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City of Newburyport
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City Clerk's Office
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https://archive.org/details/cityofficersannu1898city
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
CITY OFFICERS
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
AND THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
TERRA
MARIQUE
MDCCCLI
TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FOR THE YEAR
1898
NEWBURYPORT : PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE ITEM
1899
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE PRINTING COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
PAY DAYS.
City Treasurer's Office, City Hall, Į January, 1899.
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, 1899.
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, and approval of person ordering the same.
GEORGE H. STEVENS, City Clerk.
OFFICE HOURS.
MAYOR : From II a. m. to 12 m.
CITY CLERK : From 9 a. m. to 12 ni .; 2 to 4 p. m. Saturdays, 9 a. m. to 12 m. June, July and August, 8.30 a. in. to I p. n.
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. 111. 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 10 a. m., Wednesdays and Saturdays.
City Government and Officers, 1898
MAYOR GEORGE H. PLUMER Residence, 93 High street. Office-City Hall
PRESIDENT BOARD OF ALDERMEN
JERE HEALEY
16 Dove street
BOARD OF ALDERMEN Ward One
CHARLES L. PERKINS
IO I 2 Bromfield street
THOMAS HUSE
Ward Three
14 Fair street
BENJAMIN P. IRELAND
Ward Four
35 Winter street
Ward Five
16 Dove street
Ward Six
· I N. Atkinson street
GEORGE W. COOPER
Ward Two
69 Prospect street
ABRAM A. CRABTREE
JERE HEALEY
Clerk of Board GEORGE H. STEVENS.
-
6
ANNUAL REPORTS COMMON COUNCIL
JOHN H. BALCH, JR., President
Ward One
SAMUEL J. HUGHES
GEORGE S. LANG .
CHARLES H. SHACKFORD .
29 Bromfield street
Ward Two
BENAIAH F. GERRISH
LAURENS C. EMERY
ALEXANDER G. PERKINS
15 Horton street
Ward Three
GEORGE RAY SARGENT
ARTHUR P. BROWN .
JOHN H. WHEELER
39 Federal street
Ward Four
CHARLES W. AYERS
JOHN E. BATCHELDER
RALPH S. BAILEY
153 High street 12 Summer street IO Market street
Ward Five
ANDREW J. CASEY
LAWRENCE C. HUSE
.
8 1-2 Buck street 210 High street
JOHN H. BALCH, JR.
. 62 Washington street
Ward Six
ALFRED D. MERRILL
ALBERT H. BECKFORD
JOB WESTON
- Woodland street 15 Woodland street 2 Jefferson court
Clerk of the Council
THOMAS E. CUTTER
17 Barton street 2 Harrison street
29 Milk street 17 Orange street
18 Fruit street 9 Orange street
7
CITY GOVERNMENT
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FINANCE-Mayor, ex-officio ; Alderman Healey, Councilmen Brown, Perkins, Beckford, Hughes and Wheeler.
ACCOUNTS-Aldermen Cooper and Huse, Councilmen Ayers, Hughes and Casey.
PUBLIC PROPERTY-Mayor, ex-officio, Aldermen Huse, Crabtree and Perkins, Councilmen Shackford, Perkins, Brown, Ayers, Huse and Merrill.
ALMSHOUSE AND POOR-Aldermen Ireland and Healey, Councilmen Gerrish, Lang, Huse and Merrill.
FIRE DEPARTMENT-Aldermen Crabtree, Cooper and Huse, Council- men Weston, Hughes, Sargent and Ayers.
BRIDGES AND CULVERTS-Aldermen Perkins and Crabtree, Council- men Merrill, Gerrish and Batchelder.
SAWYER FUND-Alderman Ireland, Councilmen Shackford and Batchelder.
BROWN FUND-Alderman Healey, Councilmen Hughes and Bailey.
TODD FUND-Alderman Perkins, Councilmen Ayers and Casey.
DEXTER AND ATWOOD FUNDS-Mayor, ex-officio; City Treasurer Felker, ex-officio, and President John H. Balch, jr., ex-officio.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION-Mayor, ex-officio ; Aldermen Ireland and Crabtree, President Balch, Councilmen Sargent, Emery and Beckford.
CLAIMS-Aldermen Healey and Crabtree, Councilmen Lang, Weston and Brown.
ORDINANCES-Mayor, ex-officio ; Councilmen Wheeler and Beckford.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT-Mayor and Board of Aldermen, Council- men Lang, Emery, Wheeler, Bailey, Casey and Weston.
FUEL-Aldermen Ireland and Perkins, Councilmen Emery, Batchel- der and Bailey.
LIGHTING STREETS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS-Aldermen Ireland and Cooper, Councilmen Gerrish, Merrill and Hughes.
PRINTING-Alderman Healey, Councilinen Shackford and Wheeler.
WATER SUPPLY-Aldermen Huse and Cooper, Councilmen Brown, Batchelder and Weston.
SEWERAGE-Aldermen Ireland and Crabtree, Councilmen Sargent, Huse and Bailey.
S
ANNUAL REPORTS
JOINT SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
SALARIES - Aldermen Healey and Cooper, Councilmen Perkins, Shackford and Beckford.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
POLICE-Mayor, ex-officio ; Aldermen Huse and Crabtree.
ELECTIONS-Aldermen Perkins, Healey and Ireland.
BROMFIELD FUND-Aldermen Ireland, Healey and Cooper.
PUTNAM AND ATKINSON FUND-Aldermen Perkins, Healey and Ire- land.
LICENSES-Aldermen Cooper, Huse and Healey.
ENROLLED BILLS-Aldermen Healey, Crabtree and Perkins.
FROTHINGHAM FUND-Aldermen Perkins, Crabtree and Ireland.
GREEN FUND-Aldermen Healey, Huse and Perkins.
TOPPAN FUND-Aldermen Cooper, Perkins and Healey.
ABRAHAM WILLIAMS FUND-Aldermen Huse, Perkins and Ireland.
WILLIAM O. MOSELEY FUND - Aldermen Crabtree, Cooper and Healey.
STATE AID, MILITARY AID AND SOLDIERS' RELIEF-Aldermen Crab- tree, Perkins and Huse.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS-Councilmen Ayers, Sargent and Gerrish. ENROLLED BILLS-Councilmen Brown, Casey and Emery.
BILLS OF SECOND READING-Councilmen Perkins, Wheeler and Bailey.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
George H. Plumer, (Mayor), Chairinan, ex-officio.
Samuel C. Beane, Vice-Chairman 6 Harris street William P. Lunt, Superintendent and Secretary Office at City Hall Robert G. Allen, Truant Officer 25 Milk street
TERM TWO YEARS
Ward One
Edward Perkins (term expires 1900)
William T. Humphreys (term expires 1899) Ward Two
13 Parsons street 56 Purchase street
Charles W. Poore (term expires 1900)
Prentiss H. Reed (terin expires 1899)
65 Prospect street 55 Lime street
Ward Three
David P. Coffin (term expires 1900) 73 High street
George E. L. Noyes (term expires 1899)
IOI State street
Ward Four
George W. Worcester '(term expires 1900) Samuel C. Beane (term expires 1899)
124 High street
6 Harris street
Ward Five
Henry B. Little (term expires 1900 · 215 High street
Oliver B. Merrill (term expires 1899)
Monroe street
Ward Six
Paul A. Merrill (term expires 1900) 24 Tyng street
Albert W. Hitchcock (terin expires 1899) 298 High street
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
(Office : City Hall)
TERM THREE YEARS
Amos H. Geary, Chairman (term expires Dec. '98) 36 Prospect street Joseph L. Johnson, Secretary (term expires Dec. '99) 27 Washington st. William H. Huse (term expires December 1900) 173 Merrimac street
10
ANNUAL REPORTS BOARD OF HEALTH
Ernest H. Noyes, M. D., (City Physician ) ex-officio TERM TWO YEARS
Jolın E. Bailey, Chairman (term expires December '98) 6 Kent street Charles W. Page ( term expires December '99) 12 Horton street Agent of the Board George W. Knight Parker street Clerk of the Board
Ainos H. Geary (Office : City Hall) 36 Prospect street
Inspector of Plumbing
William H. Lawrence
2 Bromfield court
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
George H. Plumer ( Mayor) Chairman, ex-officio TERM THREE YEARS
L. W. Sargent, Vice-Chairman (term expires Dec. 1900) 280 High street William F. Houston (terin expires December 1898) 2 Harris street Benjamin F. Hathaway (term expires Dec. 1899) 50 Purchase street Clerk of the Overseers of the Poor William H. Bayley (Office : City Hall) 63 Bromfield street
BOARD OF REGISTRARS
George H. Stevens (City Clerk) ex-officio · 37 Kent street TERM THREE YEARS
Nathaniel Greeley, Chairman (term expires Apr. 1901) 37 Marlboro st. Luther Carter (term expires April 1900) · II Kent street Benjamin G. Davis (term expires April 1899) . · I Horton street
II
CITY GOVERNMENT
Board of Water Commissioners (Office : Bartlet street) TERM FIVE YEARS Albert W. Greenleaf (term expires May 1901) 9 Parsons street 126 High street Nathaniel Appleton (term expires May 1900) John N. Pike ( term expires May 1899 39 Green street
Charles C. Dame (term expires May 1898 . 28 High street
323 High street
Charles H. Sargent (terni expires May 1902 Philip H. Lunt, Treasurer William H. Lawrence, Superintendent Harold S. Noyes, Clerk.
Trustees of Simpson Fund George H. Plumer (Mayor), ex officio John H. Balch, jr. (President of Common Council) ex-officio Thomas C. Simpson (term expires December 1900) Charles C. Dame (term expires December 1898) Eliphalet Griffin (term expires December 1899)
Treasurer and Clerk-James V. Felker (City Treasurer)
Board of Park Commissioners
TERM THREE YEARS
George H. Plumer (Mayor) ex-officio
John H. Balch, jr. (President of the Common Council) ex-officio Orrin J. Gurney (term expires December 1898)
Eliphalet Griffin (term expires December 1899)
Charles C. Stockman (term expires December 1900)
-
Commissioners of Atkinson Common George H. Plumer (Mayor) ex-officio
John H. Balch, jr. (President of Common Council) ex-officio Alvah Hoyt (term expires April 1898) Leonard W. Sargent (term expires April 1900) Orlando F. Hatch (term expires April 1899)
12
ANNUAL, REPORTS
Sinking Fund Commissioners George H. Plumer ( Mayor) ex-officio
John H. Balch, jr. (President of Common Council) ex-officio
William H. Welch (City Auditor) ex-officio
Charles C. Dame (term expires December 1898) Philip H. Lunt (term expires December 1899) Treasurer and Clerk-James V. Felker (City Treasurer) --
Liquor License Commissioners
Moses Brown, Chairman and Secretary (term expires May 1900) Jacob True Rowe (term expires May 1902) Arthur C. Richardson (term expires May 1904)
Trustees Wheelwright Scientific Fund
George H. Plumer (Mayor) ex-officio
Robert Codman, President
James E. Whitney, Treasurer John W. Winder, Secretary
John W. Dodge Lawrence B. Cushing
City Clerk
George H. Stevens
37 Kent street Office : City Hall
Assistant City Clerk
Henry W. Little
45 Purchase street
Office : City Hall
City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes James V. Felker 12 Harris street Office : City Hall Clerk of City Treasurer-Joseph M. Greenough, jr.
I3
CITY GOVERNMENT
City Auditor
William H. Welch
. 24 Washington street Office : First National Bank
City Solicitor
Horace I. Bartlett
Moseley avenue Office : 25 State 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 Office : Basement of Armory Building
Superintendent of Sewers
Francis Curtis
3 Park street
City Physician
Ernest H. Noyes
12 Essex street
Superintendent of Old and New Hill Burying Grounds
Alfred Gurney
262 Merrimac street
Chief Engineer Fire Department
Hiram H. Landford 20 Purchase street
Superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph Hiram H. Landford 20 Purchase street
1 4
ANNUAL REPORTS
Librarian Public Library
John D. Parsons
192 High street Office : Public Library
Superintendent Public Reading Room
Martha P. Lunt
19 Pond street
NEWBURYPORT POLICE FORCE City Marshal
Frank L. Lattime (Office : Central Police Station) 132 1-2 Water street
Assistant City Marshal Simon E. Wilson Captain of the Watch Patrick Creeden Day Officers
Charles W. Wells,
Lemuel Hicken
Seth Young Joseph H. Post
Philip H. Creasey
William H. Pike Constables Frank H. Rundlett
Simon E. Wilson
Jolın Bnrke Samuel W. Tuck
Robert G. Allen
Frank L. Lattime
Albert D. Hale
Deputy Collectors of Taxes John J. Bryan
Robert G. Allen
Inspector of Buildings Hiramı H. Landford
Inspector of Animals and Provisions George W. Knight
.
Night Patrolmen
Henry C. Tate
John L. McLean
George W. Lattime James W. Merritt William Gillis
Patrick Creeden Moses P. Towne John J. Bryan
Samuel W. Tuck
15
CITY GOVERNMENT
Harbor Master Nathan D. Rodigrass
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Amos H. Geary
Office : City Hall
Moses H. Rolfe
Measurers of Grain Charles B. Knight Frank W. Landford
Dennis Healey
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar
George W. Knight
Office : City Hall
Gaugers
Amos H. Geary
William S. Coffin Hiramı P. Macintosh
Surveyors of Lumber
Orlando F. Hatclı
Charles L. Perkins Gideon C. Webster
George E. Currier
William B. Coffin
William H. Morse
Leonard W. Sargent
Thomas F. Corey
Edward Perkins
Edgar Ross
Charles W. H. Jackman Alexander G. Perkins
Edward G. Perkins Fred B. Morse
Ezra Lunt
Joseph Langevin Willard A. Hatch 2d
Weighers of Coal, Hay and Other Merchandise
Charles W. Nelson
Edward Donahue, jr. William S. Coffin
Harry W. Bayley
Lawrence Whalen
Fred L. Atkinson
Jere Healey
John J. Collins James Conley
Fred L. Macintosh
Edward E. Varina
Fred B. Fanning
James Joy Walter E. Atkinson
Amos H. Geary
Alonzo C. Pearson
Jackson Greenaway
John H. Balclı jr
Joseph L. Jacoby
Rudolph Jacoby
Edward Donahue
Leonard W. Coker
Frank A. Bray
Louis A. Sloman Annie Healey
George L. Bray
William Conley
John L. Noyes John Collins
Field Drivers
Jeremiah S. Parker
Nathan A. Massey
16
ANNUAL REPORTS
Pound Keepers
Pound No. 1 -Auburn street
Pound No. 2-Wesley street
Measurers of Wood and Bark
John H. Balch, jr.
Fred L. Atkinson
John Collins
John L. Noyes
Fred B. Fanning
Jolın J. Collins
Jere Healey
William S. Coffin
Joseph Woods
George L. Bray
Frank A. Bray
Charles A. Pearson
Charles W. Nelson
C. W. H. Jackman
Jackson Greenaway
Fred L. Atkinson
Jere Healey
Measurers of Charcoal John H. Balch, jr.
John L. Noyes William S. Coffin
Weighers and Measurers of City Fuel
Amos H. Geary Charles W. Nelson William S. Coffin Leonard W. Coker Edward Donahue
Inspector of Coal Baskets Amos H. Geary, Office : City Hall
Fence Viewers
Fred B. Morse
Dexter W. Nutting
Measurer of Upper L'eather Luther Carter
17
CITY GOVERNMENT
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-Highway ; Police.
Thursday evening-Fire Department ; Sewerage ; Printing.
Friday evening-Accounts.
First Friday evening after first Monday each month-State Aid, Military Aid and Soldiers' Relief.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. GEORGE H. PLUMER
DELIVERED JANUARY 3, 1898
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL :
We have been selected by our fellow citizens to administer the affairs of our city for the municipal year of 1898.
The man of property desires careful and prudent manage- ment of public affairs that his investments may prove profitable and that no undue burden of taxation may be imposed upon him.
The wage earner wants good streets and sidewalks to drive or to walk upon; pure water to drink ; the best of schools for the instruction of his children ; with a strict enforcement of the laws and ordinances, that he may dwell here in happiness and content.
From our citizens and manufacturing industries the city draws its financial support, and during these times of business depression we should carefully look after the financial interests of the city and see that not a dollar of the city's money is wasted or carelessly expended, or used in any way that the city does not receive full value for every expenditure. Let us use our influence in favor of our city as a place for business ; as a place for resi- dence ; take pride in our birthplace and work and talk for its prosperity and growth.
The welfare of our community, its policy in a business way, and its moral reputation will be measured to a great degree by the character, ability, and methods of its city government.
19
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
The inspiring force that should control all our actions should be for the greatest common good without reference to locality or party cliques. With these thoughts in mind we shall perform our duty to ourselves and to all our people whom we represent.
THE CITY'S FINANCES
The city's finances is the first subject to receive our consid- eration. A wise financial policy is the first necessity of good municipal government ; such a policy requires a careful estimate of the current expenses for the year, the raising by taxation of an income sufficient to cover such expenses, and so spending that money as to live within our income, and any work done or im- provement made should be paid for out of this year's income and not have the burden hidden by debt.
Appropriations and income for the year 1897. . . $193,400 71 Expenses for the year 1897 198,966 60
Making an overdraft $5,565 89
Yet this overdraft of $5,565.89 does not represent all the indebtedness that this city government will be called upon to pro- vide for, as there are several outstanding bills of material size that have not been presented which will add to the overdraft of $5.565.89.
The gross debt of the city ending Dec. 18, 1897. $548,005 86 Less sinking fund, etc 148,161 84
December 18, 1897, leaving net debt . $399,844 02 December 19, 1896 385,686 36 Making an increase of the net debt for 1897 of . . $14, 157 66 The net city debt ending December 18, 1897 is . . $399,844 02
.6 66 19, 1895 is . . 378,955 44
Making an increase in the net debt during the
past two years of $20,888 58
One permanent expense is the interest account of some $23,- 464.00 which is practically one-ninth of our total annual expense. I trust our finance committee will careful consider this item when the appropriations are made.
20
ANNUAL REPORTS
BOSTON & MAINE R. R. STOCK.
The city owns 411 shares of B. & M. R. R. stock. It cost to carry that stock for 1897 :
Interest on the loan . $2,874 31
Dividends received on the stock 2,466 00
Making a loss of $408 31
For 1896 :
Interest paid 011 loan $2,670 OI
Dividends on stock 2.466 00
LOSS $204 01
Making a loss in two years of $612.32. Hence the city should surely dispose of this stock as soon as it can, without too much loss on the cost of the stock, and if sold at $175 per share would realize a sum sufficient to take up the temporary loan.
THE WATER DEPARTMENT
The records of the water commissioners show that the New- buryport Water Company deeded their works and plant to the city in February, 1895.
As you already know, the commissioners appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court of this commonwealth awarded the Wa- ter Company $275,000.00 as being the fair value of its property and rights.
From this award the company appealed to the above court, with the result that the said award was sustained as being in ac- cordance with the law and justice of the case as presented.
From this decision an appeal has again been taken by the Water Company to the United States Circuit Court upon ques- tions of law arising under the Federal Constitution, and the case having been argued before this court, we are now awaiting its decision.
I believe we should continue to employ the very best legal talent, and continue the defence of the city in sustaining the award as made.
2I
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
The cost of the works to date is,
Commissioners' award
$275,000 00
COUNSEL FEES PAID
A. E. Pillsbury $17,500 00
W. H. Moody
5,000 00
C. C. Dame 5,088 50
Three Commissioners
8,450 00
R. E. Burke, City Solicitor
2,578 OI $38,616 51
Sundries 15,397 98
Total expense paid to December 18, 1897 $ 54,014 49
Making total expense to date 329,014 49
Bill of R. E. Burke, City Solicitor, pending 2,866 00
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
One of our important duties is to look after and foster our public schools, for they are the hope and strength of the State.
There needs to be an awakened public interest in our schools, and that our city council should take pride in the educa- tion and improvement of our children, mentally, morally and physically ; also be in closer touch with the School Board, that each may assist the other that the mark of improvement begun in the Curtis school house and the Kelley shall be continued un- til every school building in the city is made a model place for health, for comfort and for instruction.
The expenses of the School department have been gradually increasing, but they still remain much below the cost in most cities and towns of the State. The little town of Hull leads the list with $51.33 spent for each child between the ages of five and fifteen ; Medford with some two hundred less children than our own city appropriates $55,446,00, or $25.19 per child ; Brook- line, $41.53 per child of school age; Northhampton, $15.21 ; and we spend per child of school age only $10.19. These figures are taken from the last report of the State Board of Edu- cation and include only the salaries of teachers, fuel and care of fires and school rooms.
22
ANNUAL REPORTS
The expenses for the year 1897 were .$30,520 19
Salaries of teachers, superintendent,
janitors and truant officer $26,283 96
Books and supplies
1,389 59
Fuel
1,650 93
Evening schools
273 25
Rent and sundries
922 46
-- $30,520 19
We need a more liberal supply of school readers, of re- ference books, and of school tools to work with to obtain the best results or to keep our schools up to the average of the schools of the State.
POOR DEPARTMENT
The total expense of the Poor Department for the year 1897 has been $23,356.61. The income from business sources, in- cluding the appropriation of $18,500.00, has been $33,487.63, leaving an undrawn balance of $131.02.
The cost of supporting the insane in the State institutions during the past year has been $6,973.82, which is $986.47 more than last year. This is the largest sum ever paid in any one year in the history of our city.
Insanity in our city is increasing to an alarming extent, 15 having been committed the past year for whom the Poor Depart- ment must provide. Bills will be presented at the next meeting of the General Court asking for an increase in price of board in the state Asylums of 45 cents per week, which, should it be- come law, will greatly increase the already heavy burden upon our city.
Some twenty families have for the first time been obliged to call upon the city for aid on account of the depression in busi- ness, and it is feared that the expenses of this department will be greatly increased during the coming year.
HIGHWAYS
Extensive improvements have been made in many of our streets and walks the past few years, and as one main thoroughfare,
23
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
High street, is nearly completed (being only nine hundred feet short of Three Roads) would urge that it be finished as far as possible and meet the State highway, thus giving us one perfect road the whole length of our city, and joining the last link with * the State road through to West Newbury ; other new work to depend upon the absolute necessity of each case and our financial condition to afford it For further information I would refer you to the superintendent's report.
STREET LIGHTING
Our streets are lighted principally by electricity in a manner not quite satisfactory. The committee having charge of this de- partment should by careful investigation ascertain if prices can- not be reduced and better results obtained.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
is an institution of which we may well be proud, and it should continue to receive our fostering care and support. I would re- fer you to the annual report of the directors for full information as to its condition.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Chief Engineer reports the fire department in first-class condition and the members thereof as equal to any in the State. They are brave, faithful and never refuse to go where duty calls, and we should commend them for their noble work. The ap- paratus is all in good condition, having been newly repaired and painted.
The committee at their November meeting voted to adopt the storage system for the fire alarm, believing it to be for the best interests of the city. The cost of that system will be about $650.00.
The chief also informs me that permission has been granted the city to take the electric current from the street railway com- pany's wires free of cost, thus making the running expenses com- paratively small.
24
ANNUAL REPORTS
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The police should be a body of men well drilled, under thorough discipline, and always obedient to their officers ; tem- perate, courteous and gentlemanly, and yet in the performance of their duties firm and inexorable; tidy in dress and personal appearance, in short, an officer and at the same time a gentle- man. Ours falls much short of this (according to popular be- lief), hence needs our early attention that it may wake up and become an active. efficient, well drilled and strong arm of the law.
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