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NEWBU
OF
CITY
ORT
TERRA M.
C
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
CITY OFFICERS,
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
AND THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE
YEAR 1893,
TOGETHER WITH
CITY OFFICERS, AND MAYOR'S ADDRESS AT THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 1, 1894.
CITY
OF NEWBURYPORT
TERRA MARIQUE MDCCCLI
NEWBURYPORT : PRESS OF THE ECONOMY PRINTING COMPANY. 1894.
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 m. : 2 to 4 p. m. Satur- days, 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. Satur- days, 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, 1894.
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, 1894.
Persons having bills against the city are requested to present them at this of- fice 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, and approval of person ordering the same.
GEORGE H. STEVENS, CITY CLERK.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS-1893.
MAYOR, ORRIN J. GURNEY. Residence, 65 Washington street. Office, City Hall.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Ward One.
JOHN W. ALLEN,
31 High street.
Ward Two.
12 Horton street.
EBEN A. YOUNG,
Dalton street.
CHARLES C. STOCKMAN,
Ward Five.
GEORGE E. STICKNEY,
Summit Place.
Ward Six.
ANDREW R. CURTIS,
274 Merrimac street.
CHARLES W. PAGE, .
Ward Three.
Ward Four.
10 Titcomb street.
. Clerk of Board of Aldermen, GEORGE H. STEVENS.
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
COMMON COUNCIL. RUDOLPH JACOBY, President.
Ward One.
WILLIAM M. TIBBETTS, HENRY J. NOYES,
CHARLES L. PERKINS,
·
49} Purchase street. 68 Bromfield street. 10} Bromfield street.
Ward Two.
EDWARD PERKINS,
CHARLES W. LADD,
JAMES F. CARENS,
13 Parsons street. 26 Atwood street. 4 Milk street.
Ward Three.
RUDOLPH JACOBY,
MOODY KIMBALL,
IRVIN BESSE,
7 Orange street. 27 Temple street. 10 Garden street.
ROBERT H. WATERS, JOHN H. GRAHAM, . JONATHAN F. MORRILL, .
JEREMIAH HEALEY,
CHARLES W. JOHNSON,
DANIEL F. BUCKLEY, .
GEORGE W. COOPER, WILLIAM C. COFFIN,
CHARLES H. LUNT,
.
.
1 No. Atkinson st. 10 Tyng street. 271 Merrimac street.
Clerk of the Council, THOMAS E. CUTTER.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
FINANCE-Mayor, ex officio; Alderman Stickney; Councilmen Coffin, Lunt, E. Perkins, Graham and Healey.
ACCOUNTS-Aldermen Page and Stickney; Councilmen E. Perkins, Carens and Waters.
Ward Four.
142 High street. 100 Merrimac street. 11 Brown Square.
Ward Five.
.
16 Dove street. 43 Kent street. 38 Kent street.
Ward Six.
7
CITY GOVERNMENT.
PUBLIC PROPERTY-Mayor Gurney; Aldermen Stockman, Allen and Curtis ; Coun- cilmen Lunt, Carens, Kimball, Graham, Noyes and Healey.
ALMSHOUSE AND POOR-Aldermen Curtis and Stockman; Councilmen Carens, Besse, Buckley, Johnson and Ladd.
FIRE DEPARTMENT-Aldermen Stickney, Young and Allen; Councilmen Cooper, C. Perkins, Noyes and Ladd.
BRIDGES AND CULVERTS-Aldermen Page and Stockman; Councilmen Buckley, Carens and Noyes.
SAWYER FUND-Alderman Allen; Councilmen Johnson and C. Perkins.
BROWN FUND-Alderman Young; Councilmen Buckley and Johnson.
DEXTER AND ATWOOD FUNDS-Mayor Gurney, Treasurer Felker and President Jacoby.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION-Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Stickney and Allen; Coun- cilmen President Jacoby, Besse, Johnson, Morrill and Buckley.
CLAIMS-Aldermen Curtis and Page; Councilmen Waters, Lunt and Cooper.
ORDINANCES-Mayor, ex officio; Councilmen C. Perkins and Graham.
HIGHWAYS-Mayor Gurney; Aldermen Allen, Page, Young, Stockman, Stickney and Curtis; Councilmen Kimball, E. Perkins, Coffin, Tibbetts, Morrill and Healey.
FUEL-Aldermen Allen and Curtis; Councilmen Tibbetts, Morrill and Coffin.
LIGHTING STREETS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS-Aldermen Young and Stickney; Councilmen Cooper, Lunt and Tibbetts.
PRINTING-Alderman Stockman; Councilmen Kimball and Healey.
WATER SUPPLY-Aldermen Curtis and Page; Councilmen E. Perkins, C. Perkins and Waters.
SEWERAGE-Aldermen Curtis and Allen; Councilmen Cooper, Johnson and Noyes.
JOINT SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
SALARIES-Aldermen Curtis and Page; Councilmen Johnson, Kimball and E. Perkins.
MAYOR'S ADDRESS-Aldermen Page and Young; Councilmen Lunt, Ladd and Besse.
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
POLICE-Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Stockman and Page. ELECTIONS-Aldermen Young and Allen.
BROMFIELD FUND-Aldermen Stickney, Curtis and Allen.
PUTNAM AND ATKINSON FUNDS-Aldermen Page, Young and Stockman.
LICENSES-Aldermen Allen, Stickney and Page.
ENROLLED BILLS-Aldermen Curtis, Stockman and Stickney. FROTHINGHAM FUND-Aldermen Young, Allen and Page.
GREEN FUND-Aldermen Stockman, Curtis and Allen.
TOPPAN FUND-Aldermen Stickney, Page and Young. ABRAHAM WILLIAMS FUND-Aldermen Young and Stockman.
STATE AID, MILITARY AID AND SOLDIERS' RELIEF-Aldermen Stockman, Curtis and Page.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS-Councilmen Tibbetts, Ladd and Coffin. ENROLLED BILLS-Councilmen Buckley, Waters and Ladd.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ORRIN J. GURNEY [Mayor, ] Chairman, ex officio. HENRY B. LITTLE, Vice.Chairman, 215 High street.
WILLIAM P. LUNT, Secretary and Agent, Office at City Hall.
Ward One.
EDWARD OSGOOD [term expires 1894] 49 Purchase street.
WILLIAM T. HUMPHREYS [term expires 1895] 56 Purchase street. Ward Two.
CHARLES W. POORE [term expires 1894] GEORGE E. L. NOYES [term expires 1895] Ward Three. GEORGE H. PLUMER [term expires 1894] GEORGE W. SNOW [term expires 1895] Ward Four.
GEORGE W. WORCESTER [term expires 1894] SAMUEL C. BEANE [term expires 1895]
65 Prospect street. 10} Beck street.
93 High street.
13 Charter street.
124 High street. 6 Harris street.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Ward Five.
HENRY B. LITTLE [term expires 1894]
EDWARD G. MOODY [term expires 1895]
215 High street. 218 High street.
.
Ward Six.
FRANK E. CUTTER [term expires 1894] · 37 Washington st.
PAUL A. MERRILL [term expires 1895] · 24 Tyng street.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
ERNEST H. NOYES, M. D. [City Physician], ex officio. TERM TWO YEARS. G. W. WORCESTER, M. D. [term expires '94] 124 High street. HERBERT A. CLARK, Chairman [term expires '95] 6 Orange street.
Agent of Board.
D. CLARK BATCHELDER, Clerk of Board. AMOS H. GEARY, [Office : City Hall]
51 Fair street.
36 Prospect street.
ASSESSORS.
Office : City Hall.
TERM THREE YEARS. C. C. DONNELL, Chairman [term expires '93] 25 Marlboro street. AMOS H. GEARY, Secretary [term expires '95] 36 Prospect street. J. OTIS WINKLEY [term expires 1894] Parker street.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
ORRIN J. GURNEY, [Mayor] Chairman, ex officio. TERM THREE YEARS. L. W. SARGENT, Vice-Chairman[term expires '94]280 High street. JOHN C. STEVENS [ term expires 1893] 2 Madison street.
LAWRENCE W. BROWN [term expires 1895] 20 Fruit street.
Clerk of Overseers of the Poor. WILLIAM H. BAYLEY, [Office : City Hall] 27 Milk street.
IO
ANNUAL REPORTS.
BOARD OF REGISTRARS.
GEORGE H. STEVENS, City Clerk, . TERM THREE YEARS. BENJAMIN G. DAVIS [term expires 1893] ARTHUR L. HUSE [term expires 1895] NATHANIEL GREELY [term expires 1894]
37 Kent street.
Horton street. 37 Federal street. 37 Marlboro street.
SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS.
Orrin J. Gurney (Mayor), ex officio. Rudolph Jacoby (President of Common Council), ex officio.
William H. Welch (City Auditor), ex officio.
Eben Sumner (term expires 1893). Charles C. Dame (term expires 1894). · Treasurer and Clerk-James V. Felker (City Treasurer).
TRUSTEES OF SIMPSON FUND.
Orrin J. Gurney (Mayor), ex officio. Rudolph Jacoby (President of Common Council), ex officio.
Eliphalet Griffin (term expires 1894). Thomas C. Simpson (term expires 1895). Charles C. Dame (term expires 1896). Treasurer and Clerk-James V. Felker (City Treasurer).
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
Orrin J. Gurney (Mayor), ex officio. Rudolph Jacoby (President of Common Council), ex officio. TERM THREE YEARS. Eliphalet Griffin (term expires 1894). Oliver O. Jones (term expires 1895). William R. Johnson (term expires 1896).
COMMISSIONERS OF ATKINSON COMMON.
Orrin J. Gurney (Mayor), ex officio. Rudolph Jacoby (President of Common Council), ex officio. Eliphalet Griffin, Jacob T. Rowe,
George E. Currier.
II
CITY GOVERNMENT.
CITY CLERK.
George H. Stevens,
· 37 Kent street. Office : City Hall. Clerk of City Clerk-George F. Poor.
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
James V. Felker, 196 High street. Office : City Hall. Clerk of City Treasurer-George E. Moulton.
CITY AUDITOR.
William H. Welch, 16 Vernon street. Office : First National Bank.
CITY SOLICITOR.
Robert E. Burke,
I 32 High street. Office : 76 State street.
CITY MESSENGER.
Frank H. Rundlett,
Office : City Hall. . 28 Federal street.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
William P. Lunt,
Parker street. Office : City Hall.
SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGHWAYS.
Charles M. Pritchard,
17 Atwood street.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SEWERS.
Francis Curtis, .
. · 3 Park street.
I2
ANNUAL. REPORTS.
CITY PHYSICIAN.
Ernest H. Noyes, .
. .
12 Essex street.
CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Selwyn C. Reed, . .
IO Charter street.
SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
Willis H. Young,
.
43 Market square.
LIBRARIAN PUBLIC LIBRARY.
John D. Parsons, . . 2212 Market street. . Office : Public Library.
SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC READING ROOM.
Martha P. Lunt,
IO Auburn street .
NEWBURYPORT POLICE FORCE.
City Marshal.
A. W. Emerson. Office : Central Police Station.
Acting Assistant Marshal. Albert D. Hale.
- Captain of the Watch. Simon E. Wilson.
-
Day Officers.
Patrick Creeden, Lemuel Hicken.
13
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Night Patrolmen.
Seth Young, George J. Ross. John L. McLean, William E. Young, George W. Lattime,
James W. Merritt, Joseph H. Post, William H. Pike,
Charles W. Wells, George F. Woodman.
Constables.
A. Warren Emerson. Simon E. Wilson, Joseph M. Tappan,
Frank H. Rundlett, D. Clark Batchelder, Robert G. Allen,
Henry J. Hidden.
-
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
Asa W. Emerson.
-
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND PROVISIONS.
Asa W. Emerson.
-
HARBOR MASTER.
Michael Stevens.
-
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. Amos H. Geary. Office : City Hall.
MEASURERS OF GRAIN.
Moses H. Rolfe,
Charles B. Knight.
INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGAR. Amos H. Geary. Office : City Hall.
William C. Cuseck,
GAUGERS. William A. Little, Hiram P. Macintosh.
14
ANNUAL REPORTS.
SURVEYORS OF LUMBER.
John T. Filmore,
George W. Marston,
William B. Coffin,
Charles S. Lovejoy,
Daniel M. Felch,
Edward Perkins,
William H. Morse,
John C. Kimball,
Charles L. Perkins,
Moses P. Towne,
Gideon C. Webster,
Orlando F. Hatch,
Thomas F. Corey,
Jere Langevin,
Leonard W. Sargent.
WEIGHERS OF COAL, HAY AND OTHER MERCHANDISE.
William S. Coffin, John C. Stanley,
Leonard W. Coker,
Philip H. Creasey,
Harry W. Bayley.
Lawrence Whalen,
John J. Collins,
John S. Brown,
Jere Healey,
Edward E. Varina,
Fred L. Macintosh,
Daniel Balch,
Fred B. Fanning,
G. Edwin Creasey, James Joy,
Charles Watts, William Conley,
Edward Donahoe,
Walter E. Atkinson,
John Reddy,
Fred L. Atkinson,
Joseph L. Jacoby,
Amos H. Geary,
Benjamin F. Atkinson,
Alonzo C. Pearson,
Rudolph Jacoby,
John H. Balch, jr.,
Charles C. Dame,
Stephen P. Bray, William Noyes,
John Collins.
FIELD DRIVERS.
Jeremiah S. Parker,
William A. Hopkinson.
POUND KEEPERS.
Pound No. 1-Auburn street,
Pound No. 2-Wesley street, .
Timothy Maroney.
George D. Varney.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK.
Philip H. Creasey,
Fred L. Atkinson,
John Collins,
John Reddy, John J. Collins, William Noyes,
Benjamin F. Atkinson, Fred B. Fanning, William S. Coffin,
Jere Healey, Charles W. Dame,
John H. Balch, jr.,
Stephen P. Bray,
John L. Noyes, G. Edwin Creasey.
.
John L. Noyes,
James Conley,
15
CITY GOVERNMENT.
MEASURERS OF CHARCOAL.
Fred L. Atkinson, Stephen P. Bray, Charles W. Dame, John L. Noyes.
John H. Balch, jr., Philip H. Creasey,
William S. Coffin,
WEIGHERS AND MEASURERS OF CITY FUEL.
Amos H. Geary, Charles W. Nelson, William S. Coffin,
Leonard W. Coker.
INSPECTOR OF COAL BASKETS.
Amos H. Geary. Office : City Hall.
FENCE VIEWERS.
Greenleaf Dodge, Nathaniel Morse,
William H. Whitmore.
-
MEASURER OF UPPER LEATHER.
John E. Morgan.
16
ANNUAL REPORTS.
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.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. ORRIN J. GURNEY,
DELIVERED JANUARY 2, 1893.
Gentlemen of the City Council:
Standing before you today to deliver my second inaugural address, I am reminded that I owe a debt of gratitude to my fellow citizens for the un- usual honor they have conferred upon me in unan- imously re-electing me to the highest office within their gift, and I take the present opportunity to say that I fully appreciate this mark of their esteem and sincerely thank them for the honor, and to promise them that I will in every way endeavor to prove worthy of the confidence they have placed in me.
Gentlemen, we have assembled here today for the purpose of beginning a new year in the municipal history of our city. Our fellow citizens have by
20
ANNUAL REPORTS.
their ballots elected us to the several offices which we now occupy, believing that we will honestly and faithfully do what we can to advance the interests of the city and the welfare of its citizens. They have expressed their confidence in our ability to manage the business affairs of the city in a satisfactory man- ner. To some of you it will be a new experience, while others are more or less familiar with the duties of the office. Let me request of you today that each and every member of this city council will, during the entire term of your office, carefully consider every question upon which you may be called to act. Never act hastily, one's second thought is often the best. As each question arises, give it your best thought; and in the words of Davy Crockett: "First be sure you are right, then go ahead." It would be strange indeed if at times there should not exist an honest difference of opinion in regard to some point at issue. If such a time should come, let us not be stubborn, trying to carry out our own ideas, whether right or wrong, but let us sit down and reason together and try to decide what is right and what will be for the best interests of the city, working together in an honest endeavor to give the citizens of Newburyport, during the year 1893, the best administration they haveever had. And now, gentlemen, I ask your attention for a brief time to
2I
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
some of the most important matters with which we shall have to do during the year. First in order will be the finances of the city.
FINANCE.
The appropriations for the year 1892 were $178,- 300.47 ; the income from various sources, $28,005 .- 76, making the total $206,306.23. The expendi- tures were $206,501.85, showing an overdraft of $195.62. The net debt of the city December 19, 1891, was $391,312.32; the net debt of the city, December 17, 1892, was $378,754.56, showing de- crease of debt in 1892 of $12,557.76. There has been paid during the year 1892, $11,266.54, on ac- count of construction of sewerage ; over $33,000.00 was expended on highways, $5,000.00 more than in 1891.
And even with these expenditures, and an over- draft of 1891 to provide for of $7,275.47, besides additional bills of 1891 of about $6,000.00, which does not show in the financial statement of that year; still the city debt was decreased nearly $13,- 000.00 and the city government of 1892 is to be congratulated in presenting to the citizens of New- buryport the best financial record, considering the expenditures, of any city government for twenty years. Now, gentlemen, I want to ask you, who
22
ANNUAL REPORTS.
compose the present city government, to improve upon that record : you can do it if you try. First, make no unnecessary expenditures, and, secondly, insist upon every person who does any work, or furnishes any material for the city, presenting his bill with the statement upon it that it is in full for all indebtedness, every thirty days. Any one ob- jecting to do so will have no reason to find fault if the work is given to some one else. And, in my opinion, any person who, upon being requested to present his bill to the city and receive his pay there- for every thirty days, refuses to do so, has an object in view which will not bear a very close examina- tion. Those of us who have had experience in city affairs, are well aware that bills are continually being presented, dating back from one to three years, in many instances bills which no one can be found to vouch for. Now, there is no excuse for any such state of affairs existing in a city of this size and it is time such a practice was stopped. We should not encourage any such loose way of doing business, but should insist upon the city's business being con- ducted upon business principles.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The public library and free reading room is an institution very much appreciated by a large number
23
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
of our citizens. It contains an abundant supply of excellent books, and new ones are continually being added, of such a variety that all who wish may find reading matter suitable to their taste. In my opinion, no better person could be found to place in charge of this institution than the present efficient librarian, Mr. Parsons, who has won the respect and confidence of all who have occasion to visit the library.
HIGHWAYS.
Until within a few years, this department has been very much neglected, and, I might say, abused. The highways were in such a condition that it became absolutely necessary that something should be done to improve them. A long-continued policy of haul- ing and dumping loam and sand upon the sidewalks and streets had been carried out, burying pavements and edgestones, and in some instances even buildings were disappearing. Artificial ravines were created between the sidewalks and 'streets, and then the bridge builders were called upon to build costly bridges of wood and iron, so that travelers might be able to get across, until the streets of our city presented such a sight that strangers would stopin astonishment and wonder what it all meant. But all this has passed ; we have awakened from our Rip Van Winkle sleep and are no longer satisfied with
24
ANNUAL. REPORTS.
such antediluvian ideas. For several years past, a large sum has been expended annually upon the high ways, and if we wish to place them in such a condition that people may travel with comfort and safety, it will be necessary to carry out the same policy for several years to come, and I think it will prove to be economy in the end. During the year 1892, $5,000.00 more was expended in this depart- ment, than in any one year previous to that time. And in the way of building good sidewalks, more than in any three preceding years. I have not heard one word of complaint in regard to the cost. I believe it meets with the approval of the citizens generally, and that it is their desire to have the work continued. During the year to come, I would recommend that the work of macadamizing the streets be carried on as far as practicable, and that especial attention be given to sidewalks, in order to enable people to walk about the city without going over shoes in mud. In the matter of setting edge- stones, I would recommend that, instead of allow- ing small sections to be put in here and there with- out any reference to grade, as has been the custom, a whole street or one side of a street may be taken at a time, and edgestones set the entire length at a proper grade. I would also recommend that an ef- fort be made to induce parties having steps pro-
25
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
jecting onto the sidewalks, to have them removed at the city's expense, and it seems to me that any public-spirited citizen would willingly agree to such an agreement. I have one more recommendation to make in this department, that the old, unsightly lamp posts about the city be removed, and that all bridges across gutters, whether for the purpose of driving over or walking over, be removed, from one end of the city to the other. I have visited quite a number of places myself, and I have in- quired of persons who have traveled all over the country, and I have not myself, or found any one who has, seen anything of the kind outside of this city, and I hope a year from now there will not be one left in Newburyport. I have never been able to find any one who was responsible for them; every one I have asked in regard to the matter has most emphatically denied having anything to do about it. I have heard of two individuals who were hoping I should not be mayor again, on account of my desire to do away with them, and if you will take the trouble to look over some of the bills they have presented to the city for build- ing and keeping these bridges in repair, you will readily see why they are so interested in the matter. These bridges are a nuisance in every way. They are unsightly, making our streets look like country roads ; they are expensive, having
26
ANNUAL REPORTS.
cost enough to build many miles of good side- walks; they are dangerous to travelers, and the city has been very fortunate so far in not having had to pay large sums for damages on their account, for the city has no right to place any such obstruction upon the highways, and if any person should receive an injury on account of them, whether in walking over them or driving into them with a team, the city would be responsible. These bridges can bere- moved without causing any inconvenience, and if the crossings are properly fixed, there will not be the slightest difficulty in crossing gutters during any ordinary rain storm. And I would again urge that the work of removing them be begun as early in the season as possible, and after they are once removed, I think you will be surprised at the great improve- ment it will make and wonder why they were ever tolerated.
The road scraper which was purchased last year has paid for itself several times over in the excellent work it has done on some of the outlying roads, in scraping off the edges and rounding up the roads, and if used more extensively next season, will be a great advantage to all who are obliged to travel over such roads.
LIGHTING STREETS,
Prior to the spring of 1892, the city had been pay-
27
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
ing $80 per year for each arc light, the lights to be kept burning until 12 o'clock at night, and the ser- vice rendered had been anything but satisfactory; complaints were continually made from all parts of the city in regard to lights not burning for several nights, and often for a week at a time; and at times when the city should have been lighted the citizens were obliged to stumble along in the dark, with a fair prospect of either running up against a tree or falling off one of the numerous bridges which adorn our highways. Last spring a new contract was made, whereby the lights have been kept burning until a quarter past one in the morning, an hour and a quarter longer than formerly; and the price paid has been $5.00 less per year for each light than under the old contract. There has also been a marked improvement in the service, which has given general satisfaction, and if the electric light company would only use a better carbon, I think very little fault would be found in regard to our street lighting.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This department is in excellent condition. The men who compose it, I believe, are equal to the fire- men of any paid department in the State. They are faithful, ever ready to respond to the call of duty; they are brave, never refusing to go where
28
ANNUAL REPORTS.
duty calls; and we should encourage them in every laudable undertaking. The machines are in good condition ; we have a good supply of hose, about 2,000 feet of new having been purchased the last year, and I am glad to know that it was not bought of the parties who inflicted the North End fire alarm upon the city. I would suggest that the recom- mendation of the board of engineers, in regard to the offer of the Gamewell Company to put the fire alarm in first-class working order, be acted upon at the meeting tonight. In my opinion, it cannot be done any too soon, as it is not reliable in its pres- ent condition. Last year the number of engineers was increased ; I believe it has been a benefit to the city, and would recommend that it be continued as it is at present.
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