USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1882 > Part 1
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STRAN GO
V
GIV
1842
FOUNDED
COINAW
1
CITY OF SOMERVILLE
ANNUAL REPORTS.
GIVES
EDON
FREED
SOMERVILLE
IO
NAL
AL
FOUNDED 184.2.
1872.
MUNICI
A CITY STRENG'
CED
ESTABLIS
1882.
SOMERVILLE, MASS. : SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT. 1883.
CITY GOVERNMENT FOR 1882.
MAYOR. JOHN A. CUMMINGS. Residence, 16 Wallace Street ; Office, City Hall.
ALDERMEN. WILLIAM E. WELD, President. WARD ONE.
MARK F. BURNS .
Perkins Street.
ELIJAH C. CLARK
Ellsworth Street.
WARD TWO.
J. FRANK WELLINGTON CALEB A. PAGE .
· Pleasant Avenue. Union Square.
WARD THREE.
J. LELAND NORCROSS . THOMAS R. ROULSTONE
Marshall Street.
Bonair Street.
WARD FOUR.
Broadway.
Harvard Street.
COMMON COUNCIL.
ALBION A. PERRY, President.
WARD ONE.
LEVI F. S. DAVIS
.
Pearl Street.
HIRAM G. JANVRIN
Pinckney Street.
MOSES G. STEELE
Rush Street.
·
CHARLES E. GILES
Webster Street.
ASA DURGIN WILLIAM E. WELD
.
4
ANNUAL REPORTS.
WARD TWO.
CLARENCE P. WESTON .
.
MARTIN BINNEY .
FREDERICK M. STODDER
· .
Grandview Avenue.
Pleasant Avenue.
WARD THREE.
ALBION A. PERRY
Maple Avenue.
HENRY M. BEALS
.
.
HIRAM D. SMITH
.
. .
Cross Street.
Adams Street.
WARD FOUR.
J. LORENZO ATTWOOD
Elm Street.
Broadway.
Kent Court.
SAMUEL T. RICHARDS .
Summer Street.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1882.
ACCOUNTS. - Aldermen Weld, Wellington ; Councilmen Janvrin, Woodberry, Attwood.
BURIAL GROUNDS. - Aldermen Durgin, Roulstone ; Councilmen Stodder, Stecle, Russell.
CITY ENGINEERING. - Aldermen Durgin, Norcross ; Councilmen Steele Russell, Fitts.
CLAIMS. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; the president of the Common Council, ex officio ; Alderman Burns ; Councilmen Weston, Janvrin.
FINANCE. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; the president of the Common Council, ex officio ; Aldermen Burns, Weld ; Council- men Weston, Davis, Smith, Fitts.
FUEL AND STREET LIGHTS. - Aldermen Page, Durgin ; Council- men Giles, Woodberry, Stodder.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. - Aldermen Page, Roulstone ; Councilmen Davis, Stodder, Blackwell.
HIGHWAYS. - Aldermen Durgin, Wellington ; Councilmen Steele, Smith, Russell.
IRVING L. RUSSELL
RICHARD T. BLACKWELL
.
Maple Avenue.
PHILIP O. WOODBERRY
·
Union Square. Dane Street.
FRANK E. FITTS .
5
CITY GOVERNMENT.
ORDINANCES. - Aldermen Burns, Norcross ; Councilmen Wes- ton, Smith, Attwood.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. - Aldermen Clark, Wellington ; Councilmen Beals, Richards, Giles.
PRINTING. - Aldermen Weld, Roulstone; Councilmen Fitts, Beals, Janvrin.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF. - Aldermen Roulstone, Clark ; Councilmen Stodder, Woodberry, Blackwell.
WATER. - Aldermen Norcross, Burns ; the president of the Common Council ; Councilmen Fitts, Richards.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
SEWERS. - Aldermen Norcross, Burns, Weld.
ELECTIONS. - Aldermen Wellington, Durgin.
ENROLLED ORDINANCES. - Aldermen Clark, Page. LICENSES. - Aldermen Wellington, Norcross.
POLICE. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Clark, Norcross.
STATE AID. - Aldermen Roulstone, Page, Weld, Clark.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS. - Councilmen Fitts, Blackwell, Steele. ENROLLED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS. - Councilmen Davis, Stodder, Beals.
CITY CLERK AND CLERK OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN. CHARLES E. GILMAN ; Office, City Hall.
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES. JOHN F. COLE ; Office, City Hall.
CITY MESSENGER. JAIRUS MANN ; Office, City Hall.
CITY ENGINEER.
GEORGE A. KIMBALL ; Office, City Hall.
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
CITY SOLICITOR. SAMUEL C. DARLING ; Office, 18 Rogers Building, Boston.
CITY PHYSICIAN. THOMAS M. DURELL, 14 Bow Street.
CLERK OF COMMON COUNCIL. DOUGLAS FRAZAR.
CLERK OF ASSESSORS AND COMMITTEES. GEORGE I. VINCENT ; Office, City Hall.
CITY AUDITOR. DOUGLAS FRAZAR ; Office, City Hall.
CHIEF OF POLICE. MELVILLE C. PARKHURST, Police Station, Bow Street.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
JOHN P. PRICHARD, 10 Cutter Street ; Office, City Hall.
CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT. JAMES R. HOPKINS ; Office, City Hall.
ASSISTANT ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
NATHANIEL C. BARKER Ellsworth Street.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
JOSHUA H. DAVIS Myrtle Street.
7
CITY GOVERNMENT.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
DAVID A. SANBORN Prospect Street.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
GEORGE A. KIMBALL, Chairman ·
Office, City Hall.
THOMAS M. DURELL, M. D.
Bow Street.
GEORGE C. SKILTON .
Walnut Street.
GEO. I. VINCENT, Clerk
Office, City Hall.
W .H. BRINE, Inspector (140 Houghton St. ), Office, City Hall.
MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
EDWARD FOOTE, President .
Broadway.
EDWIN S. CONANT, Clerk
Pearl Street.
WESLEY C. CRANE
Summer Street.
A. R. COOLIDGE . .
Columbus Avenue.
J. O. HAYDEN
Spring Street.
SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS. NATHANIEL DENNETT ; Office, Prospect Street, corner of Somerville Avenue.
COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING FUNDS.
NATHAN TUFTS. HENRY F. WOODS. JOHN A. HUGHES. AARON SARGENT, Treasurer.
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
REV. H. H. BARBER, President.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN.
J. HENRY FLITNER, Secretary. THOMAS J. BUFFUM.
W. G. TOUSEY. WILLIAM VEAZIE.
WM. H. BRINE (Highland Ave.). C. E. RYMES.
EDWIN S. CONANT.
LIBRARIAN. MISS HARRIET A. ADAMS.
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN. MISS LIZZIE A. STEVENS.
PRINCIPAL ASSESSORS.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, Chairman . ·
Oak Street.
STILLMAN H. LIBBY
Elm Street.
GEORGE W. HADLEY
Perkins Street.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk; Office, City Hall.
ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
DANIEL BROOKS, Ward One
Ellsworth Street.
B. F. THOMPSON, Ward Two
Summit Avenue.
R. A. MELVIN, Ward Three Bonair Street.
W. A. MUZZEY, Ward Four
Newbury Street.
OVERSEERS OF POOR. JOHN A. CUMMINGS, Mayor, Chairman ex officio. ALBION A. PERRY, President Common Council, ex officio. ANSEL LEWIS Webster Street ; Office, Police Station.
FRANK G. WILLIAMS Albion Street ; 66 66
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, Sec'y, Oak Street ; 66 66 60
CONSTABLES.
JAIRUS MANN.
ROBERT R. PERRY.
HORACE B. RUNEY.
NEWELL F. CASWELL.
CHAS. C. FOLSOM.
WM. H. BRINE.
WM. D. HAYDEN.
FRANK G. WILLIAMS.
SAMUEL R. Dow.
C. C. CAVANAGH. ANSEL LEWIS. JOSEPH J. GILES.
JOHN S. MCADOO.
FIELD DRIVERS.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM. JOHN E. FULL.ER. JOHN HAFFORD. P. W. SKINNER.
JUDSON W. OLIVER. GEORGE A. BODGE. GEORGE W. BEAN. SAMUEL R. Dow.
DENNIS KELLY.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT.
DAVID A. SANBORN.
FENCE VIEWERS. WARREN POLLARD. CHARLES D. ELLIOT.
POUND KEEPER. CHARLES A. SMALL.
SEALER OF WEIGHT AND MEASURES. NOAH HARDING, Sycamore Street.
SURVEYORS OF WOOD, BARK, AND LUMBER,
ANSEL LEWIS.
SAMUEL T. LITTLEFIELD.
SURVEYOR OF STONE WORK. JAMES R. HOPKINS.
SURVEYOR OF STONE, BRICK, AND PLASTER WORK, ALFRED M. SIBLEY.
SURVEYOR OF MECHANICS' WORK, CHARLES D. ELLIOT.
PUBLIC WEIGHERS,
D. W. DANFORTH. PATRICK O'BRIEN. JOHN C. COUSINS.
UNDERTAKERS.
HORACE B. RUNEY. A. L. SANBORN. PATRICK RAFFERTY. H. D. RUNEY.
WILLIAM A. FLAHERTY. P. H. RAFFERTY. MARSH & Co.
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
POLICE DEPARTMENT. M. C. PARKHURST, Chief.
S. R. Dow, Sergeant. R. R. Perry, Captain.
C. C. Folsom, Sergeant.
N. F. Caswell.
C. C. Cavanagh.
S. C. Rollins.
John E. Fuller. Howard Lowell.
F. W. Slade.
A. L. Staples.
Albert Fisk.
J. W. Oliver. George W. Bean.
P. W. Skinner. S. A. Brown. John Hafford.
Ivan Leighton. M. H. Kinsley. I. S. Campbell. Edward McGarr. J. B. Young. G. A. Bodge. Dennis Kelly.
M. C. Parkhurst, Lock-up Keeper.
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF
HON. JOHN A. CUMMINGS,
DELIVERED JAN. 2, 1882.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL : -
WE have this day, in accordance with the popular will of the citizens of Somerville, assumed the responsibility of managing its business affairs for the ensuing year. Let us so discharge our duties as to merit the approval of our own consciences and the confidence of those who have placed their interests in our hands.
Economy and care in the expenditure of the money of our tax-payers should be our constant aim, and for your guidance in this duty I invite your attention to the following
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
which has been furnished me by the city treasurer, and is as nearly accurate as can be given at this date.
The funded debt of the city is as follows :
City debt
$1,250,000 00
Water debt
335,000 00
Total .
$1,585,000 00
Less sinking funds
312,263 59
Net funded debt
$1,272,736 41
From this liability may be deducted about $8,900, saved from the appropriations of the past year ; leaving the net indebtednes of the city $1,263,836.41 at this date.
14
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The debt of the city one year ago was as follows : - Funded debt
$1,585,000 00
Excess of unfunded liabilities over available assets . 26,603 94
A total of .
$1,611,603 94
Less the amount of sinking funds, as per report of
Commissioners
253,764 95
Leaving the net debt, Dec. 31, 1880 . $1,357,838 99
This indebtedness has been reduced during the past year by the following amounts : -
Increase in sinking funds by contribution and interest $58,498 64
Deficiency of 1880, paid
26,603 94
Saved from appropriations this year, about 8,900 00
Total reduction
$94,002 58
The unfunded liabilities are $190,000, and the uncollected taxes, assessments, and accounts due the city will fully cover this amount. The total valuation of the public property of the city, including $341,000 for water works, is $1,155,000.
The assessors' valuation of the taxable property in the city in 1881 was $22,569,100, an increase of a little more than $2,000,000 over that of 1880. A considerable portion of this increase came from the addition of taxable property to the assessors' list, and not from an increase in valuation.
The total sum raised by taxation in 1881 was $452,945.45.
In the appropriations of last year extraordinary expenditures were provided for as follows : -
For Highland School .
$18,000
For removal of Lincoln School .
3,000
For deficiency of 1880
26,600
Total
$47,600
If to this be added the surplus of appropriations over expendi- tures in 1881, $8,900, we have the amount of $56,500 raised by taxation last year which will not be required this year. By economical management in all the departments we can reduce the
15
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
appropriations for the present year nearly if not quite $50,000 below that of last year, and still provide fifteen to twenty thousand dollars for additional school accommodations in Ward One, if necessary.
SCHOOLS.
Our schools maintain their high rank, under an efficient and faithful committee, which endeavors, not only to secure good schools, but to secure them at reasonable cost. We have eighty- two schools and ninety-six teachers. The total number of pupils connected with the schools is 4,315, divided as follows : -
In the High School 248
In the grammar schools
. 2,148
In the primary schools
1,919
4,315
The new eight-room, brick school-house, at the corner of High- land Avenue and Grove Street, has been completed during the year, and affords accommodations which were greatly needed in that vicinity. Its total cost, including $4,186.80 paid for the lot on which it stands, the furniture, heating apparatus, grading round the building, and all incidental expenses connected with its con- struction, has been $32,649.34.
The Lincoln School-house has been removed from its former location on Elm Street to a site on Broadway, near the summit of Clarendon Hill, and thoroughly refitted, at a total expense, includ- ing cost of land, of $3,897.52.
All sections of the city are now reasonably well supplied with school-room accommodations, with the exception, perhaps, of the East Somerville district. It is probable that the School Board will request the enlargement of the Edgerly School-house, on Cross Street, during the present year, by the addition of four more school-rooms.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Additional accommodations for the convenience of the public and the storage of books are needed in our library.
It may be some years before our city will be in condition to pro- vide a suitable building for this institution. Until that time, and
16
ANNUAL REPORTS.
for immediate relief, I would renew the recommendation of last year, that an extension be made to the east end of the City Hall building, one story in height.
The total number of books belonging to the library is 9,035. Of this number 684 were added during the past year.
During the year 66,918 books were taken from the library and 731 used for reference. In the nine years since it was established over ten thousand different persons have availed themselves of its privileges. It is invaluable to our city as a medium of education for the young and a source of intelligence and enjoyment for all classes.
HIGHWAYS.
During the year the Somerville Horse Railroad has made an improvement by the transfer of its tracks in Elm Street from the side to the middle of the same, and their continuance through Holland Street to Broadway. Locations through several of our streets have been granted to the Charles River Street Railway Company during the year, and tracks have been laid in Summer Street, Union Square, Webster Avenue, Springfield, Newton, and Beacon Streets. This company proposes giving our citizens better facilities for reaching Cambridge, and, eventually, a more direct route to the South End of Boston.
Middlesex Avenue has been put in thorough repair during the year, at considerable expense, and, after an examination by the county commissioners, has been accepted by them as a county way. A considerable expenditure has also been made on Mystic Avenue, in filling the ditches upon the southerly side of the same and raising the grade. Our streets are mostly in good repair and well cared for. Somerville Avenue is perhaps most in need of re- pairs. I would suggest more attention to the cleanliness of the streets in certain quarters as important to the health of the public, and the general appearance of neatness desirable for both residents and travellers.
The policy of promptly repairing slight defects, which has been pursued for the past few years, is a wise one, and should be con- tinued. It saves the entire rebuilding inevitable in the case of a
17
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
long-neglected street, and illustrates the saying that " a stitch in time saves nine."
SEWERS.
In the year past one and seven tenths miles of new sewers have been laid, and one hundred and ninety-one feet relaid. The de- mand for expenditures in this department exceeded the appropria- tion in 1881, and left several petitions to be referred to this gov- ernment. Wherever running water is introduced thorough drainage soon becomes a necessity. The reduction of the death rate in cer- tain sections of our city upon the introduction of sewers has been striking, in some instances showing a diminution of nearly one half.
The sewage deposit at Craigie Bridge has been removed during the past season, in conjunction with Cambridge, at an expense to our city of $972.70.
Under an act passed by the last Legislature, the government and council were authorized and requested to report plans and estimates to the Legislature of the present year for the drainage of the val_ ley's of the Charles and Mystic Rivers, and recommendations as to methods for apportioning the expense of the same. It is not in my judgment advisable to advocate the construction of a metropolitan system of sewage now, but I would recommend that we favor the adoption of a general plan by the Legislature, so that we may con- form our local system, so far as possible, to the general one, and save ourselves expensive alterations in the future.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The force and apparatus in this department is the same as last year, and consists of seventy-one men, one steam fire-engine and tender, four horse hose carriages, and one hook and ladder truck:
The chief engineer suggests such alterations of the borse hose carriages as will enable each to carry two ladders, and I commend the idea to your consideration.
The total loss by fire during the past year was $14,064.50, and the amount of insurance paid on the same $9,754.50. Number of alarms, thirty-three.
3
18
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The fire-alarm telegraph has worked satisfactorily, in no instance failing to indicate the location of a fire.
HEALTH.
Our city has been comparatively free from dangerous diseases during the year just closed, the principal work of the Board of Health having been confined to the abatement of nuisances, the examina- tion of houses where dangerous diseases have occurred, and in one instance an examination from house to house of a district where typhoid fever was epidemic. Occasionally some of our citizens complain of the investigations of this board, especially landlords whose tenements are not in proper condition. Many of our houses have been constructed with defective plumbing and improper drain- age, and though the modern fixtures now placed in nearly every residence are a great convenience, they are, also, if unskilfully ap- plied, a source of great danger to life and health. Wherever there is the slightest suspicion on the part of a householder of defective drainage in his dwelling, the services of this board for its detection should immediately be invoked, instead of being avoided. The exact trouble is often difficult to detect, and the services of an ex- perienced person desirable. Do not wait until sickness and per- haps death take place in your house before making sure that it is properly guarded against noxious gases from sewer or cesspool.
The nuisances existing in the valleys of Alewife Brook and Mys- tic River have been considerably modified during the past year by the large rainfall. An effort is being made by Boston to divert the sewage from the lower Mystic Lake by means of filters and basins, from which the solid matter is to be collected and utilized.
A plan for the removal of the sewage of Cambridge from Ale- wife Brook, devised by the engineers of that city and our own, and providing for its passage through our main trunk sewer, from West Somerville to Craigie Bridge, was authorized by an act of the Legis- lature, after being agreed upon by special committees from each city government, but was finally rejected by vote of our Common Council. Though not entirely satisfied with some of the provisions of the act passed by the Legislature, I am strongly of the opin- ion that its rejection was a mistake. Some action ought to be
19
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
. taken to guard the safety and comfort of our citizens in that vicin- ity without waiting until another dry season shall render the vicinity uninhabitable.
SUITS AT LAW.
During the year past the suit of the city of Somerville, in equity, v. North, has been adjusted.
Seven petitions of Wm. S. Stearns and others, to the county commissioners, for abatement of taxes for the year 1875, have been dismissed. -
The two cases of Clark Bennett against the city, for revision of Public Park and Chauncey Avenue betterment assessments, were tried in June last, and resulted in a reduction of the assessments. The disposal of these cases leaves the city docket free from all suits on account of betterment assessments.
The suit of the Cambridge Gas Light Company for loss of gas and damage to pipe during the construction of the sewer in Elm Street, that of Sargent v. Boynton to recover taxes for the year 1878, and two suits, one by Roach and the other by Rouse, for personal injuries received on our streets, have all been decided in avor of the city during the past year.
The following suits, in which the city is a party, are now pend- ing : -
That of Parker (trustee of the Klous estate), to prohibit the continuance of an alleged nuisance growing out of the construction of the Canal Street sewer. There is also a petition for land dam- ages by the same party, and for the same cause, pending before the county commissioners.
Sanborn v. Somerville, for grade damages on Washington Street, near Fitchburg Railroad.
Squire v. Somerville, to recover for expense of construction of box sewer.
William Sullivan v. Somerville, for use and benefit of Daniel F. and Mary Ann McCarty, upon an assignment by Sullivan to them of certain moneys due Sullivan on contract for construction of the Elm Street sewer.
20
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Cunningham v. Somerville, for personal injuries received on Washington Street, at foot of Boston Street.
The city is to be congratulated upon its comparative freedom from litigation.
WATER CONTRACT.
No effort has been made during the past year to secure a modi- fication of our contract with Boston for our water supply. It would be well to appoint a special committee to investigate and report what action should be taken, if any, towards securing more favorable terms to our city.
POOR DEPARTMENT.
Fourteen thousand dollars were appropriated for this depart- ment last year, and carefully and faithfully expended by the Board of Overseers of the Poor. Aid to 445 persons belonging to the city, averaging $13.11 to each person, has been given. To 145 persons belonging to other cities and towns assistance to the amount of $8.06 to each person has been rendered. For the sup- port of forty-four persons in State and other institutions the sum of $3,753.46 has been paid. 1
IN GENERAL.
About $900 has been expended by the Committee on Soldiers' Relief in the past year, assistance having been extended to forty- seven soldiers and their dependonts.
Our Police Department is in good condition, both officers and men performing all duties required of them promptly and efficiently.
Our people having decided, by their votes at the recent election, that no licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors shall be granted the present year, a question which has often been a source of annoy- ance and vexation is removed from our consideration. While my own views upon the subject of license and prohibition differ from those of the majority of our citizens, as recently expressed, I shall earnestly endeavor, with all the authority and influence at my command, to have the law as it now stands faithfully enforced.
In every section of our city there are evidences of that renewed
21
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
prosperity which prevails throughout the land. Over sixty new dwelling-houses, most of them of an excellent class, were erected in Somerville in 1881, and work has already been commenced upon nearly half as many more, to be completed in the present year. An unusually large number of improvements and additions upon buildings already existing have also been made.
The advantages of our city as a place of residence are many. It is one of the most healthful in the country. It is located within easy reach of the metropolis of New England, with numerous lines of communication by steam and horse railroads. With good schools, well-kept streets, efficient fire and police departments, numerous churches and benevolent and social organizations, and, more than all, an intelligent and prosperous population, we ought to attract to our limits a rapid increase from the best class of citi- zens. A wise and economical management of our municipal affairs will contribute more than any other one thing to this result. For the past few years we have been steadily progressing in the direc- tion of economy and a reduction of our indebtedness. We must persistently continue in this direction until our rate of taxation is reduced to, at least, that of the average of other towns and cities.
And here let me impress it upon you, members of the City Council, that with the several committees and boards in charge of the expenditures in the different departments rests the financial results of the year. Let each committee and board feel that the sum appropriated for the support of their department is the delib- erate judgment of a majority of the City Council upon what is necessary for the best interests of the whole city, and abide by that judgment. No matter how strongly you may feel that more money could be spent to advantage in your special department, keep within . your appropriation, and leave the responsibility with the city gov- ernment as a whole. I cannot too highly commend the example of the several committees and boards of the past year in this respect.
Gentlemen of the City Council, in accepting at the hands of our fellow-citizens the several offices upon which we have this day entered, we have each one of us placed ourselves under the most binding obligation to faithfully attend to those duties to the minutest
22
ANNUAL REPORTS.
detail. Constant attendance upon the meetings of the different branches and committees is essential to a thorough understanding of the various questions to be considered and intelligent action thereon. Beyond this we must diligently inform ourselves upon the affairs of our city, and endeavor to act impartially, without sectional or personal feeling, upon every question submitted to our judgment ; and, while we labor faithfully to meet the approba- tion of our constituents, let each one of us keep it constantly in mind that the seal of approval from our own conscience, upon every act, is always of the first importance.
REPORT
OF THE
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Jan. 24, 1883. Referred to the Committee on Finance, and sent down for concurrence. CHARLES E. GILMAN, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Jan. 25, 1883.
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