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AI
STRENGTH
A CITY 1872.
6
SOMER
STABLIS
0
18 42.
FOUN
DED
IOINAN
CITY OF SOMERVILLE,
MASSACHUSETTS.
ANNUAL REPORTS.
GIVES
CDOM
SOMERVILLE
0
NAL
MUNICIPAL M
FOUNDED 1842
1872.
A CITY STRENGT
N
D
ESTABLIS
1883.
BOSTON: CASHMAN, KEATING & COMPANY, PRINTERS, FAYETTE COURT, 603 WASHINGTON STREET. 1884.
FREED
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1883.
MAYOR. JOHN A. CUMMINGS. Residence, 16 Wallace Street ; office, City Hall.
ALDERMEN. WILLIAM E. WELD, President.
WARD ONE.
MARK F. BURNS
Perkins Street.
LEVI F. S. DAVIS
Pearl Street.
WARD TWO.
J. FRANK WELLINGTON
Pleasant Avenue.
QUINCY A. VINAL .
Aldersey Street.
WARD THREE.
THOMAS R. ROULSTONE
ALBION A. PERRY
.
Bonair Street. Maple Avenue.
WARD FOUR.
ASA DURGIN .
Broadway.
WILLIAM E. WELD
·
.
Harvard Street.
COMMON COUNCIL. FRANK E. FITTS, President. WARD ONE.
HIRAM G. JANVRIN
Pinckney Street.
MOSES G. STEELE
Rush Street.
CHARLES E. GILES
Webster Street.
NATHAN A. FITCH
Franklin Street.
ANNUAL REPORTS.
WARD TWO.
FRANK E. FITTS
FREDERICK M. STODDER
SAMUEL G. A. TWYCROSS
DANA W. BENNETT
Prospect Street.
WARD THREE.
HENRY M. BEALS .
HIRAM D. SMITH .
PHILIP O. WOODBERRY
JOSIAH B. MAYHEW
Walnut Street.
Cross Street.
Adams Street.
Earle Street.
WARD FOUR.
J. LORENZO ATTWOOD
Elm Street.
IRVING L. RUSSELL
Broadway.
RICHARD T. BLACKWELL
· Kent Court.
SAMUEL T. RICHARDS
. Summer Street.
CLERK OF COMMON COUNCIL.
DOUGLAS FRAZAR.
.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1883.
ACCOUNTS. - Aldermen Weld, Vinal; Councilmen Janvrin, Woodberry, Attwood.
BURIAL GROUNDS. - Aldermen Durgin, Roulstone ; Councilmen Steele, Russell, Bennett.
CITY ENGINEERING. - Aldermen Durgin, Weld; Councilmen Steele, Bennett, Mayhew.
CLAIMS. - His Honor the Mayor,' ex-officio; the President of the Council, ex-officio; Alderman Vinal; Councilmen Janvrin, Woodberry.
FINANCE. - His Honor the Mayor, ex-officio; the President of the Council, ex-officio; Aldermen Burns, Perry ; Councilmen Smith, Blackwell, Fitch, Twycross.
Pleasant Avenue.
Grandview Avenue.
Warren Avenue.
5
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1883.
FIRE DEPARTMENT .- Aldermen Roulstone, Davis ; Councilmen Stodder, Blackwell, Mayhew.
FUEL AND STREET LIGHTS .- Aldermen Vinal, Perry ; Council- men Giles, Stodder, Russell.
HIGHWAYS .- Aldermen Durgin, Wellington ; Councilmen Steele, Smith, Russell.
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS .- His Honor the Mayor, ex-officio; the President of the Council, ex-officio; Alderman Vinal ; Council- men Steele, Beals.
ORDINANCES .- Aldermen Burns, Perry ; Councilmen Smith, Attwood, Bennett.
PRINTING .- Aldermen Roulstone, Davis ; Councilmen Janvrin, Stodder, Attwood.
PUBLIC PROPERTY .- Aldermen Wellington, Birns ; Councilmen Beals, Richards, Giles.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF .- Aldermen Roulstone, Davis ; Councilmen Woodberry, Blackwell, Twycross.
WATER .- Aldermen Burns, Vinal ; the President of the Coun- cil ; Councilmen Richards, Beals.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN. (STANDING COMMITTEES.)
ELECTIONS .- Aldermen Davis, Weld.
ENROLLED ORDINANCES .- Aldermen Perry, Wellington.
LICENSES .- Aldermen Davis, Perry.
POLICE .- His Honor the Mayor, ex-officio; Aldermen Vinal, Durgin.
SEWERS .- Aldermen Weld, Burns, Perry.
STATE AID .- Aldermen Roulstone, Weld, Wellington, Davis.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
BUILDING PERMITS .- Aldermen Durgin, Roulstone.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS .- Councilmen Fitch, Bennett, Mayhew.
ENROLLED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS .- Councilmen Beals, Twycross, Fitch.
6
ANNUAL REPORTS.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE. JOHN A. CUMMINGS, Mayor, Chairman, ex-officio. FRANK E. FITTS, President of the Common Council, ex-officio.
WARD ONE.
HORACE C. WHITE, M. D.
JOHN H. BUTLER
HENRY M. MOORE
Myrtle Street.
WARD TWO.
REV. A. E. WINSHIP
Warren Avenue.
OREN S. KNAPP .
.
. .
School Street.
Summer Street.
WARD THREE.
Q. E. DICKERMAN
HENRY F. WOODS .
Sycamore Street.
NORMAN W. BINGHAM
School Street.
WARD FOUR.
REV. C. M. SMITH, D. D.
Summer Street.
MISS HARRIET M. PITMAN
. Summer Street.
PROF. BENJ. G. BROWN
Professors' Row.
Superintendent and Secretary, J. H. DAVIS, Myrtle Street.
PRINCIPAL ASSESSORS.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, Chairman .
Oak Street.
STILLMAN H. LIBBY
Elm Street.
GEORGE W. HADLEY .
Perkins Street.
ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
DANIEL BROOKS, Ward One
BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON, Ward Two
REUBEN A. MELVIN, Ward Three
WILLIAM A. MUZZEY, Ward Four
Ellsworth Street.
Summit Avenue.
Bonair Street.
Newbury Street.
Pinckney Street.
Pearl Street.
REV. GEO. W. DURELL
Central Street.
7
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1883
BOARD OF HEALTH.
GEORGE A. KIMBALL, Chairman.
Office, City Hall.
GEORGE C. SKILTON,
Walnut Street.
THOMAS M. DURELL, M.D. Bow Street.
Clerk, GEORGE I. VINCENT
Office, City Hall.
Inspector, WILLIAM H. BRINE, 40 Houghton Street.
COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING FUNDS.
NATHAN TUFTS
Summer Street.
HENRY F. WOODS
Sycamore Street.
JOHN A. HUGHES
Perkins Street.
Treasurer, AARON SARGENT, Broadway.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
JOHN A. CUMMINGS, Mayor, Chairman, Ex-officio. FRANK E. FITTS, Prest. Common Council
ANSEL LEWIS £
Webster Street.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, Secretary
Oak Street.
FRANK G. WILLIAMS (to June 13)
Albion Street.
JESSE J. UNDERHILL
(from June 13) .
.
Gilman Street.
MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
J. ORLIN HAYDEN, President Hill B'ldg, Union Sq.
AARON R. COOLIDGE
Columbus Avenue.
JAMES E. WHITAKER
Sycamore Street.
WALTER S. BARNES
Highland Avenue.
JOHN F. NICKERSON
Flint Street.
Superintendent of Water Works, NATHANIEL DENNETT.
Office, Prospect Street, cor. Somerville Avenue.
8
ANNUAL REPORTS.
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
REV. H. H. BARBER .
Pleasant Avenue.
.
PROF. WILLIAM G. TOUSEY
Professors' Row.
WILLIAM VEAZIE
Walnut Street.
WILLIAM H. BRINE
Highland Avenue.
EDWIN S. CONANT
Pearl Street.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN
Laurel Street. .
THOMAS J. BUFFUM
Florence Street.
J. HENRY FLITNER Day Street.
CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES .
Summer Street.
Librarian, MISS HARRIET A. ADAMS. Assistant Librarian, MISS LIZZIE A. STEVENS.
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 SOLICITOR. SAMUEL C. DARLING, Office, 18 Rogers Building, Boston.
CITY AUDITOR. DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Office, City Hall.
CITY ENGINEER. GEORGE A. KIMBALL, Office, City Hall.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1883.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS. JOHN P. PRICHARD, 10 Cutter Street, Office, City Hall, to April 1. FRANK G. WILLIAMS, Albion Street, from June 6.
CHIEF OF POLICE, MELVILLE C. PARKHURST, Police Station, Bow Street.
CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT. JAMES R. HOPKINS, Office, City Hall.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS .: DAVID A. SANBORN, Prospect Street.
CITY PHYSICIAN. THOMAS M. DURELL, M.D., 14 Bow Street.
CLERK OF ASSESSORS AND COMMITTEES. GEORGE I. VINCENT, Office, City Hall.
ASSISTANT CLERK OF ASSESSORS AND' COMMITTEES. WILLIAM P. MITCHELL.
CONSTABLES.
JAIRUS MANN. WM. H. BRINE, (Houghton St.).
ROBERT R. PERRY.
WM. D. HAYDEN.
HORACE B. RUNEY.
FRANK G. WILLIAMS.
NEWELL F. CASWELL.
CHAS. C. FOLSOM.
SAMUEL R. Dow. C. C. CAVANAGH. JOSEPH J. GILES.
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
FIELD DRIVERS.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM. JOHN E. FULLER. P. W. SKINNER. JUDSON W. OLIVER.
SAMUEL R. DOW. HOWARD LOWELL. ALBION L. STAPLES. MYRON H. KINSLEY.
ISAAC S. CAMPBELL.
FENCE VIEWERS.
DAVID A. SANBORN. WARREN POLLARD. CHAS. D. ELLIOT.
POUND-KEEPER. CHAS. A. SMALL.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS 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. CHAS. D. ELLIOT.
PUBLIC WEIGHERS.
D. W. DANFORTH.
PATRICK O'BRIEN.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS FOR 1883.
UNDERTAKERS.
A. L. SANBORN. PATRICK RAFFERTY. H. D. RUNEY.
P. H. RAFFERTY. E. H. MARSH.
POLICE DEPARTMENT. M. C. PARKHURST, Chief.
R. R. PERRY, Captain.
S. R. Dow, Sergeant.
C. C. FOLSOM, Sergeant.
N. F. CASWELL.
C. C. CAVANAGH.
S. C. ROLLINS.
JOHN E. FULLER.
HOWARD LOWELL.
P. W. SKINNER. S. A. BROWN. JOHN HAFFORD. IVAN LAIGHTON.
F. W. SLADE.
M. H. KINSLEY. I. S. CAMPBELL. EDWARD MCGARR.
A. L. STAPLES.
ALBERT FISK.
J. W. OLIVER.
GEO. W. BEAN.
G. A. BODGE. DENNIS KELLY. GEO. H. CARLETON.
M. C. PARKHURST, Lock-up Keeper.
MEETINGS.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN. Second and fourth Wednesday evenings of each month.
COMMON COUNCIL. Thursday evenings. following the second and fourth Wednesdays of each monthı.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE. Last Monday evening of each month. .
11
HORACE B. RUNEY. WM. A. FLAHERTY.
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF
HON. JOHN A. CUMMINGS,
DELIVERED JAN. 1, 1883.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL :-
· We have this day assumed important responsibilities for the ensuing year. In accordance with the nearly unanimously-ex- pressed wish of our fellow-citizens, we have obligated ourselves to guard the interests and advance the moral and material welfare of our beloved city with all our energy and all our ability. To this work let us bring honesty of purpose, industrious effort, and unselfish devotion.
From the fact that our financial year closes with the thirty- first day of December, it is impossible to give at this time an exact statement of our accounts, but the following, furnished me by the city treasurer, is a nearly accurate statement of our
PRESENT FINANCIAL CONDITION.
The net debt of the city one year ago was $1,263,668.87. At the present date the debt is as follows : -
Total funded debt · $1,585,000.00
Excess of assets over liabilities, 1881 $ 9,067.54 Estimated excess of assets over liabilities, 1882 . 26,000.00
35,067.54
Funded debt, less surplus of 1881, 1882 $1,549,932.46
Less amount of sinking funds 373,654.18
Net debt of the city, January 1st, 1883 $1,176,278.28
16
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Our indebtedness has been reduced during the year by the following items :-
Sinking fund, contribution and accumulation $61,390.59 Surplus saved from appropriations of 1882, estimated . 26,000.00
Net reduction $87,390.59
The unfunded liabilities of the city last year were $190,000 ; at this time the amount is $160,000, and the uncollected taxes, assessments, and sundry accounts due, exceed this sum by about $35,000.
The total valuation of the public property belonging to the city, including $341,000 for water works, was $1,155,000 one year ago. Allowing that over $12,000 expended upon the maintenance, . renewal and extension of our water works during the past year has nearly made good the annual depreciation, the value of our city property would remain about the same as last year with the exception of the Edgerly schoolhouse, to which four new rooms have been added, in accordance with the original plan of the building. The appropriation for this purpose was $17,000, and. the cost of the work when completed will probably overrun that amount some five or six hundred dollars. It is now one of the best eight-room school buildings in the city, amply fitted and furnished, and supplies what had become a pressing need in that district. Adding its cost to the valuation of last year, would give $1,172,000 as the present value of our city property.
By the valuation of the assessors, the taxable property in the city on the first of May, 1882, was $23,162,200, an increase over the previous year of $593,100. A large portion of this increase was from the addition of new property to the lists. The total amount raised by taxation last year was $425,721.16; and the rate, $17.80 upon each $1,000.
Our annual tax levy, valuation, and rate for the past seven years has been as follows :-
Year.
Tax levy.
Valuation.
Rate.
1876.
$504,475.24
$26,573,400
$18.60
1877 .
471,789.14
25,479,400
18.10
1878 .
409,497.10
20,976,900
19.00
1879 .
352,553.80
18,950,100
18.00
1980 .
402,927.71
20,458,100
19.10
1881
452,945.45
22,569,100
19.50
1882
425,721.16
23,162,200
17.80
17
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The number of poll taxes assessed in each of the above years has been from five thousand to a little over six thousand, at $2.00 each.
From the treasurer's reports I have collated the following figures, which give a nearly correct representation of the gradual improvement in our finances for the corresponding years, begin- ning with January 1st, 1876, the point where our net indebted- ness was the greatest :-
Funded debt.
Net debt.
January 1, 1876 .
. $1,571.854
$1,573,447
1877 .
1,606.854
1,541,724
66
1878 .
1,606,854
1,503.099
1879
1,596,854
1,388,743
1880
1.535,000
1,408,172
66
18S1
1,585,000
1,357,838
66
1882
1,585,000
1.263,668
66
1883
1,585,000
1,176,278
The large reduction in the net debt, as shown by the above figures, in 1879, and the apparent increase in 1880, were to a cer- tain extent fictitious, being caused by reckoning, as available assets, betterment assessments to the amount of several thousand dollars, laid for the widening of Somerville avenue, other streets, and the Public Park, in former years, on which there was a large depreciation, or total loss, in 1880. From these figures it will be seen that our progress for the last seven years towards a better financial standing has been steady and commendable, the average annual reduction of the debt being $56,800. For the past three years the average annual reduction has been over $77,000.
In the year which has just closed, a very large portion of the unexpended surplus arises from interest account. During the vear, $182,500 in city bonds, bearing interest at the rate of 6 1-2 per cent., matured. New bonds for a like amount were issued, bearing interest at the rate of 5 per cent. Of these bonds, $61,500 in amount were placed in the sinking fund, and the bal- ance $121,000, having an average of twelve years to run, were sold in the open market, bringing a premium of $16,031.60, which sum went to the credit of interest account. The premium received reduced the actual rate of interest paid by the city on these bonds to 3.30 per cent. Our temporary loans during the year have also been secured at an average rate of 3.73 per cent., and such loans
2
18
ANNUAL REPORTS.
having been kept at the lowest possible sum, a considerable saving to interest account has been made from this source. The large saving the past year from the annual appropriations may there- fore be attributed in a great degree to the improving financial condition of our city, and a favorable money market.
.
Our maturing bonds could have been renewed last year at the rate of 4 per cent., and sold at a premium, and I am now satisfied that it was a mistake that they were not issued bearing interest at that rate. In the future I would recommend that all bonds, except such as are to be placed in the sinking funds, be renewed at 4 per cent., if it can be done, and the bonds sold at par or a premium.
The funded debt of the city, according to the report of City Treasurer Sargent, for the year 1879, was contracted for the following purposes :-
Fire Department
$ 26,000
Highways .
257,000
For lands, buildings, war loans, school purposes, and undesignated town loans
295,000
Police Station
50,000
Public Park
200,000
School. houses
155,000
Sewers
227,000
Sidewalks
40,000
Water Works
335,000
Total
$1,585,000
While we are paying this funded debt, the demand upon us for expenditures for sewers, highways, sidewalks, school-houses, fire department, water works, etc., is nearly as pressing as it was upon our predecessors. The lesson is : Pay as you go; the policy which has been followed for the past seven years. Only in the most urgent cases should it be departed from. If we will but continue our conservative, economical course, Somerville will soon stand among the first cities in the Commonwealth in financial credit, wealth and population. Keep down our expenses, continue reducing our debt, and the road to prosperity is easy and sure.
19
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
4
SCHOOLS.
The appropriation for the support of our schools the past year, exclusive of $17,000 for the addition to the Edgerly school build- ing, amounted to $82,000. The expenditures exceeded this sum by $3,619.74 ; the excess being mostly in the item of school- teachers' salaries.
We have nineteen school buildings, ninety-three school-rooms, and eighty-nine schools. Eight male and ninety-three female teachers are employed. The number of scholars in attendance is : -
In the High School .. 279
Grammar Schools 2,189
Primary 2,043
Total
4,511
The whole number of scholars registered in the last year was 5,576 ; the average attendance, 4,283. The number in attendance at the present time is 196 in excess of the number one year ago.
Most of our schools are under the charge of good teachers, and in a satisfactory condition. Some of them are among the first in rank. In these latter cases, the excellent standing attained is due almost entirely to the superior merit of the teachers. Every possible effort should be made by those upon whom the important duty of selecting teachers devolves to secure the very best, and under no circumstances should a poor or inferior teacher be retained after his or her qualifications have been tested and found wanting. A year or a term under an indifferent or incapable teacher is fre- quently but little better than lost time, and may be even worse than lost in its effect upon the pupil.
The expenditure for teachers' salaries last year was $65,037; by far the largest item in our list of current expenses. We pay our teachers well, and should make every effort to secure those who excel in their calling.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
During the past year additional shelving has been put into the library rooms, but the accommodations are still inadequate for the storage and delivery of books, and convenience of patrons. The whole number of volumes now in the library is 9,679, an increase
20
, ANNUAL REPORTS.
of 640 for the year. During the 306 days in 1882 that the library was open, 67,000 books were delivered and returned.
I believe it would be wise to erect, during the present year, at a cost of not more than four or five thousand dollars, a one-story building at the east end of the City Hall, to be connected with the latter by an archway. Suitable rooms for reading, for the storage of books, and for the transaction of the business, could thus be provided, and the annual expense for heating and janitor's services would be small. By this plan, ample accommodations would be provided for several years to come, without placing a heavy burden upon our treasury.
The appropriation for the support of the library the past year was $1,500, of which sum $1,400 was expended.
HIGHWAYS.
Our highways are as a rule in good condition, and compare favorably with those of our sister cities. In the year just closed, Vinal avenue and New Cross street have been accepted, graded, edgestones set, and gutters paved. North street has been widened, graded, and greatly improved. Edgestones have been set and gutters paved in Wallace and Day streets, and a brick sidewalk laid upon one side of the latter. Sidewalks have also been laid in Concord avenue, Newton and Pearl streets.
The total appropriation for this department last year was $35,600, which included $2,600 for sidewalks, and $3,000 for watering streets. The expenditures have exceeded the amount appropriated by about $1,800. During the early part of the year heavy storms occasioned an unusual expense for the removal of snow, and the extension of the tracks of the Charles River Street Railway in Summer street, Beacon street and Somerville avenue caused an extra outlay for repairs in those streets. The Charles River Street Railway Company now has some two miles of track in our city, and having recently obtained the privilege of run- ning its cars into Boston, will be a great convenience to our people, and of decided advantage in the development and improvement of the territory which it accommodates.
During the past year efforts have been made to secure the rebuilding of the bridge over the Lowell Railroad at School street.
21
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The railroad company desires to widen and rebuild the bridges at Cross and Walnut streets first, however, and a proposition has been made on the part of the city to grade the approaches if the company will rebuild the bridges and abutments on those streets. This proposition will probably be accepted by the company.
The committee on highways of last year, in their final report, recommended that the city purchase during the present year a steam road-roller and picker, at a cost of about $5,000.
The members of that committee informed themselves, by per- sonal investigation, as to the value and utility of such a machine, and I commend their recommendation to you. We have not a dollar to waste in trying experiments with new inventions, but if the practical usefulness of a steam roller has been tested so as to satisfy us that its use will save money in building and repairing our streets, it should be purchased. Other cities using them claim that a much better and more durable road bed is secured at a less cost than by the old method.
1 SEWERS.
One and one-half miles of new sewers have been constructed in the year past, at a cost of $15,459.24. Of this amount, $9,134.50 has been assessed upon abutting estates. For catch-basins, re- building, repairing, cleaning, and incidentals, $5,197.81 has been expended. The appropriation for this department was $14,000, and of this sum a little over $3,000 was unexpended.
A serious defect in the Bow-street sewer, which has caused considerable trouble to abutters upon that street and Summer street, has been remedied by the continuance of the Bow-street sewer, some two hundred feet in Union square, to a junction with the large 5 1-2 foot sewer. Heretofore Bow-street sewer, three feet in diameter, came to a dead end near the termination of that street in Union square, and for an outlet had only a small two-foot sewer running across nearly at right angles into the old three-foot sewer in Somerville avenue. This connecting link, being less than half the size of the Bow-street sewer, was insuf- ficient for the removal of surface water in case of a heavy rain- fall, and the result was flooded cellars. This improvement has been made at a cost of $958 to the city. . We have several defec- tive sewers in the city which ought to be reconstructed.
22
ANNUAL REPORTS.
A report was made to the Legislature of 1882, by a commis- sion appointed for that purpose, recommending a metropolitan sewerage system for towns and cities located on the Mystic, Charles and Neponset rivers. By this report a plan was pre- sented, the estimated cost of which was $13,000,000. Somer- ville's proportion of this expense was variously estimated at from $79,000 to $564,000. It is not advisable for us to advocate the construction of a costly system at present, but it would be well to have surveys made and a comprehensive plan prepared for the ultimate drainage of all our territory, so that our work from year to year might be made to conform to that plan, and be ad- justed to it with small expense when it shall finally be adopted and constructed.
HEALTH.
The continued existence of diphtheria in our city prompts me to renew, in stronger terms my suggestion of one year ago, that measures should be taken to have the sanitary condition of every dwelling examined by a competent person, who should point out defects where found, and recommend a remedy. Of the houses examined by our board of health, ninety-nine per cent. are found with defective drainage, and often, through faulty construction or imperfect material, the street sewer is ventilated into the house. Many new houses are constructed with imperfect plumbing and drainage. After sickness, and perhaps death, has resulted, the services of the board of health are called in, and the defects remedied at an increased expense over what it would have cost to have properly performed the work in the first instance. All plumbing and drainage in new houses ought to be examined by an expert, and the rules of the board of health enforced, before being occupied.
The sanitary arrangements in our public buildings, especially our school-houses, should receive careful scrutiny, and every thing possible be done to make them perfect in this respect. Nearly all of our public buildings have been found defective in drainage and ventilation, and this is true not only of the older buildings, but of those recently constructed. Radical defects have been found in the latter, the result of gross carelessness, ignorance, or utter dis- regard of sanitary laws on the part of those having in charge their construction.
23
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The appropriation for this department last year was $2,500, and the expenditures exceeded this amount by $324.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This department is efficient and in good condition. It consists of seventy-one men, including the chief and assistant engineer ; one steam fire engine, one hook and ladder truck, and four horse hose carriages. The chief engineer recommends the purchase of a new steam fire engine this year, upon the ground that the present one is nearly worn out. Whether this is necessary or not, I leave to your judgment without suggestion. He also recommends that the hose carriage in Ward Four be equipped with ladders, or that the old ladder carriage now there be supplied with ladders ; that. portable fire extinguishers be placed upon each of the hose carriages, and that two new fire-alarm boxes be added. These recommendations are commended to your attention. Our depart- ment excels in the celerity with which a fire is reached when an alarm is given. Additional alarm boxes will add to its efficiency in this important respect.
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