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CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
THE
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
AT THE
Organization of the City Government,
JANUARY 3, 1881.
AND THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 18, 1880.
OF NEWBURYPORT.
CITY
TERRA MARIQUE MDCCCLI
NEWBURYPORT : WILLIAM H. HUSE & CO., PRINTERS, 42 STATE STREET. 1881.
CONTENTS.
CITY GOVERNMENT, 1881,
· Page 5
STANDING COMMITTEES,
7
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS,
9
WARD OFFICERS, 10
MAYOR COUCH'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
13
REPORT of the Overseers of the Poor . 23
Directors of the Public Library .
31
Board of Health .
49
Chief Engineer
65 81
RULES AND REGULATIONS relating to the Hale Fund REPORT of the City Solicitor
85 86
City Marshal
City Clerk
91
Board of Assessors
94
Inspector of Milk
96 97
Commissioners of Atkinson Common
100
Sinking Fund Commissioners, relating to the Horton Fund 101
Sinking Fund Commissioners
102
Treasurer of the Follansbee Fund
105
Committee on Dexter and Atwood Funds .
106
Committee on Bromfield Fund
109
Committee on Sawyer Fund
109
Committee on Brown Fund
110
Committee on Putnam Fund
110
Committee on Atkinson Fund
111
Committee on Fire Department .
112
Committee on Bridges and Culverts
113
Committee on Finance
116
City Auditor
117
TABULAR STATEMENT of Appropriations and Expenditures
119
TREASURER'S REPORT of Receipts and Expenditures
120
Sealer of Weights and Measures
4
CONTENTS.
REPORT of the Collector of Taxes
. 122
STATEMENT of Income and Expenditures
124
City Debt
125
Debts due the City of Newburyport . 126 .
Account with the State of Massachusetts .
126 127
Account with the Commissioners of Atkinson Common
127
TRIAL BALANCE of the City Treasurer's books, Dec. 18, 1880 SCHEDULE of Public Property 128 130
DETAILED STATEMENT OF EXPENSES of the Poor Department
School Department
142
Fire Department .
162 169
Highway Department .
Incidental Department
181 191
COST OF KEEPING the City Teams
199
ESTIMATED EARNINGS of the City Teams .
199
DETAILED STATEMENT of the Expenses of the Police Department Salaries of City Officials
200
Interest paid on Notes and Bonds
.
207 210
Expenses of the Fuel Department
·
214
Expenses for Lighting Streets and Public Buildings.
217
Expenditures of the Committee on Bromfield Fund .
220
Expenditures for Bridges and Culverts
Expenses of the Public Library
.
Promissory Notes Paid
Expenditures charged to the State of Massachusetts Board of Water Commissioners
STATEMENT in relation to the Abatement of Taxes
Widening of Merrimac Street,
Non-Resident Bank Tax
Income from Public Buildings
Amount received on account of Taxes
Increase of the Sinking Fund
Expenditures on Atkinson Common .
Liquor Licenses .
State and County Taxes
REPORT of the Board of Water Commissioners Henry M. Wightman, Civil Engineer .
·243
Karl Castelhun, Chemist .
252
APPROVAL of the source of supply selected by the Newburyport Water Company 255
CLOSING ADDRESS of Mayor John J. Currier
257
REPORT of the School Committee .
.
265
.
.
.
.
222 223 226 229 230 232 233 233 234 234 234 235 235 236 237
Public Property Department ,
.
CITY GOVERNMENT-1881.
MAYOR-ROBERT COUCH.
ALDERMEN.
Ward 1-ENOCH GERRISH, Ward 4-ARTHUR C. RICHARDSON,
Ward 2-ROBERT G. SARGENT, Ward 5-JOSEPH HALL,
Word 3-HENRY M. CROSS, Ward 6-JONATHAN KENISTON.
Clerk of the Board of Aldermen-GEORGE H. STEVENS.
COMMON COUNCIL.
WILLARD J. HALE, President. THOMAS E. CUTTER, Clerk.
Ward 1 - WILLIAM STANWOOD, RUFUS ADAMS,
HIRAM H. LANDFORD,
Ward 4-THOMAS H. DAVIS,
CHARLES H. SARGENT,
BERKELEY JOHNSON,
Ward 2-WILLIAM HOLKER. Ward 5-H. G. JOHNSON, JR.,
HIRAM P. MACINTOSH, JOHN L. DODGE. FRANK N. EVANS,
HARRIS C. PEARSON,
Ward 3-WILLARD J. HALE, Ward 6-JOSEPH C. ADAMS,
PHILIP H. BLUMPEY, JR., FRANK E. CUTTER, JOHN W. RICKER, SAMUEL E. EMERY.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
HON. ROBERT COUCH, Chairman, ex-officio. DR. J. F. YOUNG, Sec'y. DR. JAMES A. MERRILL, Vice-chairman. DR. A. B. DEARBORN, Agt.
Ward 1-FRANK A HALE, JOHN W. WINDER,
Ward 2-STEPHEN COLLINS, GEORGE E. POOR,
Ward 4-HARRISON G. JOHNSON, CHARLES L. DAVIS, Ward 5-ALVAH B. DEARBORN, FRANCIS A. HOWE,
Ward 3-DAVID T. WOODWELL Ward 6-JAMES A. MERRILL. JOHN F. YOUNG, CHARLES A. CURRIER.
6
CITY GOVERNMENT.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
FRANCIS W. PUTNAM, CHARLES NOYES, JOHN P. EVANS. Clerk of Overseers of the Poor-WILLIAM H. BAYLEY,
ASSESSORS. CHAS. J. BROCKWAY, G. W. JACKMAN, JR., NATH'L GREELEY.
BOARD OF HEALTH. DR GEO. W. SNOW, ELISHA P. DODGE, WILLIAM H. MUNROE. Clerk of the Board of Health-GEORGE H. STEVENS.
City Clerk-GEORGE H. STEVENS. Treasurer and Collector-GEORE W. PIPER. City Solicitor-AMOS NOYES. City Auditor- EDWARD BURRILL. City Physician-GEORGE W. SNOW. City Messenger-JOSEPH M. TAPPAN. Superintendent of Streets-DANIEL C. BATCHELDER. Librarian of Public Library-HIRAM A. TENNEY.
Superintendent of Reading Room-MARTHA P. LUNT, Sealer of Weights and Measures-CHARLES R. SARGENT. Inspector of Milk and Vinegar-CHARLES R. SARGENT. Chief Engineer of the Fire Department-JOHN S. FROST. City Marshal-EDWARD E. TAYLOR.
Assistant Marshal, Day Officer, Captain of Watch, JAMES STANTON.
GEORGE B. HICKEN. HIRAM JANVRIN.
NIGHT WATCHMEN.
DANIEL RYAN, CHAS. W. PAGE,
ALBERT D. HALE, ROBERT BRAGG,
JACOB P. TORREY, ALLEN MCLEAN
SPECIAL NIGHT PATROL.
IRA F. H. BLAKE,
JOHN H. DANIELS.
SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS. HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR, ex-officio, PRESIDENT OF THE COMMON COUNCIL, ex-officio. CITY AUDITOR, ex-officio. EBEN SUMNER, EDWARD A. MOSELEY,
COMMITTEES.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
On Police, MAYOR, ex-officio; Aldermen HALL and GERRISH.
On Elections, Aldermen CROSS and RICHARDSON.
On Putnam and Atkinson Funds. Aldermen KENISTON, RICHARDSON, and GERRISH.
On Licenses, Aldermen CROSS, SARGENT, and KENISTON.
On Enrolled Bills, Aldermen CROSS, SARGENT and RICHARDSON.
On Follansbee Fund, The MAYOR and BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
On Bromfield Fund, Aidermen KENISTON, SARGENT and CROSS.
On Frothingham Fund, Aldermen CROSS, HALL, and GERRISH.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COMMON COUNCIL.
On Elections and Returns, Councilmen LANDFORD, EVANS and CUTTER.
On Bills of Second Reading. Conncilmen STANWOOD, EMERY and PEARSON.
On Enrolled Bills, Councilmen JOSEPH C. ADAMS, DODGE, and H. G. JOHNSON, JR
· CITY GOVERNMENT.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
On Finance, The MAYOR, ex-officio; Alderman CROSS; Councilmen STANWOOD, EVANS, BLUMPEY, SARGENT and EMERY.
On Accounts, Aldermen CROSS and RICHARDSON; Councilman SARGENT, RICKER and CUTTER.
On Public Property, .Aldermen KENISTON and CROSS; Councilmen DAVIS, RUFUS AD- AMS, and HIRAM P. MACINTOSH.
On Highways, The MAYOR, ex-officio; BOARD OF ALDERMEN ; Councilmen CUTTER, PEARSON, DAVIS, BLUMPEY, HOLKER, and LANDFORD.
On Fire Department, Aldermen GERRISH, HALL and RICHARDSON; Councilmen HOLKER SARGENT, MACINTOSH and LANDFORD.
On Bridges and Culverts, Aldermen CROSS and SARGENT; Councilmen EVANS, J. C. ADAMS, and RICKER.
On Lighting Streets, Aldermen HALL, and CROSS: Councilmen RUFUS ADAMS, EVANS, and EMERY.
On Claims, Aldermen CROSS and SARGENT; Councilmen DODGE. SARGENT and HOLKER.
On Fuel, Aldermen KENISTON and GERRISH; Councilmen EMERY, H. G. JOHN- SON, JR., and RUFUS ADAMS.
On Ordinances, The MAYOR, ex-officio; Councilmen, DODGE and B. JOHNSON.
On Alms House and Poor, Aldermen KENISTON and GERRISH; Councilman DAVIS, HOLKER EVANS, STANWOOD and RICKER. ·
On Public Instruction,
The MAYOR, ex-officio; Aldermen GERRISH and CROSS; President HALE, ex-officio; Councilmen BLUMPEY, B. JOHNSON, DODGE and J. C. ADAMS.
On Printing, Aldermen HALL; Councilmen MACINTOSH and DAVIS.
3
CITY GOVERNMENT.
On Sawyer Fund, Aldermen KENISTON; Councilmen H. G. JOHNSON, JR., and EMERY.
On Brown Fund, Aldermen CROSS; Councilmen PEARSON and B. JOHNSON. On Atwood Fund, The MAYOR, ex-officio: President of the Common Council, ex-officio; City City Treasurer, ex-officio.
Clerk of Standing committees of City Council, GEORGE H. STEVENS.
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS-1881
SURVEYORS OF LUMBER.
ohn T. Fillmore.
eorge W. Marston,
Edward Perkins,
Geo. W. Jackman, jr.,
Villiam E. McQuillen,
Amos Pettingell,
Charles S. Lovejoy,
Iervey Kimball,
W. B. Coffin,
John W. S. Colby.
rank W. Evans,
Walter S. Morse,
Sewell W. Morse, Robert C. Atkinson.
ohn P. Evans,
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK.
Villiam S. Coffin,
Hervey Kimball, George W. Varina,
hilip H. Creasey, James V. Felker,
icholas Varina,
William Noyes, Amos Coffin.
MEASURERS OF CHARCOAL.
Tervey Kimball. Charles R. Sargent, George J. George.
WEIGHERS AND MEASURERS OF CITY FUEL.
ervey Kimball,
George J. George, Stephen Coker,
Leonard W. Coker.
MEASURERS OF GRAIN.
'aul Titcomb, Cornelius Shea,
Hale Knight, Joseph Knight,
Moses Bartlett, Moses C. Rolfe,
Charles B. Knight.
INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGAR.
Charles R. Sargent.
GAUGERS.
Charles W. Hale,
Philip C. Mason.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. Charles R. Sargent.
Joseph L. Johnson,
Willi: m Thurston, jr.,
10
CITY GOVERNMENT.
WEIGHERS OF COAL, HAY, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE,
Stephen Coker,
George J. George,
Edward H. George,
Amos Coffin, Henry M. Cross.
George W. Varina,
Chirles C. Stockmiu.
William S. Coffin,
Nicholas Varina,
. Samuel S > ner >v. William Noyes,
Oliver T. Littlefield.
Leonard W. Coker,
Hiram Watts,
John C. Stanley.
INSPECTOR OF CHARCOAL BASKETS.
Charles R. Sargent.
FENCE VIEWERS.
Hervey Kimball,
Charles H. Good win, John A. Cooper.
FIELD DRIVERS.
Mark W. Foye,
Jame; W. Welch.
Thomas G. Dodge,
Thom is Coffey.
William Stickney,
Chirles W. Merrill,
Nicholas W. Bartlett,
Augustus Safford, Luther Ordway.
POUND KEEPERS.
James Atwool, Pound N ). 1, Aubarn st. Luther Ord way, Pound No. 2 Wesley st.
.
COMMON CRIER. Enoch C. Flanders.
FISH WARDEN. John F. Lee.
INSPECTOR OF COAL OIL.
John Huse.
WARD OFFICERS.
WARD ONE .-- Warden, Moses E. Cook ; Clerk, John C. Lang ; Inspectors, Alph- eus G. Knight, Thomas B. Robbins, Daniel P. Noyes.
WARD Two. - Warden, Samuel K. Gilman ; Clerk, John Burke; Inspectors, Isaac Poore. jr .. Daniel A. Pingry, Joseph Barlow.
WARD THREE .- Warden, Cyrus T. Goodwin ; Clerk, George E. Donnels; In spectors, Fred W. Young, Benjamin G. Davis, Alonzo R. Nutter.
WARD FOUR. - Warden, William J. Creasey ; Clerk, William S. Goodwin ; In - spectors, William H. Welch, Sam. E. Sargent, William H. T. Dodge.
WARD FIVE .- Warden, Charles J. Cutter; Clerk, Wm. H. P. Howard ; Inspec- tors, George H. Smart, George A. Pearson, Roland H. Hooper.
WARD SIX .- Warden, James Anderson ; Clerk, Eugene F. Lee ; Inspectors, Charles H. Lunt, William Ives, Benjamin F. Stanley.
Junes V. Felker,
George M. Warner,
Philip H. Creasey.
John J. Foley,
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. ROBERT COUCH,
MAYOR.
ADDRESS
OF
HON. ROBERT COUCH,
MAYOR.
Gentlemen of the City Council :-
Our fellow citizens in the exercise of their rights, and looking to the best interests of the community, have selected us to represent them in the municipal government for the year 1881. Having taken the oath of office, we now meet to perfect our organiza- tion by selecting the different committees and choos- ing the different officers that are necessary to care for the interests of the city. Much depends upon our suc- cess in this matter. Let no personal prejudice enter into what we. do.
It depends upon us to see that the people who elected us receive full value for all the money they pay in taxes, and that no one shall be allowed pay for unnecessary services, while every one shall receive a
14
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
fair compensation for work done. Let no one fatten at the public expense! Let no claims based on exces- sive and exorbitant charges be allowed. It becomes also the duty of the different committees to see that there is no waste of public property of any kind, and that present leakages, if there be any, at once be stopped.
THE INTRODUCTION OF WATER.
These suggestions appear proper at the present time, from the fact that we are about to increase our respon- sibilities by the introduction of water for mechanical and fire purposes. For drinking and all household purposes, no better water can be found than that which comes up from our wells; and under no circumstan- ces should they be discontinued or used for sewerage, as has been recommended by some of the earnest ad- vocates of the introduction of a larger supply of water.
It is apparent to every one that the days of our prosperity as shipbuilders and owners are passing away. Our ship-yards are now idle. They will soon be falling into decay unless some new business comes to aid them. The signs of the times clearly indicate that we must turn our attention to manufacturing, so falling into line with our sister cities along the river that drive more spindles than any other in the world; and, if we put into this industry the same energy our fathers put into commerce, Newburyport will soon be prepared to take its place once more as a thriving and
,
15
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
growing community. Our location has a good and easy access from the ocean, as well as immediate con- nection by rail with Boston and New York. When the improvements now contemplated by the govern- ment, the deepening of the entrance to our beautiful river by forming jetties at its mouth, thus increasing the depth of water over the bar to twenty feet at low water, are completed, as no doubt they will be in a short time, we shall have one of the finest harbors of refuge on the New England coast. Once again vessels will appear at our wharves with coal and other merchandise for Haverhill, Lawrence, and other pla- ces in the Merrimac valley, and also to supply our own factories and people at a reduced cost.
If we become a manufacturing city we must have an abundance of pure rain water; and I am informed that one of Boston's best engineers has reported that we have facilities which only need improving at small expense to give us all we require for a city of 50,000 inhabitants. We have a future, opening to us large possibilities of material prosperity. Shall we be worthy of it, and go forward-thus keeping our sons at home as mechanics and men of business, or shall we, in this transition time, remain inert and ease our minds by saying, " It is of no use; nothing succeeds here?" If we are disposed to take this position, we have already decided the case against ourselves. The far-seeing and practical business men who lately bought the Ocean mill have already nearly doubled
A
16
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
its capacity, and think our city a better place for the business than some others in which they are large mill owners. We also have a large shoe manufactory on Pleasant street, a very beehive of industry, while new business enterprises are starting in different parts of the city.
But, aside from manufacturing purposes, we are sadly in need of water for the extinguishment of fires. We need only look about us to see how many evidences of danger there are from this source. If the large manufacturing block near the centre of the city should take fire in a time of drought, and with a fresh breeze blowing, the disaster might be terrible.
We need water, and water in abundance. The peo- ple's money, however, should not be paid to any one unless it is demonstrated that we are to have it. It would be better to remain as we are rather than to undertake its introduction unless it can come in prop- erly and from a never-failing source. Underground springs, for manufacturing purposes, in my opinion, are too uncertain to warrant the expenditure of the people's money. Such a scheme would result in in- creasing the taxes without securing to the city an ad- equate benefit.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Another subject of great imporance is the police department. All good and well-behaved citizens ask and have a right to expect an efficient police force.
17
INANGURAL ADDRESS.
And yet, all people acquainted with the difficulties in the selection of men suitable for the place will sympa- thize with you if they are satisfied that you have done your best under the circumstances. Should an un- suitable person secure an appointment, let it be under- stood that he will be discharged at once for any neg- lect of duty. None but· men of well-known temper- ate habits should be appointed. It is my desire that this force should be efficient, and certainly it can not be efficient without an efficient chief. The large in- crease of travel on our river during the summer months, particularly on Sunday, besides the bringing to our city by rail of a large number of excursionists, calls for increased care, that our well-disposed and church-going population may not be disturbed by that class of people who rush to the seashore for a whiff of the sea breezes during the hot months. While. perhaps we may not have the right, if we have the power, to deny a sail on the river to people who have been confined in the workshops during the week, and find that Sunday is the only day on which they can enjoy such a pleasure, it certainly is our duty to see that they keep good order on the streets.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This department for the present is in good condi- tion and well organized, requiring no special mention except to say that the services of our fireman are ap- preciated by the public. Such changes, of course, as the times demand should be made when rendered nec-
18
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
essary. If the introduction of water for the extin- guishment of fires should prove successful during the coming summer, and any important change be made necessary in consequence thereof, your attention will be called to it at the proper time, and a reorganization of the department effected to suit the new order of things.
People are apt to complain of the expense of the fire department when the men have nothing to do, but let the fire fiend break loose, and immediately goes up the cry: "Where are the firemen?" And the proud boast that such a company was earliest in posi- · tion, and began pouring the first stream, is noised abroad to its credit, as it should be. A good and ex- perienced chief is always needed here, and none oth- er should be chosen for political or any other reasons. The people want all the protection from this depart- ment that is possible. While we are not rich enough to be extravagant, whatever is necessary should be furnished, to render it thoroughly efficient.
HIGHWAYS.
The highways and streets generally appear to be in a fair condition. Some progress has been made in paving Merrimac street from the Market to the foot of Green street with granite cubes. This was great- ly needed, and the improvement in travel is marked. Pleasant street is also in bad condition, and as it is one of our busiest thoroughfares, perhaps it might be well to pave it next, and continue from year to year
19
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
with other streets as circumstances may direct. If the introduction of water increases our business, as it . appears to me it will, there will be also a substantial increase of taxable property ; and while for some time to come the taxes may not be lower, yet the earnings of our wage-laborers will be so much improved that it will be much easier for people to pay them.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
The worthy poor that are citizens of our good old city never should be allowed to suffer. Whosoever cares for them will surely receive his reward. The overseers who are to look after this interest during the year are men not only of prudence but of kindly dispositions. The clerk of the board is competent and worthy. We are indebted here to Dr. Wheel- wright, who has acquired large experience by many years of active service as a member of the Board of State Charities, and who has, since his return to the home of his fathers, taken a deep interest in this de- partment.
I feel assured that everything that is needed will be done to improve this very important board. New- buryport has always been noted for her thoughtful care of the poor. She is ready and willing still to as- sist her own; but it is certain that her people should not be taxed, without their consent, to care for the idle vagrants who wander from place to place seeking some favored spot which shall prove an exception to
20
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
the universal law of work. Let us prove that New- buryport is a very good place to live in if people are disposed to work, and a very poor place for the idle vagrant.
SCHOOLS.
During the past year the largest religious society in our city began the work of founding parochial schools. A building that will seat five or six hundred children is nearing completion. Here they propose, through experienced and well-educated teachers, to give their children not only the usual elements of an education, but also to train them in the religion of their fathers and mothers.
However we may differ as to the wisdom of the pa- rochial school system, surely none would deny the right, especially as they will have to pay for their own school, and will be taxed also for the maintenance of the common school system. This issue has been set- tled by the state, which has decided wisely, in my opinion, that the people are not to be taxed to support sectarian schools, and while all citizens alike can en- joy the benefit of the present school system as estab- lished by law, no one sect shall have special schools for its exclusive benefit at the public cost. When the time comes for the withdrawal of this large num- ber of children from the public schools, some change will doubtless be recommended by the school commit- tee for your consideration. While I have very decid- ed opinions on some changes that might be useful in
21
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
reference to our High and Putnam schools I think the time has not yet come to express them. Whatever is decided as best, however, will receive no factious op- position from me. My only desire is that our schools may be as efficient as possible, that the sons of New- buryport, in all the future as in the past, may find themselves thoroughly equipped and may continue to fill, as they are filling to-day in all parts of the land, posts of responsibility in the commercial and profes- sional world, with credit to themselves and with hon- or to their native city.
PUBLIC LIARARY.
This institution being in part under your charge merits the attention of your fostering care. We hope the time is not far distant when some public-spirited citizens of wealth will feel it a privilege to aid in in- creasing its usefulness by giving it a liberal endow ment. One gentleman, now, from year to year, pro- vides a public reading room largely at his own ex- pense. To be recognized thus as a public benefactor in the founding and strengthening of such institu- tions is erecting the best monument to one's memory.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
His Honor, Mayor Currier, in his valedictory ad- dress delivered this week before the city council, gave a full report of the business for the year 1880. In that report he shows the income of the treasury, the manner in which the money has been expended, and
22
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
also the fact that the appropriations made by the city council early in the year have been sufficient to meet the public expenditures. The balance shows the sum of $6309.09 carried to sinking fund. The city debt has been reduced $8122.23; the gross debt as appears by the books of the treasurer is now $381,953.11,- from which deduct stock in our city railroad $74,200, leaving the net debt about $307,753.11-a sum that with prudent management can be paid in a few years, leaving the city as all municipalities ought to be, free from debt. This debt was incurred during the late war, and now in prosperous times of peace it is being paid off. While I disapprove of debt, yet no great enterprise can be undertaken by a city without it.
IN CONCLUSION.
And now gentlemen, thanking you for your kind attention, I have only to say, let us do what we can to improve the business of this, our beautiful city, that men of character and moral worth may select good old Newburyport as a home for themselves and their children, and that the prosperity that once made busy our streets and our wharves, and made renowned the name of our city, may return to us again.
REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
OF THE
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT,
FOR THE YEAR 1880.
REPORT.
To the City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN-The Overseers of the Poor, to whom is committed a general oversight of the management of the poor of the city, in all its departments, would respectfully submit their second annual report.
GENERAL STATEMENT.
The total cost of the poor department for the year ending Nov- ember 30, 1880, has been $16,319.89, and the amount re-imbursed by the state and other cities and towns, and recovered from those who were found able to pay for their support, was $3272.41, thus showing the net expenditures of this department to be $13,047.48. which is $1846.01 less than last year. There has been expended :
For support of the poor in the almshouse. $4,825.20
Salaries
1,909.20
Insane 2,280.65
Criminals 134.42
Poor in other cities and towns 985.66
Out-door relief .
6,184.76
$16,319.89
ALMSHOUSE.
The almshouse has been under the supervision of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Lunt, and they have endeavored to make the inmates as comfortable as their circumstances would permit. Quite a number have been received during the past year, much broken down in health, far gone in consumption, cancer, and other diseases ; eleven
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