets
ell lighted, but must consider the ex.
'nse at the same time.
Fire Department Efficient,
Our fire department has been ably
anaged another year by strict atten-
1n 20 their duties, under the able man
,ement Of Chief Gladding. The past
,af has seen very few fires Of any
nsequence, due to the care taken bv
Il stnrekeepers, and The public III ren
81. III keeping their premises free of
nv combustibles; also the inspection
ven our business blocks by the Are
partment, The people may rest AL
red that il fire takes place, Il viii
we'll attended 10 BY our present are
partment. IN putting one Of our street
rses to North Barre To hanl the an
raft4g II, 4 Sr6 IA . mayo n H. 80