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 1890 > Part 1
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THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1641 0097 6871 8
THOMAS CRANE
PUBLIC LIBRARY QUINCY, MASS.
CITY APPROPRIATION
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https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress 1890quin
CITY DOCUMENT No. 2.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR,
WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
CITY OF QUINCY
FOR THE YEAR 1890,
INCLUDING A LIST OF ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS FOR 1891.
1640:
1625 MANET
: 1292
QUINCY
BOSTON : WINSHIP, DANIELS & CO., PRINTERS, 1891.
359
CITY OF QUINCY.
CITY GOVERNMENT, 1891.
MAYOR.
HENRY O. FAIRBANKS.
CITY COUNCIL.
JAMES THOMPSON
President.
Councilmen-at-Large.
CHARLES L. HAMMOND. THADDEUS H. NEWCOMB.
FRED'K L. JONES. GEORGE W. MORTON.
ROGER H. WILDE.
Councilmen from Wards.
Ward One. E. W. HENRY BASS. JOHN O. HOLDEN.
Ward Four.
PETER T. FALLON. DANIEL C. LITTLE. WILLIAM F. POWERS.
Ward Five.
CHARLES R. SHERMAN.
CHARLES M. BRYANT. JOHN H. ROBERTS.
Ward Six. STEPHEN O. MOXON. EDMUND POPE. LOUIS RINN.
Clerk. CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR.
Ward Two. SILAS B. DUFFIELD. J. FRANCIS HAYWARD. JOHN E. DRAKE.
Ward Three. JAMES THOMPSON. WILLIAM H. WARNER. LESTER M. PRATT.
Regular meeting on the first and third Monday of each month, at 7.45 P.M.
4
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
Finance, Accounts, Claims, State Aid and Salaries .- COUNCILMEN WILDE, MOR- TON, HAYWARD, PRATT, FALLON.
Contracts, Streets, Ways, Sidewalks, Bridges and Lights .- COUNCILMEN JONES, HOLDEN, WARNER, POWERS, BRYANT, POPE.
Public Buildings and Grounds .- COUNCILMEN MOXON, BRYANT, LITTLE.
Sewers and Drains .- COUNCILMEN NEWCOMB, WARNER, DUFFIELD, HAMMOND, SHERMAN.
Fire Department and Police .- COUNCILMEN BASS, ROBERTS, LITTLE, DRAKE.
Ordinances, Licenses, Printing, Rules and Orders .- COUNCILMEN SHERMAN, POPE, HAMMOND.
Health, Poor and Bonds .- COUNCILMEN POWERS, PRATT.
Legislative Matters, Election and Returns .- COUNCILMEN DUFFIELD, MORTON, MOXON.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
AT LARGE.
Term Expires.
1892
DR. JOHN A. GORDON
1893
DR. JOSEPH M. SHEAHAN
1894
HARRISON A. KEITH
Term Expires.
1892
Ward I. RUPERT F. CLAFLIN ..
1893
Ward 2. REV. H. EVAN COTTON
1893
Ward 4. AMBROSE F. ROCHE
1892
Ward 5. WENDELL G. CORTHELL*
1894
Ward 6. ELIJAH G. HALL
*To fill vacancy.
Superintendent of Schools. GEORGE I. ALDRICH.
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.
Commissioner of Public Works. WILLIAM WALTER EWELL.
City Treasurer. BRYANT N. ADAMS.
City Clerk. CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR.
Ward 3. EMERY L. CRANE
1894
-
5
Collector of Taxes. BRYANT N. ADAMS.
City Solicitor. FRANCIS L. HAYES.
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. FREDERIC C. POPE.
Assistant Assessors.
Ward 1. JOHN H. DINEGAN.
Ward 2. JOHN FEDERHEN, 3d.
Ward 3. WILLIAM H. MITCHELL.
Ward 4. FRANCIS E. KIMBALL.
Wurd 5. ISRAEL WATERHOUSE. Ward 6. BENJ. R. REDMAN.
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
GEORGE CAHILL.
JOHN F. MERRILL.
WILLIAM B. GLOVER.
MANAGERS OF WOODWARD FUND AND PROPERTY.
HENRY O. FAIRBANKS, 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.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
CHARLES F. ADAMS. HARRISON A. KEITH. FRED. A. CLAFLIN.
WILLIAM H. PRICE. EMERY L. CRANE. GEORGE I. ALDRICH.
6
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. JOSEPH H. VOGEL. EDWARD A. SPEAR.
JAMES E. MAXIM. GEORGE L. GILL. TOBIAS H. BURKE.
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. ROLLIN H. NEWCOMB.
Ward 3. PETER J. WILLIAMS.
Ward 4. JAMES A. WHITE. Ward 5. BENJAMIN KING. Ward 6. EDWARD H. RICHARDSON.
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
EDWIN W. MARSH .
Term expires May 1, 1892
MICHAEL F. O'BRIEN
.
66
66 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.
1891
EMERY E. FELLOWS
CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR, ex officio.
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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.
ROBERT J. WILLIAMS.
AMOS L. LITCHFIELD.
CHARLES G. NICOL.
CHARLES T. CROOKER.
THOMAS F. FERGUSON.
DANIEL R. MCKAY.
JOHN HALLORAN.
DANIEL MCGRATH.
MICHAEL J. CANAVAN.
JOSEPH H. KELLY.
JOSEPH T. FRENCH. CHARLES N. HUNT. JAMES BEAN.
MARK E. HANSON.
DAVID J. BARRY. WILLIAM C. SEELYE. JOSEPH W. HAYDEN. WILLIAM J. YOUNG.
E. A. SPEAR. A. H. MAXWELL. HENRY H. FAXON.
FENCE VIEWERS.
Ward I. CHARLES S. FRENCH.
Ward 2. EBENEZER ADAMS.
Ward 3. JAMES NIGHTINGALE.
Ward 4.
Ward 5. JAMES McFARLAND.
Ward 6. CEPHAS DREW.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK.
Ward I. FRANK S. PATCH.
EBEN W. SHEPPARD.
Ward 2.
HERBERT D. ADAMS.
Ward 3.
Ward 4. 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.
Ward 4.
B. W. REARDON.
Ward 5. JOSEPH H. LORD.
Ward 6. THOMAS KENNON.
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL : -
Having been again selected to occupy the position of Mayor in our city, it is with a full knowledge of the difficulties of the position that I attempt to carry out the duties of the office, asking in advance the forbearance of all the citizens, with a determination to carry out the wishes of the people as I under- stand them, we begin our second year in office.
With no pledges to redeem I shall endeavor to carry out the duties of the office for the best interests of all the citizens.
There has been received from all sources by the treasurer the sum of $403,937.28. There has been expended for the various purposes as shown by the itemized report the sum of $389,155.18. The total indebtedness of the City in notes, having not less than one nor more than ten years to run, is $163,065.74. Of this amount the sum of $49,515.74 falls due this year.
The last note due the State of Massachusetts under the loan made twenty years ago became due and was paid in June last. There was in the hands of the Sinking Fund Commissioners sufficient funds to pay the same.
The last note of the City given in payment of the John Hancock School Building, amounting to $10,000, becomes due this month. It is included in the above statement of amounts
10
due this year. There is no obligation of the City in existence which bears greater rate of interest than 4 per cent.
The last loan negotiated by the City was put on the market and the premium received made it a 3 1-2 per cent. invest- ment.
The City is to be congratulated on its excellent credit.
It will also be noted that of the loans negotiated this year, $123,800 were for permanent improvements.
The adminstration of 1889 was brought face to face to the fact that the City of Quincy could not raise by taxation any- where near the sum of money the town of Quincy did in its last municipal year.
Under the provisions of the charter, the debt limit was placed at one per cent. of the valuation. The burning of the Willard school-house in February, 1889, causing the necessity of rebuilding the same, together with the purchase of land for the erection of a new school-house, together with the rebuild- ing of Neponset bridge, practically exhausted the debt limit. I therefore deemed it wise to request the Legislature to amend this provision of our charter, by allowing the statutory limit to be in force in this, as in all other cities in this Common- wealth. This request was granted by the Legislature, there being no opposition whatever.
In accordance with the recommendation in last year's message, the Council authorized the rebuilding of Neponset bridge, replacing the old pile structure with an entirely new bridge, forty feet wide, at an expense of $20,500.
The contractor, Mr. Benj. Young, faithfully performed the work intrusted to him, and to use his own words, " There is not in existence a better pile bridge in this Commonwealth."
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The work was carefully inspected and only such piles and lumber as conformed to the requirements of the contract were used. It is a fact worthy of comment that the contractor filed no bill for extra charges, but received in settlement the amount agreed upon in the contract.
An examination of the condition of the bridge, revealed by the tearing down of the same, confirms the opinion that the work of rebuilding took place none too soon. I have every reason to believe that this bridge is in every way superior to the one taken away, and its use for as long a time can con- fidently be relied upon.
The City paid for the bridge by a loan of $20,000, which falls due in sums of $2,000 in each year until the whole sum is paid.
In February last the Willard School-house was burned. The building was a total loss. The city never having insured its buildings consequently there was none to be recovered. The School Committee determined that the requirements of this school district could best be met by the erection of a sixteen room school-house upon the old lot, together with the purchase of additional land, next easterly and adjoining the same.
The order purchasing of Messrs. O'Brien and Mahoney, also discontinuing a way across the land, was passed by the Council, and the sum of $15,800 was borrowed to meet the requirements of the purchase, $1,580 of the sum falling due this year.
The School Committee employed Messrs. Sturgis & Cabot as architects to prepare suitable plans for the new school- house. It was inevitable that it should be of brick. When the town decided to build the John Hancock school-house of
12
brick, the days of large frame school-houses in our community were at an end. Considerable delay was experienced in getting the plans ready for the bidding and finally the contract was let out to Messrs. E. H. and I. H. Cushing of Hingham, and the building is now under way. I regret exceedingly that so many months were lost before the matter took shape. I feel, however, that so far as I am concerned it met with no delay. I hope that by next November the building will be ready for occupancy. I am convinced that every citizen will be greatly pleased with the building. I believe it to be a model school- house, in which all can take just pride. The sum of $77,000 was voted by the Committee to build the same, and I am in hopes that this sum will be amply sufficient and also grade the lot entirely. $7,700 of this loan falls due this year. The necessity for a fire-well to cut off certain portions of the build- ing is imperative, and I call your attention to this matter. Early in April an appropriation was made, to cover the ex- penses of preparing plans for the purpose of enlarging the school-house at Wollaston. Mr. Avery was employed by the School Committee to prepare said plans, and after completion the contract was awarded to Mr. George E. Thomas for $10,700, and the Council authorized a loan of $11,000 to pay for the same. Of this loan $1,100 will fall due this year.
The plan adopted for enlarging the school-house necessitated the purchase of additional land, and the Council authorized the purchasing of a lot of land from N. F. Safford, Esq., at a cost of $562.50, and this sum falls due this year.
Never before in the history of our community has so much money been required for the support of the schools and re- building and enlarging the school-houses, as during the past
13
year. Our needs are supplied for a certain time at least, and I hope that we shall not during this municipal year be called upon for any extraordinary demands in this direction.
A matter which demands and should receive attention from the Council, is the question of deepening, straightening and widening the water-courses in our city. It seems to me, after a somewhat close observation of the requirements in this direc- tion, that careful and competent surveys should be made of Furnace, Sachem and Town brooks. Their courses straight- ened and the cubic area greatly enlarged, so that it would give ample room for the discharge of the brooks after a heavy rain storm. The sides should be walled up, and stringent regula- tions made governing and regulating the care of the same. Abutters depositing or allowing refuse to be deposited in the stream within the limits of land owned by them, should be compelled to have the same removed at their own expense. It may also be said that abutting land owners should bear a portion of the expense of the deepening and widening of these brooks. Your attention is particularly called to this question, as in my opinion the carrying out of the improvements herein mentioned would be of great benefit to our city.
The extremely open winter and the continued wet weather has caused our streets to be in a very bad condition. They are not up to the proper standard. It will require a good deal of money to put them in good condition. Considerable re- pairs have been done on Granite, School and Quarry streets, and they are in good condition. Washington street, upon which a large sum of money was expended a few years ago, is in urgent need of extensive repairs. Large amounts of coal and granite are carted over this road and only the best con- struction can withstand the wear and tear put upon it.
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The requirements of the County Commissioners have been met in the widening and rebuilding of Elm and Canal streets.
The Council voted that the repairs upon Common street should be begun last year, although we were not compelled by the decree of the County Commissioners to begin until this year. Rather more than $2,500 has been expended, and the City must continue the same on West street as well as Com- mon street, this year.
Hancock street has been rebuilt from Webster street to Capen street about half a mile, at a cost of $8,000, and should it be deemed advisable to do as much work this year, as last, this important street will be rebuilt to Squantum street and can easily be completed in another year to Neponset bridge. You may deem it wise to finish it all this year : I believe it can all be done in two years, at the farthest.
I desire to call to your attention the wisdom of purchasing a lot of land with suitable road metal, locating the crusher at this point and distributing to the various parts of the city, the crushed stone required in rebuilding and repairing of streets.
The appropriation for repairs on streets is so small in com- parison with our needs, that the Council must take great care in making special appropriations from the sum to be expended. The culvert on Hancock street has been rebuilt and is amply large enough to meet all the demands that can be made upon it. Water street, which is the great connecting link between Jones' corner and Quincy avenue, is one of the most im- portant streets in our city. Since the street-car tracks have been put into this street, its extreme narrowness is more generally noticed. I am of the opinion that the question of
IV
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widening and improving this street should be carefully con- sidered by the Council, and a report made in regard to the same.
. I also call your attention to the urgent necessity of widen- ing Adams street. This being a street upon which there is a great deal of driving, and some of the best residences in our city, anything which we do to improve this street would inure greatly to our advantage.
The necessity of using some of the appropriations for street watering is apparent. We should water Hancock street, which has cost us so much to rebuild, to help keep it in good condition. In all the cities to which queries have been sent, the reply has come, that the expense of street watering is borne by subscriptions from the abutters. It is to be expected that our city will do in this matter as all the other cities are doing. There is no improvement which would add more to the beauty of our streets and the general appearance of our city, than the setting of edgestones and paving of the street gutters, and generally establishing street grades. In addition to the greater cleanliness, it would facilitate street drainage and thus remove the surface water, which is not only unsightly, but annoying. With enlarged and improved water-courses, the topography of our city is such, that all surface water can be easily disposed of.
A large sum of money will be required to put Randolph ave. in good condition. This important street runs through about one mile of our territory and is used by the citizens of Randolph and Stoughton and but rarely by our own people.
There has been before me during the past year, a proposi- tion looking to the annexation of rather more than 1,000 acres
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of the City of Quincy to the Town of Milton. This street, together with Forest street, would be included in this tract. I would advise that this matter receive further attention and if the Town of Milton will agree upon lines, that the annexation be made.
The city is now lighted by arc lights, with a few incandes- cent lights in addition, under a contract with the Quincy Electric Light and Power Co., together with some gas lights, and naphtha lights. These lights are run on the moon schedule and are extinguished at twelve o'clock. I recommend that the Council authorize a contract for one year with the proper parties and that the lights burn all night. I believe that this would be one of the best police protections that we can have. The number of lights will have to be increased, although I do not recommend any great increase. I think that incandescent lights of say thirty-six candle power can be judiciously used to great advantage, and I call your attention to the desirability of locating them in our streets.
A nuisance created in our streets by the leaving of large stones, which fall from the heavily loaded stone teams, has become very serious, and your attention is called to the neces- sity of passing an ordinance regulating the same, and pro- viding for the removal of such obstructions by the person creating the same, at once.
The needs of the city are so great that at no distant day the office of City Engineer will have to be created.
The safe in the City Hall will have to be enlarged so as to provide suitable accommodations to the various departments using the same.
The last City Council provided for the collection of garbage.
17
I deem this to be a very important thing. I believe, however, that the control of this department should not be given to the Board of Health. As the garbage is collected and deposited on the town farm, it may be wise to give the control to the Overseer of the Poor. Should it be considered entirely out of place to do this, I am of the opinion that the Commissioner of Public Works should have charge of the same. The neces- sity of continuing this work is, I think, very great. I also desire to call your attention to the necessity of establishing at least three dumping places in the city. I do not mean a place for house offal or spoiled meat or vegetables, but the refuse which collects in every family.
The Fire Department remains the same as it was last year, no piece of apparatus being added. A new wagon has been purchased, also a light wagon which is used in carrying elec- trical supplies and by the electrician while looking after the fire alarm telegraph wire. The whistle attached to the engine of the pumping station of the Quincy Water Works has been accepted by the city. It was given a trial for several months before being accepted by the city, and proved to be a very valuable addition to the means of giving alarms. The depart- ment is in excellent condition, absolute harmony between the officers and men prevails, and I think, as a whole, it is in a much more efficient condition than at any previous time. The question of providing a suitable house for the fire apparatus now massed on School street in Ward 1, is one that will soon have to receive attention. I do not deem it wise to expend any money on the present house. The only amounts so spent should be to remedy defects which must be cured, as it is money thrown away if we make any extended repairs upon
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these buildings. To build a suitable house with all the modern conveniences, with every attention to details, and in the best manner possible, will cost a large sum of money. It is a matter, however, which should receive attention within a year or two. By increasing the number of hydrants the efficiency of the department can be greatly increased. I do not deem it at all essential that the department should be increased by the purchase of another steam fire engine. The first cost of the engine would be about $3,500, and it would cost at least $2,000 a year to maintain it, which, together with a hose wagon, would make an additional cost to the present department of at least $3,000. Should we spend not over $1,000 per annum in increased hydrant service, we would greatly increase the efficiency of the department, and save at least $2,000 per annum, and obtain quite as good results. The steam fire engine and apparatus on School street can reach West Quincy in not less than six minutes in average going, after an alarm is turned in. The steamer is ready to begin work at once. Wollaston can be reached in about ten minutes from the turning in of the alarm, and Quincy Point also. These runs allow steam to be generated, and the machine is ready for work as soon as the fire is reached. It may be well worth considering the establishment of a hose company in Ward 6.
A new location will have to be obtained for the chemical stationed at Hough's Neck. The fire alarm telegraph is now in excellent condition. In no single department has there been so great an improvement as in this. A three or four circuit repeater would add greatly to the efficiency of the sys- tem. The department was unable to respond to the alarm
19
caused by the burning of the Willard school-house. It was not received at the central station. However, upon being advised, the apparatus responded quickly as usual. Had there not been the delay, better results might have been obtained.
The police of Quincy are known as special police, and all who are on the present force took the civil service examina- tion, and were duly qualified. The custom of keeping a patrol during a portion of the year has been kept up. I be- lieve the city is fast reaching the point of the necessity of maintaining a permanent police. I would advise that it be kept back as long as possible. The maintenance of street lights all night will be, as I have before said, a very valuable police protection. The vote of the city in regard to the non- licensing of dram shops has been carried out to the fullest extent. In common with all citizens, the result of the balloting this year on the question of the sale of liquors in our city, was watched with great interest. No attempt had been made to awaken public interest in the question until the very last moment. Therefore, the result can be hailed with the greatest joy, that the majority in favor of not granting license was so large. While the majority was not as large as last year, the general vote was somewhat smaller. Still the majority is the expres- sion of an overwhelming public opinion in favor of maintain- ing the lines as we have done for the past eight years. It would seem to me to be a great public misfortune if we should go back to the old position on this question. But we shall not go back, and I look confidently to the future, believing that we shall maintain our lines strong and secure in the future, as we have in the past. Of one thing you may be assured, that the law will be impartially executed in the year to come.
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You will be called upon to decide as to the advisability of putting in a system of sewers in the city. The committee of last year's Council prepared a plan for a system of sewers which in its general features commends itself to my mind. I do not pretend to have any knowledge upon the question, either as to its feasibility, or the successful carrying out of the scheme. I have no reason to believe but that so far as it relates to the engineering details it is absolutely right, and I think the place for the out-fall sewer is rightly chosen. The city is growing, and the need of sewers is felt in many localities. If the plan proposed receives the approval of the State Board of Health, I see no reason why we cannot begin on the same. I would like to have the question of sewerage for Hough's Neck and the land on Sea street considered. I should estimate that it would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $500,000, to build the system proposed, a large part of this sum would, of course, be obtained from abutting land owners, reducing the sum named, as the direct expenditure of the city, at least one-half.
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