USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1891 > Part 1
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NEWBURYPORT
PUBLIC LIBRARY
PUBLIC
NEWBURYPOR
Le
LIBRARY
.... ...
...... ..
FOUNDED
1854
Received
N974.4512 M966m 1891
No
Donated by John Gove
Presented by
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
CITY OFFICERS,
MAYOR'S ADDRESS, AND THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE
OF NEWBURYPORT
CIT
TERRA
MARIQUE
MDCCCLI
YEAR 1891
TOGETHER WITH
CITY OFFICERS, AND MAYOR'S ADDRESS AT THE ORGANIZA TION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 4, 1892.
NEWBURYPORT : CALEB B. HUSE, PRINTER, 4 BARTLET STREET.
1892.
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE PRINTING COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
3
NOTICES.
OFFICE HOURS.
MAYOR : From II a. m. to 12 m.
CITY CLERK: FROM 9 a. m. to 12 m .; 2 to 4 p. m. Saturdays, 9 a. m. to 12 m. June, July and August 8.30 a. m. to I p. m.
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR: From 9 a. m. to 12 . In .; 2 to 4 p. m. Sat urdays, 9 a. m. to I p. m. First Thursday evening after the first Monday, 7 to 9. June, July and August 8.30 a. m. to I p. m.
CLERK OF OVERSEERS OF POOR: From 9 a. m. to 12 m .; 2 to 4 p. m. Saturdays. 9 a. m. to 12 m. June, July and August 8.30 a. m. to I p. m.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS: From 4 to 5 p. m., Mondays, Tuesdays, Thurs- days and Fridays; from 9 to 10 a. m. Wednesdays and Saturdays.
PAY DAYS
CITY TREASURER'S OFFICE, CITY HALL, { January, 1892
Regular weekly pay day, Monday. Monthly pay day, first Thursday after 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.
--
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY.
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, CITY HALL, ¿ January, 1892. -
Persons having bills against the city are requested to present them at this office on 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, and approval of person ordering the same.
GEORGE W. STEVENS, CITY CLERK.
5
CITY GOVERNMENT.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS, 1891.
MAYOR, ELISHA P. DODGE. Residence, 71 High Street. Office : City Hall.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Ward One.
29 Hancock street.
ALFRED PEARSON
Ward Three.
II I-2 Spring street. Ward Four.
C. H. DEROCHEMONT
42 Washington street Ward Five.
GEORGE E. ROSS
22 Congress street.
Ward Six.
ISRAEL A. MORSE
10 Tyng street.
Clerk of Board of Aldermen. GEORGE H. STEVENS.
JOHN J. PUTNAM
Ward Two.
II Federal street.
EDWARD A. HALE
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
COMMON COUNCIL. ORRIN J. GURNEY, President. Ward One.
WILLIAM P. LOWELL,
JOHN W. ALLEN,
BENJAMIN F. HATIIAWAY,
Ward Two.
BENIAH F. GERRISII,
FRANK H. PLUMER,
OLIVER O. JONES,
29 Milk Street. 73 Federal Street. 49 Prospect Street.
Ward Three.
EBEN A. YOUNG,
FRANK W. GOODWIN,
CHARLES L. PERKINS,
Dalton Street. 13 Orange Street. 19 Middle Street.
Ward Four.
PAUL A. PATHE,
GEORGE F. AVERY,
WILLIAM H. T. DODGE,
ORRIN J. GURNEY,
DANIEL F. BUCKLEY,
GEGRGE E. STICKNEY,
GEORGE W. COOPER,
WILLIS G. MERRILL, .
SAMUEL G. WILLIAMS,
,
5 Titcomb Street. 14 Titcomb Street. 1 53 High Street.
Ward Five.
65 Washington Street. 20 Warren Street. Summit Place.
Ward Six.
I No. Atkinson Street. 322 High Street. 27 Ashland Street.
Clerk of Council : THOMAS E. CUTTER.
STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1891.
FINANCE : Mayor, ex-officio ; Alderman Hale; Councilmen Avery, Lowell Jones, Goodwin and Stickney.
ACCOUNT : Aldermen Plummer and Noyes; Councilmen Avery, Page and Stickney.
42 High Street. 31 High Street. 50 Purchase Street.
,
7
CITY GOVERNMENT.
PUBLIC PROPERTY : Mayor, ex-officio; Aldermen deRochemont, Putnam and Ross; Councilmen Allen, Jones, Perkins, Dodge, Stickney and Williams.
ALMSHOUSE AND POOR : Aldermen Morse and Putnam ; Councilmen Jones, Allen, Buckley and Merrill.
FIRE DEPARTMENT : Aldermen Ross, Pearson and Morse ; Councilmen Pathe, Hathaway, Goodwin and Cooper.
BRIDGES AND CULVERTS : Aldermen Ross and Morse; Councilmen Merrill, Lowell and Gerrish.
SAWYER FUND : Alderman Putnam; Councilmen Goodwin and Stickney.
BROWN FUND : Alderman de Rochemont ; Councilmen Perkins and Williams.
ATWOOD AND DEXTER FUNDS: Mayor Dodge, President Gurney, City Treas- urer Felker.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION : Mayor, ex-officio; Aldermen Hale and Pearson ; Councilmen, President Gurney, Gerrish, Lowell, Young, and Cooper.
CLAIMS : Aldermen Ross and Putnam; Councilmen Plumer, Dodge and Cooper.
ORDINANCES : Mayor; Councilmen Goodwin and Williams?
HIGHWAYS : Mayor, ex-officio, board of aldermen, Councilmen Hathaway, Plumer, Young, Avery, Buckley and Merrill.
FUEL: Aldermen Morse and Ross; Councilmen Perkins, Pathe and Avery.
LIGHTING STREETS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS: Aldermen Hale and Putnam , Councilmen Buckley, Pathe and Allen.
PRINTING : Alderman de Rochemont; Councilmen Lowell and Gerrish.
WATER SUPPLY : Aldermen de Rochemont and Putnam ; Councilmen Good- win, Cooper, Hathaway.
JOINT SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
SEWERAGE : Aldermen Hale and Ross ; Councilmen Young, Merrill and Al- len.
SALARIES : Aldermen Putnam and Morse; Councilmen Jones, Lowell and Young.
MAYOR'S ADDRESS : Aldermen Pearson and deRochemont; Councilmen Pathe, Lowell and Goodwin.
S
ANNUAL REPORTS.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
POLICE: Mayor, ex-officio ; Aldermen de Rochemont and Ross. ELECTIONS : Aldermen Morse and de Rochemont.
BROWN FUND : Aldermen Ross, Putnam and Morse. PUTNAM AND ATKINSON FUND: Aldermen Putnam, Ross and Pearson. LICENSES : Aldermen Pearson, de Rochemont and Hale.
ENROLLED BILLS : Aldermen Pearson, Hale and Morse.
FROTHINGHAM FUND : Aldermen Putnam, Morse and Hale,
GREEN FUND: Aldermen Hale, Ross and Putnam.
TOPPAN FUND: Aldermen Morse, Pearson and Ross. ABRAHAM WILLIAMS FUND: Aldermen Pearson and Hale.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COMMON COUNCIL. ELECTIONS AND RETURNS : Councilmen Dodge and Goodwin. ENROLLED BILLS : Councilmen Avery, Plumer and Lowell. BILLS OF SECOND READING : Councilmen Stickney and Gerrish.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ELISHA P. DODGE, Mayor, Chairman ex-officio.
HENRY B. LITTLE, Vice Chairman,
215 High Street.
WILLIAM P. LUNT, Secretary and Agent, . Office at City Hall Ward One.
STEPHEN PEABODY, (Term expires 1891) WILLIAM T. HUMPHREYS, (Term expires 1892)
51 Marlborough Street 56 Purchase Street.
GEORGE H. PLUMER PRENTIS H. REED
(Term expires 1881),
( 1892), Ward Three. (Term expires 1891), ( 1892),
Ward Four. (Term expires 1891), ( 1892),
93 High Street. 8 Atwood Street.
WILLIAM F. HOUSTON JOHN F. YOUNG
MISS H. E. LUNT JOSEPH B. LITTLE
Ward Two.
2 Harris Street. 7 Fruit Street.
10 Auburn Street. 22 Boardman Street.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Wurd Five.
215 High Street. ( (Term expires 1891), 6. 1892), 218 High Street.
Ward Six. (Term expires 1891), 256 High Street.
JAMES PARTON PAUL A MERRILL
(
66 1892), 24 Tyng Street.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
ERNEST H. NOYES, M. D., Chairman,
12 Essex Street.
JOHN F. YOUNG, M. D.,
7 Fruit Street.
CHARLES W. DAVENPORT,
6 Fruit Street.
.
Agent of Board.
D. CLARK BATCHELDER,
51 Fair Street.
Clerk of Board. AMOS H. GEARY. Office : City Hall.
ASSESSORS.
Term three years.
CHARLES C. DONNELL (elected 1891), Chairman, 25 Marlborough Street. (
*AMOS H. GEARY 66 1890), Secretary, 36 Prospect Street.
ANDREW J. HAYNES, ( 1889), 152 High Street.
*Elected to fill vacancy caused by death of George J. L. Colby.
OVERSEERS OF POOR.
Term one year.
LEONARD W. SARGENT, Chairman 280 High street. JOHN C. STEVENS - · 2 Madison street.
LAWRENCE W. BROWN
"
20 Fruit street.
Clerk of Overseers of l'oor. WILLIAM H. BAYLEY. Office-City Hall. 2
HENRY B. LITTLE EDWARD G. MOODY
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
BOARD OF REGISTRARS.
GEORGE H. STEVENS, City Clerk -
37 Kent street. Term three years.
NATH'L GREELY (appointed 1889) Chairman) 37 Marlboro street.
ARTHUR L. HUSE (appointed 1888) - 37 Federal street. I Horton street.
BENJAMIN G. DAVIS (appointed 1890)
SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS. MAYOR, ex-officio. PRESIDENT COMMON COUNCIL, ex-officio. CITY AUDITOR, ex-officio. EBEN SUMNER, CHARLES C. DAME. J. V. FELKER, Treasurer and Clerk.
TRUSTEES OF SIMPSON FUND. ELISHA P. DODGE, Mayor, ex-officio. ORRIN J. GURNEY, President, ex-officio. THOMAS C. SIMPSON, CHARLES C. DAME, ELIPHALET GRIFFIN. JAMES V. FELKER, Treasurer and Clerk.
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
JAMES V. FELKER. Office-City Hall. Clerks of City Treasurer. ARTHUR P. BROWN, PERLEY N. PLUMMER.
CITY CLERK.
GEORGE H. STEVENS. Office-City Hall. Clerk of City Clerk-GEO. F. POOR.
CITY SOLICITOR.
NATHANIEL N. JONES. Office -- 68 State street,
IL
CITY GOVERNMENT.
CITY AUDITOR. WILLIAM H. WELCH. First National Bank.
CITY MESSENGER. FRANK H. RUNDLETT. Office-City Hall.
SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGHWAYS. CHARLES M. PRITCHARD. 17 Atwood street.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SEWERS.
FRANCIS CURTIS. 3 Park street.
CITY PHYSICIAN. ERNEST H. NOYES. 12 Essex street.
CHIEF ENGINEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. EBEN S. DOLE. Oakland street.
SUPT. FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH. WILLIS H. YOUNG. 14 Strong street.
SUPT. OF SCHOOLS. WILLIAM P. LUNT. Office : City Hall.
LIBRARIAN PUBLIC LIBRARY. JOHN D. PARSONS. Public Library.
12
ANNUAL REPORTS.
SUPT. PUBLIC READING ROOM. MARTHA P. LUNT.
NEWBURYPORT POLICE FORCE.
City Marshal. A. WARREN EMERSON. Office-Central Police Station. Assistant Marshal -- EDW. E. TAYLOR. Captain of the Watch-SAMUEL, W. TUCK. Day Officers.
ALBERT D. HALE, LEMUEL HICKEN.
Night Patrolmen.
PATRICK CREEDEN, GEORGE J. ROSS, WILLIAM H. PIKE, JAMES W. MERRITT, ROBERT C. BRAGG, SETH YOUNG, JOHN H. MCLEAN.
Constables.
A. WARREN EMERSON, SAM'L W. TUCK,
JOSEPH H. POST,
EDW. E. TAYLOR, JOSEPH M. TAPPAN,
FRANK H. RUNDLETT.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. JAMES W. GUNNISON.
MEASURERS OF GRAIN. Joseph Knight, Charles B. Knight
Moses H. Rolfe,
INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGAR. James W. Gunnison.
GAUGERS.
William C. Cuseck,
Hiram P. Macintosh,
William A. Little.
13
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Jonn T. Fillmore, William B. Coffin, Daniel M. Felch, Orlando F. Hatch.
SURVEYORS OF LUMEBER.
George W. Marston,
Charles S. Lovejoy,
Edward Perkins,
William H. Morse,
William J. Hunt.
WEIGHERS OF COAL, HAY AND OTHER MERCHANDISE.
William S. Coffin, James R. Conley, William Conley,
John S. Brown,
Philip H. Creasey,
Fred. L. Atkinson,
John Reddy,
Harry W. Bayley,
Benjamin F. Atkinson,
Leonard W. Coker,
Edward E. Varina,
Fred. B. Fanning,
Fred G. Spinney,
Fred. L. Macintosh,
Jere Haley,
John J. Collins,
Walter E. Atkinson,
Charles Watts,
George P. Balch, . Edward Donahoe, Daniel Balch,
George J. Warner,
John L. Noyes,
Lawrence Whalen.
Amos H. Geary,
John C. Stanley,
James Joy.
FIELD DRIVERS.
Alonzo F. Osgood, Jeremiah S. Parker William A. Hopkinson.
POUND KEEPERS. Pound No. I, Auburn street-Timothy Maroney. Pound No. 2, Wesley street -- Luther Ordway.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK.
Philip H. Creasey, John Reddy, Amos H. Geary, Fred. B. Fanning,
John I .. Noyes, George P. Balch, Jere Healey,
Fred. I .. Atkinson, Benjamin F. Atkinson, John Collins, William S. Coffin.
J. W. Gunnison, Philip H. Creasey,
MEASURERS OF CHARCOAL.
George P. Balch,
Fred. 1. Atkinson, John I .. Noyes.
Luther Ordway,
Gideon C. Webster,
Leonard W. Sargent. John C. Kimball,
14
ANNUAL REPORTS.
WEIGHERS AND MEASURERS OF CITY FUEL.
George J. Warner, Leonard W. Coker, James W. Gunnison.
INSPECTOR OF COAL BASKETS. James W. Gunnison.
William H. Whitmore,
FENCE VIEWERS. Nathaniel Morse, Greenleaf Dodge.
I5
MEETINGS.
MEETINGS.
CITY COUNCIL. FIRST MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE. LAST MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. LAST MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH.
REGULAR COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
Commencing with last Monday in each month.
MONDAY EVENING-School Committee; Lighting Streets, etc .; Bridges and Culverts; Overseers of the Poor.
TUESDAY EVENING-Public Property. WEDNESDAY EVENING-Highways; Police. THURSDAY EVENING-Fire Department. FRIDAY EVENING-Accounts.
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
3
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. ELISHA P DODGE,
DELIVERED JANUARY 5th, 1891.
Gentlemen of the City Council :-
It now becomes my duty, for the second time, to address you in reference to the history of a year of our city government, and to offer you such suggestions and advice as, in view of our past expe- rience and present information, may seem to me wise and expedient. Before I proceed to the consideration of such matters, I desire to express to my fellow citizens my grateful acknowledgement for the exceptional honor conferred upon me at the late election. While I am quite willing to regard it as an expression of confidence in me, and duly appreciate it as such, I wish it might also be considered as an emphatic condemnation of the policy of introducing national politics into municipal affairs. Such a policy is as unwise and im- prudent as it would be in the conduct of a private business. No one ever considers whether his employe is a Democrat or a Repub- lican, but simply whether he can fulfill the requirements of his posi-
20
ANNUAL REPORTS.
tion. No other question should be asked in reference to any reputable candidate for municipal office, but simply can he best fill the requirements of the position ? When this principle is thor- oughly understood, and when votes are cast in accordance there- with, a better day will dawn on municipal government in America. I feel impelled to say, also, that we are too prone to neglect public · duties. Ours is a government by the people, and it will be a failure unless the people really govern. Every man should have an opinion on public affairs and express it, and act upon it on all fitting occasions. Every man should be willing to accept public office when called upon to do so, even at the expense of personal comfort, convenience or profit. Nothing worth having can be got or retained without personal sacrifice, and popular government is no exception to the rule. And now, gentlemen, I shall be obliged to ask your indulgence if I speak at considerable length upon mat- ters pertaining to our city affairs. There are many subjects of ex- ceptional interest connected therewith, that should not be lightly treated. I shall proceed in the usual order and will first call your attention to the finances.
FINANCES.
The total appropriations for the year 1890 were $1 59,506 26 Income received in the several departments . . 23,643 58
Making the total credits to all the different accounts $183,149 84
'The total expenditures through the regular channels were $187,- 518.31 ; and with payments of $9,400 made on the city debt there is an overdraft of $13,768.97 against $10,066.26 at the beginning of the year.
2I
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The gross city debits
$479,965 72 Less sinking fund and cash items . 65,902 17
Showing the net debt to be
$414,063 55
An increase of $10,077.71 over the net debt at the close of 1889. The increase of the net debt is accounted for by the fact that there has been paid during the last year on account of the construction of sewers $17,155. Had it not been for this item, there would have been an actual decrease of the debt of about $7,000. This is a satisfactory showing in view of the extraordinary expenditures in the highway and incidental departments. Of the net debt $74,000 is represented by stock in the City Railroad, and there is a fair prospect that at the expiration of the lease of that property, which will occur August 14, 1892, the stock may be sold on favorable terms, and the debt reduced at once by at least that amount.
On the first of July last $111,000 of city bonds become due. It was found that we could nof legally issue new bonds to run for a term exceeding ten years, and the requirements for a sinking fund on such a bond, it was felt, would be unreasonably burdensome. It was therefore determined to hire for one year the amount neces- sary. I now advise that we petition the legislature for the right to refund any debts by the issue of bonds running for twenty years. Such a privilege has been granted to the city of Fitchburg, and I ese no reason why it ought not to be given to Newburyport. The debt of $74,000, incurred in aid of the City Railroad, will become due May 1, 189 . I would suggest that it be renewed for a period of one year, in view of the possibility that it can be paid at the ex- piration of the lease of the road.
Taxation and the public debt represent a part of the price we
2 2
ANNUAL REPORTS.
pay for the necessities, the comforts, and the luxuries of civilization. We all recognize the fact that neither taxes nor debt can be avoided, and ask only that the one shall be equitably assessed and the other reduced to a minimum. There has been much dissatisfaction with the manner in which the assessors have done their work. It will always be the fate of these officials to suffer the disapprobation of many of those whose share of the public burden it is their duty to determine. Their work may, and should be done, however, in such a manner as to satisfy reasonable men. Taxes cannot be equitably assessed unless property is justly and fairly valued, and the valuation should never exceed that for which it would sell in the market.
" Twelve millions valuation, and twelve dollars per thousand tax " has an agreeable sound in Newburyport, but as a basis for assessments it should have no more weight than should the famous alliteration of the late Republican, the Rev. Dr. Burchard. It is your duty to elect men to the board of assessors in whom the peo- ple have confidence, and whom you believe to be fully competent and determined to perform the duties of the office as you know they should be performed.
Of the amount you are obliged to order to be raised by taxation, you practically have no control over that part which is expended by the school and poor departments. I would suggest that here- after the amount called for by each of these departments, and the amount to be expended directly under your authority, be specified on the tax bills. This will serve to fix responsibility where it prop- erly belongs.
23
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
SEWERS.
The city council of 1889 adopted a plan for sewers, recommended by Mr. E. I. Bowditch, a civil engineer of Boston, and contracted with Mr. Jonathan A. Douglass for the construction of a part of said " system, covering substantially wards two; three and four. The re- sponsibility for the adoption of the plan, for the employment of Mr. Bowditch to superintend the work, and for making the contract with Mr. Douglass, rests with the city government of 1889.
The contract contemplated the completion of the work by De- cember 1, 1889, and in most of the streets it had been done when the last city government was inaugurated. The intercepting sewer from Market street to Fair street, however, was then still in process of construction. As was well known, there had been lack of har- mony in the relations of the sewer commissioners with the con- tractor, and early in the year the city council amended the ordi- nance relating to the formation of the commission, and added two members, making the Mayor, ex-officio, one of them, and hereafter chairman of the board. I entered upon my duties there, sharing to some extent the prejudices that had been influential in the city council. The sewers had not been completed as soon as was ex- pected, the people were unable to use any part of them, the streets had been obstructed for an unreasonably long period, and it was felt that some one was responsible for a very unsatisfactory condi- tion of things. Naturally the blame was laid at the door of the sewer commissioners.
The creation of that board was provided for in the special law under which the sewers were to be constructed. It was their duty
24
ANNUAL REPORTS.
to arrange the terms of the contracts necessary for the introduction of the sewers, and when such contracts had been approved and ac- cepted by the city council, it became the duty of the commissioners, as agents of the city of Newburyport, to see that the terms of said contracts were strictly complied with, and to have charge of the system of sewers when completed. I know very little as to the manner in which they performed their duty up to the time of my becoming a member of the commission myself. Since then that board has been controlled by but one purpose, namely : to complete the work as soon as possible, and to fully protect the city's interest in the matter. As is well known, the work of construction dragged along until late in the spring. Repeated effort was patiently made to come to some understanding with the contractor, by which the work might speedily be brought to an end and the people allowed to use the sewers. All such efforts being unsuccessful, I reluctantly advised the commissioners that the work should, with the least pos- sible delay, be taken from the contracor and finished by them, as provided in the contract.
This was done ; and rules having been promulgated govening their use, permits to enter the sewer were granted. The extent to which the system is now used is surprising, and has been limited only by the ability of drain layers and plumbers to make the necessary connections.
The sewers are now used by one hundred and forty seven ten- ements, six boarding houses, eighteen stores, eight workshops, five . offices, two hotels, two factories, and three public buildings.
It is now worse than a waste of time to dispute upon the merits of the system. It is the property of the city of Newburyport, is in
-
.
25
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
full operation and must be maintained. I am happy to be able to say I believe it will prove entirely successful in doing the work for which it was designed, and that is, simply the removal of house drainage. No other use of the sewers can safely be permitted, and they must be properly cared for ; and certainly no person should be put in a position of control over them who does not sincerely desire that the $75,000 which they have cost shall prove to have been judi- ciously expended.
No final settlement has been made with the contractor. During the progress of the work his bills were rendered monthly to the commissioners, and so much of the amount thereof as was approved by the engineers, less 20 per cent, was from time to time duly paid , in accordance with the provisions of the contract. When the work was completed a final estimate of the amount due the contractor was made up and forwarded to him.
The commissioners then reported the situation of affairs to the city council, as they did not feel authorized to take any other action in reference to a final settlement. It was my expectation that the contractor would present his claim, if he had one, to the city coun- cil, and I urged his attorney at the time to have him do so with the least possible delay. No claim was ever presented, and the first information relating to the matter, which was officially given to the city government, was the notice of the commencement of a suit for $40,000 damages in behalf of Mr. Douglass. When that notice was received I sought an interview with Mr. Douglass and endeav- ored to have him bring the matter before the city council, in the hope that some basis of settlement might be agreed upon, and thus save the cost and annoyance of a suit at law. He informed me 4
ANNUAL REPORTS.
that the matter was in the hands of his lawyer, and that he could do nothing except with his approval. The situation thus made it imperative for us to prepare to defend the interests of the city in the courts. An attorney has been engaged and the case is likely to be brought to trial at an early day. While none of us would knowingly permit injustice to be done the humblest creditor of the city, it is our duty, and should be our our unflinching purpose, to defend the public rights as we would our own, by all proper and reasonable means.
HIGHWAYS.
The highway department will always be an important branch of the city government. During the past year what I believe will prove a substantial and satisfactory system of road building has been inaugurated. In my address a year ago I advised the con- struction of a modified form of the Telford-McAdam road. Fur - ther investigation of the matter resulted in bringing to the notice of the last city council a system of road making carried on in the city of Bridgeport. A special committee visited that place, and was so impressed with the apparent success and comparatively low cost of the roads there that it was determined to try the experiment of building substantially the same kind here. This necessitated the the purchase of a steam road roller, which was procured, and the work commenced at once, and pushed with all possible despatch un- til the advent of cold weather compelled its discontinuance.
The McAdam road, as usually built and now as generally ap- proved by engineers, requires a depth of stone superstructure of
27
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
from ten to eighteen inches, and when so constructed it is very ex- pensive, costing about $1.50 per square yard. Rebuilding our streets at so great a cost would necessarily be a slow process. The success of the Bridgeport experiment should therefore be most grat- ifying to us ; and if roads so built are not disturbed by the frosts of winter, they will answer every requirement here, and the cost will be only from 35 to 50 cents per square yard. When three or four inches of the surface of a more heavily built road is worn away it will need repairs, and no more nor greater repairs will be needed on "one more lightly constructed. Five years' experience in Bridgeport seems to have demonstrated their success there. I cannot see why they should not prove equally durable here ; but if they do not re- tain their shape when the frost comes out of the ground, we shall simply be compelled to use more stone in what we build hereafter. We shall be longer in getting good streets all over the city, but there can be no doubt that we are working on the right line, and it must be continued, with only such modifications as our experience may show to be advisable. I therefore urge that the committee on highways be at once authorized to contract for not less than five . thousand tons of broken stone. If practicable, this material, which must be of the hardest and finest description, should be gotten out in this vicinity, and if so, arrangements should be made immediately with some contractor, in order that there may be no delay in com- mencing work when the season for it arrives.
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