USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1887 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Boston Public Library
https://archive.org/details/cityofficersannu1887city
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
THE
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
AT THE
ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT,
JANUARY 2, 1888,
AND THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 17, 1887.
OF
CITY
NEWBURYPORT
TERRA
MARIQUE
MDCCCLI
NEWBURYPORT: ECONOMY PRINTING CO., PRINTERS, 33 PLEASANT STREET. 1888.
25 D35 dan. Andall
CONTENTS.
CITY GOVERNMENT, 1887, Page 5
STANDING COMMITTEES, .
7
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS, 10
MAYOR HUSE'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS, .
15
REPORT of Committee on Finance, 31 .
City Auditor, .
32
TABULAR STATEMENT, 36
TREASURER'S REPORT of Receipts and Expenditures,
38 .
REPORT of the Collector of Taxes, 40
STATEMENT of Income and Expenditures,
42
City Debt,
43
Debt due the City of Newburyport, 44
Account with the State of Massachusetts, 44
REPORT of Commissioners of Atkinson Common, 45 .
Simpson Fund, 45
TRIAL BALANCE of the City Treasurer's Books, Dec. 17, 1887,
47
SCHEDULE of Public Property, 48
DETAILED STATEMENT OF EXPENSES OF DEPARTMENTS:
Poor Department, 56
School Department,
63
Highway Department,
90
Public Property Department,
101
Police Department,
117
Incidental Department, 125
Salaries of City Officials,
135
Lighting Streets and Public Buildings,
145
Public Library,
148
Printing,
153
Water Supply, 155
Sidewalks and Edgestones, 156
Interest Department, 172
State of Massachusetts, 178
New Engine House, . 179
New Almshouse, 182
Surveyor of Highways, 278 .
Committee on Highways, 280
Fire Department, 82
Fuel Department, 140
1
CONTENTS.
DEPARTMENT EXPENSES (continued):
Bridges and Culverts, Page 162
Bromfield Fund, 185
Notes Payable, 176
City Bonds, 175
Printing, 175
Ashes and Rubbish, 189
Board of Health, 186
Miscellaneous,
196
Sinking Fund Commissioners, 46
Horton Fund,
45
STATEMENT in Relation to City, County and State Taxes, 204
REPORTS:
Overseers of the Poor, 207
Dexter and Atwood Funds, 205
Chief Engineer, 215
232
City Marshal,
236
Board of Health,
241
Meteorological Observations,
245
Inspector of Milk and Oleomargarine, .
263
Inspector of Kerosene,
264
Sealer of Weights and Measures,
264
Inspector of Vinegar,
260
City Clerk, 269
Board of Assessors, 273 Putnam and Atkinson Funds, 275
Bromfield Fund,
185
Treasurer of the Follansbee Fund,
276
Directors of the Public Library,
School Committee,
City Solicitor, .
.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY.
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, CITY HALL, January, 1888.
Persons having bills against the City are requested to present them at this office on or before the last Monday of each month.
Charges against the different departments must be made out on separate bills.
Be careful and note who ordered the article or articles; and if for labor where it was performed, and under whose direction, with the proper dates. GEORGE H. STEVENS, City Clerk.
PAY DAYS.
CITY TREASURER'S OFFICE, CITY HALL, January, 1888. S
Regular weekly pay day, Monday; montlhy pay day, the first Thursday after the first Monday of each month. Military aid is payable the first day of each month.
Please call on the regular pay day for your money.
JAMES V. FELKER, City Treasurer.
OFFICE HOURS.
CITY CLERK :- From 9 a. m. to 12 m .; 2 to 4 p. m. Saturdays, 9 a. m. to 12 m.
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR :- From 9 a. m. to 12 m; 2 to 4 p. m. Saturdays, 9 a. m. to 1 p. m. First Thursday evening after the first Mon- day evening, 7 to 9 p. m.
CITY GOVERNMENT --- 1888.
MAYOR -- WILLIAM H. HUSE.
ALDERMEN. Ward 1-JOHN J. PUTNAM. 2-GEORGE OSGOOD. 3-WILLIAM F. HOUSTON. 4-ALBERT C. TITCOMB. 5-FRANCIS A. HOWE. 6-CHARLES D. PETTIGREW. CLERK-GEORGE H. STEVENS.
COMMON COUNCIL. THOMAS W. COGGER, CLERK.
ORRIN J. GURNEY, PRESIDENT. Ward 1-ALBERT THURLOW, PARKER M. LOUGEE, LEWIS BALCH, FRANK E. THURLOW. OSCAR C. LOUGEE.
Ward 2-W. HERBERT NOYES, Ward 5-GEORGE E. ROSS, IRVIN BESSE, S. HENRY NOYES,
THOMAS T. COGGER, ORRIN c. GURNEY.
Ward 3-MOSES BROWN, JOSEPH T. CHASE, JR., HENRY C. PLUMMER. GEORGE M. ROAF.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE. WILLIAM H. HUSE, Mayor, Chairman, ex-officio. NATHAN N. WITHINGTON, Chairman.
Ward 1-STEPHEN PEABODY, CHARLES H. BLISS.
WILLIAM P. LUNT, Sec'y and Supt. Ward 4-MIss HANNAH E. LUNT, JOSEPH B. LITTLE. Ward 5-WILLIAM A. EASTMAN
Ward 2-GEORGE H. PLUMER, PRENTISS H. REED. N. N. WITHINGTON. Ward 6-JAMES M. JACKMAN, JAMES M. PARTON.
Ward 3-ELISHA P. DODGE, GEORGE W. SNOW.
-
ASSESSORS. GEORGE J. L. COLBY,
ANDREW J. HAYNES.
JOSEPH L. JOHNSON,
Ward 4-GEORGE F. AVERY,
Ward 6-DAVID C. MORRILL, GEORGE G. LEWIS,
6
CITY GOVERNMENT.
OVERSEERS OF POOR. LEONARD W. SARGENT, JOHN C. STEVENS,
JOHN S. FROST.
BOARD OF HEALTH. HENRY F. ADAMS, M. D., Chairman, JOHN F. YOUNG, M. D., CHARLES W. DAVENPORT. Agent of the Board, D. CLARKE BATCHELDER. Clerk of the Board, GEORGE H. STEVENS.
COMMISSIONERS OF SIMPSON FUND. (MAYOR) WILLIAM H. HUSE, ex-officio. (PRESIDENT) ORRIN J. GURNEY, ex.officio. THOMAS C. SIMPSON, CHARLES C. DAME,
ELIPHALET GRIFFIN.
SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS. Mayor, ex-officio ; President of the Common Council, ex-officio ; EBEN SUM- NER, EDWARD BURRILL, CHARLES C. DAME. Clerk and Treasurer of the Fund-J. V. FELKER, City Treasurer.
City Clerk, GEORGE H. STEVENS. Treasurer and Collector, JAMES V. FELKER. Clerk of Treasurer, WILLIAM BALCH.
City Solicitor, NATHANIEL N. JONES. City Auditor, EDWARD BURRILL. City Physician, HENRY F. ADAMS. City Messenger, WILLIAM H. JOHNSON. City Marshal, GEORGE B. HICKEN. Chief Engineer of Fire Department, EBEN S. DOLE. Superintendent of Highways, CHARLES M. PRITCHARD.
Librarian of Public Library, HIRAM A. TENNEY. Superintendent of Reading Room, MARTHA LUNT. Sealer of Weights and Measures, JOHN HUSE. Superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph, WILLIS H. YOUNG.
Ass't Marshal-EDWARD E. TAYLOR. Capt. Watch-SAMUEL W. TUCK. Day Offices-ALEXANDER H. LIBBY, ALBERT D. HALE, SETH YOUNG.
ROBERT C. BRAGG,
CHARLES W. PAGE,
HENRY J. HIDDEN,
PATRICK CREADON,
LEMUEL HICKEN,
Night Patrolmen. BARTHOLOMEW SHEHAN, WILLIAM V. HEWLETT, JOSEPH H. POST, GRORGE J. Ross, JAMES W. MERRITT,
GEORGR B. HIOKEN,
EDWARD E. TAYLOR,
WILLIAM H. PIKE. Constables. SAMUEL W. TUCK,
JOSEPH M. TAPPAN,
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON. D. CLARK BATOHELDER.
Committees.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN. - On Police, The MAYOR, Aldermen TITCOMB and HOWE.
On Elections, Aldermen HOUSTON and PUTNAM. On Bromfield Fund, Aldermen OSGOOD, HOWE and PUTNAM.
On Putnam and Atkinson Eunds, Aldermen HOWE, PETTIGREW and HOUSTON.
On Licenses, Aldermen TITCOMB, HOWE and OSGOOD.
On Enrolled Bills, Aldermen OSGOOD, PETTIGREW and HOWE.
On Frothingham Fund, Aldermen PETTIGREW, OSGOOD and PUTNAM. On Green Fund, Aldermed HOWE, HOUSTON and PUTNAM.
On Toppan Fund, Aldermen HOUSTON, OSGOOD and PUTNAM.
8
CITY GOVERNMENT.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COMMON COUNCIL.
On Elections and Returns,
Councilmen A. THURLOW, PLUMMER and O. C. LOUGEE.
On Bills of Second Reading, Councilmen CHASE, P. M. LOUGEE and AVERY.
On Enrolled Bills, Councilmen COGGER, W. H. NOYES and ROAF.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES.
- On Finance, The MAYOR, ex-officio; Alderman TITCOMB; Councilmen BROWN, S. HENRY NOYES, ROSS, OSCAR C. LOUGEE and ALBERT THURLOW.
On Accounts, Aldermen HOUSTON and HOWE; Councilmen BESSE, AVERY and LEWIS.
On Public Property, Aldermen TITCOMB and HOUSTON; Councilmen S. HENRY NOYES, COGGER and PARKER M. LOUGEE.
On Almshouse and Poor,
Aldermen HOWE and PETTIGREW; Councilmen S. HENRY NOYES, BALCH, PLUMMER and FRANK E. THURLOW.
On Fire Department,
Aldermen PETTIGREW, OSGOOD and PUTNAM; Councilmen ROSS, LEWIS, CHASE and FRANK E. THURLOW.
On Bridges and Culverts, Aldermen OSGOOD and HOWE; Councilmen COGGER, OSCAR C. LOUGEE and ALBERT THURLOW.
On Sawyer Fund, Aldermen HOUSTON and PUTNAM; Councilmen W. HERBERT NOYES and ROAF.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT.
On Brown Fund, Aldermen PETTIGREW; Councilmen PLUMMER and BALCH.
On Public Instruction,
The MAYOR, ex-officio; President GURNEY, ex-officio; Councilmen ALBERT THURLOW, PLUMMER, BALCH and W. HERBERT NOYES.
On Atwood Fund,
The MAYOR, ex-officio; President GURNEY; City Treasurer FELKER.
On Ordinances,
The MAYOR, ex.officio; Councilmen ROSS and S. HENRY NOYES. On Highways,
The Mayor, ex-officio, and BOARD OF ALDERMEN; Councilmen F. E. THURLOW, BESSE, OSCAR C. LOUGEE, ROSS and MORRILL.
On Claims,
Aldermen TITCOMB and OSGOOD; Councilmen BROWN, ROSS and W. HERBERT NOYES.
On Fuel,
Aldermen OSGOOD and HOUSTON; Councilmen BESSE, PLUMMER and LEWIS.
On Lighting Streets and Public Buildings,
Aldermen HOWE and PUTNAM; Councilmen BROWN, PARKER M. LOUGEE and MORRILL.
On Printing,
Alderman TITCOMB; Councilmen S. HENRY NOYES and LEWIS.
On Water Supply,
Aldermen HOWE and OSGOOD; Councilmen MORRILL, BESSE and AVERY.
Special Standing Committee on Sewerage,
Mayor HUSE; Aldermen TITCOMB and PETTIGREW; Councilmen BESSE, ROSS, W. HERBERT NOYES and OSCAR C. LOUGEE.
Clerk of Standing Committees, GEORGE H. STEVENS.
The Mayor by provisions of Joint Rules of City Council is Chairman of all Joint Committees.
10
CITY GOVERNMENT.
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS-1888.
FOR SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, John Huse. FOR MEASURERS OF GRAIN,
Paul Titcomb, Moses H. Rolfe, Hale Knight, Charles B. Knight FOR INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGHR, John Huse. GAUGERS,
William C. Cuseck,
William A. Little.
WEIGHERS OF COAL, HAY, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE,
Charles C. Stockman,
George W. Funk,
Rudolph Jacoby,
William S. Coffin,
Patrick H. Collins,
John J. Collins,
Michael Carey,
Leonard W. Coker, John C. Stanley,
Philip H. Creasey,
John Conley,
James R. Conley,
William Conley, Fred L. Atkinson,
George P. Balch, George J. Warner,
Harry W. Bayley,
George W. Warner,
Lawrence Whalen,
Benjamin F. Atkinson,
John L. Noyes,
Edward E. Varina,
Fred B. Fanning,
Joseph E. Gibbs,
Fred L. Macintosh,
Jere Haley,
Daniel Balch,
Chas. Wallace Dame,
Charles Watts.
FOR SURVEYORS OF LUMBER,
John T. Fillmore,
George W. Marston,
Hervey Kimball,
William B. Coffin,
Joseph W. Evans,
John C. Kimball,
Daniel M. Felch, Charles S. Lovejoy,
Charles Perkins,
William B. Frost,
Israel A. Morse, James Kimball,
John E. Bailey,
Edward Perkins,
George W. Jackman,
William H. Morse,
Joseph L. Johnson,
John L. Tobin,
Orlando F. Hatch,
Willard .J. Hatch,
Charles H. Goodwin,
Samuel M. Gerrish,
William E. McQuillen,
William J. Hunt.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK,
Philip H. Creasey,
William J. Hunt,
Fred L. Atkinson,
Patrick H. Collins,
Edward E. Varina,
William S. Coffin,
Hervey Kimball, George P. Balch,
Benjamin F. Atkinson John Collins, Jere Haley.
1
CITY GOVERNMENT.
MEASURERS OF CHARCOAL,,
Hervey Kimball, George P. Balch, Fred L. Atkinson,
John Huse,
Philip H. Creasey.
WEIGHERS AND MEASURERS OF CITY FUEL, Hervey Kimball, Leonard W. Coker, Jobn Huse, Wm. S. Coffin
INSPECTOR OF COAL BASKETS, JohnHuse. FENCE VIEWERS, Henry Morse, Greenleaf Dodge.
Hervey Kimball,
FIELD DRIVERS,
Luther Ordway, Jeremiah S. Parker, James W. Welch, Alonzo F. Osgood.
POUND KEEPERS, Pound No. 1, Auburn street, Geo. H. Bartlett. Pound No. 2, Wesley street, Luther Ordway.
+
-
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
Hon. WILLIAM H. HUSE,
MAYOR.
ADDRESS
OF HON. WILLIAM H. HUSE, MAYOR.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL :
We meet this day, in accordance with an almost universal custom, to inaugurate the city government of 1888. There are several topics upon which it is expected that something will be said, and suggestions which are always in order on such an occasion. There- fore, a few of the most important subjects which will come before you during the year will be briefly dis- cussed.
CONGRATULATIONS.
First, let. me congratulate you upon the prosperity of the city during the past year, and that the transi- tionary period from commerce to manufactures, dur- ing which the town stagnated, seems to have passed, and many flourishing industries have succeeded ship- building, the fisheries and foreign trade. The beauty of Newburyport, which will be increased by the liber- ality of our citizens and natives and former residents
16
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
of the town, if it can be encouraged instead of being met with coldness and refusal; its healthfulness, which can be assured by its situation, a plentiful sup- ply of pure water, and a system of drainage such as is proposed, and its many facilities for trade and in- dustry, will continue and add to its prosperity.
TAXATION.
One of the first wants to attract business and in- duce manufacturers to make their homes here is a low rate of taxation, and I would commend to you a strict economy, to provide all that the city needs, and to expend money with the most careful prudence. We have now the lowest valuation and the lowest rate of taxation of any city in Essex county, and with the expenditures the same as last year, and a like increase of valuation, the tax rate can be reduced to $15 on $1000, and at this point we should stop and reduce the city debt by all the surplus we can raise; and we ought to remember that a considerable portion of the debt is nominal and not an incumbrance. It is in legacies and donations for the streets, for schools and for the poor. The principal is never to be paid, and the income going to such purposes would have to be otherwise raised if not thus provided. It does not seem to me that the people complain so much of heavy taxes as of unequal taxation, and the assessors should
17
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
be supported and encouraged to equalize the taxes. They should understand that they are not to copy the books of past years, but are . to judge of the valua- tion of property as it stands today, and should give the people the benefit of the judgment of a majority of the whole board, and not of a single individual. The assessors of 1887 found about a half million of dollars' worth more property than in 1886, and com- menced a gradual equalization of value. In this I would commend and maintain them, and it is in a di- rection which could be further carried out with ad- vantage.
FINANCIAL.
The appropriations, income and expenditures for the year 1887, were as follows:
Appropriation. $141,150 00
Income
25,892 27
167,042 27
Expenditures
163,404 05
3,638 22
Sinking Fund (appropriation).
3,000 00
Undrawn.
638 22
The gross debt of the city December 17, 1887, was $373,926.28, a decrease of $10,317.18 from December 18, 1886. Deducting $74,000 invested in the city railroad, and the net debt is $299,926.28.
18
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
There has never been a time in the history of New- buryport when the means for extinguishing fires were equal to those of today. We have an abundant sup- ply of water, with hydrants located about five hun- dred feet apart throughout the thickly settled por- tions of the city; steamers, hose carriages, hook and ladder trucks, and all the modern appliances, which, in the hands of a body of active and efficient young men, with experienced leaders, render us compara- tively safe from serious conflagrations.
During the past year a new engine house has been erected for steamer No. 2, and a new truck has been purchased for Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, and there appears to be no demand for any extraordinary expenditure in this department during the present year.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
One of the most important departments in the ad- ministration of the affairs of the city and in its ex- penditure is that of the public schools. There ap- pears at present to be a good corps of teachers, and the schools are in a good condition of usefulness. There are in the city about 2500 children between the ages of five and fifteen, of whom two-thirds attend the public schools, and the other third are members
19
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
of the Parochial or private schools. The past year the school committee deemed it necessary, in view of the greatly increased labor imposed upon the agent by the law requiring the furnishing of books and sup- plies to pupils at the public expense, to appoint a sec- retary and agent, who also acts in some respects as superintendent of schools, and who employs his whole time in their service. That this has been economy, as well as for the interest of the schools, is evident from the fact that the total expenditure for the past year has been upwards of $1100 less than for any one of the last ten years, although previously to 1884 the books and supplies were not furnished at the public expense. The school committee think that in several of the school-rooms more suitable desks should be provided, and that some of them might be made more cheerful at a small expense. The expense of the school department for the financial year has been $21,568.50, and the appropriation and other income $21,047.96, there having been overdrawn $520.54. It is estimated that the necessary expenditures for the ensuing year will be slightly increased.
MALL IMPROVEMENT.
During the past summer some of our public spirited young men formed an association for the improve- ment of the Mall. It is well known that this once
20
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
beautiful place, which had been the pride of our citizens, and of all the sons and daughters and former residents, has become a disgrace and a by-word, and the object of the association was to raise $5000 by subscription, a sum sufficient to improve and beautify the Mall, with no suspicion that there would be any objection on the part of the city council, so long as the money was not taken from the city treasury. A committee of the association framed an ordinance which was presented to the city council for accept- ance, but objections were made and it was defeated, and another ordinance was adopted which was calcu- lated to cut off subscriptions and defeat the plan of the association, and there the matter remains. It was objected to the ordinance presented to the association that it gave to it some control of the expenditure of the money. But it seems not unreasonable that those who raised the money should have some voice in its expenditure at the start, which was all they asked, subject to the supervision of the city council. The only pledge in respect to its maintenance in the future was limited to a small sum, and that was contingent on its being recommended by the commissioners who should be appointed by the city. Several gentlemen who are willing to contribute considerable sums, will withhold their contributions unless there is something in the nature of a pledge on the part of the city of keeping the Mall in good order. I would recommend
21
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
that this offer of free and friendly contributions for improving and beautifying the city be met by the city council in the same friendly and public spirit in which it is made.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the overseers of the poor, showing a gradual but constant decrease of expense, is very gratifying. A few years ago the cost of the poor de- partment exceeded that of the schools, but is now only three-quarters as much. For the honest and virtuous poor, who are such from sickness, old age, or un- avoidable misfortune, we are not in danger of doing too much, and they should be well cared for. Such are largely assisted by our many churches and chari- table societies; and, where they are not, let the city provide. For the vicious, the tramps, and the worth- less, it would be well that they be made to work upon the highways or in some labor for the public benefit. The following figures will show the reduction of ex- penses in this department: For 1885, $16,992.73; for 1886, $15,491.43; for 1887, $14,953.79. This is largely due to greater ease in finding employment, and to the reduction in out-door relief, a mode of as- sisting the poor which has been discouraged by the State Board of Charities, and the subject is now agi- tating the cities and large towns of the common- wealth. We may also expect a large reduction in the
22
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
cost of the insane when the new almshouse is finished. Last year the cost was $284.40 less than the year be- fore. The report of the city treasurer will show the cost of the new almshouse. It may be that we have anticipated when we should have waited. It was un- doubtedly the intention of Mr. Horton to have his legacy accumulate to cover the entire cost.
SEWERAGE.
The question of sewerage demands your careful and immediate attention. In the denser parts of the city some sewerage was needed even before the intro- duction of water, and had been constructed on no general or comprehensive plan, but for the use of a few large establishments. The common use of the water of the Newburyport Water Company has made the construction of a system of sewerage imperative in a degree which it was not before. The question arises whether this shall be done by the city or by a company contracting therefor, and it is a very impor- tant question economically, as well as in its relation to the public health, and I would recommend that a committee, to consist of the most competent members of the city council, and in whose judgment and disin- terestedness there would be a general confidence, be selected to consider the matter in all its bearings, and report whether the work should be undertaken by the city or, should be entrusted to a company. If the
23
INAUGULAL ADDRESS.
latter should be decided as the better plan, the com- pany should not be allowed to proceed until surveys have been made, plans perfected, and every guarantee given for the protection of the rights of the city for its health, and for reasonable rates for service to users ; and furthermore, that the plan and the guaranty be laid before the citizens for their adoption or rejection by a ballot. The whole body of citizens should have the opportunity of declaring themselves upon the question of sewerage, and whether they approve of of any proposed plan.
LIQUOR LICENSES.
The city voted in the election for the granting of licenses for the sale of spirituous and intoxicating liquors, but by the vote we are not to understand that an unrestricted and indiscriminate system of licensing was intended, or that the law should not be observed by those who are licensed by the city. The granting of licenses is wholly in the hands of the board of al- dermen, and to them I would suggest that the num- ber needed in a city of the population of Newbury- port is very much less than at present issued, and I would recommend that the character of the applicants and the business in which they are engaged be con- sidered in granting or withholding licenses, and that the license fee might be made higher with advantage
24
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
to the city treasury, and to that of good order and good morals. To see that the laws are observed, and among them those relating to the licensed sale of liquors, is the duty of the mayor, and that duty I shall perform to the best of my ability.
LIGHTING STREETS.
The system of street lighting the past year, since the introduction of the electric light, has been more satisfactory than ever before. I would suggest, how- ever, that the committee take into consideration the necessity of keeping the streets lighted until a later hour than is now done. While it is true that the ma- jority of the people might not be directly accommo- dated by keeping the streets lighted after midnight, still there are times when such service would prove invaluable, and there is ever a sense of security in knowing that the highways are not enveloped in total darkness.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Public Library, which was endowed by the bounty of benevolent citizens and friends of New- buryport, has done much good, and is so doing at present, and deserves the support which it has re- ceived from the city. The report of the trustees and of the librarian gives its present condition, and I would
25
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
recommend that it receive the same attention from the city government as in past years.
HIGHWAYS.
The condition of our streets is not entirely satis- factory, nor could it made so at once without a great and burdensome expenditure. The policy which has been followed in several years has been to make per- manent improvement by paving a certain section where the travel was great and the annual expense large, and by thus spreading the work over a series of years the burden has not been excessive upon the tax payers. This seems to me to be good policy, and I would recommend that while all the streets be kept in good repair, you should consider the expediency of paving from Market square a certain distance down Water street, as may seem to you best, and thus con- tinue the work which has been done in paving the portion of Merrimac street in that part of the city.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Having but little knowledge of what the police have done or might have done, we will take it for granted that they are up to the average of their class in ability and willingness to perform their duties. The records show that but few arrests have been made except for drunkenness; and we hope that by the action of the
26
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
city government and as much by the licensed sellers of spirituous liquors, this offence will be less frequent in the year to come. The city marshal returns the fol- lowing statistics:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.