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 1891 > Part 1
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THOMAS CRANE
PUBLIC LIBRARY QUINCY, MASS.
CITY APPROPRIATION
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https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress 1891 quin
16411
CITY DOCUMENT No, 3.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF THE M AYOR
WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
CITY OF QUINCY
FOR THE YEAR 1891.
INCLUDING A LIST OF ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS FOR 1892.
1640
1.625
MANET 179
2
LVI
QUINCY?
BOSTON : BROWN BROS. & Co., 1892.
QR
CITY OF QUINCY.
CITY GOVERNMENT, 1892.
MAYOR.
HENRY O. FAIRBANKS.
CITY COUNCIL.
JAMES THOMPSON
President.
Councilmen-at-Large.
CHARLES L. HAMMOND. THADDEUS H. NEWCOMB.
SILAS B. DUFFIELD. GEORGE W. MORTON. JAMES THOMPSON.
Councilmen from Wards.
Ward One. E. W. HENRY BASS. JOHN O. HOLDEN. H. WALTER GRAY.
Ward Two. HERBERT M. FEDERHEN. HERBERT M. FEDERHEN, JR. ISAAC M. HOLT.
Ward Three WILLIAM H. WARNER. LESTER M. PRATT. JOHN CURTIS 2d.
Ward Four. PETER T. FALLON. DANIEL C. LITTLE. WILLIAM F. POWERS.
Ward Five. CHARLES R. SHERMAN. CHARLES M. BRYANT. FREDERICK E. LITCHFIELD.
Ward Six. STEPHEN O. MOXON. LOUIS RINN. JAMES H. CUNNINGHAM.
Clerk. CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR.
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 MORTON, PRATT, FALLON, SHERMAN, MOXON.
Contracts, Streets, Ways, Sidewalks, Bridges and Lights .- COUNCILMEN BRYANT, HOLDEN, FEDERHEN, POWERS, NEWCOMB, RINN.
Public Buildings and Grounds. - COUNCILMEN MOXEN, GRAY, WARNER.
Sewers and Drains .- COUNCIL MEN NEWCOMB, BASS, HOLT, CURTIS, LITTLE, SHERMAN, CUNNINGHAM.
Fire Department and Police .- COUNCILMEN BASS, FEDERHEN JR., HAMMOND LITCHFIELD, RINN.
Ordinances Licenses, Printing, Rules and Orders .- COUNCILMEN DUFFIELD, GRAY, HAMMOND.
Health, Poor and Bonds .- COUNCILMEN POWERS, LITCHFIELD, CURTIS.
Legislative Matters, Election and Returns .- COUNCILMEN FEDERHEN, DUFFIELD, PRATT.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
AT LARGE.
Term Expires.
DR. JOHN A. GORDON
1895
DR. JOSEPH M. SHEAHAN
. 1893
HARRISON A. KEITH
. 1894
Term Expires.
Ward 1. CHARLES H. PORTER .
1895
Ward 2. REV. H. EVAN COTTON
1893
Ward 3. EMERY L. CRANE
. 1893
Ward 4. AMBROSE F. ROCHE
1894
Ward 5. WENDELL G. CORTHELL
.
1895
Ward 6. ELIJAH G. HALL
1894
Superintendent of Schools.
HERBERT W. LULL.
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.
Commissioner of Public Works. WILLIAM WALTER EWELL.
City Treasurer. BRYANT N. ADAMS.
City Clerk.
CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR.
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Collector of Taxes. BRYANT N. ADAMS.
City Solicitor. JOHN W. MCANARNEY.
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. FREDERICK C. POPE.
Assistant Assessors.
Ward 1. JOHN H. DINEGAN.
Ward 2. WESTON W. OSBORNE.
Ward 3. WILLIAM H. MITCHELL.
Ward 4. FRANCIS E. KIMBALL. Ward 5. ISRAEL WATERHOUSE. Ward 6. JAMES BURR.
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
CHAS. F. ADAMS.
CHAS. H. PORTER.
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. DR. J. H. GILBERT.
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T
BOARD OF MANAGERS OF ADAMS ACADEMY.
REV. EDWARD NORTON. CHARLES A. HOWLAND. LUTHER S. ANDERSON.
GEORGE F. PINKHAM. JOSIAH QUINCY. JOHN O. HALL.
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 1. FRANK C. PACKARD.
Ward 4. JAMES A. WHITE.
Ward 2. ROLLIN II. NEWCOMB.
Ward 5. BENJAMIN KING.
Ward 3. PETER J. WILLIAMS,
Ward 6. EDWARD H. RICHARDSON.
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
EDWIN W. MARSH
Term expires May 1, 1892
MICHAEL F. O'BRIEN
66
1894
CORNELIUS MOYNAHAN
CHRISTOPHER A. SPEAR, ex officio.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
FRANCIS A. SPEAR.
MEASURERS OF GRAIN.
EDWARD RUSSELL.
CHARLES H. HERSEY.
UNDERTAKERS.
WILLIAM E. BROWN.
JOHN HALL.
.
66
66 1893
.
7
POUND KEEPER. FRANKLIN JACOBS.
WEIGHERS OF COAL.
CHARLES H. HERSEY. GEORGE W. RHINES. HERBERT D. ADAMS.
F. WESLEY FULLER. FRANK S. PATCH. EBEN W. SHEPPARD.
POLICE OFFICERS.
ROBERT J. WILLIAMS.
AMOS L. LITCHFIELD.
CHARLES G. NICOL.
JOSEPH T. FRENCH. CHARLES N. HUNT. JAMES BEAN.
CHARLES T. CROOKER.
MARK E. HANSON.
THOMAS F. FERGUSON.
DAVID J. BARRY.
DANIEL R. MCKAY.
WILLIAM C. SEELYE.
JOHN HALLORAN.
DANIEL MCGRATH.
MICHAEL J. CANAVAN.
SAMUEL TURNER.
JOSEPH W. HAYDEN. E. A. SPEAR. HENRY H. FAXON. SAML. D. DE FORREST.
FENCE VIEWERS.
Ward 1. CHARLES S. FRENCH. Ward 2. Ward 3. JAMES NIGHTINGALE.
Ward 4. JOHN R. O'NEIL. Ward 5. T. A. FAUNCE. Ward 6. CEPHAS DREW.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK.
FRANK S. PATCH. EBEN W. SHEPPARD. HERBERT D. ADAMS.
FRANK E. BADGER. THOMAS J. FOLEY. A. L. BAKER.
FIELD DRIVERS.
CHAS. G. NICOL. PATRICK CONNORS. SAMUEL D. DE FORREST.
DANIEL R. MCKAY. MARK E HANSON. DANIEL MCGRATH.
Mayors Address 1892.
GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL :
. Standing on the threshold of another municipal year, we have assembled in obedience to the voice of our fellow-citizens to pledge ourselves to a faithful and conscientious discharge of the sacred trust confided to us.
The charter separates the executive functions, which I again assume, from the legislative. which devolves upon you, still, it is my agreeable duty to invite your attention to the consideration of certain matters which, in my opinion are of vital importance to our beloved city, will increase its prosperity and growth, and add to the comfort and happiness of its citizens.
I also deem it wise to lay before you a brief outline of the past year's work, while the reports which accompany this mes- sage will give you in detail an account of the stewardship of the city's servants.
One of the most important obligations resting upon us is the proper care of the finances of the city, and it should be our constant aim to insure to the citizens for every dollar collected from them in taxation a full and equitable return in benefits.
Believing that each official should act upon the principle of expending only such amounts as the Council appropriate for his use, and realizing that this business method could not be carried out, if bills inherited from previous years were to be charged against the new appropriations, I requested the Council to provide for such bills. This request having been complied with, the current expenses of 1891 have been properly charged and the financial year closed with ample means on hand to meet any legitimate demand likely to be made.
By the provisions of chapter 312 of the Acts and Resolves of 1885 the appropriations for all other purposes than the State tax, county tax and sums required by law to be raised on
10
account of the city debt, cannot exceed a sum equal to a rate of $12 per 1000 of the average valuation for the three preceding years.
The law limits the amount that can be raised by taxation for current expenses, but the rate is determined by the valua- tion of the property upon which it is assessed.
NET VALUATION FOR THREE YEARS.
Total Valuation.
Abatement.
Net Valuation.
1889,
$12,319,245
$137,770
$12,181,475
1890,
13,677,410
127,114
13,550,296
1891,
14,427,030
166,691
14,260,339
Total, -
-
- $39,992,110
Average valuation for the past three years, $13,330,703 : assessed at $12 per 1000 gives $159,968.43, which is the legal limit for municipal purposes for 1892 outside of the require- ments previously spoken of.
The problem before us is to so distribute this moderate sum as to reasonably and equitably provide for the running expenses of both departments.
In view of the expenses of the School Board, which neces- sarily require so large a proportion of the tax levy, we are unable to carry forward any specific improvements on our streets, sidewalks and drains, or to erect new buildings, with- out pledging the credit of the city. A large interest account and a higher tax rate result in consequence.
As many of these improvements are of absolute necessity for the city's welfare, the citizens will be content if the money is wisely expended, but we must carefully decide between what is a luxury and what is a necessity, in thus using the credit of the city. I believe in progress, but that does not warrant extravagance, and we must carefully study each question as it presents itself, and weighing it in its bearings upon all other questions.
CITY DEBT, JANUARY 1, 1892.
Falling due this year.
Willard special,
Totals. $3,000 00
$1,000 00 Jan. 1
Deficiency, .
6,655 07
6,655 07 Apr. 1
Carried forward, .
$9,655 07
$7,655 07
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Brought forward,
$9,655 07
$7,655 07
Hancock street,
46,700 00
4,000 00
May 1
Reardon street,
1,175 00
1,175 00
May 1
Burial places,
6,000 00
2,000 00
May 1
Common street,
12,000 00
1,200 00
June 1
Garfield street,
1,000 00
1,000 00
June 1
Wollaston school, .
9,000 00
2,000 00
July 1
Neponset bridge,
16,000 00
2,000 00
July 1
West street, .
2,000 00
1,000 00
July 1
Willard street, second loan, 10,000 00
10,000 00
July 1
Land and plans, Ward Three, 3,500 00
3,500 00
July 1
Culverts,
800 00
800 00
July 1
Willard school, third loan,
. 8,500 00
2,500 00
Aug. 1
Willard school, land,
12,640 00
1,580 00
Sept. 1
Adams street,
2,500 00
2,500 00
Sept. 1
Whitwell street,
1,250 00
1,250 00
Oct. 1
Deficiency,
834 46
834 46
Oct. 1
Willard school, first loan,
61,600 00
7,700 00
Nov. 1
School expenses, .
2,300 00
2,300 00
Nov. 1
Botolph street,
500 00
500 00 Nov. 21
Schools (shades for Willard),
350 00
350 00
Dec. 1
Ward six bell,
475 00
475 00
Dec. 1
Willard lighting, .
.
300 00
300 00
Dec. 1
Washington street,
10,000 00
Street crossings and gutters, 5,000 00
Repair fund, Mt. Wollaston cemetery,
. 4,775 00
Water street,
33,532 36
$262,386 89
$56,619 53
Jan. 1
A total of $262,386.89, of which amount $56,619.53 is due this year. $246,000 of the debt is of the nature of permanent improvements.
The borrowing capacity of the city is as follows: Aver- age valuation for three years, $13,330,703; two and one-half per cent., $333,267 ; debt, $262,386.89 ; leaving a margin of $70,880.11 January 1, 1892.
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COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORK DEPARTMENT.
Our highways begin to show marked improvement, still there is a decided call for further work in the direction of permanent construction. The annual appropriation for care of highways is so small that only ordinary repairs can be made, and any rebuild- ing is out of the question except by a specific loan for that purpose.
The city has in the past three years expended $100,000 in permanent street construction, and care must be taken to keep these newly constructed streets in a satisfactory condition, which is a difficult matter to do, when we consider that we have 75 miles of streets and practically about $12,000 per year to expend on them.
In my opinion, it is folly to use gravel on our streets, for it is soon ground to dust by our heavy teams. The use of more crushed stone is far more economical in the end, and I regret that the Council of 1891 did not provide this department with a new crusher, so that 150 tons of rock could be crushed every day and stored, thus preventing delays when work is to be done for want of material. It would save the city a large amount expended in hand labor.
One of the most serious difficulties in the care of our streets is the disposal of the surface water. Many of our streets have been laid out without any regard to a proper grade for surface drainage. The city has drained some of them on to private lands ; but as these lands are being taken up for dwellings, a system of surface drainage must soon be devised. Quincy is fortunate in having so many brooks in her midst into which the surface water from off our streets can be carried, and I would again recommend the Council to consider this important ques- tion of surface drainage, and if one can be devised, we can petition the Legislature for a special act.
The principal work done during the past year was the rebuilding of Washington street ; rebuilding a portion of Adams street, and completing Reardon street. A large amount of work has been performed on Hancock street, and a balance of the appropriation remains to still further improve this street the present year.
A large catch-basin and drain has been constructed on Gar- field street, also on Common street, which will properly remedy long standing nuisances in these streets.
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A catch-basin and drain has also been constructed on Washington street.
Two large stone culverts have been constructed on Wood- bine and Greenwood avenues.
Seven thousand one hundred and six feet of paved gutters have been laid.
Two thousand three hundred and fifty-one feet of edgestones have been laid, where the abuttors paid one-half the expense.
Five thousand four hundred and seventeen feet of edge- stones have been laid in all. Thirty crossings have been located in the different wards.
Coddington street is one of the main arteries of travel, and the daily traffic is on the increase through that section. It is only thirty-three feet in width, and in view of its widening in the near future, I would recommend that the city negotiate with the trustees of the City Hospital for a portion of their land, which will be needed for said widening, and it should be pur- chased before any proposed buildings are erected upon the land.
Copeland and Granite streets will have to be paved before they will be in a satisfactory condition, but I cannot recommend any definite plan until after the completion of Water street.
The watering of our main thoroughfares is, in my judgment, most essential through the summer months, not only because it is necessary to protect the road-bed, but it is also necessary for the comfort and health of the citizens. The Legislature has passed an act providing for the way that it can be done under certain provisions, to which I would call your attention.
SIDEWALKS.
No better investment for a city can be made than by the construction of permanent sidewalks therein. They not only add to the comfort of the citizens, and to the beauty of the city, but form a strong inducement to strangers to become residents in the cities where they exist. Formerly sidewalks seem to have been considered in the nature of a luxury. Abuttors were per- mitted to build them in towns at their own expense, if they could do so without unreasonably obstructing the highway. In cities which have adopted certain statute provisions the city council may grade and construct sidewalks, cover them with appropriate materials, and may assess not exceeding one-half the expense proportionally upon the abuttors.
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The City Council of Quincy has, during the past year, taken advantage of these provisions and I trust that during the pres- ent year you will inaugurate a movement looking to the building of permanent sidewalks under the general law.
I would suggest the adoption of an ordinance specifying the materials of which the sidewalks are to be constructed, also their width, so that not only durability, but uniformity and beauty of construction may be attained.
As the building of such sidewalks under the " Betterment Act " would first be on our main thoroughfares, there should also be an appropriation for the same purpose to be expended in resi- dential sections, where the abuttors petition for the same, and are willing to pay one-half of the expense.
I also would recommend, in order for the city to do its share towards inspiring the citizens to aid this desired improve- ment, that permanent sidewalks of brick be constructed around our schoolhouses and all public buildings.
LIGHTING.
Our streets are lighted by 89 arc, 105 incandescent, 68 gas and 127 oil lamps. The annual appropriation is necessarily large to provide for this number of lights, and nearly equals the appropriation for repairs on streets.
I consider light to be a necessity in these days. It insures safe travelling on our streets, prevents many accidents, and is a great help to our police force.
I am still of the opinion expressed to the Council one year ago that this body can render the city great service by studying the problem of lighting its streets, for I believe that a city should perform its own work in this direction.
BUILDINGS.
The Commissioner has had the charge of all the repairs on schoolhouses the past year, but I would recommend that in the present year the appropriation for that purpose be expended by the School Board.
The City Hall is badly adapted for the transaction of public. business, and, by order of the Council, plans have been procured for remodelling the same, which would, if carried out, provide suitable and satisfactory accommodations.
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WILLARD SCHOOL.
Owing to the failure of the contractors, it became necessary for the city to take possession of the building, and the same was completed in season for the school term in September last. The cost of the building to date has been $98,640, and the city has made a demand upon the bondsmen for the failure of the con- tractors to complete their work. The system of heating is not yet working satisfactorily, but it is hoped that the trouble can soon be remedied.
The School Board will call your attention to the pressing need of more school accommodation in Ward Three, and I hope this question will receive your attention early in the year, that work on any proposed building may be commenced in the Spring, in order that it can be completed for the fall term.
Neponset bridge has been replanked its entire length. The work on the Point, Hingham and Weymouth bridges has been done jointly by this city and the above-named towns.
The County Commissioners have still under consideration the petition of the city to compel the Old Colony railroad to widen their bridge over Hancock street and rebuild the approaches thereto, and an early decision is hoped for respecting this important matter.
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The citizens may well be proud of this educational institu- tion, furnishing as it does not only pleasure and instruction to the citizens, but assisting also in the work of the school.
Total number of books in library, about 17,000 ; increase, 645. Number of names on librarian's register, 10,379 ; increase, 580. Circulation-public, 63,580 ; public schools, 3,543; total, 67,123.
ADAMS ACADEMY.
This institution still pursues the tenor of its way in giving young men a most thorough education, based on the require- ments of Harvard and other colleges. These are much more extensive than in former years, and besides the so-called classical branches, they include extensive study in science, history, Eng- lish and other languages.
The number of pupils at present in attendance is 50.
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POOR DEPARTMENT.
The management of this department is highly commended by those who are familiar with its many duties. Equipped with a thorough knowledge of the laws pertaining to the settlement of paupers, and intrusted with the important duty of minister- ing to the need of the worthy poor, I believe those in charge are faithful to their trust.
Number of inmates Jan. 1, 1891-19; admitted during the year, 10 ; total, 29. Number discharged, 7; died, 11 ; total, 18. Members at date, 11. Number of families aided, 32.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
A well equipped fire department is demanded not only by the citizens, who wish to have protection for their homes, but by the underwriters, who have an interest also by the risks they take upon the property ; and if the city is not mindful in keep- ing up the standard of equipment, a higher premium may be the result. We have a large amount of taxable property in the Centre, and I believe that a piece of apparatus similar to the one recently purchased by the city of Boston, a combination of " hose and chemical," should be purchased and located in the neighborhood of the city hall. We have been fortunate in our fire losses the past year, and credit is due for the prompt response to alarms from most of the companies. The company at Wollaston is laboring under many disadvantages which I hope to see remedied. But while we have been fortunate, we must be prepared for harder service at all times.
A four circuit repeater is badly needed, but it is no use to consider its adoption until a suitable place is provided for it at the central station. I do not think that any words of mine are needed to call your attention to the poor condition of the hose houses in Wards Two and Four ; and before all the suitable land in the latter ward is built upon, the city should purchase a lot upon which to build in the future. I can but repeat the words addressed to the Council of 1890 in reference to the central sta- tion, - it is not a suitable place for man or beast, and I trust that some action will be taken this year to erect a station which will be of credit to the city. I do not deem it advisable to build upon the present lot. The great expense of retaining walls at the rear, the expense of building a temporary station while the
17
new one would be in course of erection, leads me to recommend the purchase of another lot and the sale of the present site with the building thereon.
The Chief Engineer reports the number of alarms, 45 ; fire losses, $8000 ; insurance on same, $5000.
The department is handicapped in many sections by the want of more hydrant service ; 101 hydrants on 75 miles of streets is certainly not conducive to good fire protection.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I am not unmindful of the need of better police service, and in my judgment we should have a daily patrol in the Cen- tre, and seven men on permanent duty in the thickly settled districts for night service. The problem is to provide the means for this yearly expense, and I refrain from any definite recommendations until I can present to you the estimates for the year ; but I trust that a larger appropriation can be made for this department than heretofore.
This department would be greatly aided by the introduc- tion of the " Police Signal System." This would place each ward in communication with headquarters and secure prompt assistance. I would recommend to the Council to consider the establishment of such a system.
The Deputy Manager of the Police reports: Total num- ber of arrests, 292 ; for drunkenness, 135; seizure of liquors made, enforcement of the liquor law, 1.
It will be my duty during the year to carry out the will of the people, and use every effort to prevent the sale of liquor in our city. The citizens have spoken in a most emphatic man- ner on this important question, and I pledge to them an earnest endeavor to enforce their wishes.
Several gentlemen have assisted the city in maintaining order by serving as constables without pay, and I tender them , my thanks for their services.
THE CITY CLERK.
The number of marriages in 1891 was 196; deaths, 311 ; dogs licensed, 866.
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MILK INSPECTOR.
Inspector reports: Number of licenses issued to dealers, 25 ; to stores and others, 29 ; total 54.
Two hundred samples of milk have been tested during the year, and the analyses show that it is up to the standard, as a ' rule.
CITY PROPERTY.
An inventory of the city property was taken May 1st. The assessed valuation was $406,422. A detailed statement will be published in the yearly city report.
SEWER ACT.
Agreeably to the order of the Council, a petition was pre- sented to the Legislature for an act to establish a system of sewers, which petition was granted, and on September 28, 1891, the question was submitted to the citizens, and rejected by a vote of 439 No, 247 Yes.
While I realize the great need of a system of sewerage in many sections of our city, still, the objections against the pro- posed system are so varied and strong that I hardly think it wise to submit the question to the public again the present year, though I believe it would be of great benefit to have public meetings to discuss and explain the act.
Many object to the proposed plan because it does not con- template the removal of surface water from the streets, but this is not feasible with a pipe line system. The need of surface drainage I have referred to elsewhere.
In many sections the people wish for a supply of water first, and will not accept any system of sewerage until the city owns its own water works.
I am not unmindful also of the growing sentiment, that a city should construct the system and charge rental for those who use it. It has much of merit, and is worthy of discussion.
WATER SUPPLY.
The Council of 1889 petitioned the Legislature for an act to allow the city to establish a system of water supply. This petition was practically refused, and an act was passed by the Legislature of 1891 conferring upon the city the right to take
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