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 1893 > Part 1
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THOMAS CRANE
PUBLIC LIBRARY QUINCY, MASS.
CITY APPROPRIATION
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https://archive.org/details/inauguraladdress 1893quin
CITY DOCUMENT, No. 5.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR
AND THE
CITY GOVERNMENT OF 1894,
TOGETHER WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
CITY OF QUINCY
For the Year 1893.
16 40
MANET
QUINCY
18881
QUINCY, MASS., GREEN & PRESCOTT, PRINTERS, 115 Hancock Street. 1894.
352
CITY GOVERNMENT, 1894.
MAYOR. WILLIAM A. HODGES.
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.
Commissioner of Public Works, WILLIAM N. EATON.
City Treasurer, BRYANT N. ADAMS.
City Clerk, HARRISON A. KEITH.
Collector of Taxes, WATSON H. BRASEE.
City Solicitor, PAUL R. BLACKMUR.
Chief of Police, JOSEPH W. HAYDEN.
Chief Engineer of Fire Department, PETER J. WILLIAMS.
City Auditor, JOHN O. HALL.
City Messenger, HARRY W. TIRRELL.
Overseer of the Poor, ZENAS S. ARNOLD.
City Physician, DR. JOHN F. WELCH. DR. HENRY C. HALLOWELL.
Inspector of Milk,
Inspector of Animals, JAMES M. CUTTING.
4
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS.
Assessors.
Principal Assessor-BRYANT N. ADAMS. Assistant Assessor, Ward 1 .- WALTER R. FEGAN. Assistant Assessor, Ward 2 .- JOHN FEDERHEN, 3rd. Assistant Assessor, Ward 3 .- JOHN CURTIS, 2nd. Assistant Assessor, Ward 4 .- JAMES A. WHITE. Assistant Assessor, Ward 5 .- WILLIAM B. ORCUTT. Assistant Assessor, Ward 6 .- FREDERIC C. POPE.
Board of Water Commissioners.
HERBERT T. WHITMAN,-1895. JOHN T. CAVANAGH ;- 1897. JAMES H. STETSON,-1896.
Board of Park Commissioners.
WILLIAM B. RICE, GEORGE C. ADAMS, FREDERICK H. SMITII.
Board of Health.
BENJAMIN F. CURTIS, DR. CHARLES O. YOUNG, TIMOTHY F. FORD.
Board of Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
EVERETT C. BUMPUS, HARRISON A. KEITH, GEORGE W. MORTON,
WILLIAM H. PRICE, HENRY MCGRATH, DR. J. H. ASH.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
1894.
Hon. WILLIAM A. HODGES, Mayor.
MAYOR'S ADDRESS, 1894.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL :
In accordance with an established custom and one which seems to me entirely proper, I desire to address you briefly on affairs that will be brought to our attention for our consideration during the ensuing year, and I intend to speak to you as one should to those who are associated together to transact any ordi- nary business. We have been selected by the inhabitants of the City of Quincy to have charge of their interests, just as any cor- poration selects its agents. It has been said that one of the strong points of our charter is that we can see where the responsibility lies, if the public business is not properly conducted, and that the executive and the legislative branches are entirely in- dependent of each other. Whether experience will verify this theory remains to be determined and I will not discuss it at this time. But it seems to me that in order to arrive at the best results for those who employ us, we should endeavor to have as much harmony as possible between the two branches of the government. The time we are here together will soon pass away, but the record of our work will remain to be scanned
-
12
and criticised by those who succeed us, and it behooves us to make a creditable and honorable record. It will be my endeavor to perform the duties which devolve upon the executive in such a manner as will warrant me the support of the legislative branch of this municipality.
FINANCIAL SITUATION.
The finances of the city demand our most earnest considera- tion. The true rule of economy is that we should spend only what we have. We cannot be niggardly ; we must not be ex- travagant. The laws of the Commonwealth point out how we can raise money, and set the limit of our expenditures. A successful administration of the city government depends upon the careful adjustment of the spending of our income, so that no one need of the city shall be recognized and provided for without due regard for all other reasonable demands of our municipal life.
When Quincy became a city in 1889, it had, practically speaking, no debt. In five years the city's debt has been run up to within 12 per cent. of the total limit of indebtedness allowed by law. It is scarcely profitable for me to discuss here either the causes that led to the acquiring of such a debt, or the reasons or explanations then or now advanced in favor of such a course. The fact remains that we have nearly exhausted our borrowing capacity. Hence our mode of municipal living for many years to come is as clear as sunlight : first, we must provide for our necessities ; second, we should get all the comforts that we can afford ; third, we must banish utterly from all considera- tion anything that remotely approaches to a luxury.
13
CITY DEBT, JAN. 1, 1894.
Totals.
Falling due this year.
Willard School special,
$1,000
$1,000 Jan. 1
Washington Street, .
8,000
2,000 Jan. 1
Hancock street,
28,000
4,000 May 1
Street crossings,
2,000
2,000 May
1
Burial places,
2,000
2,000 May
1
Common street,
8,400
1,200 June
1
Hancock street, 2d loan.
10,000
1,000 June 1
Neponset bridge,
12,000
2,000 July 1
Wollaston school,
6,000
1,000 July 1
Willard school,
4,000
2,000 Aug. 1
Land, Willard school,
6,000
1,000 Sept. 1
Land, Willard school,
3,480
580 Sept. 1
Willard school,
42,000
7,000 Nov. 1
Willard school,
4,200
700 Nov. 1
Water street loan,
25,000
Lincoln school, . .
25,000
5,000 Dec. 1
Central Fire station land,
7,000
2,000 Dec. 1
Central Fire station building,
20,000
2,000 Aug. 1
Water street land damage,
6,000
3,000 Dec. 28
Hough's Neck fire alarm,
1,100
1,100 June 1
Stone crushing plant,
5,500
1,100 Feb. 15
Six circuit repeaters,
1,700
1,700 June 1
High school plans, .
1,000
1,000 Dec. 1
Water carts and hydrants,
2,000
High school lot,
15,000
Rep. hose house Wards 5 and 6,
1,000
1,000 Aug. 1
Grade of Cross street,
500
500 Aug. 1
Curbing Wollaston and Willard
sidewalks,
600
600 Aug. 1
Carried forward,
$248,480 $46,480
.
14
Totals Falling due this year.
Brought forward,
. $248,480 $46,480
Watering Beale, Brook and Willard streets,
1,000
1,000 Oct. 2
Land hose house, Ward 2,
1,500
1,500 Oct. 2
Rep. Willard and Washington school
houses,
1,500
1,500 Oct.
2
Centre street drain, .
1,200
1,200 Oct.
2
Adams street, .
7,000
1,000 Oct. 2
Grade Winthrop avenue, .
650
650 Oct.
2
Chemical engine, Ward 6,
1,300
1,300 Oct.
2
High school house, .
62,000
7,000 Dec.
1
Plans, hose house Ward 2,
200
200 Dec. 15
Plans, hose house Ward 4,
200
200 Dec. 15
Arnold and Newbury streets,
400
400 Dec. 15
Sidewalk, new road, .
300
300 Dec. 15
Beale and other streets,
4,000
1,000 Dec. 15
Street widening,
10,000
2,000 Dec. 15
Playgrounds,
50,000
1,000 Oct. 1
$389,730
$66,730
WATER LOANS.
Extension of mains, note,
$24,000
$1,000 Dec. 1
Extension of mains, note,
30,000
1,000 Sept. 1
Purchase bonds,
600,000
20,000 Aug. 1
$654,000
$22,000
The city's valuation in the past three years is as follows :
Total valuation.
Abatements.
Net valuation.
1891
$14,427,030
$173,215
$14,253,815
1892
15,566,920
146,688
15,420,232
1893
16,638,070
158,575
$16,479,495
$46,153,542
$15,384,514
Average valuation for three years,
15
Under recent legislation we have the right to raise money in one of two ways. First, we may assess not exceeding $12 per $1,000 of the assessors' valuation for the preceding year less all abatements; thus, we may raise this year a tax amounting to $197,753.94. Second, we may assess on the average of the assessors' valuation for the preceding three years ; this would give us $184,614.17.
Our limit of indebtedness is 2 1-2 per cent. on $15,384,514, viz. $384,612.85. From the above table of city debt it appears that we have now an indebtedness of $389,730. In addition to this, we have assumed on account of the water supply of the city $54,000 for the extension of water mains, and $600,000 for the purchase of the water plant late of the Quincy Water Company. The city's debt, therefore, is almost one million dollars, of which the sum of $88,730 falls due this year.
Both in the raising and the spending of the city's money we must bear in mind that the sole desire of our citizens is that they shall have a municipal government so honestly, impartially and economically administering their affairs that there will result the greatest good for the greatest number at the least expense.
CITY CHARTER.
It is well known to all that some objections to our City Charter have been raised. The chief one is that the election of a councilman-at-large means only the election of one more councilman from the ward in which he lives. Even if this view has no support in the facts, there can be no denying that it exists in the minds of many of our citizens, whose good faith cannot be questioned. This state of opinion should not be ignored, and it seems as if this, the sixth City Council, could silence these objections by making a record for economical
16
administration. Although, for convenience, nominations are made by political parties, every one of you, like myself, received votes from both parties, and we ought for that, if for no other consideration, to put the welfare of the city before that of any ward or any party. Let the test of any measure be " Will the benefit to the whole city warrant the proposed action ? "
I am of the opinion that the department of public works would be better managed by three commissioners, to be ap- pointed by the mayor, than by one, as at present. Such a board could take all the care and responsibility, which is sometimes too much for one man, could decide upon measures and could appoint a superintendent who would carry out their plans and attend to details. They could be selected from a class of our citizens who cannot give all their time to public service, but who would be willing to serve at a nominal or moderate salary.
I recommend that steps be taken to have our charter so changed that more councilmen shall be elected at large, and that three commissioners of public works be appointed by the mayor.
ASSESSMENT OF TAXES.
One of the most important as well as one of the most difficult branches of the public service is to adjust and fix proper valuations on all property, both real and personal. Each should be placed upon a substantial basis. This basis for valuation of property for taxable purposes is the fair market value of the property at the time the assessment is made. A system of making strained or fictitious valuations is wrong and pernicious and will prove a great injury to any city or town in which it is adopted. Great care should be taken to equalize values and to see that justice is done to all. Excessive valuation is apt to lead to uncalled-for extravagance and should never be per- mitted.
17
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The principal part of our fire apparatus has been moved during the year into the new central fire station on Quincy avenue. The building on School street, formerly used by the department is now unoccupied and should be either utilized or sold.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
The purchase of the water works of the Quincy Water Company has been consummated and the city is now the sole owner. At the last election the special act of the Legislature in relation to our public water supply, was accepted, and it now rests with the city government to take the necessary steps in furtherance of the decision of the citizens.
SEWERAGE.
The question of sewerage will without doubt have to be con- sidered before long. But however desirable a system of sewerage may be, the financial situation of the city is such that we should not be justified in deciding the subject this year.
SUPPORT OF THE POOR.
The support of our poor is a matter which should receive our careful attention. It may be said that too much charity breeds pauperism. To some extent that may be true, but it de- pends entirely upon how charity is bestowed. While most cases of destitution are the result of some one's bad conduct, the suf- fering usually falls on those who are innocent, and they should be dealt with kindly.
18
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The city government having organized a police force, care should be taken that it should be composed of men who are well qualified in this line of duty. Their time should be wholly occupied in enforcing the laws and not be used for political purposes by any party. All laws should be energetically and impartially enforced. The voters having again pronounced against legalizing the sale of intoxicating liquors, care should be taken to see that it is not sold illegally either in some ob- scure kitchen or in a gilded drug store. All officers should be instructed to see this law enforced, as well as the laws to pre- vent any felony or misdemeanor. When officers are found incompetent they should be discharged and others put in their places.
. WORK FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.
The problem which is exercising all our cities at the present time is that of providing work for those who are in a condition of enforced idleness. The last Council appropriated sum's for the extension of water mains and for the widening of streets. I shall endeavor to see that the work is carried forward as rapidly as the weather will permit and in such a way that those for whom the appropriation was intended shall receive the benefit.
NEW INDUSTRIES.
Our city is unfortunate in the fact that it depends almost wholly upon one industry. The granite business is our main stay, and whatever affects that, affects all our interests. Owing to the troubles of 1892 and the depression of 1893, very little work is being done and the consequence is that all our trades- men feel the effects. It is of the utmost importance that we
19
should secure other industries. This subject has previously been brought before the Council, but I am not aware that any result was accomplished. If an energetic committee should be appointed, to offer inducements to manufacturers and others, and in various ways to perform the duties which in some cities are the province of the board of trade, it would be one of the most important committees of the Council, and if properly constituted, might exert very great influence for the prosperity of our city. Serious consideration might be given to the question whether the city could not, either independently or in connection with the Granite Manufacturers' Association, take measures to pro- mote, financially or otherwise, the granite industry. I recommend the appointment of such a committee.
PUBLIC WORKS UNDER CONTRACT.
I am of the opinion that this city should, except in rare cases, avoid having its work done under contract. The following reasons bring me to this view. It has been the experience of many cities that work done under contract is apt to lead to abuses and corruption, and not to come up to the required standard. So well is the latter fact appreciated that it is the almost universal custom to have an inspector to watch the con- tractor. If the Commissioner of Public Works has the capacity to make a contract, and has the courage and honesty to force a contractor to keep up to his specifications, he is then competent to be the contractor himself; that is, he is the proper person to perform the work and may dispense altogether with the services of the contractor. If I wish to build a house I think it wiser to employ a man to purchase material, procure workmen and over- see the work, than to let the job out. It is easier to look after my foreman than after a contractor. Furthermore, no man takes a contract unless he expects a profit. It is evident either
20
that the city will pay more than the cost of the work or that the contractor intends to get the advantage in the material or workmanship. Again, in many cases a contractor lives in another place, brings with him his plant and often his men, and the money paid him leaves the city. If the Commissioner of Public Works has charge of the labor, and our own citizens have the preference, a great part of the cost remains in Quincy and the money circulates among our tradesmen. For these reasons I think that the business interests of our city would be served by having all our public works carried on, whenever practicable, wholly by our own officials.
HOUGH'S NECK.
Quincy is fortunate in its situation on the border of the sea. Hough's Neck is one of our most beautiful and enjoyable pos- sessions. For a long time known only to a few of our citizens, it has of late been visited by throngs of people, old and young, and is now the part of the city most sought after in hot weather.
The old road, as originally laid out, was very narrow, but for years answered well enough the uses for which it was re- quired. Now, however, from one-fourth to one-third of its width is occupied by the tracks of the Manet Street Railway and is rendered practically useless for driving purposes. If this road could be widened and so built that carriages could go east on one side of the track and return on the other side, many of the an- noyances which now attend the trip would be obviated. This widening can be done now at a reasonable cost before the adjoin- ing land is built upon, and the city would then have a boulevard which could not be surpassed south of Boston, and one of which it might well be proud. In view of the strong public demand for
21
this improvement, I recommend that the Council take steps to ascertain the probable expense of such widening.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
All will agree that the children in our schools should be properly educated and that the public school system is one of the greatest safeguards of our free institutions. Quincy has never been backward in furnishing the money necessary for the support of schools, and I think that the interest taken in them by our citizens cannot be surpassed in any place in the Common: wealth. That very interest and the watchfulness consequent upon it, have prompted a fuller investigation of the methods and management than has prevailed in other communities, and the parents of the pupils follow with constant care the progress and defects of this department of our municipal affairs. It is beyond dispute that for some years past many of our intelligent citizens, fully competent to judge, have thought that the results obtained did not justify the large expenditures. While I yield to no one in believing in the necessity of keeping the schools up to the highest possible educational standard, and in acknowledging the conscientious efforts of our school authorities, I deem it my duty to call the attention of the Council to this feeling of dissatisfaction, which is more prevalent than is generally sup- posed, and I think that the appropriations for school purposes should be carefully scrutinized.
.
ANNUAL REPORTS 1893.
CITY OF QUINCY.
REPORT OF CITY TREASURER.
GENERAL FUND. Receipts.
Cash on hand, Jan. 1, 1893 .
$31,090 00
B. N. Adams, collector, tax 1888
5 84
Tax 1889
70 20
Tax 1890
318 50
Tax 1891
1,070 57
Tax 1892
57,317 88
Tax 1893
184,187 17
Interest account, tax 1888 .
1 55
Tax 1889
27 72
Tax 1890
46 87
Tax 1891
98.87
Tax 1892
1,513 76
Tax 1893
269 63
Accrued interest on notes sold
331 45
Premium on notes sold
1,245 22
National Granite Bank
378 25
National Mt. Wollaston Bank
423 86
Water purchase accrued interest on bonds
3,669 78
Notes payable, temporary loans
173,846 00
City debt
119,650 00
Water extension
30,000 00
Water purchase bonds
600,000 00
Play grounds
50,000 00
Temporary loans on account water bonds
· 130,000 00
Amount carried forward
$1,385,563 12
26
Amount brought forward
$1,385,563 12
Almshouse account
522 30
Poor out of almshouse
699 51
Burial places, lots sold
1,375 00
Single graves sold
20 00
Hay sold
43 92
Labor on lots, 1893
1,268 00
Labor on lots, 1882
412 00
Non-resident assessment
38 00
Interest on repair fund
253 00
Special deposit lot 945
30 94
Miscellaneous city receipts
1,519 13
Repairs of public buildings
9 60
Miscellaneous highways
140 04
· Garbage account
335 75
Police, chapter 440
1,019 67
Police station
70 00
Library insurance
10 00
Law department
150 00
Library, Thomas Crane, books .
1,428 02
Christopher A. Spear, City Clerk.
637 70
Special police
25 00
Miscellaneous city expenses
93 00
Sidewalks .
518 72
State of Mass., Corporation tax .
10,251 23
National bank tax
1,707 15
State aid
2,813 00
Aid to soldiers
16 00
Brick sidewalks
144 20
Parks .
125 50
South street
31 80
Street sprinkling
1,500 32
Adams street
138 00
High school house
155 00
Chemical engine, Ward 6
450 00
Water supply and service
36,660 41
Amount carried forward $1,450,175 03
1385523.12
27
Disbursements.
Amount brought forward
$1,450,175 03
Almshouse account
$3,268 07
Poor out of almshouse .
4,495 15
Assessors' books, binding, etc.
218 31
Miscellaneous
100 00
Transfers
105 50
Clerk .
384 62
Interest account
15,213 33
Burial places
4,266 91
Board of Health, inspection,
499 75
Advertising, postage and services
138 75
452 75
Cleaning brooks . Abating nuisances
44 75
Notes payable, city debt
61,862 36
Temporary loan .
137,851 00
Clerk, Commissioner Public Works
520 00
Contingent fund
92 22
Fire Department, pay of men
10,263 65
Miscellaneous
2,047 05
Fire alarm
456 15
Fuel
456 88
Repairs
399 39
New hose
522 70
Rubber goods
51 50
Horse shoeing and keeping
1,312 35
Lighting engine houses
177 16
Keeping chief's horse
125 00
Central fire station
15,863 62
Fire alarm to Houghs Neck
728 98
Six circuit repeater
1,700 00
Land for hose house, Ward 2
1,397 87
Plans for new hose houses, Wards 2 and 4
400 00
Schools, teachers' salaries
54,698 64
Janitors' salaries .
4,434 00
Amounts carried forward
$1,450,175 03 $324,548 41
28
Amounts brought forward Schools, fuel
$1,450,175 03 $324,548 41
5,899 71
Miscellaneous
4,257 35
Books and stationary
3,312 58
Evening, common
1,579 45
Evening, drawing
1,089 91
Transportation
832 50
Lessons in cooking
99 95
Lessons in sewing
499 12
Lincoln school house .
600 00
High school land
15,000 00
High school plans
1000 00
Repairs on Willard and Washington school houses
1,500 00
Sidewalks, Wollaston and Willard school houses
554 12
High school house
259 52
Repairs of public buildings
4,327 31
Removal of snow
3,269 32
Miscellaneous highways
16,041 58
Garbage account
1,135 67
Pay of city officers
11,416 82
Elections
1,361 40
1Police
6,660 00
Chief of Police
1,000 00
Station,
314 21
Special
1,716 65
Chapter 440
21 48
Public Library, miscellaneous
505 37
Books .
1,117 36
Salaries
2,399 96
Fuel and lighting
333 16
Insurance
260 00
State aid, chapter 301
2,702 00
Chapter 279
1,096 00
Chapter 447
181 50
Amounts carried forward
$1,450,175 03 $416,892 41
29
Amounts brought forward .
$1,450,175 03 $416,892 41
Street lighting
12,835 93
Hydrants
4,489 17
Fountains
236 67
Advertising, printing and stationery
1,851 24
Miscellaneous city expenses
4,295 00
Claims and damages .
515 17
Enforcement of liquor laws
1,185 00
Sidewalks
1,094 61
Law department
218 50
Quincy City Hospital .
1,000 00
State of Massachusetts, State tax National bank tax
2,924 02
County of Norfolk, County tax . Parks
625 63
1,334 80
Water street, land damages Widening
10,183 72
South street
268 58
Faxon Park street
461 34
Centre street drain
1,194 00
Adams street
5,903 19
Arnold street
199 44
Walker street
30 81
Winthrop avenue
643 78
Newbury avenue
193 00
Hall place .
28 00
Street sprinkling
4,190 58
Purchase water supply, account 1892.
7,147 83
Robertson street sidewalk .
229 75
New road sidewalk
133 50
Stone crushing plant .
5,500 00
Bridges, culverts and drains
1,184 20
Watering carts and hydrants
1,999 95
Grand Army Post 88 .
350 00
Engineering
298 10
Amounts carried forward
$1,450,175 03 $518,541 16
15,575 00
13,328 24
30
Amounts brought forward . $1,450,175 03 $518,541 16 Water supply and service, including note and interest
72,153 71
Temporary loan .
130,000 00
Purchase 21,605 67
J. A. Gordon, president Quincy
Water Company 316,351 44
J. A. Gordon, exchange of bonds 250,000 00
Interest account .
1,337 08
Repairs on Wollaston and Atlantic hose houses
999 50
Play grounds
14,967 82
Widening streets
1,776 86
Chemical engine, Ward 6 .
1,750 00
Cash on hand, Dec 30, 1893
120,691 79
$1,450,175 03 $1,450,175 03
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1894 . $120,691 79
Respectfully submitted,
BRYANT N. ADAMS,
City Treasurer.
Quincy, Jan. 1, 1894.
31
WOODWARD FUND AND PROPERTY.
Cash Account.
Dr.
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1893 . . .
$14,861 35
Cash received from loans to City of
Quincy, . 19,950 00
For interest on loans to City of Quincy
814 43
On loans secured by mortgage ·
10,952. 00
4,505 76
For interest secured by mortgage For rents from sundry persons . 1,281 88 Dividends on 25 shares Mount Wollaston bank 300 00
Dividends on 4 bonds Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore rail- road .
200 00
Dividends on 13 bonds Atchison & Topeka railroad 600 00
Dividends on 4 bonds Vermont & Massachusetts railroad .
200 00
Dividends on 2 bonds Old Colony railroad 120 00
Dividends on 10 bonds Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad . 500 00 Dividends on 7 bonds Boston & Lowell railroad 525 00
Dividends on 5 bonds Union Pacific railroad 250 00
Dividends on 5 bonds Union Pacific & Lincoln railroad 450 00
Dividends on 10 bonds New York & New England railroad 900 00
Dividends on 5 bonds Clinton & Fitchburg railroad . 375 00
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