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City of Newburyport
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Mayor's Office
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https://archive.org/details/cityofficersannu1895city
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
CITY OFFICERS,
MAYOR'S ADDRESS AND THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FOR THE
YEAR 1895,
TOGETHER WITH
CITY OFFICERS, AND MAYOR'S ADDRESS AT THE ORGANIZA- TION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 6, 1896.
CITY
OF NEWBURYPORT
TERRA
MARIQUE
MDCCCLI
NEWBURYPORT : PRESS OF THE NEWBURYPORT ITEM 1896
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE PRINTING COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
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. Saturdays, 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 THE 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, Tues- days, Thursdays and Fridays ; from 9 a. m. to Io a. m., Wednesdays and Saturdays.
PAY DAYS.
CITY TREASURER'S OFFICE, CITY HALL, Į January, 1896.
Regular weekly pay day, Monday. Monthly pay day, first Thurs- day 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, 1896.
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 sep- arate bills.
Be careful and note who ordered the article or articles ; and if for la- bor, 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-1895
MAYOR.
ORRIN J. GURNEY. Residence, 65 Washington street. Office, City Hall.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
HENRY J. NOYES, 683 Bromfield st.
Ward Tuo.
13 Parsons street.
Ward Three. MOODY KIMBALL,
27 Temple street.
Ward Four.
PHILIP H. BLUMPEY, JR. .
30 Green street.
Ward Fire.
CHARLES W. JOHNSON,
2 Johnson street.
Ward Six.
ALVAH HOYT,
26 Oakland street.
Clerk of the Board.
GEORGE H. STEVENS.
Ward One.
EDWARD PERKINS,
6
ANNUAL REPORTS COMMON COUNCIL. ANDREW R. CURTIS, President. Ward One.
HENRY W. LITTLE,
CHARLES L PERKINS,
JOHN W. SARGENT,
40 Milk street.
Ward Two.
JAMES F. CARENS,
.
CHARLES W. LADD,
·
4 Milk street. 26 Atwood street.
15 Horton street.
Ward Three.
CHARLES W. GOODWIN, .
BENJAMIN P. IRELAND, .
HENRY C. PLUMMER,
108 State street. 14 Fair street. 3 Orange street.
Ward Four.
ABRAHAM A. CRABTREE .
WILLIAM H. T. DODGE .
WALDO B. SMITH,
Ward Five.
ANDREW J. CASEY,
JERE HEALEY,
WILLARD S. PIKE,
WILLIAM C. COFFIN,
ANDREW R. CURTIS,
GEORGE B. GREATON, ·
.
35 Winter street. 153 High street. 26 Market street.
8₺ Buck street. 16 Dove street 5 Carter street.
Ward Six.
10 Tyng street. 274 Merrimac st. 18 No. Atkinson st.
Clerk of the Council.
THOMAS E. CUTTER.
45 Purchase street. 10} Bromfield st.
ALEXANDER G. PERKINS,
7
CITY OFFICERS
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
FINANCE-Mayor, ex-officio; Alderman Perkins, Councilmen Healey, Goodwin, Coffin, Crabtree and Plummer.
ACCOUNTS-Aldermen Kimball and Johnson; Councilmen Plummer, Pike and Greaton.
PUBLIC PROPERTY-Mayor ex-officio; Aldermen Noyes, Hoyt and Kim- ball; Councilmen Coffin, Plummer, Casey, Dodge, A. G. Perkins and Sargent.
ALMSHOUSE AND POOR-Aldermen Johnson and Blumpey; Councilmen Healey, A. G. Perkins, Carens and Sargent.
FIRE DEPARTMENT-Aldermen Hoyt, Noyes and Kimball; Councilmen Sargent, Greaton, Crabtree and Dodge.
BRIDGES AND CULVERTS-Aldermen Perkins and Johnson; Councilmen Ireland, Carens and Healey.
SAWYER FUND-Alderman Noyes; Councilmen Smith and Casey.
BROWN FUND-Alderman Blumpey; Councilmen Crabtree and Pike. TODD FUND-Alderman Noyes; Councilmen Ladd and Pike.
DEXTER AND ATWOOD FUND-Mayor, ex-officio; Treasurer, ex-officio; President, ex-officio.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION-Mayor, ex-officio; Aldermen Johnson and Kim- ball; President Curtis, ex-officio; Councilmen Carens, Smith, Good- win and A G. Perkins.
CLAIMS-Aldermen Kimball and Blumpey; Councilmen Little, Casey and C. L. Perkins.
ORDINANCES-Mayor, ex-officio; Councilmen C. L. Perkins and Ladd. HIGHWAYS-Mayor, ex-officio; Board of Aldermen; Councilmen Little, Carens, Ireland, Smith, Healey and Coffin.
FUEL-Aldermen Hoyt and Johnson; Councilmen Plummer, Smith and Ladd.
LIGHTING STREETS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS-Aldermen Kimball and Blumpey; Councilmen Carens, Goodwin and Greaton.
PRINTING-Alderman Hoyt; Councilmen C. L. Perkins and Casey.
WATER SUPPLY-Aldermen Perkins and Blumpey; Councilmen C. L. Perkins, Healey and Pike.
SEWERAGE-Aldermen Johnson and Hoyt; Councilmen Dodge, Pike and Ladd.
S
ANNUAL REPORTS
JOINT SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
SALARIES-Aldermen Hoyt and Johnson; Councilmen Healey, Greaton and Smitlı.
MAYOR'S ADDRESS-Aldermen Noyes and Blumpey; Councilmen Pike, Goodwin and Crabtree.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
POLICE-Mayor, ex-officio; Aldermen Perkins and Noyes.
ELECTIONS-Aldermen Blumpey and Johnson.
BROMFIELD FUND-Aldermen Perkins, Kimball and Hoyt.
PUTNAM AND ATKINSON FUND-Aldernien Noyes, Blumpey and John- son1.
LICENSES-Aldermen Kimball, Perkins and Noyes.
ENROLLED BILLS -- Aldermen Johnson, Noyes and Blumpey.
FROTHINGHAM FUND-Aldermen Perkins, Kimball and Hoyt.
GREEN FUND-Aldermen Blumpey, Noyes and Johnson.
TOPPAN FUND-Aldermen Hoyt, Kimball and Perkins.
ABRAHAM WILLIAMS FUND-Aldermen Blumpey and Noyes.
STATE AID, MILITARY AID AND SOLDIERS' RELIEF-Aldermen Kim- ball, Blumpey and Johnson.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS-Councilmen Ladd, Smith and Goodwin. ENROLLED BILLS-Councilmen Little, Greaton and A. G. Perkins. BILLS OF SECOND READING-Councilmen Plummer, Healey and Coffin.
-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ORRIN J. GURNEY, [Mayor] Chairman, ex-officio.
HENRY B. LITTLE, Vice-Chairman,
215 High street.
WILLIAM P. LUNT, Supt. and Sec., . Office at City Hall.
ROBERT G. ALLEN, Truant Officer, ·
11 South Pond st.
9
CITY OFFICERS
TERM TWO YEARS.
Ward One. EDWARD OSGOOD, [term expires 1896] . 49 Purchase street. WILLIAM T. HUMPHREYS, [term expires 1897] 56 Purchase street. Ward Two. CHARLES W. POORE, [term expires 1896] PRENTISS H. REED, [term expires 1897 . Ward Three. GEORGE H. PLUMER, [term expires 1896] 93 High street. 101 State street. GEORGE E. L. NOYES, [term expires 1897] Ward Four. DR. G. W. WORCESTER, [term expires 1896] 124 High street. 6 Harris street. REV. SAMUEL C. BEANE, [term expires 1897] Ward Five. HENRY B. LITTLE, [term expires 1896] 215 High street. Monroe street. OLIVER B. MERRILL, [term expires 1897] . Ward Six. 15 Woodland st. 298 High street.
REV. EMORY A. HOWARD, [term expires 1896] REV. A. W. HITCHCOCK, [term expires 1897]
65 Prospect street. 8 Atwood street.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
CLARENCE C. DAY, M. D., [City Physician, ] ex-officio. TERM TWO YEARS. JOHN E. BAILEY, Chairman, [term expires 1896] . 6 Kent st. G. W. WORCESTER, M. D., [term expires 1895] . 124 High st. Agent of the Board.
GEORGE W. KNIGHT
.
Parker street.
Clerk of the Board.
AMOS H. GEARY, [Office : City Hall] . 36 Prospect st.
IO
ANNUAL REPORTS
BOARD OF ASSESSORS. [Office : City Hall.] TERM THREE YEARS. AMOS H. GEARY, Chairman, [term expires 1895] 36 Prospect st. JOSEPH L. JOHNSON, Secretary, [term expires 1896] 27 Wash. st. J. OTIS WINKLEY, [term expires 1897] Parker street.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
ORRIN J. GURNEY, [Mayor] Chairman, ex-officio. TERM THREE YEARS.
L. W. SARGENT, Vice Chair [term expires 1897] 280 High street. LAWRENCE W. BROWN, [term expires 1895] 20 Fruit street.
JOHN C. STEVENS, [term expires 1896] 2 Madison st. Clerk of Overseers of the Poor. WILLIAM H. BAYLEY, LOffice : City Hall] 63 Bromfield st.
BOARD OF REGISTRARS.
GEORGE H. STEVENS, [City Clerk] ex-officio . 37 Kent street.
TERM THREE YEARS.
NATHANIEL GREELEY, Chair., [term expires '97] 37 Marlboro st. 11 Kent street.
LUTHER CARTER, [term expires 1896]
BENJAMIN G. DAVIS, [term expires 1895J
1 Horton st.
Sinking Fund Commissioners. Orrin J. Gurney, [Mayor] ex-officio.
Andrew R. Curtis, [President of the Common Council] ex-officio.
William H. Welch, [City Auditor] ex.officio.
Charles C. Dame, [term expires 1896].
Albert W. Greenleaf [term expires 1897].
Treasurer and Clerk-James V. Felker [City Treasurer].
II
CITY OFFICERS
Trustees of Simpson Fund. Orrin J. Gurney (Mayor) ex-officio.
Andrew R. Curtis (President of Common Council), ex-officio.
Thomas C. Simpson (term expires 1897).
Charles C. Dame (term expires 1895).
Eliphalet Griffin (term expires 1896).
Treasurer and Clerk-James V. Felker (City Treasurer.
Board of Park Commissioners. Orrin J. Gurney (Mayor ), ex-officio. Andrew R. Curtis (President of the Common Council), ex-officio. TERM THREE YEARS. Charles C. Stockman (term expires 1897).
William R. Johnson (term expires 1895).
Eliphalet Griffin (term expires 1896).
Commissioners of Atkinson Common. Orrin J. Gurney (Mayor), ex-officio.
Andrew R. Curtis (President of Common Council), ex-officio.
Jacob T. Rowe (term expires 1896).
Eliphalet Griffin (term expires 1897).
Orlando F. Hatch (term expires 1898).
Water Commissioners.
Albert C. Titcomb (term expires 1899).
John N. Pike (term expires 1898).
Charles C. Dame (term expires 1897).
Charles H. Sargent (term expires 1896).
Albert W. Greenleaf (term expires 1895).
Liquor License Commissioners.
Moses Brown, chairman and secretary (term expires 1900). George Perry Sargent (term expires 1898).
Jacob True Rowe (term expires 1896).
City Clerk.
George H. Stevens 37 Kent street. Office: City Hall. Clerk of City Clerk-George F. Poor.
12
ANNUAL REPORTS
City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes.
James V. Felker
12 Harris street.
Office: City Hall. Clerk of City Treasurer-Moody B. Noyes. - City Auditor. . 14 Harris street.
William H. Welch
Office: First National Bank.
Robert E. Burke
City Solicitor. Office: 76 State street.
49 High street.
City Messenger.
Frank H. Rundlett
78 Federal street.
Office : City Hall.
Superintendent of Schools.
William P. Lunt
19 Pond street.
Office: City Hall.
Superintendent of Highways.
Charles M. Pritchard
17 Atwood street.
Superintendent of Sewers. Jonathan W. Douglass
251 High street.
City Physician. Clarence C. Day
Io Washington street.
I3
CITY OFFICERS
Chief Engineer of Fire Department.
Hiram H. Landford
20 Purchase street.
Superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph.
Orrin J. Welch . IO Otis Place.
Librarian Public Library.
John D. Parsons . . 236 Higlı street.
. Office: Public Library.
Superintendent Public Reading Room.
Martha P. Lunt
19 Pond street.
NEWBURYPORT POLICE FORCE. City Marshal. A. W. Emerson. Office: Central Police Station. Assistant Marshal. Albert D. Hale. Captain of the Watch. Simon E. Wilson. Day Officers.
Patrick Creeden,
Seth Young, Henry C. Tate, Jolın L. McLean, William E. Young, George W. Lattime,
Lemuel Hicken.
Night Patrolmen.
James W .. Merritt, Joseplı H. Post, William H. Pike, Charles W. Wells, William Gillis, Frank L. Lattime.
14
ANNUAL REPORTS
Constables.
A. Warren Emerson, Simon E. Wilson, Joseph M. Tappan,
Frank H. Rundlett, Moses P. Towne, Robert G. Allen,
Henry J. Hidden.
Inspector of Buildings.
Asa W. Emerson.
Inspector of Animals and Provisions.
George W. Knight.
-
Harbor Master.
Michael Stevens.
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Amos H. Geary. Office: City Hall.
Measurers of Grain.
Moses H. Rolfe, Charles B. Knight,
Frank W. Landford.
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar.
George W. Knight. Office: City Hall.
Gaugers.
Amos H. Geary,
Hiram P. Macintosh.
15
CITY OFFICERS
Surveyors of Lumber.
George E. Currier,
William B. Coffin,
William H. Morse,
John C. Kimball,
Charles L. Perkins,
Orlando F. Hatch,
Thomas F. Corey,
Leonard W. Sargent,
Edgar Ross,
Ezra Lunt,
Weighers of Coal, Hay and Other Merchandise.
John A. Currier,
George M. Warner, Lawrence Whalen,
William S. Coffin,
Harry W. Bayley,
Philip H. Creasey,
John S. Brown,
Jere Healey,
John J. Collins,
Fred L. Macintosh,
Edward E. Varina,
Fred B. Fanning,
James Joy,
William Conley,
John L. Noyes,
James Conley,
Fred L. Atkinson,
Walter E. Atkinson,
John Reddy, Amos H. Geary,
Benj. F. Atkinson,
Joseph L. Jacoby,
Rudolph Jacoby,
John H. Balch,
Alonzo C. Pearson,
Stephen P. Bray,
Charles W. Dame,
Charles A. Pearson,
Jackson Greenaway,
John Collins,
Leonard W. Coker,
Frank A. Bray,
Edward Donahue,
Field Drivers.
Jeremiah S. Parker,
Nathan A. Massey.
Pound Keepers.
Pound No. 1-Auburn street
Timothy Maroney. ·
Pound No. 2-Wesley street
. John R. Silloway.
Measurers of Wood and Bark.
Philip H. Creasey, John Reddy, Jere Healey, Charles W. Dame, Stephen P. Bray,
Fred L. Atkinson, Fred B. Fanning, William S. Coffin, John L. Noyes, Frank A. Bray, Joseph Woods.
John Collins,
John J. Collins, William Noyes, John H. Balch, jr.,
Charles A. Pearson,
Gideon C. Webster, Edward Perkins,
Chas. W. H. Jackman, 1 Alex. G. Perkins, Joseph Langevin.
Daniel P. Balch.
16
ANNUAL REPORTS
Measurers of Charcoal.
Charles W. Nelson, Fred L. Atkinson, Stephen P. Bray, Jere Healey,
Chas. W. H. Jackman, Jackson Greenaway, John H. Balch, jr., Philip H. Creasy, Charles W. Dame, William S. Coffin, John L. Noyes.
Weighers and Measurers of City Fuel.
Amos HI. Geary, Charles W. Nelson, William S. Coffin, Edward Donahue.
Leonard W. Coker,
Inspector of Coal Baskets.
Amos H. Geary. Office: City Hall.
-
Fence Viewers,
George W. Langdon, Nathaniel Morse, William H. Whitmore.
Measurer of Upper Leather.
Luther Carter.
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 of 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 ; Sewerage. Friday evening-Accounts.
First Thursday evening after first Monday each month, State Aid, Military Aid and Soldiers' Relief.
[2]
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS 1895
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF HON. ORRIN J. GURNEY.
Gentlemen of the City Council :
It becomes my privilege to be the first, among the long list of honored mayors of this good old city, who has been permitted to deliver a fourth consecutive inaugural address, and as I realize the full extent of this unusual honor that has been con- ferred upon me, I am unable to find suitable lan- guage in which to express my feelings of gratitude to the citizens of Newburyport. I can only say that I fully appreciate this kind mark of their esteem and from my heart thank them for their confi- dence. It has been a great victory, not of one man over another, but a glorious victory of the people over the Tammany of our city ; it was a grand tri- umph of right over wrong, and I derive great sat- isfaction from the knowledge that while I have been bitterly opposed by political rings and cliques I have had the hearty support of the citizens.
During the three years that I have served as
22
ANNUAL REPORTS
the chief executive of my native city I have always endeavored to be the mayor of the people. I have known no party, no creed, no class. The poor man has been treated with the same courtesy as the rich rich man ; all alike have been to me as citizens, and as such entitled to respect.
My past record as a public official is open to all. It will bear the closest inspection, and I feel that you will pardon me for saying that it is a record no man need be ashamed of.
During the year to come I shall try to perform my duty in every respect by endeavoring at all times to do what I believe will be for the best inter- ests of the city and the welfare of its citizens; and now, gentlemen, I ask your respectful attention for a brief time as we consider the condition and some of the needs of our city. First in order will be its financial condition.
FINANCE.
The appropriations for the year 1894 were $176,559.00; the income from various sources $24,691.29, making the total amount available for carrying on the different departments, $201,250.29. The expenditures were $223,425.21, showing an overdraft for the year of $22,175.92. There is something over $3000 due the city from the state
23
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
on last year's account, and which should have been received, so that the real overdraft is about $19,- 000, accounted for in the following manner : Water question, $5,480.95; settlement of Leonard's case, which has been pending four or five years, $1,100. Four other claims against the city were settled at a cost of $525. Five thousand dollars was paid for extra work upon the highways in employing needy persons. For this purpose other cities either made a special appropriation to assist them or helped them from the poor department. We thought it better to employ such upon the roads, even though the work was not needed, as in nearly every case they were men who would never have applied to the city for help had it not been to keep their fami- lies from suffering. The overdraft of 1893 amount- ing to $7,109 had to be taken care of. While there was an appropriation for this sum, if there had been no overdraft that year the overdraft last year would have been just that amount less, as it would have been added to the appropriations for other departments and they would not have overdrawn to the extent they were obliged to.
The total amount of the items above referred to is $19,214.96, so you will readily see that had it not been for these unusual expenditures there would have been no overdraft in 1894. The net debt De-
24
ANNUAL REPORTS
cember 16, 1893, was $388,700.24; December 15, 1894, $397,465.81, increase of debt for 1894, $8,- 675.57. The sewer claim against the city was set- tled last year at an expense of $10,854.87, which accounts for the increase in the debt, there being no appropriation for that purpose.
The proceeds from the sale of the city railroad stock, amounting to $74,000, is still invested in Boston & Maine stock, which is now on a paying basis, yielding a few hundred dollars more to the city than we are paying for interest on the note, which is certainly very gratifying when we consider it was costing the city some $2,000 a year to hold the city railroad stock before the trade was made.
Those who were so eager one year ago to crit- icise my management of that business are now si- lent, having just begun to realize that they did not know quite as much as they supposed. They were at that time crying loudly about the city losing twenty or thirty thousand dollars. I then stated that the city would not lose one dollar, for I was not getting my advice from the bucket shops, as were some of those who criticised me. I went to those places some years ago for my advice and paid dearly for it, and knew better than to take any more from that source. The Boston & Maine stock is all right, and every dollar of that $74,000 is
25
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
coming back into the city treasury. I have no fear but what my management of that affair will re- ceive full and complete justification.
Several times during the past two years false and misleading statements have been circulated by unprincipled parties regarding our financial condi- tion, causing great injury to the city's reputa- tion abroad. Soon after the publishing of such statements, prior to the last city election, I received letters, which I have in my possession, from two expert auditors in Boston, one dated December 12, the other December 14, calling my attention to their facilities for straightening out erroneous ac- counts and looking up defalcations, and stating that if I wished to consult them privately they would give me any confidential advice I might need.
In my opinion too strong language cannot be used in condemning any person, who for his own personal ends would be guilty of circulating such outrageous lies, and any newspaper that would consent to be a party to such work, deserves neither support or respect.
In connection with the expending of the city money, I notice one paper complains of being boy- cotted in regard to the city printing. Certainly they have no right to expect a city government that was being continually abused by them would go out
.
26
ANNUAL REPORTS
of its way to render them assistance, but thestate- ment they make about being boycotted is unquali- fiedly false, as the following figures will convince YOU.
This paper drew from the city treasury for printing in 1894, $406.19; in 1893, $1217.20; total amount for the two years, $1623.39. They paid as a tax to the city in 1893, the manager of the pa- per, $5.40 ; the editor, $2.00 ; News Publishing Company, $164.90 ; total, $172.30. In 1894, the manager, $2.00 ; the editor, $2.00 ; News Publish- ing Company, $152.29 ; total for the two years, $328.59, thereby receiving from the city in those two years $1274.80 above what they paid as a tax.
The appropriation for printing in 1893 was $1500 ; in 1894, $750; total for the two years, $2250; and yet these men after receiving two- thirds, and over, of the whole appropriation for that time, and deserving none, complain that they have not had their share, which simply proves what I have before stated, that they are not so much in- terested in the welfare of the people as they are in getting their fingers into the city treasury.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I would recommend a few things, which in my opinion, would be for the benefit of the public.
First-An amendment to the city charter,
27
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
whereby the city government could beinaugurated at eight o'clock in the evening in place of 10 o'clock in the morning, as now required. It would be much more convenient, not only for the members of the city council, but also for the general public, many of whom would like to attend these exercises but are now prevented from doing so on account of their daily vocations. Some cities have already adopted the evening hour for their inauguration exercises.
The city ordinance, whereby the appropriations for the year are now made in April, should also be changed, as at that time one-quarter of the year is gone and a corresponding part of the money, for which there has been no appropriation made, is then expended, and I would recommend that the appropriations be made at the February meeting, and that the several committees, the week before that meeting, make a careful estimate as to the amount required for their departments, and then strictly confine themselves as far as practicable to the sum allowed them for their use. The appropri- ating of a smaller sum than is necessary for the run- ning of any department, which is so often done, and then largely overdrawing the amount, is not good business, and should be discouraged in every possi- ble way.
2S
ANNUAL REPORTS
I would also recommend that the hydrant con- necting with the Frog pond water, which is now located in Brown square, be moved out on Green street at the side of the square, as it would then be much more convenient for the enginesin case of fire, and would also prevent the cutting up of the turf on the square, which is now done wherever the hy- drant has to be used in its present location. The expense of moving it would be trifling as compared with the benefit which would be derived from it.
In my opinion the street railroad company should be required to remove the double track lo- cated on Merrimac street, between the bridge and Market square, and place a single track in the cen- tre of the street. As now located it is a nuisance to the traveling public, on account of the narrow- ness of the street at that place, and its removal would not discommode the company to any extent, as they have a turnout at Market square and one just above the bridge.
In regard to a new police station. Notwith- standing the fact that hetter quarters are very much needed, it does not seem to me advisable to provide them during the present year. While I have at times thought it might be well to have the police station and an armory combined, I have come to
29
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
the conclusion that it would be better to keep them separate.
Regarding a new armory for the military com- pany located here, I hardly know what to advise. I suppose there is no question but what we shall be obliged to provide suitable quarters for the company, which without doubt they need, as those they now occupy are not fit for the use of the com- pany.
It was my intention at this time to recommend that the city procure a good location and erect a suitable building for the purpose, but judging by the treatment the city has received in the past from those in authority regarding such matters, I feel that we should have no assurance, even if the city erected a new armory, that some military despot would not come down here and either condemn the armory or disband the company, and thus leave the building on our hands ; for it seems in such matters that we are living as much under military despotism as are the Poles in Russia, or the Arme- nians in Turkey.
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