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நார்வாழ்வும் வாயம்ப விவரம்
-
IPSWICH TOWN
REPORT
D
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from
Federally funded with LSTA funds through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
http://archive.org/details/annualreport1944ipsw
In Memoraim
1863-1944
When death came last September at the end of a long and useful career to the Honourable George A. Schofield there came also the end of an epoch and an era in the history of the town he loved so well and served so faithfully.
It is rare indeed that in one community one personality is so closely linked with its history and development over so long a period of years. George A. Schofield was born April the 26th, 1863, into an Ipswich which was a dreamy town, quite apart from the ferment and the progressivism of the more urban centers in State and County. When he died last September he left the town of his birth adjusted to all the techniques of a modern American town life and the most of this came about through his own personal vision and initiative.
Mr. Schofield was not born into an environment which made him a child of privilege. His father, Cornelius Schofield, was one of the first to leave Ipswich for service in the Civil War. He met a hero's death of wounds received at the Battle of Petersburg in August of 1864. This meant that almost from birth, George Schofield had to be self-sufficient and to depend upon his own initiative. He learned very early in life the worth and dignity of human labor as well as the social attitudes of people more fortunate toward those less fortunate.
Here we discover the key to his life and his character; the dynamics of h's personality. From the days of his youth as a fatherless boy he became himself the common man, the average
citizen: he was one of many in like circumstances. So it was that throughout his life be became the spokesman and exponent of the common man, the average citizen: the apostle of the soundest democratic tradition in this country.
His education, in terms of formal education, was in the public schools of Ipswich. His education on the informal side came from living and growing up with a post-war generation and all which that involves. Despite his handicap, of being in part the bread-winner of his family, he graduated from the Manning High School of the Class of 1881.
At this late date we do not think it at all unusual that any boy should be a High School graduate. More than half a century ago things were quite different. If one studies the statistics of the period one soon discovers that a high school education was the prerogative of the few and the favoured. Those who were not of the few and the favoured had to work hard for this opportunity and George A. Schofield was never afraid of hard work.
From his youth up Mr. Schofield had a devotion to the written word and the spoken word. After his graduation from Manning High School he began his career in the field of journ- alism; first as correspondent of the leading County newspaper, the Salem Evening News, and then later as the owner and editor of his own newspaper. The latter happened while he was still in his twenties through his purchase of the Ipswich Chronicle.
The person who controls the press of a community con- trols and directs the public opinion of that community. George A. Schofield knew this truism instinctively and if one cares to go through the files of the Ipswich Chronicle of this period one becomes amazed at his mastery of the arts of journalism.
It is very obvious that he knew and recognized at the out- set the lethargy of a community which has become smug and self-satisfied: he knew well the tendency of an old New Eng- land community to rest on the accomplishments of the past and
not to concern itself overmuch with the future. But this man who had obtained by hard work and sacrifice the town paper loved the town of his birth and he burned with a great desire to awaken it and to place it among the progressive communities of the state. To this end with all the courage and all the daring of youth he slashed to the left and to the right against prejudice; against inertia; against stupid local pride. But it was construc- tive journalism. He did not seek to tear down save only when it was necessary to do so w initiate the building process. By reading this record of the past one can re-create the impression he must have made; how he must have been branded as a radical and dangerous fellow.
The kind of Ipswich which he advocated during his youth- ful years as a local journalist he lived to see through his own efforts and vision the Ipswich of his mature years. With grow- ing maturity he soon saw that advocating action through words was not enough; they must be implemented with power from within; thus grew the conviction that political action was the next step and to that end he entered the political life of his town. While still in his twenties he obtained his first political office; that of Town Moderator. This was quickly followed by his becoming in his youth a Town Father, a member of the Board of Selectmen.
From now on he could combine theory and inspiration with practice and hard constructive work. At once he took the most complete course ever taken in Ipswich history in muni- cipal affairs; Assessor, Overseer of the Poor, membership in various town boards, membership and chairmanship of impor- tant town committees; all these he did in turn. The result was that during more than half a century there grew up a com- plete identity of the Town Hall and all that it symbolized with Mr. Schofield.
On the floor of the hall of the Town Hall he soon learned the art of the spoken word, the mastery of an easy and per-
suasive diction, the ability through logic and cloquence to turn the minds of men into the paths of building the Ipswich of his youthful dreaming and high vision.
In the year 1897 he was appointed Postmaster for the Town of Ipswich by President Cleveland and through this position he acquired much practical knowledge of men and the people of his town.
In 1901 he enlarged his political horizons by becoming interested in the political life and problems of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts. In that year he was elected from this district as a member of the Great and General Court of Mass- achusetts. To the casual reader this statement can mean no more than a statement of fact; to the political historian it means much more for behind this statement lies one of the most amaz- ing political triumphs of the period. Ipswich of that time, as now, was one of the most rock-ribbed Republican centers to be found. Behind the Republican party was all the power of wealth and prestige. Except in the centers of population the Democratic party hardly had any existence at all. George Scho- field was a Democrat by conviction; he firmly believed that in the Democratic Party one found best the expressions of the aspirations of the common man.
Under such circumstances as living in the center of a solid Republican area most young men with political aspirations would have trimmed their political sails to the direction of the prevailing winds but this was not the method of Mr. Schofield. His honest convictions were the center and the core of his per- sonality and he would never compromise these convictions for cheap and easy political victory; this quality remained the key- note and secret of his character through the years; it was the thing which drew men to him and made them feel he was a person in whom trust and confidence could be placed.
So it was, that out of bitter and natural opposition, he won representation for this district in the General Court of the
Commonwealth; first as Representative and later as Senator. His sincerity was so great while at the State House, his victory so unusual that he was named as candidate for the Congress of the United States, and later as candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts.
During his early busy years Mr. Schofield was attracted by the law as a profession but it was not until he was fifty years of age that he found time to study and to qualify him- self in its practice. In due time he was admitted to the Bar and his success was so great that he was shortly named as Special Justice of the Third District Court and later Clerk of the local court. During his later years he occupied with distinction the position of Town Counsel.
So far all these things which we have recorded do but mark the milestones of his career. It is not until one takes the backward look and opens the book of the past and examines its records that one discovers the significance of these milestones.
In his relations with the municipal government of the town, and in his capacity of being able to form a nexus of public interest through his newspaper Mr. Schofield was able to translate far-seeing vision into practical action.
His first great battle for a progressive Ipswich was that which concerned itself with providing the town with its own system of free running water for all. In the face of bitter op- position and at times personal abuse from the ultra-conserva- tive elements of the town, who desired nothing more than things be as they always had been, he won a popular support for this project of a town water supply system. The result of this struggle of long ago, now forgotten, all of us enjoy in our homes our own free running water, our homes are pro- tected against the hazards of fire by the same system and at rates far below the costs of most other towns of equal size.
This victory won he then turned his attention to the
problem of electric power and light for Ipswich. From the start he stood convinced that such things should be from, for and by the popular will. It was the dawn of the era of electric power and light and from the outset the financial interests of Boston were spinning their financial webs to cover an ex- ploitation of whole areas for personal profit. At that period when any commuity advocated a muicipal light and power system the great financial interests brought to bear their im- mense and subtle power to defeat such projects.
Mr. Schofield met this opposition firmly and by his own eloquence and inexorable logic won over this community to the conviction that power and light should be the common property of all. The result of this long struggle is that all of us of Ipswich enjoy both night and day the cheapest and most efficient power and light to be found in this area. We take all this for granted now but let us not forget that it was won for and given to us through the genius and statesmanship of one man.
No matter where one found Mr. Schofield, whether in the · Legislature of Massachusetts or in the Town Hall of Ipswich he was always fighting for the rights of the common man. In the Legislature he was always on the side of the worker, the war veteran and youth hungering for a free education. In the town likewise. Going through the old files of the Ipswich Chronicle one becomes amazed at his vision.
Mr. Schofield was without doubt the first man in Ipswich to realize the potential wealth of Ipswich Beach as a center of recreation for the citizens of Town and County. Long before the days of automobiles he was advocating an electric car line to the beach so that men might enjoy the rest and the beauty there.
Hungry in his youth for the advantages of education Mr. Schofield was always the advocate of higher educational ap- propriations and the providing of adequate educational facili-
ties. His last great appeal to his fellow citizens as we remember it, was on the floor of the Town Hall for the necessary appro- priation of funds for the present High School building. So also through his efforts the Legion Building came into being.
So far we have but traced the course of one life in relation to its community. This leaves the man himself. What was the secret of his personality? What qualities did he have that in- spired trust and confidence among men? Most men have an instinctive distrust for the politician; there is always the feel- ing that the man in political life is working for personal ends. One never had such feelings in regard to Mr. Schofield. His love for Ipswich was so great that personal rewards had no mean- ing for him. Personal wealth meant nothing to him compared for a common-wealth for all. With his innate abilities he could, without doubt, have amassed a considerable personal fortune. This he never did for money as an end never interested him.
We think it can be said simply and with sincerity that all through his long and devoted career one deep motive coloured all his activities. He wanted others to have and to enjoy all those things which circumstance denied to him in his youth; he wanted the many to have those things which the wealth of the few gave only to the few.
It has been said that history is but the lengthening shadows of great personalities. It can be said in all sincerity that the Ipswich of the last half-century has been the lengthen- ing shadow of the personality of George Schofield. His monu- ment is his town; its pure running water; its own electric light and power ; its adequate educational plant; its Legion Building; its full enjoyments of the full rights of and for the common man.
And now in the end I desire to be somewhat personal. The last time I saw and talked with Mr. Schofield was a few days before his death. I was going to the center of the town and passing his home saw that he was about to walk in that
direction so I took him with me in my car. In the Market Place I helped him out and we stood for a space there in the center of the town. He looked about at all he saw with eager- ness and affection. Then he turned to me and said; "I will not be seeing these things much longer, my time is running out fast, but there is something wonderful in seeing a place you have loved so long." He then confessed that in a way he would welcome the peace of death for he did not desire to live when he could no longer make a contribution to the life about him.
Then I said to him; "Mr. Schofield, when you are gone, people will always remember you and what you have done for us all through the years." He paused a long time lost in thought. Then he turned and placed his hand on my shoulder. He smiled and said, "What I have done is not the important thing; the important thing is that people take up where I have had to leave off and carry on." There was a benediction in his smile and in his words, akin to the benediction of the partri- archs of old as they approached their death.
Now his weary body rests with his loved ones on that hill where I have seen and talked with him many times as he looked out over the sea. His spirit is with the God whose wis- dom he followed and in whom was his last trust and con- fidence.
I feel sure that all of us who have known him as a man among men feel this inspiration of his wise and desire of his last days among us; the desire for neither monument nor re- cognition, nor praise of men; but rather the desire that we continue where he left off and to carry on through the years in the spirit in which he lived and worked: the spirit of de- votion to the common ordinary man and citizen; the greatest good for all through the willing sacrifice of the individual to good ends.
"In memoria aeterna erit justus; ab auditione mala non timebit."
Tribute To James E. Cole, Jr.
The Municipal Water & Light Department suffered a keen loss in 1944 when death took James E. Cole, Jr.
For 22 years this esteemed member of our community served as a Commissioner. He was first elected to the Board in March, 1922, and was re-elected each time thereafter. He died August 11, 1944. For approximately 12 years he was Chairman of the Board.
Down through the years he acquired a high degree of skill and training in electrical engineering, all of which he placed at the disposal of the taxpayers through his service on the Board. His friendly smile, his quiet affability and his sea- soned judgment constitute a real loss to the town and Water 8 Light Board.
7
t
Tribute To Wilbur E. Dupray
Wilbur E. Dupray of High street was the third town official lost to us during 1944, due to death.
Mr. Dupray, who was 61 years old when he died, had been a member of the town government a short time. He was serving as a member of the Board of Registrars.
A resident of the town for a great many years, he was well and widely known here.
5
.
1634
1945
REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
IPSWICH, MASS.
CH
IMSA
634
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE .. 17
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1944 and the
THREE HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH YEAR
of the
TOWN'S INCORPORATION
Chronicle Publishing Co., Printers Ipswich, Mass.
List of Town Officers
ELECTED BY BALLOT
Moderator
Harland Burke
Term expires 1945
Selectmen
Wallace J. Lathrop John F. Conley, Chairman
Brainard C. Wallace
Term expires 1945 Term expires 1946 Term expires 1947
Town Clerk
Edward S. Cogswell Term expires 1947
Treasurer and Collector Elwyn F. McCarthy* (In Armed Forces U. S. A.)
Term expires 1945 *George E. Hodgkins Appointed to serve during vacancy.
Assessors
Worthington H. Mansfield Term expires 1945 C. Chester Caldwell, Chairman Term expires 1946 John E. Norman Term expires 1947
Board of Public Welfare
Walter E. Callahan* (In Armed Forces U. S. A.) Term expires 1945 George R. Hovey, Chairman Term expires 1946
7
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Nelson W. Pascoe ** (Resigned) Term expires 1947 *Edmund P. Gillis Appointed to serve during vacancy. ** Charles L. Rose Appointed to fill vacancy.
Water and Electric Light Commissioners
George E. Hodgkins Term expires 1945 James E. Cole, Jr., Chairman* (Deceased) Term expires 1946 A. B. C. Mulholland Term expires 1947
*Chester A. Bolles Appointed to fill vacancy.
School Committee
Frederick C. Wilder, D. M. D.
Paul R. Raupach
George H. Bouchard
William F. Hayes, Chairman
Herman W. Kyes
James R. Marsh
Term expires 1945 Term expires 1945 Term expires 1946
Term expires 1946 Term expires 1947 Term expires 1947
Board of Health
Frank L. Collins, M. D.
Lawrence M. King, Chairman
Dr. Ernest J. Smith
Term expires 1945 Term expires 1946 Term expires 1947
Park Commissioners
Henry S. Bowen Samuel C. Gordon C. Gardner Caverly, Chairman
Term expires 1945 Term expires 1946 Term expires 1947
Constable
Thomas G. Gauld
Term expires 1945
5
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Cemetery Commissioners
Benjamin W. Homans* (Resigned)
Term expires 1945
Ralph K. Whittier, Chairman Term expires 1946 Arnold R. Richards Term expires 1947
*Frank R. Starkey Appointed to fill vacancy.
Clam Commissioner
Henry Shaw
Term expires 1945
Tree Warden
C. Gardner Caverly Term expires 1945
Trustees Great Neck. Property
Samuel F. Gordon* (In Armed Forces U. S. A.)
Term expires 1945
J. Alcide Lombard Term expires 1946
Charles L. Henley, Chairman Term expires 1947 .
*Vacancy unfilled.
APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Accountant
Brainard C. Wallace Term expires 1945
Inspector of Milk
Paul M. Jodoin Term expires 1945
Child Hygiene
Frank L. Collins, M. D. Director Muriel E. Riley, Nurse
Term expires 1945 Term expires 1945
6
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Agent, Board of Public Welfare
Nelson W. Pascoe
Clerk, Board of Assessors
C. Chester Caldwell
Term expires 1945
Inspector of Wires
Clarence J. Dupray Term expires 1945
Bell Ringer
Guy E. Wells
Term expires 1945
Janitor, Town Hall
Samuel H. Williams Term expires 1945
Sworn Weighers for Town Scales
Elwyn F. McCarthy (In Armed Forces U. S. A.)
Howard N. Doughty Samuel H. Williams Lucy J. Eustace
Term expires 1945 Term expires 1946 Term expires 1946 Term expires 1947
Manager, Water and Light Department
Charles A. Mallard
Burial Agent for State and Military Aid
Edward S. Cogswell Term expires 1945
7
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Playground Committee
George H. Bouchard
Henry S. Bowen, Sr.
Clarence J. Dupray
Albert Hall John J. McCormack
Charles H. Murrish* (Resigned)
*Vacancy Unfilled.
Term expires 1945 Term expires 1945 Term expires 1945 Term expires 1945 Term expires 1945 Term expires 1945
Superintendent of Cemeteries
Benjamin W. Homans
Registrars of Voters
Frank H. Girard, Chairman Term expires 1945
John A. Kobos Term expires 1946
Edward S. Cogswell Term expires 1947
Wilbur F. Dupray * (Deceased) Term expires 1947 * J. Vincent Hubbard, Appointed to fill vacancy.
Town Counsel
Hon. George A. Schofield (Deceased) Term expires 1945 Hon. George H. W. Hayes, Acting Town Counsel
Chief of Police
Frank Machaj* (In Armed Forces U. S. A.) *Byard Horsman Acting Chief
Engineers of Fire Department
Samuel W. Atherley, Chief Term expires 1945 Lionel Sheppard Term expires 1945
Edward H. Smith, Chief* (Resigned) Term expires 1945 *Steward J. Pollock Appointed to fill vacancy.
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Superintendent of Schools
Harry S. Merson
Superintendent of Moth
C. Gardner Caverly Term expires 1945
Forest Warden
Frank O'Malley Term expires 1945
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Theo H. Boylan Term expires 1945
Superintendent of Streets
Francis E. Wood Term expires 1945
Inspector of Animals
G. Loring Woodbury Term expires 1945
Inspector of Slaughtering
Hilmer H. Lindgrin Term expires 1945
Sanitary Agent
Paul M. Jodoin Term expires 1945
Town Forest Committee
Samuel C. Gordon Term expires 1945 C. Gardner Caverly Joseph E. Thomas Term expires 1946 Term expires 1947
Dog Officer
Thomas G. Gauld* (Resigned) Term expires 1945
*Byard Horsman Appointed to fill vacancy.
9
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Finance Committee
Charles E. Goodhue, Jr .* *
Louis Bournazos*
Jesse M. Morehouse*
Jerome Richardson, Chairman'
Wilmot E. Hall, Secretary*
Walter E. Lezon **
M. Charles Arthur*
Edward J. Marcorelle' *
Edmund H. Kelleher
Appointed by Town Meeting. Appointed by Selectmen. Appointed by Moderator.
Term expires 1945 Term expires 1945 Term expires 1945 Term expires 1946 Term expires 1946 Term expires 1946 Term expires 1947 Term expires 1947 Term expires 1947
(
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN ACCOUNTANT
Receipts and Expenditures
FOR
THE YEAR ENDING
December 31, 1944
WICH
MASS
OS
USA
INC.
634
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE 1681
Chronicle Publishing Co., Printers
Ipswich, Mass.
13
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Accountant's Report
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith the Annual report of the receipts and expenditures of the Town of Ipswich for the year ending December 30th, 1944 together with the reports of various departments and Town Officials.
Respectfully submitted,
BRAINARD C. WALLACE,
Town Accountant.
RECEIPTS
Taxes Current Year:
Property
221,209.58 3,042.00 224,251.58
Poll
Taxes Previous Years:
30,744.39
Property Tax Titles
6,017.11
Tax Title Possessions
6,477.50 12,494.61
14
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
From State:
Income Tax
28,196.00
Corporation . Tax Business
19,687.30
Lieu of Taxes
2,205.03
Meal Tax
1,238.05
51,326.38
Licenses and Permits :
Liquor
4,656.00
Amusement
63.00
Theatre
60.00
Common Victualler
44.00
Pasteurizing
40.00
Junk
40.00
Pistol
32.50
Auto Dealer Class 1
30.00
Milk
28.00
Bowling Alley
16.00
Pool and Billiards
12.00
Auto Dealer Class 2
10.00
Motor Vehicle Junk Class 3
10.00
Methyl Alcohol
10.00
Rendering
10.00
Innholder
8.00
Vault
6.00
Oleomargarine
6.00
Ice Cream
5.00
Garbage
4.00
Overnight Cabin
2.50
Sea Worm
2.50 .
Hawker
2.00
5,097.50
.
15
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Fines and Forfeits:
Third District Court
193.00
Grants and Gifts:
Federal
U. S. Old Age Assistance, Adm.
791.46
U. S. Old Age Assistance,
Assistance 23,745.13
U. S. Aid to Dependent Children, Adm. 77.79
U. S. Aid to Dependent Children, Aid 1,248.00
State
Highways Chapt., 569 Acts 1943 10,223.92
Chapter 90 Maintenance 700.00
English Speaking Classes 265.50
Vocational Education 168.25
County
Dog Tax Refund 787.52 38,007.57
Special Assessments:
Moth Added to Taxes
139.00
Privileges:
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes 6,508.28
16
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
General Government:
Selectmen
Sale of Property
472.00
Court Room Rent
325.00
Infirmary Rent
220.00
Heard House Rent
190.00
Wharf Rent
180.00
80 High St., Rent
176.25
78 High St., Rent
156.00
Memorial Building Rent
80.00
Town Hall Rent
40.00
Fire Insurance, Town Wharf
156.50
Scale Receipts
45.10
2,040.85
Treasurer and Collector
Costs and Penalties on Taxes
74.55
Land Court Costs
43.00
Tax Title Releases
20.00
Certificate of Lien
3.00
.140.55
Police
Ambulance and Police Car
446.00
Fire
Labor Services
3.25
Moth
Insect Extermination 424.95
17
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Shell Fish Benefits
Reimbursement from State
21.61
Weights and Measures
Fees
75.60
Health
Tuberculosis Subsidy
875.00
Rabies
96.00
Subsidies Cities and Towns .
9.14
980.14
Highway
Use of Equipment
386.20
Sale of Materials
194.06
580.26
Public Welfare
State
395.08
Old Age Assistance
State
Cities and Towns
23,496.82 376.17 23,872.99
Aid to Dependent Children
State
1,279.90
Soldier's Benefits
State Aid 410.00
World War II Allowances 140.00 550.00
18
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Education
Tuition, Cities and Towns 2,575.50
Tuition, Individuals 85.00
Sale of Materials
287.08
Feoffees Grammar School
2,000.00
4,947.58
Trustees Great Neck
Rent of Lots 193.34
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