Inauguration date: April 30, 1877
To the Honorable, the City Council of the City of Chicago:
In compliance with the law, at the commencement of our fiscal year and the deliberations of your honorable body, I would call your attention briefly to the present condition of our city and her different departments that you, especially those who now occupy seats among you for the first time, may receive a general impression as to the condition of our city, and be better prepared to legislate in her interests, as may from time to time be required.
The Finances
An examination of the Comptroller’s department shows that the uncollected taxes, April 1, 1876, amounted to $7,344,294.75, to which should be added the full amount of the appropriation for 1876, which was $4,045,526.27, the warrants for which were not delivered to the several town collectors till December, 1876, and the warrant for the South town, where the heaviest taxes are paid, was not delivered till March, 1877.
Of the amount outstanding, April 1, 1876, $290,591.11, embrace taxes for the years 1869 and 1870. The tax warrants for these years having been destroyed in the great fire of 1871, these balances were practically uncollectable and have been during the year charged off.
The uncollected taxes April 1, 1877, amounted to $6,903,716.35.
In addition to this amount there is to be added the appropriation of March 1, 1877, amounting to $4,012,002.29, the warrants of which will not be delivered to the collectors till December next.
The appropriations for the years 1875, 1876 and 1877 have been as follows, viz:
For 1875...$5,123,905.29
For 1876...4,045,526.27
For 1877...4,012,002.29
A great portion of the appropriation for 1876 covered a period of only nine months, while that of 1877, which is $33,523.98 less than 1876, covers a full year, and includes the large amount of $301,087.50 for sewerage, as compared with $16,000 in 1876.
The saving in 1877 over 1875 is $1,111,403, or over 21 per cent.
On the 1st of April, 1876, there were outstanding certificates of indebtedness amounting to $3,484,856.81. This amount has been reduced to $956,114.89. To this amount should be added $150,000 of the new form of revenue warrants issued May 4, 1876, by the previous administration, to retire same amount of old certificates, and which appears below in the amount of revenue warrants outstanding on taxes of 1875.
Revenue time warrants, based on the several tax levies, and in accordance with the decision of the circuit court of Cook county, as announced by Judge McAllister, have been issued and delivered during the year as follows:
On the levy of 1875...$510,458.34
Of which there has been redeemed...$305,065.75
Leaving a balance outstanding of...$205,392.59
On the levy of 1876...$2,609,666.89
Of which there has been redeemed...$309,181.37
Leaving a balance outstanding of...$2,300,485.52
On the levy of 1877...$339,900.00
Total certificates and warrants outstanding April 1, 1877, were as follows:
Old certificates of indebtedness, issued prior to April 1, 1876...$956,114.89
New revenue-warrants on tax levy of 1875...$205,392.59
New revenue-warrants on tax levy of 1876...$2,300,485.52
New revenue-warrants on tax levy of 1877...$339,900.00
Total...$3,801,893.00
The bonded debt of the city is as follows:
Six per cent. bonds...$1,200,000.00
Seven per cent. bonds...$12,254,000.00
Total, April 1st, 1877...$13,454,000.00
Of this amount $272,000 in six per cent. water-loan bonds mature July 1, 1877.
The total amount of old certificates and new warrants outstanding April 1, 1877, has been reduced $270,000 since that time and further reductions are being made from receipts from taxes as opportunity offers.
The remarkable growth and confidence in Chicago securities during the past year is shown in the fact that past due seven per cent. paper issued by a previous administration has lately sold at a premium in New York, while our own bankers and business men have offered us several hundred thousand dollars at seven per cent., which has been declined for the present.
Only nine months ago the Finance Committee, Comptroller and Mayor were compelled to beg for funds while offering interest at eight per cent. per annum. The reason for this change is principally due to the fact that the revenues of the city have been collected thoroughly, and the expenses reduced inside our income.
Educational Department
The school population of the city increases with great rapidity, being about four thousand children of school age per annum.
At the close of the last fiscal year the enrollment was 40,835. During the year it grew to 43,512, showing an increase nearly equivalent to the capacity of four twelve room buildings.
Making allowance for pupils in private schools, for persons of school age in regular employment, and for persons of school age who have completed the course of study prescribed for the public schools, there are not less than 25,000 of school age in the city who do not attend. Of this number a great many would go to school were there sufficient accommodations in their districts.
I give in this connection a statement of appropriations heretofore made for the purchase of school sites and for the erection of school buildings, upon which nothing has been done, owing to the failure on the part of the city in collecting her taxes, especially the levies of 1873 and 1874.
Appropriations have been made for the purchase of eight school sites, as follows:
June 30, 1873-
Near Twenty-sixth and Halsted streets...$7,500
Near Twelfth street and Centre avenue...15,000
Near Armour and Indiana streets...10,000
June 30, 1874-
Near Walnut street and Kedzie avenue...7,500
June 30, 1875-
Near Oak and Bremer streets...12,000
Near Wallace and Thirty-fifth streets...8,500
Near Fourth street and Western avenue...10,000
Near Hirsch and Rockwell streets...4,000
Total appropriations for school sites...$74,500
No one of the above sites has been purchased, and $74,500 remains to the credit of the school site fund when collected.
At the same dates as above, appropriations were made for the erection of thirteen school buildings:
June 30, 1873-
Twenty-sixth and Halsted streets...$30,000
Twelfth street and Centre avenue...30,000
June 30, 1874-
City lots, La Salle street and North avenue...26,000
Near Brighton...3,000
Armour and Indiana streets...26,000
Paulina and Van Buren streets...26,000
June 30, 1875-
Oak and Bremer streets...23,000
Franklin school lot...23,000
Wallace and Thirty-fifth streets...20,000
Near Brighton, Lincoln and Thirty-fifth streets, (additional)...17,000
Centre avenue and Nineteenth streets...23,000
Fourth street and Western avenue...23,000
Wicker park school lot...23,000
Kedzie avenue and Walnut street...23,000
Division High School appropriation of 1877, to be erected on West Side water lot...30,000
Total (unexpended) for buildings...$346,000
Total (unexpended) for sites and buildings...$420,500
If our taxes were collected, the provisions already made would, in my judgment, be sufficient to afford school accommodations for nearly all applicants in the city desiring such an education, and it is for the tax-payers to decide (upon whom the responsibility chiefly rests,) whether this shall be remedied by the payment of their taxes or not. The importance of the back-tax bill in this connection alone, is apparent to all.
Department of Public Works
The various public improvements undertaken and completed under the direction of this department during the last municipal year were, up to the 18th day of September, 1876, under the management and control of the late Board of Public Works. On that day, by an ordinance passed by the City Council, said board was abolished, and the duties and authority of its commissioners were vested in the Mayor of the city.
In the transfer of such authority the city has suffered no appreciable inconvenience or delay in prosecuting or completing its various public improvements, nor in carrying forward the general duties and responsibilities connected with the department.
The general decrease in the number of persons employed, and the reduction of the salaries of those who remain, bringing the expenditure of the department down to fully one-half the amount of the monthly payroll of the years preceding, has not detracted or taken from the different departments any of their skill, experience or efficiency.
The following statement is deemed of sufficient interest in this connection to incorporate here:
The reductions by dismissals from the water department amounted per annum to...$30,000
From the special assessment department...4,600
From the superintendent’s department...19,800
From the sewerage department...8,100
Miscellaneous...15,000
Total...$77,500
Reduction in the salaries of the present officers and employes...15,000
Total amount of reductions and savings in salaries...$92,500
The total amount received from water-tax collections during the past year was $833,963.78, being an increase over the previous year of about $65,000. Total expense of operating and maintaining the water-works amounted to $281,700.26. The interest on bonded debt and money loaned is $351,128.03, making the total expenditures $632,828.29, and showing the very remarkable surplus of $201,135.49.
It will be seen by the statement that the revenue derived from water-tax collections is sufficient, after paying all running expenses, salaries, and interest on water bonds, to carry forward all necessary water-pipe extension, together with ordinary machinery and other repairs.
The North side pumping works are believed to be in better condition now than ever before, all the machinery having been thoroughly examined and repaired, and consequently the outlay on them during the present year will be necessarily small.
The West side pumping works commenced pumping on the 6th of November last, and have shown their capacity to pump with ease more water, and to a greater heighth, than the contract required, and have, within the past few days, filled all the requirements of the contract to the entire satisfaction of the experts selected to make the test.
Police Department
During the year ending March 31 the number of patrolmen in this department has been reduced from 565 to 482.
Of this number seventy-three were discharged on the 1st of August last, which, together with the reduction of ten men ordered by the council, leave but 482 men on duty.
The police force of a city like ours requires constant and careful attention and scrutiny. Its members are subject to more and greater temptations than any other public servants. They have a watchful, keen, and unscrupulous foe to contend with, who will not hesitate to bring all the influences which man’s ingenuity can devise to corrupt them or render them inefficient, and, failing in that, to break them down by perjury, slander, or other devices.
After a careful examination of the force, it has been found necessary to make several changes in order to improve its efficiency.
This process of weeding out is necessarily a slow one, and requires calm yet decisive action; but the subject is receiving close attention, and I am confident our police force will shortly be, as is already indicated by its work, one of the most thorough and best disciplined in the country.
The expenses of this department for the last quarter were $128,523, against $170,803 for the corresponding period of the year previous.
The amount appropriated for the current fiscal year is $504,984.42. Owing to the change in the fiscal year, only nine months’ appropriation could be made by the previous administration.
For these nine months, to-wit: from April 1 to Dec. 31, 1876, $521,370.45 were appropriated for the police force, being $16,386.03 more than that for the entire current fiscal year.
Adding the one quarter at a corresponding rate to the sum asked for the nine months, makes the appropriation for the current fiscal year about $140,000 less than the appropriation for the year previous.
The police force is now, as they were to a great extent heretofore, called upon to perform several duties in addition to their regular police duty, such as notifying delinquent licensees, serving notices on owners of defective sidewalks to repair the same, repressing violations of the building and health ordinances, besides other duties of a similar character.
Fire Department
Adequate protection from fire in any city necessarily involves much expense, especially in cities covering a wide expanse of territory; yet the advantages derived cannot be over estimated in value, and I am certain we have very few citizens in our midst who are not willing to accord a liberal meed of praise to, and who do not feel that their property and personal safety are secure under the guardianship of our fire department.
Several changes have been made from time to time during the last year in its organization and equipment, and I believe it is to-day as efficient, if not more so, than any fire department in the county.
Health Department
Peculiarly situated as Chicago is, the condition of our sanitary department should be a subject of vital importance, and should be jealously guarded by those having the direction of municipal affairs.
The department in its various forms of existence has always been of some positive good to the city, but that more effective work could and should have been rendered, no one cognizant of its history for past years will doubt.
This department is now in charge [sic.] of an experienced and energetic officer, and I have no doubt the result of his labors will, during the coming summer, be seen in the improved sanitary condition of the city.
House of Correction
In the house of correction department no change has occurred in the board of inspectors nor in the superintendency since the opening of the prison as a correctional institution, Jan. 15, 1872.
Prisoners have been humanely treated, the sanitary condition of the institution has been faultless, economy of management in the expenditure of money has been commendable, and the labor of the prisoners has been so utilized that appropriations from the treasury were not asked for its support during the last nor for the present fiscal year.
There is one necessity in this department, however, and that is the construction of a separate prison for females, thereby making room for the better separation and classification of the male prisoners.
With the present accommodations there is insufficient room in the male wing for the ordinary number of male inmates, and necessarily the young and the old, the first offender and the hardened criminal, are brought into contact and frequently are confined in dormitories with each other.
The remedy above suggested seems to be the most feasible of any that I can recommed.
Buildings Department
In this department the expense has been very materially reduced.
The report of the superintendent covers the period between Oct. 1, 1876, when that officer assumed the duties of his office, and March 31, 1877.
The report shows that during the term named six hundred and eighteen building permits were issued, and two hundred and twenty-six permits to move buildings.
The number of buildings erected was eight hundred and forty-five, representing a value of $2,706,300, and a frontage of seventeen thousand six hundred and thirty feet.
The amount of builder’s water-tax, certified to by the department, was $3,117 79.
The total expense of the department was $5,680 63.
The present force of the department consists of one superintendent, one secretary and two inspectors, and under these circumstances the average monthly cost of running this branch of the service is $500.
The superintendent has made a thorough and careful survey of all the theatres and public halls, churches, schools, etc., in the city, and has plans thereof on file in his office.
I would respectfully suggest that all reasonable and legal support be afforded to this department in the shape of the passage of requisite ordinances.
In view of the late instances of the appalling loss of life in sister cities, arising mainly from want of proper restrictive legislation in regard to the construction of public buildings, this suggestion will, I am sure, meet your approval.
Many of the places of public meeting in this city require important attention to render them safe for occupancy by large throngs of people, but without the necessary power which may be conferred by the enactment of wise and stringent ordinances, the city authorities are unable to enforce their requests.
The Public Library
Despite the reduction in the appropriation for the public library in 1876, the institution has performed a successful and useful mission the past year, although it has been able to meet only partially the ever-increasing demands made on its limited resources.
The present number of volumes is 50,810, an increase of 1,786 volumes over the number on the shelves the last year.
These were principally gifts, no purchases new and current books having been made, as the income of the institution has scarcely been sufficient to pay running expenses.
During the year the number of registered book-borrowers increased 7,336, making the whole number of persons to whom cards have been issued 39,239.
As it was required to reduce the running expenses to the lowest point, it was found desirable to close the circulating department at 6 o’clock P.M., from August 1, but it became necessary to open on two evenings of each week after December 19.
The daily call for books has been very great, and, owing to there not being a sufficient number of duplicates of books much sought after and the lack of a sufficient corps of attendants, patrons of the library have had to endure much delay.
The institution, however, grows daily in popularity and proportional circulation. It is nearly twice as large as that of any other library in the United States, excepting the public library of Boston, which possesses many advantages which our library cannot expect to have for years to come.
The first report after the opening of the library showed that eighty-three per cent. of the books issued were works of fiction and juvenile composition, while now the call for these classes of books does not exceed fifty-eight per cent. The average proportion of issue of books of this kind in all libraries in the country is about seventy-five per cent. From personal observation I am satisfied the institution is a useful one and should be encouraged.
As stated already, the demand for books is far grater than the library, with its present resources, can supply. This, however, cannot at present be remedied, and not until, by the observance of practical economy in all branches of the administration, the condition of the city’s finances shall have obtained a healthy standard, can the library be appreciably enlarged, unless by private enterprise of our well-to-do and well-disposed citizens.
The appropriations recently made, however, will enable the board of directors to add a very respectable number of volumes to the library.
Gas
In the matter of gas consumed I am able to show to your honorable body a considerable saving.
There are at present 10,527 street gas lamps under the control of the city. Of this number 3,052 are in the South Division; 2,134 in the North, 5,341 in the West Division. The average consumption per lamp, during the year ending April 1, 1877, was 12,316 cubic feet in the South and North Divisions, and 13,093 cubic feet in the West Division.
During the previous year the consumption per lamp, in the last named division was 19,672 feet, and in the South and North divisions, 19,241.
This reduction is owing to the change in the size of the burners, and in lessening the number of hours of burning.
The largest saving has been effected during the last four months, the consumption of gas per lamp within that time having been only 3,380 cubic feet in the South and North divisions, and 3,912 in the West division, while during the corresponding period last year in the South and North divisions the consumption was 7,337 cubic feet, and in the West division 7,478, or a little more than double.
Constant supervision has been had over the test meters and burners, which are examined and tested at frequent intervals, and reports are carefully made of the lamps not lighted, and deductions made monthly from the bills sent in.
The burners now in use are tested to consume 3.3 cubic feet of gas per hour, under pressure of two inches of water, but the average street pressure being greater than two inches, the actual consumption is about 3.8 cubic feet per hour.
Without making an accurate estimate from the foregoing data I can safely say that the total savings in this matter of gas alone is over $300,000 per annum.
I have, gentlemen, perhaps needlessly reviewed the principal departments of the city, and in most cases given you facts and figures contrasting the changes that have been made during the past year. The Council have, in all these matters of economy and reform, filled the expectations of the community.
Our financial condition is now healthy and prosperous. The credit and good name of our city is restored. The expenses of all the departments have been reduced without impairing the public service in any particular. On the contrary, it must be apparent to all who have examined the question, that the large reduction in the number of city employes has benefitted the several departments and increased their efficiency.
During the years of our very remarkable prosperity, persons were frequently employed by the city whose services were not required. A vague feeling seemed to exist that the ideas of economy and business sagacity, governing all careful people in their private matters, did not include the expenditure of money from the public treasury, and as a result, the several departments of the city had a proportion of unnecessary help.
The Council, with a due appreciation of the dangerous tendency of an habitual personal solicitation for position in the city, have, as a matter of principle, declined to press the claims of friends for any place in the gift of the executive or of the heads of departments.
Though I think it evident the reduction of our expenses was a matter of duty, on the ground alone that it could be done without injury to the service, it was also a matter of necessity, and this necessity still exists.
Our people are poor and many of them unemployed; taxation is yet heavy, and frequently amounts to practical confiscation. We cannot force tribute where there is none to give. Taxation must be reduced, if possible, to meet the exigencies of the times.
But while the economy and retrenchment, and the strict and impartial enforcement of the laws will, and should be, the central idea of the present administration, as it was of the past, we should not lose sight of the fact that in all our economical measures we should be governed by a wise discretion.
It is incumbent on us to make the funds in the public treasury purchase as much as funds to the credit of any private citizen, and if we fall short of this we will not properly execute our trusts. But it would not be sound economy to reduce expenditures by crippling necessary branches of the public service, or by preventing improvements required for the health and welfare of our citizens. The sewerage under contract, provided for by the Council, should be completed without unnecessary delay, and, should the taxes due the city for the years 1873 and 1874 be covered into the treasury, a portion at least of the additional school accommodations, for which appropriations have already been made, should be provided.
In my message to the Council last July I called attention to the collection of the back taxes for the years 1873 and 1874, and thought, upon an opinion from the law department, that the collection of the taxes might be enforced. The suggestions then made have taken practical shape by the introduction in the State legislature of two bills, both seeking to attain the same object, and containing practically the same provisions.
As the passage of either one of these bills is of the greatest importance to the city, it is very unfortunate that the fate of the measure is jeopardized on account of the division of its friends. If either of these bills should become a law and prove a constitutional enactment, as there seems no doubt that it would, then we have arrived at the beginning of the end of our financial difficulties, and of the time when our certificates of indebtedness shall all be entirely paid off.
It will be my aim, gentlemen, as the executive officer of the city, to look with the closest scrutiny upon all matters involving the expenditure of public moneys, and in enforcing, as the obligations of my office require me to do, the provisions of the city charter and the laws and ordinances now enacted, and which may, from time to time, be enacted by you. I will confidently seek your advice and assistance.
Source
- Chicago City Council. Journal of the Proceedings, April 30, 1877, p. 1–5.
