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ARTICLE VI.

Civil Statistics of St. Louis:

MAYOR'S MESSAGE, &C.

Gentlemen of the City Council:

In submitting for your consideration the reports from the officers of the several departments in the city government, I take occasion to ask your attention to the following suggestions, believing that a favorable action with regard to them would be calculated to advance the interest and general prosperity of the city.

In addressing you at your first meeting, I gave as my opinion, that there would be no necessity, during the present fiscal year, for a further issue of bonds for city purposes, as those already authorized would in all probability be ample for the Improvement of Harbor, Building of Reservoir, Sewers, &c., for which they were especially designed, leaving the revenue for the general improvements, viz: the extension of water-works, paving streets, opening new avenues, &c.; although the amount of damages that we may be subjected to in the last named work may possibly so far surpass my expectations as to render a further issue of bonds, to a limited extent, absolutely necessary.

My own convictions on the subject of improvements are clearly in favor of finishing those already commenced before we begin new ones, always excepting those, however, which are demanded for the preservation of health, or materially affect the interest of the city. We have, at this time, a sufficient amount of unfinished work on hand to require all our efforts for completion during the present year; and this fact alone would warrant me in recommending this course, to which I am also influenced by the depressed and unsettled condition of the money market throughout the country, and from a desire to sustain the high position we have hitherto held in a financial and commercial point of view. And as heavy expenditures would necessarily compel us to raise money on our bonds, we might be compelled from present appearances to make sacrifices which would not be warranted by the necessities of the case, and which would be calculated to lessen the confidence of the people in our legislation.

The report from the Board of the City Common, will inform you that near one thousand lots of that property are now surveyed, and will be offered for sale early in the coming month; and my own belief, based upon the present value of suburban property, is that the proceeds of the entire sales, will pay all our indebtedness for city purposes after reserving a sufficient amount of the land for public squares and buildings.

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The entire debt of the city for outstanding bonds is $3,259,296, and of this amount the sum of $1,246,000 is invested in railroads,

leaving the balance of $2,013,296 as the actual indebtedness for improvements of city and harbor. From this is to be deducted $96,000, bonds which were issued for private sewers, and which are to be paid by special tax within five years-and a further deduction of $199,850, being the proceeds of sales of the city stores, held in reserve for the redemption of the bonds issued for the erection of those buildings, leaving the nett indebtedness at $1,813,446 00.

We need only court inquiry and examination into our affairs to prove conclusively, that no safer or better investment can be made than in St. Louis bonds, based on a landed property which at a reasonable calculation is worth over three millions, and a revenue which was last year $725,966,84; and with the usual increase will reach near $800,000.

We may fairly and without fear of contradiction boldly assert that no city of the Union can rival us in the prosperity of our financial condition.

You will notice that the surplus revenue of the last fiscal year amounted to $37,434 20-100, half of which was appropriated by the City Council, the remainder, $18,717 10-100, is unappropriated and can be disposed of as the charter directs.

The new reservoir is now fairly under way, and with our usual share of good weather, it is thought that we can have it finished and filled with water by the 1st of November. And in view of the fact that the present engine at the Water Works will be insufficient to supply a sufficient quantity of water, I would recommend that a committee be appointed to correspond and make inquiries from competent engineers, so as to obtain the necessary information. with regard to the most approved and economical plan of obtaining an ample supply of water for our growing population. And in connection with this, make it the duty of the committee to ascertain whether a change in rates may not be desirable, so as to charge as I believe is the case in several other cities, in proportion to the size and value of the house occupied by the parties assessed as well as the quantity of water used collecting from the owner of the building.

The engine may not be needed this year, but I think it is not too early to call your attention to the subject so as to insure one being prepared when necessity requires. And to the subject referred to might be added the inquiry, whether the present Water Works should not be removed to the lot purchased for the purpose some year since? I think that an examination of the contract for water pipes and those ordered to be contracted for, will satisfy you that the amount is fully as much as can be put down during the present year, taking the amount laid down in former years as a criterion; but it is much to be desired, that when pipe is conracted for there should be no unnecessary delay in filling it.

The sickness of the Superintendent, and other causes, operated so as to produce much complaint last year. I believed means are now being taken to guard against this in future. In this department a gratifying increase of revenue is shown, amounting to about $13,000, and with the change in the mode of collecting, made by the last Council, I expect a yet further increase. That we have a right to expect this will be easily seen, by comparing our revenue from this source, with that of other cities.

To the Police Department, on which so much of the safety and order of the community depends, I have given considerable attention; and although some few instances of dereliction have occurred, yet it affords me pleasure to say, that as a body, they are faithful and vigilant. I am of the opinion that the ordinance regulating this department might be so amended and improved as to insure a greater efficiency. One among other suggestions that recommends itself, and which has been adopted in most of the eastern cities, is that the Police should wear a uniform, or badge, that would be better adapted for designating their office than the star now worn, which, if one of the members from a lack of courage, or what is still more reprehensible, from false pride, desires, is easily concealed.

The Police have arduous and responsible duties to perform, and he who applies for the office should have a pride in wearing its ensignia and possess the courage to perform his duties fearlessly.

I would also recommend that the record which is now kept in the police, embrace a description of the articles and monies received from offenders, as well as give the description of their persons, with their names, &c., for the purpose of reference. A copy of this should be furnished the Mayor monthly, to be filed in the archives where, in the changes which are made nearly annually in the Police Department, it cannot be effected.

I cannot let this opportunity pass without alluding to the conduct of the officers and men of the police, in the excitement grow. ing out of the Hoffman affair. I found them ready and willing to perform every service necessary in the support of law and order. I owe much to the battalions of Cols. Renick and Knapp, who voluntarily assembled at their armories, at the time of the trouble alluded to, and a portion of whom, at my request, appeared on the scene under commands of Capts. Frost and Pritchard. Нарpily their services were not required except as a guard but it gave me pleasure to feel that we had so gallant a body of men at our command ready to preserve the peace and order of our city. The Superintendent of the Work House reports his charge as healthy, and working about the Park and streets in the neighborhood. I believe it is the design of the committee on this department to remove the inmates to the new work house on Carondelet avenue in June, and if so, the cost to the city will be greatly diminished; for although the work performed by the prisoners has

been advantageous to the vicinity, and contributed to beautify and improve Lafayette square, yet it does not look so favorably on the balance sheet.

I regret to inform you that the hope we entertained of procuring, within a reasonable distance from the city, boulder stones for paving our streets, has been disappointed.

The contractor with whom the city made agreement, has given up the idea, saying he cannot find a sufficient quantity, and we are once more thrown back upon the old plan, which I cannot find any thing to recommend. I trust, however, that the early completion of some of our railroads will afford us facilities of bringing stone or iron, that will be calculated for this description of work, and we feel well assured that from these avenues alone has St. Louis the hope of procuring a material that will answer for improving her streets. It is the intention of the Engineer to pave with stone on edge all the streets on the sewer route as high up as Fifth street, the present season, under the provisions of the ordinance authorizing such a course. In examining the expenditure for repairs of streets, I find that two of the most costly are Carondelet avenue and Broadway, both of which are macadamized, and the work renewed almost yearly; and as a measure of economy, I would recommend that you take immediate steps for the paving of both, the first south of Convent street, and the last north of Morgan street. Our finances will not permit us to pave its entire length, but if we begin, our successors will probably finish. The importance of both these avenues are so well known, I need not enlarge upon it, but only express the wish that it meet with your approbation.

Jackson and Columbus streets are now opened, and South Main will be during the present month. In the case of Carr street, the executions for benefits are now in the hands of the Marshal, and the street will be opened on receipt of the assessments. These are the first streets that have been opened under the provisions of the amended charter, and the benefits on the first named streets have in most cases been promptly paid.

I design proceeding without unnecessary delay to condemn the streets provided for by ordinances, viz: Wash, Fourth, Fifth, Walnut, Carondelet, and the Wharf to Lewis street. I would remark that I am also authorized to open a large number of other streets, besides the condemnation needful in extending the wharf; and as these street cases add very considerably to the labor performed by the City Register, and for which he receives comparatively no pay, I would suggest that a compensation be allowed him for extra services rendered, and in the performance of which he has been compelled to employ an additional clerk.

During the past year, applications were made to the Council for an increase of the salaries for some of the officers, but only in the case of the assistant marshals were they successful. I would ask

you to investigate the subject, as I am clearly of the opinion that some of the officers of the city government, [Engineer, for instance,] have salaries entirely inadequate to the amount of labor performed. The office of city Engineer is one of great importance and responsibility-the duties of which are constantly increasing in magnitude, and when we take into account how slight a negligence or inattention on his part might cause a heavy pecuniary loss to the city, it becomes us to pay him a salary commensurate with the value of services rendered.

I would earnestly urge upon the Council the improvement of our parks and public squares. Thus far, Lafayette Park is the only one that has any embellishment whatever, and the credit of that is chiefly due to private enterprise. Washington and Carr squares are both as unsightly as when they came into our possession, a fact which is not very creditable to our liberality or taste. Surely we might spare a sufficient sum to render both these squares valuable and ornamental to the portion of the city in which they are situated.

The Inspector of the Fire Department's report will be found amongst your papers, drawn up with his usual ability. You, also, have a letter of Miles Greenwood, Esq., engineer of the fire department at Cincinnati, written in answer to one of mine, making inquiries; also, his report to the Council of that city, a document the more interesting at this time, as it treats on the steam fire engine now in use there.

You will also find the report of a committee of the Boston council which visited Cincinnati for the purpose of examining the engine referred to.

These papers I am prompted to send you for investigation, and if you become as favorably impressed with the subject treated of, as I have been, there is no doubt that you will use the necessary measures to secure its use in the fire department of this city.

I would also call your attention to a proposition emanating from the underwriters of this city to aid them in the purchase or building of a steam tug boat to be used in the harbor in case of fire. I need not enlarge upon its importance-the remembrance of the different fires that have taken place at our landing within the past few years are too vivid to require any further allusion to them as arguments in favor of the measure. The detail of the proposition will be brought before you in due time.

THE HOUSE OF REFORM.-Since the meeting of the council the committee, which has had this matter in charge, has been industriously preparing for the organization of this department, and hope soon to report it to you in full and successful operation.

THE QUARANTINE.-I have not yet been able to procure a suitable site for the removal of the quarantine, though I have some hopes of being soon successful. In the meantime every exertion

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