The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-03-14

In spite of the financial condition
Of the country, our people as a rule
are happy and prosperous The fact
that our citizens have recently organ
lied hotel company to build a mod
srn hotel and have subscribed over
$4,000 in stock and 100000 in
bonds, shows that they realize that
by cooperation we may become the
foremost city of the South, and should
this spirit continue and grow as it
ought, nothing viii be impossible for
Pensacola and her people to accom-
plish. During the year there have
been many fine and beautiful build
tngs completed, which have taken the
plac of old. out of date structures
The deposits IN our banks during the
past year show an increase, while enc
OF our banks has increased It's capital
stock, which all goes to prove that
pensacola is not suffering 10 any
great extent on account of the finan-
eiRl condition of the country and that
the people have confidence in them
selves and our banking institutions.
Our city, through its board of bond
trustees, will advertise shortly for
about ten miles of pavement to be put
down at once and paid for by money
derived from municipal improvement
bonds, which will be added to each
year hereafter by paving a small
amount from funds derived from the
general revenues of the city. The to-
tai paving will cost S450,000, the prop
erty owners paying twO-thirds.
Through its board of public works
has contracted for $4,000 square
feet of cement sidewalk. to be put
down by contract. giving the property
owner three years in which to pay
for same. These walks wilt replace
the wooden walks and will be built
where there are now no walks at all,
which will give the city a much
better appearance.
We are now completing thirty-siK
miles of sanitary sewers and five miles
Of storm-w3ter drains, at a cost of
100000. This will put Pensacola in
a most sanitary condition.
The police department is one that
we have good reasons to be proud or.
During the past year we collected il
fines S17,S63; prisoners worked out
time on streets, $685.. The laws OF
our city are enforced on all alike and
our citizens realize that law and or
der should and must prevail.
Our fire department is up TO the
highest standard in efficiency.
New Buildings.
During the past year we have COM
pleted the new city hall and Jail
buildings; 10th buildings are hand
some structures. The city hail build
ing cost $4,000, site $4,000 and the
jail building $4,000, equipping the
Jail with cells and supplementary costs
being S1S,099.60. This is probably
the most up-to- date and sanitary jail
in the south. Furnishing the city
hall cost about $4,000. and is IN
keeping with the building The COST
of the Jail furniture was about $500.
1t is with pride and satisfaction we
point these buildings out to our visit
oTs.
The financial department of our
city is handled in most business-lilIe
way. We never appropriate over 80
per cent OF the estimated revenues or
the city, so that it is impossible to
have a deficit at the end of the year.
The assessed value of real and per-
sonal property in the city OF Pensa-
cola is S13, ,315, an increase over
the previous year of S1,313,6S3. Our
per capita tax rate is $6.41. which is
lower than most cities in the United
States. Our bonded Indebtedness az
present is $3.50. 900. with authority to
sell 100000 additional for public
improvements.
Our city has recently purchased
from money derived from improve
ment bonds the plant of the Pensa
cola Water Company, at cost or
S1S7 500, and is now increasing the
pumping capacity and also extending
the water mains and increasing the
size of same in many portions OF the
city, at an additional cost of approx
mately 500, 900.
Pensacola is the second healthiest
city in the United States. which Is
due no doubt TO the elevation of the
city. which is about sixty feet above
sea level, and to the fact that we are
not surrounded by any swamp lands,
together with the fact that our water
from artesian wells. is as pure as any
that can be found in the United
States
Beautifying the Parks.
Last year is the first year that this
city has appropriated any money to
be used on the parks, and I do not
know Of any public money that mas
been expended that has made a better
showing for the amount. $4,000 was
appropriated and distributed to the
different park commissioners. This
money was used in clearing The parks
Of weeds. underground, brushes. etc,
and planting grass, flowers, trees and
shrubbery. To look back at some o.
the parks before the work commenced
and then look at them today shows
the great change that has been made
in their appearance. This year we