The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-06


,atrick J. Mccarthy was delivered today
I city hall substantially as follows:
20 tne Honorable the city councii
Gentlemen: Seyenty-six years ago the
own OF Providence was Incorporated as
city. We as members OF the city coUn-
VI. are assembled this 9Th day OF JAnu-
gy' A. ID: 1905. to inausurate and orsan-
- the city government for the ensuing
'ear. There are ten wards In the city,
nch represented by four common coun-
tlmen and one alderman, nominated and
aected by that class OF electors who are
assessed for and pay tax on real or per-
onal property. The non-taxpaying vot-
rs are qualified by annual registration
:elore srs ths ;,Ii first Gay OF July, and @ form
nunicipal elections are restricted In vot-
Ok privilege TO the election OF general
Ulcers, viz: Mayor. city treasurer. over.
eer OF the poor. harbor master and
chool committee.
The mayor, aldermen. and common
puncil, in their Joint capacity are styled
Welfare OF the city and the admlnistra-
Ion OF It's fairs. in the interest OF its
ntire population, 20S.0cc
The taxes assessed upon real and per-
pnal property la 1907 was 81. 500 2s2.0f crate
1850 per $1,000; the receipts irom all
purces for the fiscal Year ending Sept.
D. 1907. were s6.9Sl.Sss.H.
The appropriat tions for all departments.
ncluding police. fire. schools, public
gorks, parks. and city government In
| ieneral. for the fiscal year ending Sept.
| u. ltOS are ~, Ol6.Jf,
The municipal corporation purse. sup
'lied BY taxpayers az stockholders. Is EN-
rusted to the council as directors. to dis
'urse the same carefully, economically.
ind impartially using due vigilance In
rcuring an equivalent for every dollar. In
he interest OF all the people, for which
ervcc YOU are compensated by the
lonor OF tho public trust reposed In you.
Ind the annual salary attached 10 your
,ifice. ALDERMEN, $780,, common coun-
dlmen. sNa)
The city council Is composed OF tax
layers. representing great variety ~
'ocations. a large majority of members
ave served several years and are re-
aected, thereby ensuring systematic pro-
edure
The unfinished business continued from
lie preceding year includes many impor-
ant matters which VIII be referred to
he several committees. including the
Cest side tunnel. the acquisition Of land
or wharf facilities on the west side OF
Providence river harbor. extension Of
waterman street westerly 20 postoffice
Erare which said measures (and many
thersl. require immediate consideration.
As general proposition OF The - mem
'ers comprising the city council but few
undertake IN qualify themselves for the
mties OF office by study of tho constitu-
DON OF the state, tho city charter. city
,rdnances. rules OF council procedure, or
ile duties OF tho several committees and
nnctions of departments and commits
ions. by and through which the business
4 the city Is carried on. Consequently
ne initiative is left to a few OF the well
nformed. who lead and usually control
The affairs of the public are every
sody's business, but we being elected to
Lttend 20 them and paid salaries from
The public treasury. are In duty bound
% qualify, as best we can. and therefore.
respectfully recommend the course Of
study above mentioned
Providence OF yesterday and Providence
" today has not kept pace with the re-
iuirements OF our. increasing trade and
Of hn
uture Is already knocking at the doors
q the council chamber asking for atten-
Ton
We are daily making history that will
~ appreciated by future generations in
|>Sroportion to the good We accomplish, re-
yardless OF party affiliations. Posterity
vii not judge us az party men; nor by
memory of Thomas A Doyle and other
uustrious public servants is cherished by
.ason OF their work. No one inquiries
about their party affiliations.
earnestly desire TO cooperate with
vou. and most respectfully ask your ad-
rice and assistance, especially as 10 mat
lers where differences Of opinion might
otherwise Justify the exercise OF the veto
power.
herein set forth extracts from re-
sorts of some Of the departments. and
refer you 10 the reports recently submit
ed By all other departments for informa-
Jon too voluminous 10 include here.
most respectfully request the city
council. its several committees. all com
missions, and heads OF departments. to
consider tho recommendations herein
made as direct and immediate assign
nent 10 them of all such matters as are
without further procedure. other than the
usual resolution of reference in order for
passage at this meeting.
FINANCES
The condition OF the finances OF our city
continues satisfactory. The recent strin-
a..
he commissioners OF sinking funds TO
ecure by purchase, at par and accrued
interest. more than one-half of the issue
sf school bonds due July ]. 1911. The sink
ng fund for this Issue OF bonds amount
VI 10 a sum more than sufficient 10 pay
the entire issue. and all bonds OF the
Hme secured TO Dec. 1, 1907. have been
cancelled and retired. resulting IN n ma
terial saving OF interest The last fiscal
PEAR closed with no department or APP
bropriation in arrears--pra tically no uil-
settled bills-with unexpended balances
amounting 10 $29S95.91. which sum was
sredited TO the commissioners Of sinking
,unds as required by the city ordinances
The appropriations for the current fiscal
nc exercise OF proper economy and care
n expenditures, to meet the necessary
Demands.
Tha extraordinary expenditures. for
which money Is borrowed under special
authority OF the general assembly. con-
hnue large. During the year 1so6-l9o7. ss42.-
US.oe was hired for the following objects.
Viz:
New school buildings and add-
ton to the Technical high
school building ................. $4,000 90
sanitary equipment OF school
estates ........................... 5000 90
Public parks ......,............... Ill 900 90
Sewer construction .............. $1,000 90
Rebuilding Point street bridge. 5000 90
Fire department buildlngs...... 5000 90
Highways ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. s9027 eS
New ward room building ....... 24.5O0 90
Abolishing Grade Crossings, etc. 10000 90
City hospital, construction ac-
count ....................... 5000 o.
Relocating monuments. Ex-
change place ..................... 5,76S IL
The debt OF the city, Sept. 81. 1907.as
shown by the city auditors annual re-
port, was as follows viz:
GROSS DEBT.
Account OF. Amount. Increase. Decrease
Water ...... s4.4l6.0oo % .......... $1,000 %
other objects H.353sSi Sc s6lo.S75 50 ........