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CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
THE
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
AT THE
ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT,
JANUARY 6, 1889.
AND THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
CITY
OF NEWBURYPORT
TERRA
MARIQUE
MDCCCLI
TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 15, 1888,
D
..
William H. Huse & Co., BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, 42 State Street, Newburyport, Mass.
CONTENTS.
CITY GOVERNMENT, 1889, Page 11
STANDING COMMITTEES, 16
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS, 22
MAYOR TITCOMB'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS,
27
REPORT of Committee on Finance, .
49
City Auditor, 51
TABULAR STATEMENT, 56
TREASURER'S REPORT of Receipts and Expenditures, 58
REPORT of the Collector of Taxes,
60
STATEMENT of Income and Expenditures 62
City Debt,
63
Debt due the City of Newburyport, 64 Account with the State of Massachusetts, 64
TRIAL BALANCE of the City Treasurer's Books, Dec. 15, 1888,
67
SCHEDULE of Public Property,
68
6
CONTENTS.
DETAILED STATEMENT OF EXPENSES OF DEPARTMENTS :
Ashes and Rubbish, 243
Board of Health, 239
Bridges and Culverts, 211 Bromfield Fund, 237
City Bonds, .
224
Fire Department, 111
Fuel Department, 187
Highway Department, 123
Incidental Department, 165
Interest Department 221
Lighting Streets and Public Buildings, 193
Miscellaneous, 251 Notes Payable, 226
New Engine House. 228
New Almshouse. 229 Poor Department, 73
Public Property, . 185
Police Department, 155
Public Library,
197
Printing, 201
School Department, 89
Salaries of City Officials, 181
Sidewalks and Edgestones, 205
State of Massachusetts,
227
STATEMENT in Relation to City, County and State Taxes, . 256
REPORTS :
Board of Health, 293
Board of Assessors, . 335
Commissioners of Atkinson Common, 65
Chief Engineer, 269
7
CONTENTS.
City Solicitor,
283
City Marshal, 287
City Clerk, 331
City Physician, 339
Directors of the Public Library,
Horton Fund,
65
Inspector of Milk, 323
Inspector of Oleomargarine, 324
Inspector of Kerosene, 324
Inspector of Vinegar, 327
Meteorological Observations, 305
Overseers of the Poor, 261
Putnam and Atkinson Funds, 346
Sinking Fund Commissioners, .
66
Sealer of Weights and Measures, .
325
Simpson Fund, . 338
Superintendent of Highways, 341
School Committee,
-
Treasurer of the Follansbee Fund, . 337
Wheelwright Scientific School,
347
8
CLAIMS.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY.
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, CITY HALL, January, 1889.
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.
9
PAY DAYS.
PAY DAYS.
CITY TREASURER'S OFFICE, CITY HALL, January, 1889.
Regular weekly pay day, Monday ; monthly 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.
2
OFFICE HOURS.
OFFICE HOURS.
MAYOR :- From 9 a. m. to 12 m.
C'ITY CLERK :- From 9. m. to 12 m. ; 2 to 4 p. m. Saturday's. 9 a. m. to 12 m.
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR :- From 9 a. m. to 12 m. ; 2 to 4 p. m. Saturdays, 9. m. to 1 p. m. First Thursday evening after the first Monday evening, 7 to 9 p. m.
CITY GOVERNMENT --- 1889
MAYOR-ALBERT C. TITCOMB.
-
ALDERMEN : Ward 1-ISAAC P. NOYES,
. 2-W. HERBERT NOYES, 3-JOSEPH T. CHASE, JR., 4-EDMUND C. PEARSON, 5-GEORGE E. ROSS, 6-GEOGE M. ROAF, CLERK-GEORGE H. STEVENS.
COMMON COUNCIL:
MOSES BROWN, PRESIDENT, THOMAS E. CUTTER, CLERK. Ward 1-BENJ. F. HATHAWAY, Ward 4-GEORGE F. AVERY, WILLIAM F. TORREY, HENRY R. WEITZEL, Ward 2-CHARLES W. PAGE, IRVING K. WELLS, WILLIAM A. NELSON, Ward 3-MOSES BROWN, HENRY C. PLUMMER, JOHN W. SARGENT,
PAUL A. PATHE, FRANCIS V. PIKE, Ward 5-ORRIN J. GURNEY, SIMON E. WILSON, JAMES W. REID, Ward 6-JOSEPH W. NOYES, GEORGE A. PHILBRICK, GEORGE G. LEWIS.
12
CITY GOVERNMENT.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE:
ALBERT C. TITCOMB, Mayor, Chairman ex-officio.
NATHAN N. WITHINGTON, Vice-Chairman.
WILLIAM P. LUNT, Secretary and Sup't.
Ward 1-STEPHEN PEABODY, CHARLES H. BLISS,
Ward 2-GEORGE H. PLUMER, PRENTISS H. REED,
Ward 3-ELISHA P. DODGE, RUDOLPH JACOBY,
Ward 4-Miss H. E. LUNT, JOSEPH B. LITTLE,
Ward 5-WILLIAM A. EASTMAN, N. N. WITHINGTON, Ward 6-JAMES M. JACKMAN, PAUL A. MERRILL.
ASSESSORS:
JOSEPH L. JOHNSON, GEORGE J. L. COLBY,
ANDREW J. HAYNES.
-
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.
13
CITY GOVERNMENT.
COMMISSIONERS OF SIMPSON FUND. (Mayor) ALBERT C. TITCOMB, ex-officio. (President) MOSES BROWN, 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.
City Clerk, GEORGE H. STEVENS.
Treasurer and Collector, JAMES V. FELKER.
Clerk of Treasurer, DAVID PAGE.
City Solicitor, NATHANIEL N. JONES.
City Auditor, EDWARD BURRILL.
City Physician, HENRY F. ADAMS.
City Messenger, WILLIAM H. JOHNSON.
14
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Chief Engineer of Fire Department, EBEN S. DOLE.
Superintendent of Highways, CHARLES M. PRITCHARD.
Librarian of Public Library, JOHN D. PARSONS.
Superintendent of Reading Room. MARTHA LUNT.
Sealer of Weights and Measures, JAMES W. GUNNISON.
Superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph. WILLIS H. YOUNG.
Clerk of Overseers of Poor, WILLIAM H. BAYLEY.
15
NEWBURYPORT POLICE.
NEWBURYPORT POLICE FORCE.
City Marshal, A. WARREN EMERSON.
Assistant Marshal,
EDWARD E. TAYLOR.
Captain of the Watch, SAMUEL W. TUCK. Day Officers,
ROBERT C. BRAGG,
BARTHOLOMEW SHEHAN
Night Patrolmen,
HENRY J. HIDDEN.
JOSEPH H. POST, GEORGE J. Ross;
LEMUEL HICKEN,
PATRICK CREADON, JAMES W MERR+17.
ALBERT D. HALE,
WILLIAM H. PIKE, SETH YOUNG.
Constables,
WARREN EMERSON,
SAMUEL W. TUCK,
WM. H. JOHNSON,
EDWARD E. TAYLOR,
JOSEPH M. TAPPAN,
D. CLARKE BATOHELDER
Standing Committees
OF THE
BOARD OF ALDERMEN, 3
AND
COMMON COUNCIL.
3
Committees.
-
STANDING COMMITTEES OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN :
On Police, The MAYOR, Aldermen I. P. NOYES and PEARSON.
On Elections, Aldermen ROAF and CHASE.
On Bromfield Funds, Aldermen ROSS, CHASE and ROAF. On Putnam and Atkinson Fund, Aldermen I. P. NOYES, PEARSON and W. H. NOYES.
On Licenses, Aldermen W. H. NOYES, I. P. NOYES and ROSS.
On Enrolled Bills, Aldermen PEARSON, ROSS and CHASE.
On Frothingham Fund, Aldermen W. H. NOYES, I. P. NOYES and ROAF.
On Green Fund, Aldermen CHASE, PEARSON and ROSS.
20
STANDING COMMITTEES.
On Toppan Fund, Aldermen ROAF, W. H. NOYES and ROSS.
On Abraham Williams Fund, . Aldermen W. H. NOYES and CHASE.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COMMON COUNCIL.
On Elections and Returns, Councilmen WILSON and PIKE. On Bills of Second Reading, Councilmen LEWIS and WELLS.
On Enrolled Bills. Councilmen WILSON and PATHE.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES.
On Finance, The Mayor, ex-officio, Alderman PEARSON, Councilmen AVERY, HATH- AWAY, GURNEY and PHILBRICK. On Accounts, Aldermen PEARSON and ROAF, Councilmen HATHAWAY, AVERY and REID. On Public Property, Aldermen I. P. NOYES and ROSS, Councilmen PAGE, AVERY and PLUMMER.
()n Almshouse and Poor. Aldermen ROAF and W. H. NOYES, Councilmen TORREY, NELSON, GURNEY and PHILBRICK.
21
STANDING COMMITTEES.
On Fire Department,
Aldermen ROSS, CHASE and PEARSON, Councilmen TORREY, NEL- SON, PATHE and REID. On Bridges and Culverts, Aldermen W. H. NOYES and CHASE, Councilmen WILSON, TORREY and NOYES. On Sawyer Fund,
Alderman CHASE, Councilmen WEITZEL and NOYES.
On Brown Fund, Alderman PEARSON, Councilmen SARGENT and Page.
On Public Instruction, The MAYOR, Aldermen I. P. NOYES and ROAF, Councilmen BROWN, HATHAWAY, SARGENT, PATHE and WELLS.
On Atwood and Dexter Funds, The MAYOR, President BROWN, City Treasurer FELKER.
On Ordinances, The MAYOR, Councilmen PIKE and NOYES.
On Highways,
The MAYOR, Board of Aldermen, Councilmen WEITZEL, WELLS, SAR- GENT, PIKE, GURNEY and PHILBRICK.
On Claims,
Aldermen ROAF and W. H. NOYES, Counci!men WEITZEL,, SARGENT and WILSON. On Fuel,
Aldermen ROAF and ROSS, Councilmen PLUMMER, REID and NOYES.
On Lighting Streets and Public Buildings,
Aldermen W. H. NOYES and PEARSON, Councilmen PIKE, HATH- AWAY and LEWIS.
22
STANDING COMMITTEES.
On Printing, Alderman CHASE, Councilmen AVERY and PAGE.
On Water Supply,
Aldermen ROSS and PEARSON, Councilmen GURNEY, WEITZEL and LEWIS. On Salaries,
Aldermen ROSS and I. P. NOYES, Councilmen GURNEY, AVERY, PIKE and SARGENT.
On Mayor's Address,
Aldermen W. H. NOYES and ROSS, Councilmen GURNEY, AVERY and PIKE. On Sewerage,
Aldermen ROSS and W. H. NOYES, Councilmen SARGENT, PATHE and TORREY.
23
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS.
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS-1889.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, James W. Gunnison.
MEASURERS OF GRAIN,
Paul Titcomb, Moses H. Rolfe, Hale Knight, Charles B. Knight.
INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGAR,
John Huse,
GAUGERS,
William C. Cuseck, William A. Little.
WEIGHERS OF COAL, HAY AND OTHER MERCHANDISE,
Charles C. Stockman, John C. Stanley, James Joy,
William S. Coffin,
James R. Conley, John S. Brown,
Philip H. Creasey, William Conley,
Fred L. Atkinson,
Patrick H. Collins,
Harry W. Bayley,
Benjamin F. Atkinson,
Leonard W. Coker, Edward E. Varina,
Fred B. Fanning,
Rudolph Jacoby, Fred L. Macintosh, Jere Haley,
John J. Collins,
Charles Wallis Dame, Charles Watts,
George P. Balch,
George J. Warner, John L. Noyes,
Joseph E. Gibbs, Daniel Balch.
FIELD DRIVERS,
Luther Ordway, Jeremiah S. Parker, Alonzo F. Osgood.
POUND KEEPERS, Pound No. 1, Auburn street, Timothy Moreney, Pound No. 2, Wesley street, Luther Ordway.
24
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS.
SURVEYORS OF LUMBER,
John T. Fillmore,
George W Marston,
Hervey Kimball,
William B. Coffin,
Charles S. Lovejoy,
John C. Kimball,
Daniel M. Felch,
Edward Perkins,
George W. Jackman,
John E. Bailey,
Willard A. Hatch,
William J. Hunt,
William H. Morse,
William E. Mc Quillen,
Orlando F. Hatch.
Samuel M. Gerrish.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK,
Philip H. Creasey, Hervey Kimball,
Fred L. Atkinson,
Patrick H. Collins,
George P. Balch, Benjamin F. Atkinson,
Edward E. Varina, Jere Haley,
John Collins,
Fred B. Fanning, William S. Coffin, John Huse.
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, John Huse,
William S. Coffin,
George J. Warner.
INSPECTOR OF COAL BASKETS,
John Huse,
FENCE VIEWERS,
Hervey Kimball, Nathaniel Morse, Greenleaf Dodge.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. ALBERT C. TITCOMB,
MAYOR.
1
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of the City Council :
Another year of municipal life has rolled around, and as we meet today our hearts should be filled with gratitude to the giver of every good, for the blessings of the past year, for freedom from strife, and the "pes- tilence that walketh in darkness," for the blessings of prosperity, and for any progress that has been made.
The year was made memorable by the death of the mayor, William H. Huse, a man honored and re- spected by all who knew him. Long identified with the interests of the city, he labored in every way to promote her prosperity. He was a man of tender sympathies and affections, of firmness of convictions, and of strong love for the place of his birth. The city of Newburyport will long hold him in grateful remembrance as one ever alive to her highest welfare and the happiness of her people.
By this sad event, I was elected mayor by the city council to complete the unexpired term. Today, by
28
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
the desire of my fellow citizens, I again assume the duties and responsibilities of the office, and pledge myself to labor to the extent of my knowledge and ability in the faithful administration of the duties de- volving upon me. I enter upon these duties under no other restrictions than those which bind me to seek the highest good of the people, and my policy shall be that which, in my best judgment, will aid in con- tributing to their welfare.
I ask your hearty co-operation in the interests en- trusted to our keeping. The responsibilities of the city government for the ensuing year have been placed upon us. We have accepted this trust, and have taken a solemn oath as a pledge of fidelity to the people we represent.
That we may with confidence and assurance of suc- cess engage in the work given us to do, let us take a careful survey of our position.
I trust that the various questions arising from time to time for our deliberations may receive due thought and careful consideration. Among these you will naturally give the first and most important place to those of
FINANCE.
The figures which I present to you, are estimates carefully prepared by City Treasurer Felker, and will
29
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
be found correct. The debt of our city may be stated as follows:
Gross debt.
$464,894 70
Deduct as follows :
Taxes of 1884 due $ 509 60
Taxes of 1886 due
2,001 94
Taxes of 1887 due. 9,610 47
Taxes of 1888 due 35,173 41
State aid from State
3,100 50
Military aid from State
1,024 50
Sinking fund.
20,000 00
Cash on hand
8,997 14- 80,417 56
$384,477 14 Trust funds (which the city will never have to pay) .. 55,750 00
328.727 14
City Railroad.
74,C)0 00
Net debt (value of city property $378,252.04) is ..... $254,727 14
On the first of last July there matured bonds to the amount of $75,000, bearing 6 per cent. interest, $10,000 of which was paid by the city and $65,000 refunded at 4 per cent. interest.
The treasurer's statement shows the net debt of our city to be. $254,727 14
$10,550 86 An increase of.
New almshouse overdraft 9,609 09
Increase of debt exclusive of new almshouse account $941 77
The new almshouse overdraft cannot properly be considered as a debt of the past year, as the old alms house property offsets the same and will be so applied the ensuing year.
30
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The past year has not been exempt from necessary expenditures for which no appropriations were made, among them the completion of the new almshouse building of the barn, etc.
Extensive repairs were made upon the bridges, par- ticularly the one known as the Newburyport bridge. Our citizens are to be congratulated that no accident occurred, whereby the city might have been involved in a law suit at a greater expense than the entire cost of repairing the bridge, which was done by the ad- vice of the county commissioners.
Another additional expense was in connection with the school buildings, the repairs of which were ne- glected until they become a pressing necessity. One has but to visit the schools to feel that the $2389, overdrawn to meet the expense, has been judiciously used, and that we have value received in the added comfort, safety and convenience of the teachers and pupils.
I have mentioned these operations in this connec- tion to show that the purposes, for which many of the overdrafts have been made, will be good for many years to come, and that we have the benefit of them in the increased value of property. The statutes require that all debts or excess of expenditures over appropriations be provided for the following year, and I call your attention to this fact.
31
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
In my opinion the practice of permitting the ex- penditures to exceed the appropriations is all wrong, and can only result in dissatisfaction at the close of the year. It is as good a policy for a city to live within its income as for individuals, so I earnestly urge you, gentlemen, to see to it in the coming year that the appropriations be made large enough to meet all legitimate expenses, and that each department be held to the limit of its appropriations.
No department of our government is more closely connected with our financial interest than that of the assessment of taxes. It is an important work and should receive a good deal of attention. It should be the aim of our assessors' department to give us true and equal valuation, and thus secure equal taxation.
The present valuation of taxable property, real and personal, is $8,732,345, as compared with $8,074,737 of 1887.
The rate of taxation last year was $16.00 against $16.60 in 1887, and I see no reason why it should not be even less the coming year.
The last government passed an order giving full power to the Board of Public Property to sell the poor house property at the corner of Federal and Prospect streets. For some inexplicable reason the order was not carried into effect.
I trust that, at an early day, you will succeed in ef-
32
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
fecting a sale so that the city may reap the advantage from taxation.
I would suggest that some action be taken, whereby authority can be obtained to discontinue the public landings, that they may be disposed of and improved. They would then be available for business purposes, and the city would derive some benefit from them.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
No city can afford to be without good schools and those of Newburyport are now in excellent condition. We have reason to congratulate ourselves for this, when we remember that the common school, " the ap- ple of the nation's eye," is the source from which our boys and girls receive the training that will fit them to be intelligent patriotic citizens.
The administration of this department should be broad and liberal. The last place in which retrench- ment should be considered is in connection with any necessary outlay for the good of our schools.
The expenses of the school department for the past year have been $21,779.66.
The census of the children of the city between the years of five and fifteen, lately taken, gives the whole number as 2,438. There are 1,702 children in the public schools, 800 in parochial private schools, and 136 at work in the arivous factories.
33
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The large per centage of pupils in the public schools shows that our citizens appreciate the advantages to be derived from them. The teachers are interested in their work, faithful in the discharge of duty, and ambitions to maintain the schools at a high standard.
The school buildings are now in good condition, and the only repairs needed the coming year will be the usual unavoidable ones, unless an increase in the number of children should render necessary the re- opening of some school building, or the introduction of water into the Kelley school should be decided upon by the city government.
The evening school is successful, and its usefulness and necessity becoming more and more apparent.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Our library still maintains its usual progressve character. It is well supplied with books in almost every department, and new volumes are constantly be- ing added from the Peabody fund. The whole num- ber of volumes is twenty -five thousand.
The bequest from the late John M. W. Williams, esq., of one thousand dollars will be available this year.
William C. Todd, esq., by whose generosity the Free Public Reading Room was established, has the 5
34
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
past year enlarged his bounty for its maintenance to $10,000 as a permanent fund, and until he pays over this sum will make an annual payment of $400.
It is a source of gratification that these gentlemen, although long residents in other places, still cherish a kindly feeling for their early home, and have by their munificent gifts greatly increased the value of this institution. A value which as an educator is second only to our public schools.
The influence of the library, upon the moral and in- tellectual training of those who frequent its rooms, should prompt us to remember its founders with grati- tude, and its present efficient officers with apprecia- tion. Our citizens are largely indebted to Edward S. Moseley, esq., who for so many years has been un- tiring in his efforts to raise the library to its present high standard of usefulness.
THE WILLIAM WHEELWRIGHT FUND.
The amount of this fund is now $330,000.
From the income derived from this most generous gift, six young men are studying at the Institute of Technology in Boston. Five young men have already finished the course of study at this celebrated school, two of whom are now in Germany completing their education.
35
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
HIGHWAYS.
The appropriation was $4,000; the expenditures $5,261.86. Included in this appropriation is the sal- ary of the superintendent of $1,000. I feel confident that the money has been judiciously expended, but a year's experience has convinced me that this sum is much too small for the necessary work, unless, as has been recommended in former years, a separate appro- priation be made for permanent matters of improve- ment.
During the past year Oak street was extended and widened, and Goodwin's avenue laid out to meet it; 8000 feet of sidewalk made and built, and crossing stones double the amount of former years were pur- chased. Much that has been done the past year is a permanent matter of improvement, different from re- pairs. A large sum has to be paid in this department for shovelling snow, sanding sidewalks, etc.
Your attention will be early called to the expediency of laying out a street through what is known as Mrs. Larner's property on Prospect street to the new street above. I recommend that the new street which runs from Federal to Lime street be called Horton street, in honor of the late Rev. William Horton, D. D., to whom we are indebted so much for the noble chari- ties bestowed upon us.
36
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
With regard to the widening of Prospect street nothing has been done. It was late in the season when the order was passed by the board to widen, and the amounts awarded the abuttors were not con- sidered just. I trust that this much needed improve- ment, as well as the widening of State street, will re- ceive your immediate attention. One of the most marked improvements in the city was the widening of Water street, one-half the cost of which will be paid by the county.
No department of the city receives more gen- eral and unfavorable criticism than that which has charge of the highways, and perhaps our citizens have had good cause to complain, as our streets, especially during the spring and fall, have been in an unsatisfactory state. No blame should be at- tached to our competent superintendent, as he has given strict and faithful attention to all the details of the department. Until our most travelled thorough- fares have been permanently constructed, either by paving or macadamizing, we cannot hope to secure suitable or lasting highways. As these methods are expensive, we must be content with doing a small por- tion each year in the most populous parts of onr city. With appropriations for this object judiciously ex- pended, our streets may be made so durable as to need little or no repairs for many years.
37
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Good and well kept streets form one of the most attractive features of a city and we cannot neglect them. Let the necessary expenditures be determined as nearly as possible before the annual appropriations shall be made; then let it be understood that the ex- penditnres must not exceed the appropriations.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
This department is excellently managed by the present Board of Overseers, who, by their practical knowledge and long experience, are enabled to con- duct its affairs in a wise and economical manner.
The net expense for the maintenance of this de- partment for 1888 was $15,235.89. The average number of inmates in the almshouse, including the insane, was 49; the average cost per week $1.34.
Our new almshouse is furnished with all the mod- ern improvements, and is a model of its kind in all that pertains to arrangement and convenience. Un- der the management of the present superintendent the inmates receive good and proper care. The cultiva- tion of the farm, with which the almshouse is con- nected, will largely contribute towards the support of the inmates.
The dispensing of public charities is an import- ant matter to the citizens of any place and re-
38
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
quires the exercise of sound judgment. The worthy poor should be cheerfully taken care of and their wants promptly relieved, but it requires much wisdom to discriminate between the really needy and de- serving, and those who from idleness or intemper- ance fail to provide for themselves. I think it is the experience of us all that this latter class will practice any deception to obtain relief.
For the tramps it would be good policy to provide some work for them, such as cleaning the crossings of our streets, sawing wood for the Poor Department, or breaking stone for the highways.
It has been suggested by a dear friend of Dr. Hor- ton's that a suitable tablet, properly inscribed to his memory, be procured and set in a prominent place in the new almshouse. I heartily endorse this sugges- tion and hope to see it carried into effect as soon as advisable.
STREET LIGHTS.
The appropriation last year for lighting streets was $9,000, which was overdrawn $709, occasioned by putting in more lights than were called for in the ap- propriation.
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