USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1856-1861 > Part 1
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WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 8139 0129 6530 9
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City Document, Ho. 1
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF
HON. GEORGE W. RICHARDS
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WORCESTER, JANUARY 5, 1857, WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SEVERAL CITY OFFICERS, FOR THE MUNICIPAL YEAR, ENDING JAN. 5, 1857.
CEST E
T
WI
NE
FEBX 29.1848
14.11
WORCESTER: PRINTED BY CHAS. HAMILTON. PALLADIUM OFFICE.
R 352. 07443 W922C v. 11-16 1856-1861
CONTENTS.
The Mayor's Inaugural Address, - -
Mayor Davis's Valedictory Address,
-
Report of the City Treasurer, - - -
-
Account of Receipts and Expenditures, -
- -
Schedule of the City Property, - - -
-
Amount of City Debt, - -
- - - 6 65
Report of the School Committee, - - -
List of School Teachers with their Salaries, and Visiting Committees, - - -
- -
Report of the Commissioners of Hope Cemetery, - -
Report on Highways, -
- - - 98 102 -
Report of the Aqueduct Commissioners, -
Report of the Chief Engineer, - -
- 105
Report of the Overseers of the Poor, - -
- 109 Report of the City Marshal, -
- -
- 11/
Government and Officers of the City of Worcester, - 1
Members of the City Council from 1848 to 1857,
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PAGE. 5
90 93
n efficient administration of the city government, the first care all times should be, to make it as economical as is consistent with se requisites, but at the present time this must be a subject of pre than ordinary watchfulness.
Our mechanics, who are truly at the foundation of the prosperity our city, have not at the present time so much cause for congrat- lation as in previous years, for although we have many elements of olid growth, yet the demand for labor in mechanical pursuits is very much curtailed.
This temporary check upon this most important class of the com- hunity, admonishes us that more than ordinary vigilance is expected the municipal officers of the city, to whom is confided the man- ment of her resources, and the direction of such public improve- ents as shall be made within her limits. Let us look to it with tre, that we engage in no enterprise which shall increase the rate of axation, unless absolute necessity demands it. Let not our desire for the accomplishment of any favorite object keep us from consider- ing whether the undertaking may not be inexpedient.
The subjects entrusted by our Legislature to the municipal g ernments of its cities are so numerous, in regard to the different ) terests which they affect, and so important in reference to the heavy expenditures which they necessarily involve, that the immediate and direct benefits resulting from a judicious management of them are sensibly felt by every citizen. As to the course to be pursued with many of these, differences of opinion must be expected to exist, ac- cording to the various degrees of importance attached by different individuals to particular subjects, or according to the variety of in- erests which they represent in common, but we must endeavor, unswayed by bias or interest, to give to each its proper place and ho attention to which it is properly entitled. I do not, at the sesent time, propose to enumerate all these, but to call your atten- on to those which strike me as most prominent, and requiring our re, leaving others to come up in the natural order of business, or be suggested hereafter should occasion require.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The first great object of importance in every community is the
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF
HON. GEORGE W. RICHARDSON,
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WORCESTER,
AT THE
ORGANIZATION. OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT,
JANUARY 5TH, 1857.
Gentlemen of the City Council :
WE have assembled here at the beginning of the new year, and at the time specified by the city charter, to take upon ourselves the oaths of office and to assume the positions assigned us by our fellow citizens.
While acknowledging with gratitude the confidence that has been reposed in us, it should be our earnest desire to show by the dis- charge of the duties allotted to us that we are not unworthy of it, and we are resolved, so far as in us lies, that the interests of the city shall receive at our hands all the attention which their import- ance demands.
In my own official labors, during the coming year, while shrinking from no just responsibility for my actions, I trust that the Cit Council and my constituents will view my conduct with candor, and sustained by this belief, I shall endeavor to discharge my duty wit energy and vigilance, and with a constant determination to hold a officers to a rigid accountability, in the hope of infusing, by the means, activity into all the departments of the public service. Next
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education of the persons composing it, or rather of those who are growing up to become its members.
I shall not enter into a discussion at this time, to demonstrate how vital it is to the permanent welfare of the city that we should have schools and instructors of the first class,-public opinion has long since passed upon and decided this question, and to urge it upon you, or upon a city of intelligent men and women, who have been reared themselves under the public school system of New England, would be to the last degree vain and superfluous.
We have heretofore taken a just pride in our schools, and there should be no difference of opinion upon the subject, whether they should now be sustained in such a manner as to continue to justify it. But while we must have teachers, learned in every appropriate branch, and able to maintain the high standard of education which has existed among us, the benefits to be derived from these labors can be increased, while those labors themselves are lightened, if pro- ,per and thorough attention is given in every family to domestic edu- cation.
The whole number that have belonged to our public schools, by the last report of the school committee, as nearly as can be ascer- tained, is four thousand five hundred and forty. Average regular at- tendance two thousand four hundred and forty-four.
During the last year two school houses have been built, one at Burncoat Plain at a cost of two thousand dollars, and one at Provi- dence Street together with land, three thousand two hundred dollars. Appropriation in 1856, twenty-seven thousand two hundred dollars. Expended about twenty-nine thousand dollars.
In this connection I desire to call your attention to the passage of an ordinance, the past year, constituting the office of superintendent of public schools, and the election of a suitable person to the admin- istration of its duties.
While it will not add to the expenditure of the department, the unequivocal recommendation of my predecessor, the urgent request of both boards of the school committees for the last two years, and the examination which I have been enabled myself to give the sub- ject-all induce me to believe that it will be attended with marked and decided advantages.
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ROADS, &c.
Our streets, bridges and sidewalks form another subject which will demand from you much attention, and require heavy appropria- tions.
The highway appropriation for the last year was twenty-five thousand dollars. Expended, about seventeen thousand dollars.
The annual report of the Commissioner will soon be published, giving a detailed account of the situation of that department.
Notwithstanding our highways are, in my opinion, in excellent order, and the appropriations heretofore, as a whole, have been judi- ciously expended, the city has not been so fortunate as to escape liti- gation on this subject.
By the existing provisions of law, cities are liable for defects in their highways, provided they have reasonable notice of the exist- ence of the same, and under this statute there are now four suits in charge of the City Solicitor, which have been brought against us for injuries alleged to have resulted from defective highways. This liability, imposed on us by law, is of a very serious character, and every citizen should remember that it is his duty, on learning the condition of a highway to be dangerous, to give immediate notice to the Commissioner, that it may be put in order.
It may be proper further to observe in this matter, that as cities are bound to keep their ways in reasonable repair, if sidewalks in a city like this are allowed to be dangerous by reason of ice, there can be no question but that the city would be liable for damages occa- sioned thereby. During the past year, a claim for damages for an injury sustained in this way was made against the city, and paid after consultation.
Whether in addition to the ordinances requiring snow and ice to be removed by the abutters, it would be advisable to provide that in cases where the ice cannot be removed, the abutters should be re- quired to sprinkle the sidewalks with ashes or some such substance, so as to render them safe and passable, I should submit to your consideration. In regard to sidewalks, I would further suggest that if the City Council, by the act of the Legislature of 1850, acquired power to lay out sidewalks, and fix the width, height and grade of
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the same, and to require all persons owning or abutting on such sidewalks to pave the walk with brick or stone, as they may direct, the city first setting the curbstone and paving the gutters, I see no reason why this power should not be exercised. I believe in one or two instances it would be an accommodation to our citizens to have certain walks bricked, where the curbstones are set and gutters already paved.
POOR.
The appropriation for the support of paupers last year was six thousand dollars, and about eight thousand five hundred dollars was expended. Large as the sum demanded for this purpose is, the duty of relieving the reasonable wants of those whom age and sick- ness have forced to become the recipients of public charity, is one enjoined upon us alike by the dictates of humanity, and by the sa- cred principles of the religion we profess.
The almshouse and farm have been provided by the city at great expense, and it should be our care to see that they are conducted in such a manner, as best to effectuate the humane intention, which dictated the erection of the one and the purchase of the other.
If any improvements either in carrying on the establishment, out doors or in, are needed, the overseer of the poor should attend to the matter without delay.
The provisions of law by which the state lunatic hospitals are en- titled to charge the support of lunatic paupers, who have a settle- ment within the commonwealth, to the town or city from which they are committed, and leaving such town or city to recover the amount paid by it, of the town or city where the actual settlement is, and the further provision that in any action by the state lunatic hospital against a town or city for the support of a lunatic pauper committed therefrom, the burden of proof shall be on the town or city to show that the person is a state pauper, have been the occasion of some question between the city and the hospital.
The hospital has had until within a few days a large claim against the city, which had been suffered to remain unpaid for a long time, on account of this difference of opinion.
A part of this claim was for the support of paupers, whose actual
10
settlement is in other towns in the commonwealth ; this portion hav- ing been paid by us in the first instance, we shall be able probably under the decision of the case of Worcester vs. Sterling, at the last law term of the Supreme Judicial Court, to recover from the towns where the paupers have their actual settlement.
Another portion of the claim is for the support of paupers, who, it is contended by the city, are properly chargeable to the state, and this has been also liquidated.
The whole amount of the claim against the city was three thou- sand and ninety-seven dollars and ninety-nine cents ; amount charged to the state twelve hundred and sixty-six dollars and thirty- six cents ; to be recovered of towns and parties interested, six hun- dred and seven dollars and fifty cents, leaving a balance of twelve hundred and twenty-four dollars and thirteen cents, to be charged to this department.
For details in reference to this, as well as other matters in relation to the support of the paupers, I refer you to the report of the over- seers of the poor, of the last year, which will be printed in the next annual city document.
WATER.
Another subject of great interest and importance to the city, will require on your part much consideration, and will be found to be at- tended with serious difficulties and embarrassments. I mean that of a supply of pure water for the use of the city.
In 1854, Mr. Inches, a distinguished engineer, made a report to the City Council, after careful surveys and examination, detailing the various sources of supply, and estimating the expense at which cach could be brought into use. The only sources found by Mr. Inches to be sufficient were Quinsigamond Pond and Henshaw Pond. This report was printed for the use of the citizens, and generally dis- tributed. During the past year, however, a supplementary survey has been made, by order of the City Council, under the direction of the same gentleman, and an additional report made by him, from which it appears that it is practicable to unite the waters of Kettle Brook with those of Henshaw Pond, and that the quantity of water which may be diverted therefrom is equal to one million eight hun-
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dred thousand gallons a day; the amount that it is proposed to furnish, one million of gallons a day. Aside from land damages, the estimated cost of taking the water from the Pond and bringing it in a twelve inch pipe to Lagrange street, is estimated at seventy-eight thousand five hundred dollars. The expense of distributing it through the various streets as put down in the report of 1854, two hundred and thirty thousand dollars. To the sum of seventy-eight thousand five hundred dollars add two hundred and thirty thousand dollars, and for contingencies thirty-one thousand five hundred dollars, and the total expense is three hundred and forty thousand dollars.
This additional report having been printed and distributed, the following question was submitted to the citizens for a yea and nay vote, at the last municipal election.
" Shall water be introduced into the the city of Worcester, by au- thority of the city, from Henshaw Pond, as a reservoir of its own water, and of such other water as may be turned into it from Kettle Brook, in substantial accordance with the reports of M. B. Inches, and the joint standing committee on water ?"
After our predecessors had rejected the vote of ward one, it was found that there were nine hundred and thirty-nine yeas, and nine hundred and forty nays, upon the propositions it contains. By counting the vote of ward one, the yeas would however exceed the nays by eighty-seven votes.
It may perhaps be deemed advisable that inasmuch as the propo- sition failed by reason of informality only, that it should be again submitted to the vote of the citizens. Such a vote would, however, be advisory only, as the subject is by law left to the disposal of the city council, and it is a somewhat singular fact, that while twenty-nine hundred votes were cast for the municipal officers, upon this important question which involves incurring a debt to the city of three hundred and forty thousand dollars, less than eleven hundred voted for the construction of the aqueduct to Leicester, and about as many against it, so that eight hundred must either have viewed the whole matter with indifference, or else have felt that it had not been sufficiently discussed for them to arrive at an intelligent conclusion.
While, Gentlemen of the City Council, I am fully aware of the
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importance of an ample supply of pure water, to the health and safety of the city, and while I am not disposed to shrink from any present expenditure, however heavy, if it be absolutely required for the permanent interests of the city, I feel it my duty to say frankly to you, that in my opinion this is not the time to enter upon this enterprise. It seems to me that even if we have the facts necessary to form an intelligent judgment, they have not as yet been suffi- ciently the subject of discussion among us to enable us to come to a result which shall be permanently satisfactory, but I think that much may be added to the facts in our possession ; the additional report of Mr. Inches has developed many new facts as to Henshaw Pond and Kettle Brook, as sources of supply, and it may be that far- ther and closer examination into Quinsigamond Pond in the same aspect, may there develope information which will be of the highest value, in aiding us in arriving at a final result.
A work of this magnitude should not be undertaken, until we are satisfied that all the means of information have been exhausted, and a general and concurrent public sentiment is ready to sanction the expenditure, and sustain those who are charged with the prosecution of the work. A heavy debt is always a serious drawback to the growth of any town or city, it forms an important objection to those who are examining it with a view of making it a place of business or residence, and the present time is singularly unpropitious for the commencement of any work which involves it. It is a time to man- age with economy and care the enterprises already begun, and to husband our resources, that we may be ready in more prosperous sea- sons to undertake the projects which our municipal wants demand.
WARD OFFICERS.
I trust at an early day an ordinance may be passed compensating ward clerks for their services, at such rate per day as you may see fit to establish.
The ward officers are chosen by the inhabitants of the several wards, and the duty they are called upon to perform is very similar to that of town officers.
The clerk is to keep a fair and true record and an exact journal
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of all the acts and votes of the citizens. The warden and inspectors are to receive, sort, count and declare all votes at all elections.
All votes given in each ward, being sorted, counted and declared by the warden and inspectors are to be recorded at large by the clerk in open ward meeting. A transcript of such record certified and authenticated by the warden, clerk and a majority of the in- spectors, forthwith to be transmitted or delivered to the city clerk. If it is found necessary in order to insure the performance of these duties in the several wards, that all the officers should be paid and it cannot be done without, I recommend that they be paid, in order that we may not have any trouble from this service in future elections.
POLICE.
The subject of the police is one which will require our considera- tion, as being of importance alike to the morals and good order of our city, as well as to the safety of property within its limits.
I shall endeavor to organize a police, which shall be watchful and efficient, and with your hearty co-operation, and by their aid I shall not doubt for a moment that the laws of the commonwealth and the city ordinances will be enforced in a manner most conducive to the welfare of this flourishing city.
The whole number of complaints before the police Court in 1856, ten hundred and sixty-one.
Made by marshal and assistant, nine hundred and seventy-nine.
For violation of liquor law, fifty-three.
For drunkenness, four hundred and seventy-six.
Commitments to the jail and house of correction, mostly for non- payment of fines and costs in cases of drunkenness, four hundred and fifty-eight.
Expenses of the Police Department for the last year, as by the re- port of the city marshal, about four thousand five hundred and fifty dollars.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
We have a powerful and thoroughly organized fire department, and it is a subject of heartfelt congratulation after the severe losses we have heretofore been called upon to sustain, that during the past
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year it has, though always efficient and prompt, been so seldom put in requisition.
The department has only been called out twelve times, of these twelve only twice to buildings on fire, and the amount of property destroyed will not exceed five hundred dollars. There have been several alarms caused by the burning of rubbish in the evening, in gardens. Whether this trouble can be obviated by an ordinance for- bidding these bonfires after nightfall, may be worth consideration.
Appropriation in this department, nine thousand dollars. Ex- pended about eight thousand nine hundred dollars.
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
The public grounds are well attended to. Hope Cemetery has been much improved and ornamented the past year.
It is in the hands of a board of commissioners constituted by an act of the legislature, who are doing everything in their power to render the grounds such as they should be. The street on the west- erly side of the new common, leading from Elm street to Highland street, has been constructed in the past year, and a fence built around the lot, so that there is now a beautiful drive for our citizens within a short distance from the business part of the city.
The appropriations raised by tax in 1856 are as follows :
For city purposes, one hundred and thirty thousand eight hun- dred dollars.
County tax, fourteen thousand one hundred and seventy-five dol- lars and forty-four cents.
State tax, eleven thousand two hundred and eight dollars.
Whole amount of tax, one hundred and fifty-six thousand one hundred and eighty-three dollars and forty-four cents.
By the prompt payment made by our citizens, and the vigilance of our excellent treasurer and collector, there only remained unpaid of this large sum about thirty-five hundred dollars, on the first of Jan- uary, 1857.
The valuation for 1856, eighteen millions nine hundred and six- teen thousand dollars.
Rate of taxation, seven dollars and fifty cents on a thousand dol- lars valuation.
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Number of polls, five thousand eight hundred and fifty-two. The city debt, January 1st, 1856, one hundred and eighteen thou- sand nine hundred and fifty-five dollars and forty-eight cents.
Paid in 1856, fourteen thousand nine hundred and sixty-one dol- lars and cighty-three cents.
Due January 1st, 1857, one hundred and three thousand, nine hundred and ninety-three dollars and sixty-five cents.
Gentlemen of the City Council : I have now glanced at a few of the many subjects that will occupy your attention in the coming year. I have avoided any allusion to the management of previous city governments, or making comparisons of the expenditures of dif- ferent years, as no correct conclusion can be drawn from these sources alone.
The municipal concerns of our city are now in our hands,-we have pledged ourselves to her best interests. I have no ,ubt if we cordially co-operate with each other in the management of her affairs, we shall insure the good will and esteem of ou. ellow citizens.
May the direction we have implored this morning, guide us all in the way that shall be best for us, and not only for ourselves, but for all concerned.
CITY OF WORCESTER. IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 3, 1857.
Resolved, that the thanks of this Board be and are hereby presented to his Honor the Mayor, for the punctual, faithful and impartial manner in which he has presided over their deliberations during the year now about to close.
Attest,
SAMUEL SMITH, City Clerk.
VALEDICTORY ADDRESS
OF
HON. ISAAC DAVIS, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WORCESTER,
ON TAKING LEAVE OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, JANUARY 3d, 1857.
Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen :
THE time has arrived when in obedience to the charter, we are to surrender the fiscal, prudential and municipal affairs of the city into the hands of our successors. Your last official act has been, to pass a resolution approving the manner in which the duties of your pre- siding officer have been discharged. For this expression of your approbation, I sincerely thank you, Gentlemen. For the manner in which the duties of the chair have been discharged, I am much in- debted to your kindness and courtesy, and in other and more responsi- ble and important duties, in the administration of the affairs of the city, I have had your prompt, efficient and cordial co-operation, for which I tender to you my grateful acknowledgements.
The position which I have occupied the past year was not sought by me. The unsought suffrages of my fellow citizens called me to enter upon the duties of the chief executive officer of the city. And when the time arrived to select a successor to the present Mayor, I positively refused to be considered a candidate for re-election. The success with which those duties have been performed, is for you and my fellow citizens to determine. You will not, I trust, Gentlemen, deem it improper, in me to allude briefly, on this occasion, to some
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of the acts and doings of the city government for the past year, in which you as Aldermen have so largely participated.
In the police department of the city, important and radical changes have been made. The expenses have been curtailed more than five thousand dollars-yet the police has been energetic and efficient. No tumults, riots or mobs-no murders, burglaries or aggravated assaults have occurred in the city the past year ; although it has been a year of unusual excitement, and of numerous gatherings of people. In years past the citizens have suffered severely by fires originating in most cases by design. Incendiarism has not been known in the city the past year, and $1000 will cover all the losses by fire.
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