USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1889 > Part 1
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THOMAS CRANE
PUBLIC LIBRARY QUINCY, MASS.
CITY APPROPRIATION
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Boston Public Library
https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress1889quin
CITY DOCUMENT NO. I.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR,
WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
CITY OF QUINCY
FOR THE YEAR 1889,
INCLUDING A LIST OF ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS FOR 1889 AND 1890.
16
MANET
QUINCY
BOSTON : WINSHIP, DANIELS & CO., PRINTERS, 150 PEARL STREET. 1890.
1
Q.R. 352 Q04
1889
CITY OF QUINCY.
IN COUNCIL, March 31, 1890.
ORDERED : -
That fifteen hundred copies of the reports of the different departments of the city, together with the report of the Committee on Sewers on a sewerage system for the city, the city charter and ordinances, and such other documents and information as they may deem desirable be printed for public distribution.
The same to be prepared under the direction of the Mayor, City Auditor and City Clerk, the expense not to exceed one thousand dollars, to be charged to the appropria- tion for printing.
Passed April 28, 1890.
A true copy. Attest :
CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR,
City Clerk.
1
INDEX.
ADAMS ACADEMY, REPORT OF THE MANAGERS 162 ADVERTISING, PRINTING AND STATIONERY . 85 .
ALMSHOUSE
87
ALMSHOUSE, POOR OUT OF .
90, 137 80
ASSESSORS
. 87
AUDITOR'S REPORT
. 74
AUTOMATIC STEAM WHISTLE AT THE PUMPING STATION 104
BILLS DELIVERED TO THE CITY TREASURER FOR COLLECTION 45
BOARD OF HEALTH OF QUINCY, 1889, REPORT OF
32
BROOKS, WIDENING AND DEEPENING
94
BOARD OF HEALTH
BRIDGES BURIAL PLACES
104
CITY CLERK, REPORT OF
40
CITY HALL, CARE OF .
95 96 165
COLLECTOR REPORT'S .
75
COMMON STREET
IIO
COPELAND STRÈET, LAND DAMAGES
III
DEBT STATEMENT 77
78
ELM AND CANAL STREETS
106
ELECTION EXPENSES
106
ENGINE HOUSES, REPAIRS OF
99
FIRE DEPARTMENT, MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES IO1
FIRE DEPARTMENT, 1888, PAY OF
99
FIRE DEPARTMENT, 1889, PAY OF
99
FIRE DEPARTMENT, REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER
149
FOUNTAINS
98
FRANKLIN STREET, CROSSING
119
FRANKLIN STREET AND INDEPENDENCE AVENUE LAND, JUNCTION
I21
GARBAGE, COLLECTION OF
97
HANCOCK STREET, CROSSING
120
HANCOCK STREET, CULVERT UNDER, TO DRAIN TEAL POND (WARD) SIX) · 120
HANCOCK STREET
. 107
118 93
CITY OFFICERS, PAY OF
CIVIL ENGINEER, REPORT OF
DEBT FALLING DUE IN 1890, STATEMENT OF
APPROPRIATIONS, EXPENDITURES AND BALANCES, STATEMENT OF
6
HORSE SHOEING
98
HORSE KEEPING
98
HOOK AND LADDER HOUSES, REPAIRS
100
HOWARD STREET, IMPROVEMENT OF HYDRANTS
IIO
INTEREST
I18
LAW DEPARTMENT
97
MAYOR PORTER'S INAUGURAL
MEMORIAL DAY
I7 97 124
MISCELLANEOUS-CITY
92
NEW SUPPLY WAGON
98 98
NEW HOSE .
OVERSEER OF THE POOR, REPORT OF
I32
OTHER . NEW STREETS
120
PARKS
I27
PARK COMMISSIONERS, REPORT OF
159 I28
POLICE STATION .
I27
POLICE DEPARTMENT .
I57
PUBLIC WORKS, 1889, ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF
41
PUBLIC BURIAL PLACES, REPORT OF BOARD OF MANAGERS OF
. I55
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, REPAIR OF
. I28
QUINCY SEWERAGE
180
QUINCY AVENUE, REMOVING LEDGE ON
119
RESUME
92, 130 85
SINKING FUND
66
SOUTH STREET, REPAIRS ON
119
STATE AID
130, 131
STREET LIGHTING .
. II2
STREETS, GENERAL REPAIRS OF
. I13
STEAMER HOUSE, REPAIR
100
SUITS AND SETTLEMENTS
127
SUPPORT OF POOR, ALMSHOUSE
134
SWILL DEPARTMENT
38
SQUANTUM STREET
I21
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
121
TREASURER'S REPORT
61
WHITWELL STREET
III
WOODWARD FUND
.
67
SCHOOL EXPENSES, STATEMENT OF
"SIDEWALKS
II2
POLICE
NEW NEPONSET BRIDGE
I20
CITY OF QUINCY.
GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS, 1889.
MAYOR. CHARLES H. PORTER.
CITY COUNCIL.
HERBERT M. FEDERHEN President.
Councilmen-at-Large.
HERBERT T. WHITMAN. JOHN C. KAPPLES.
THADDEUS H. NEWCOMB. WILLIAM B. GLOVER.
LEVI STEARNS.
Councilmen from Wards.
Ward One. GEORGE A. BARKER.
FRANK B. FOSTER. JOSEPH C. MORSE.
Ward Four. WILLIAM T. SHEA. JAMES F. BURKE. PATRICK F. LACY.
Ward Two. HERBERT M. FEDERHEN. JOHN R. GRAHAM. JOHN SHAW. Ward Three. FREDERICK L. JONES. JAMES THOMPSON. THOMAS CURTIS.
Ward Five. JOSEPH W. LOVETT. HENRY O. FAIRBANKS. GEORGE F. PINKHAM.
Ward Six. ROGER H. WILDE. ELIJAH G. HALL. JAMES BURR.
Clerk. CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR.
Regular meeting on the first and third Monday of each month, at 7.45 P. M.
8
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
Finance, Accounts, State Aid, Claims and Salaries .- COUNCILMEN BARKER, GRA- HAM, CURTIS, KAPPLES, WILDE.
Contracts, Streets, Ways, Sidewalks, Bridges and Lights .- COUNCILMEN WHITMAN, MORSE, GRAHAM, JONES, SHEA, PINKHAM, HALL.
Public Buildings and Grounds .- COUNCILMEN THOMPSON, HALL, KAPPLES.
Sewers and Drains .- COUNCILMEN SHAW, THOMPSON, BARKER, BURKE, LOVETT, BURR, NEWCOMB.
Fire Department and Police .- COUNCILMEN FOSTER, FAIRBANKS, LACY, JONES, GLOVER.
Ordinances, Licenses, Printing, Rules and Orders .- COUNCILMEN WILDE, FAIR- BANKS, SHEA.
Health, Poor and Bonds .- COUNCILMEN BURKE, MORSE, STEARNS.
Legislative Matters, Election and Returns .- COUNCILMEN PINKHAM, LACY, SHAW.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
AT LARGE.
Term Expires. 1892
DR. JOHN A. GORDON
SYLVESTER BROWN
1891
DR. JOSEPH M. SHEAHAN
1890
Term Expires.
Ward I. RUPERT F. CLAFLIN
1892
Ward 2. REV. H. EVAN COTTON
1890
Ward 3. REV. EBEN MUSE
1890
Ward 4. JOHN F. COLE
1891
Ward 5. FRANCIS L. HAYES
1892
Ward 6. THOMAS GURNEY
1891
Superintendent of Schools. GEORGE I. ALDRICH.
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.
,
Commissioner of Public Works. JOHN P. PRICHARD.
City Treasurer. HORACE B. SPEAR.
City Clerk. CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR.
9
Collector of Taxes. BRYANT N. ADAMS.
City Solicitor. W. G. A. PATTEE.
Deputy Manager of the Police Force. GEO. O. LANGLEY.
Chief Engineer of Fire Department. WALTER H. RIPLEY.
Overseer of the Poor. GEORGE H. FIELD.
ASSESSORS.
Principal Assessor. BENJ. F. CURTIS.
Assistant Assessors.
Ward I. ELIAS A. PERKINS.
Ward 2. JOHN FEDERHEN, 3d.
Ward 3. WM. S. WILLIAMS.
Ward 4.
FRANCIS E. KIMBALL.
Ward 5.
ISRAEL WATERHOUSE.
Ward 6.
FREDERICK C. POPE.
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
WILLIAM B. RICE. GEORGE CAHILL. JOHN CHAMBERLAIN.
MANAGERS OF WOODWARD FUND AND PROPERTY.
CHARLES H. PORTER, Mayor.
CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR, City Clerk.
HORACE B. SPEAR, Treasurer.
JOHN O. HALL, City Auditor.
GEORGE L. GILL, elected by Council.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
DR. JOHN H. GILBERT, Chairman.
DR. JOHN F. WELCH.
JOSEPH L. WHITON. DR. JOSEPH M. SHEAHAN.
DR. GEORGE B. RICE.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY. CHARLES F. ADAMS. HARRISON A. KEITH. WILLIAM H. PRICE.
GEO. I. ALDRICH.
FRED A. CLAFLIN.
EMERY L. CRANE.
10
BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE ADAMS ACADEMY.
REV. EDWARD NORTON.
LUTHER S. ANDERSON.
JOSIAH QUINCY.
CHARLES A. HOWLAND. CHARLES R. SHERMAN. CHARLES H. PORTER.
BOARD OF MANAGERS OF PUBLIC BURIAL PLACES.
JOHN HALL. EDWARD A. SPEAR. GEORGE L. GILL.
JOSEPH H. VOGEL. JAMES E. MAXIM. TOBIAS BURKE.
CITY PHYSICIAN. DR. SAMUEL M. DONOVAN.
INSPECTOR OF MILK. DR. JOHN F. WELCH.
CITY AUDITOR. JOHN O. HALL.
CITY MESSENGER. HARRY W. TIRRELL.
ASSISTANT ENGINEERS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Ward I. FRANK C. PACKARD.
Ward 4. DAVID J. BARRY.
Ward 2. HORACE O. SOUTHER.
Ward 3. AMOS L. LITCHFIELD.
Ward 5. BENJAMIN KING. Ward 6. EDW. H. RICHARDSON.
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
EDWIN W. MARSH
MICHAEL F. O'BRIEN
EMERY E. FELLOWS
CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR, ex-officio.
Term expires May 1, 1892.
66
66 I891.
66
66 1890.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. BRYANT N. ADAMS.
MEASURERS OF GRAIN.
WARREN W. ADAMS. CHAS. H. HERSEY.
UNDERTAKERS.
JOHN HALL. WILLIAM E. BROWN.
MEASURER OF LEATHER. JOHN PAGE.
11
POUND KEEPER. FRANKLIN JACOBS.
WEIGHERS OF COAL.
WARREN W. ADAMS.
GEORGE W. RHINES.
HERBERT D. ADAMS.
FRANK S. PATCH.
CHARLES H. HERSEY. JOSEPH M. GLOVER. F. WESLEY FULLER. THOMAS A. DONLAN.
EBEN W. SHEPPARD.
PROBATION OFFICER.
GEORGE H. LOCKE.
POLICE OFFICERS.
FRANCIS A. SPEAR.
CHAS. N. HUNT.
ROBERT J. WILLIAMS.
JAMES BEAN.
AMOS L. LITCHFIELD.
MARK E. HANSON.
CHARLES G. NICOL.
DAVID J. BARRY.
CHARLES T. CROCKER.
WILLIAM C. SEELYE.
THOS. F. FERGUSON.
H. O. SOUTHER.
JOHN J. CONNELLY.
JOSEPH W. HAYDEN.
DANIEL R. McKAY.
WILLIAM J. YOUNG.
E. A. SPEAR.
A. H. MAXWELL.
MICHAEL J. CANAVAN.
CONSTABLES.
HENRY H. FAXON.
JOSEPH H. KELLY.
SAMUEL B. TURNER. JOSEPH T. FRENCH.
NATHAN G. GLOVER.
WILLIAM F. POWERS.
THOMAS KENNON.
RUPERT F. CLAFLIN.
MICHAEL W. GERRY.
MARCENA R. SPARROW.
FENCE VIEWERS.
Ward I. CHARLES S. FRENCH.
Ward 2. EBENEZER ADAMS.
Ward 3. JAMES NIGHTINGALE.
Ward 4. HARRIS FARNUM. Ward 5. JAMES McFARLAND. Ward 6. CEPHAS DREW.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK.
Ward I. FRANK S. PATCH.
WARREN W. ADAMS.
Ward 2. HORACE O. SOUTHER.
Ward 3. CHARLES C. FOSTER.
Ward 4. HARRIS FARNUM.
Ward 5. A. L. BAKER.
Ward 6. STEPHEN H. EDWARDS.
FIELD DRIVERS.
Ward I. WILLIAM FAXON.
Ward 2. GEORGE CRANE.
Ward 3. HOSEA B. ELLIS. JAMES NIGHTINGALE.
Ward 4. B. W. REARDON.
Ward 5. JOSEPH H. LORD.
Ward 6. THOMAS KENNON.
JOHN HALLORAN.
DANIEL MCGRATH.
CITY OF QUINCY.
GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS, 1890.
MAYOR.
CHARLES H. PORTER.
. CITY COUNCIL. HENRY O. FAIRBANKS President.
Councilmen-at-Large.
QUINCY A. FAUNCE.
JOHN C. KAPPLES.
THADDEUS H. NEWCOMB.
FRED. F. GREEN.
JAMES H. SLADE.
Councilmen from Wards.
Ward One.
Ward Four.
E. W. HENRY BASS.
WILLIAM W. EWELL.
WILLIAM T. SHEA. JAMES F. BURKE.
GEORGE W. MORTON.
PETER T. FALLON.
Ward Two.
Ward Five.
SILAS B. DUFFIELD.
JOSEPH W. LOVETT.
JOHN R. GRAHAM.
HORACE O. SOUTHER. Ward Three. FREDERICK L. JONES.
HENRY O. FAIRBANKS. CHARLES R. SHERMAN. Ward Six. ROGER H. WILDE.
JAMES THOMPSON. WILLIAM H. WARNER.
ELIJAH G. HALL. HENRY W. READ.
Clerk. CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR.
Regular meeting on the first and third Monday of each month at 7.45 P.M.
13
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
Finance, Accounts, State Aid, Claims and Salaries .- COUNCILMEN THOMPSON, KAPPLES, WILDE, SHEA, GREEN.
Contracts, Streets, Ways, Sidewalks, Bridges and Lights .-- COUNCILMEN FAUNCE, JONES, SHEA, HALL, SHERMAN, SOUTHER, EWELL.
Public Buildings and Grounds .- COUNCILMEN HALL, KAPPLES, FAUNCE.
Sewers and Drains,- COUNCILMEN NEWCOMB, BURKE, LOVETT, BASS, THOMPSON, GRAHAM, WARNER, READ.
Fire Department and Police .- COUNCILMEN JONES, SOUTHER, READ, BURKE, MORTON.
Ordinances, Licenses, Printing, Rules and Orders .- COUNCILMEN WILDE, LOVETT, DUFFIELD.
Health, Poor and Bonds .- COUNCILMEN GREEN, WARNER, SHERMAN.
Legislative Matters, Election and Returns .-- COUNCILMEN EWELL, NEWCOMB, FALLON.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
AT LARGE.
Term Expires.
DR. JOHN A. GORDON
1892
SYLVESTER BROWN
I891
DR. JOSEPH M. SHEAHAN*
1893
Term Expires.
Ward I. RUPERT F. CLAFLIN
I892
Ward 2. REV. H. EVAN COTTON*
1893
Ward 3. EMERY L. CRANE
1893
Ward 4. JOHN F. COLE
189I
Ward 5. WENDELL G. CORTHELLİ
1890
Ward 6. THOMAS GURNEY
189I
*Re-elected.
¡To fill vacancy.
Superintendent of Schools. GEORGE I. ALDRICH.
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS
Commissioner of Public Works. GEORGE ALEXANDER.
City Treasurer. BRYANT N. ADAMS.
City Clerk. CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR.
14
Collector of Taxes. BRYANT N. ADAMS.
City Solicitor. W. G. A. PATTEE.
Deputy Manager of the Police Force. GEORGE O. LANGLEY.
Chief Engineer of Fire Department. WALTER H. RIPLEY.
Overseer of the Poor. GEORGE H. FIELD.
ASSESSORS.
Principal Assessor. .
BENJAMIN F. CURTIS.
Assistant Assessors.
Ward I. ELIAS A. PERKINS.
Ward 2. JOHN FEDERHEN, 3rd.
Ward 3. WILLIAM H. MITCHELL.
Ward 4. FRANCIS E. KIMBALL. Ward 5. ISRAEL WATERHOUSE. Ward 6. FREDERICK C. POPE.
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
GEORGE CAHILL. JOHN CHAMBERLAIN. WILLIAM B. GLOVER.
MANAGERS OF WOODWARD FUND AND PROPERTY.
CHARLES H. PORTER, Mayor. CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR, City Clerk. BRYANT N. ADAMS, Treasurer. JOHN O. HALL, City Auditor.
GEORGE L. GILL, elected by Council.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
DR. JOSEPH M. SHEAHAN. DR. GEORGE B. RICE.
BENJAMIN F. THOMAS. CHARLES C. HEARN.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY. CHARLES F. ADAMS. WILLIAM H. PRICE. EMERY L. CRANE. GEORGE I. ALDRICH. HARRISON A. KEITH. FRED A. CLAFLIN.
15
BOARD OF MANAGERS OF ADAMS ACADEMY.
REV. EDWARD NORTON.
CHARLES A. HOWLAND. LUTHER S. ANDERSON.
GEORGE F. PINKHAM. JOSIAH QUINCY. CHARLES H. PORTER.
BOARD OF MANAGERS OF PUBLIC BURIAL PLACES. JOHN HALL. JAMES E. MAXIM. GEORGE L. GILL .. TOBIAS H. BURKE. JOSEPH H. VOGEL. EDWARD A. SPEAR.
CITY PHYSICIAN. DR. SAMUEL M. DONOVAN.
INSPECTOR OF MILK. DR. CHARLES A. GAREY.
CITY AUDITOR. JOHN O. HALL.
CITY MESSENGER. HARRY W. TIRRELL.
ASSISTANT ENGINEERS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Ward I. FRANK C. PACKARD. Ward 2.
Ward 3. AMOS L. LITCHFIELD.
Ward 4. DAVID J. BARRY.
Ward 5. BENJAMIN KING.
Ward 6. EDWARD H. RICHARDSON.
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
EDWIN W. MARSH . MICHAEL F. O'BRIEN
Term Expires May 1, 1892
16
1891
EMERY E. FELLOWS
CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR, ex-officio.
.
1890
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. FRANCIS A. SPEAR.
MEASURERS OF GRAIN.
EDWARD RUSSELL. CHARLES H. HERSEY.
UNDERTAKERS.
JOHN HALL.
WILLIAM E. BROWN.
MEASURER OF LEATHER. JOHN PAGE.
16
POUND KEEPER. FRANKLIN JACOBS.
WEIGHERS OF COAL.
CHARLES H. HERSEY.
GEORGE W. RHINES.
JOSEPH M. GLOVER.
HERBERT D. ADAMS.
F. WESLEY FULLER. FRANK S. PATCH.
THOMAS A. DONLAN. EBEN W. SHEPPARD.
EDWARD RUSSELL.
PROBATION OFFICER. GEORGE H. LOCKE.
POLICE OFFICERS.
FRANCIS A. SPEAR.
CHARLES N. HUNT.
ROBERT J. WILLIAMS.
JAMES BEAN.
AMOS L. LITCHFIELD.
MARK E. HANSON.
CHARLES G. NICOL.
DAVID J. BARRY.
CHARLES T. CROCKER.
WILLIAM C. SEELYE.
THOMAS F. FERGUSON.
JOSEPH W. HAYDEN.
DANIEL R. MCKAY.
WILLIAM J. YOUNG.
JOHN HALLORAN.
E. A. SPEAR.
DANIEL MCGRATH.
A. H. MAXWELL.
MICHAEL J. CANAVAN.
HENRY H. FAXON.
JOSEPH H. KELLY.
SAMUEL B. TURNER.
JOSEPH T. FRENCH.
MICHAEL W. GERRY.
NATHAN G. GLOVER.
MARCENA R. SPARROW.
JAMES C. PORTER.
FENCE VIEWERS.
Ward I. CHARLES S. FRENCH.
Ward 2. EBENEZER ADAMS.
Ward 3. JAMES NIGHTINGALE.
Ward 4. HARRIS FARNUM. Ward 5. JAMES McFARLAND.
Ward b. CEPHAS DREW.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK.
Ward I. FRANK S. PATCH.
EBEN W. SHEPPARD.
Ward 2.
HERBERT D. ADAMS.
Ward 3.
Ward 4. HARRIS FARNUM.
Ward 5. A. L. BAKER.
Ward 6. STEPHEN H. EDWARDS.
FIELD DRIVERS.
Ward I. WILLIAM FAXON. Ward 2. G. M. SWEENEY. Ward 3. JOHN GLOVER. JAMES NIGHTINGALE.
Ward 4. B. W. REARDON.
Ward 5. JOSEPH H. LORD.
Ward 6. THOMAS KENNON.
MAYOR PORTER'S INAUGURAL.
GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL :
We inaugurate today the City Government of Quincy. It is a day ever to be remembered by all our citizens. We take this step after a fair, full and long discussion ; and while it is one that will make great changes in our form of govern- ment, it seems to me if we administer the government on sound business principles, bringing to the carrying out of the ideas embodied in our charter a singleness of purpose, no one of our citizens will look with regret upon our new departure.
The inexorable logic of events decided the question as to whether we would become a city or not. The steady and rapid growth of our town caused the old-fashioned town meet- ing to be a failure in our community and we take upon our- selves new duties, and a decided change in the method of administering our internal affairs.
The charter under which we are to act has many new theories ; their value will be determined by time. No New England city has a charter like our own. Briefly stated, the mayor is held directly responsible to the citizens in conducting the affairs of his office. The Council is the legislative body of our city.
2
18
Necessarily there will be a great deal of friction in starting, and this, the first year, will be taken up in learning our duties. I bespeak the charity of all the citizens in our undertaking.
The record of the town of Quincy is one which appeals to the pride of all of its citizens. As a town we were emi- nently conservative. I think not one in our Commonwealth was more so, or held to its old traditions or had greater regard for its landmarks than has ours. You will pardon me if at this time I recall some of its earliest history.
The town of Braintrey was incorporated in 1640. The north precinct, which generally means that part ever since known as Quincy, was first settled in 1625 by Capt. Woolas- ton, who landed here, and at once established his settlement on the high land ever since that time known as Mt. Wollaston. However, the captain having for some cause unknown become dissatisfied with the place, in rather less than a year left the col- ony and the somewhat noted Thomas Morton became the lead- ing spirit. The good people of the Plymouth Colony were sorely tried by the evil doings and mischievious ways of the little settlement at Mt. Wollaston under the leadership of the "Lord of Misrule," and Capt. Myles Standish with a few trusty followers descended upon our merry settlers, and the first attempt at founding a town had failed.
We learn, however, that there were settlements continually made after 1630, indeed it may be questioned if the place was wholly abandoned. Several grants were made in 1634 and 1635, and in 1639 the first church was incorporated. Up to our being incorporated in 1640 the town of Boston claimed us. Soon after the organization of the church the movement for a
19
separate town began, and in 1640 the town of Braintree came into being. For many years this north precinct was the only settlement of any size in the town. It was not until 1703 that the part now known as Braintree was thickly settled enough to be called the south precinct, and this name remained until 1727, when that portion known as the new south precinct and which afterwards became the town of Randolph, was called the south precinct and the names of north, middle and south pre- cincts were spread upon our records.
Soon after these divisions were well-known, the discussion as to the advisability of dividing the old town was taken up. The north precinct having lost its power to control the town meetings, the two other parts of the town having grown sufficiently so that by uniting they could out-vote the elder community, determined to separate from its neighbors, and in 1728 the first move in that direction was made. However, the result was failure and the old order of things kept on. The events of the next few years, the French and Indian wars, succeeded by the great struggle which began in 1776, un- doubtedly turned the minds of the villagers from the discussion of a matter of such vital importance to them.
It was not until 1791 that the step was taken, and upon a petition drawn up and presented to the Legislature in that year, at the session of 1792 the Act creating the town of Quincy was passed.
Allow me to call to your attention the fact that the northerly boundary of our town was not as now the Neponset River.
20
The original line was considerably to the south of what is now known as Squantum Street, and undoubtedly the farm of Mr. John Billings was partly in the district known as the Farms.
The possession of this district had been a bone of contention between Dorchester and Boston for several years and finally Dorchester's rights were decided to be founded upon equity and justice.
Several of the residents at the Farms joined with those of the north precinct in their petition to the General Court and became a part of the town of Quincy.
It was not, however, until 1820 that Neponset River became the northern boundary, and even in the Act which made it so, certain farms and islands were especially excluded. These Farms were those at Squantum, together with Thompson's Island.
Finally in 1855 these Farms were annexed, and with a few acres added in 1856, and some slight changes made in the lines between Milton and Quincy in 1885, the boundaries were made as they are known to you today.
Our great industry is that of granite cutting and working. It is the backbone of our prosperity and to its success we owe in a great measure our steady progress.
.I am not unaware of the fact that our nearness to the large city of Boston is also productive of growth.
I believe no community has contributed citizens who have become more distinguished in the history of our country than has our own. The town is full of traditions and is justly proud of the fame which surrounds the names of her sons,
21
who in Executive chairs, in the halls of Legislature, the camp and the field, have brought renown to this good old community.
Our townspeople have always taken a deep interest in their affairs ; changes were very carefully discussed, and only adopted after long and protracted debates. I believe that our progress, although slow and conservative at first, is well founded because of our previous conservatism. I am aware that it is not well to dwell too long upon this phase of our town life. Wisely and properly directed, however, the best results will be obtained by moderate counsels and not too rapid changes.
The custom has prevailed among us during the last few years of paying for the needs of the town as we go, not heap- ing up a debt to be paid by future generations. By this wise policy we begin our career as a city practically free of debt. Under the wise provisions of our charter, our borrowing ca- pacity is limited to one per cent of the gross valuation. We should be cautious and not reach that limit for a good many years. However, you will bear in mind that a special debt for sewers and water supply can be created outside of the one per cent before mentioned. We are a rapidly growing community, an ever increasing population make great demands upon the treasury. You will therefore have to be very careful in making the necessary appropriations to carry on our city during the next fiscal year.
Under the law governing the tax rate in cities in this Commonwealth we can raise by taxation the sum of say $117,000. To this can be added the State tax amounting to say $10,700, and a County tax of say $5,500, making a total
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levy of $133,200, which can be assessed upon the real and personal property of our city, a rate of about $13.75 per thousand. To the sum of $133,200 we can add say $7,000, being the revenue derived from the tax upon polls, making in all the sum available to meet our current demands of $140,000.
The town of Quincy at its last annual town meeting raised the sum of $177,000; of this sum a credit of the corporation tax of $9,000 was deducted and loans to the amount of $15,000 were authorized, leaving the sum of $153,000, to which was added the State and County tax, together with the overlayings, making the sum raised in the levy of about $171,000.
You therefore see that it is impossible to levy this year so great a sum as was raised last year by nearly $30,000. Our resources being considerably diminished, it is extremely neces- sary that our tax budget should be most carefully scrutinized, and all expenditures be brought as low as possible, a wise economy being the true course to pursue.
Of the levy raised last year, $13,000 was appropriated to pay loans maturing during the year. As, however, we bor- rowed $15,000, and at subsequent town meetings borrowed $5,000 more, our net debt has necessarily increased.
A matter of the utmost importance, and one demanding the most careful attention, is the rebuilding of Neponset Bridge, from the southerly boundary of Neponset River to the southerly edge of the channel to which point the city of Boston has care of the structure. This bridge has been in uninterrupted use for nearly eighty-six years, it having been built in 1803. The original piles still support the floor of the bridge ; the spur shores and braces have been in many cases
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swept away by the ice, and, from the same cause, the piles are in many places barely one-half of their original size. Many of them have been driven deeper into the bottom and the flooring and girders rest upon blocks put into make bearings. The total length of the bridge under our care is 630 feet. Upon a petition made by the Road Commissioners, the Harbor Commissioners granted permission to make a solid filling, with suitable retaining walls for a distance of 270 feet; the remaining distance, 360 feet, must be a pile structure.
There are three methods of repairing or rebuilding the bridge. The first is to use the permission granted by the Harbor Commissioners and make a solid filling as far as possi- ble and the rest of piles at a cost of about $27,000. The second is to make an entirely new structure of piles for the entire distance, at a cost of about $16,000. The third con- templates an entirely new bridge for 360 feet, beginning at the Boston line, and repairing and strengthening the remaining 270 feet by using the piles removed from the old structure, new girders, braces and spur shores throughout the whole length at an estimated cost of about $9,000.
As it is evident that a street railway will soon seek for a location on this bridge, I submit for your consideration the desirability of increasing the width of the entire structure, in which case the estimates before given will have to be revised and increased. I am inclined, all things considered, to recom- mend to your favorable consideration the second of the three propositions. With the bridge built of the best materials, there will be but slight repairs upon the same for about four- teen years. The planking will, of course, have to be constantly renewed.
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As the original structure has lasted so long, we can feel that our work is well done if the one we build lasts for eighty years.
Another consideration which may be of value is, that the city of Boston is about to build a structure across the river to hold the water-pipe which it will lay to supply the Institutions at Long Island. This will be built near the bridge and care must be taken to have a sufficient space in which to widen the bridge should it be deemed best to do so.
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