USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1875 > Part 3
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HAND ENGINE "NEPTUNE," NO. 8.
House on Purchase street.
APPARATUS. 1 hand engine, 1 hose carriage, 100 feet of drag rope for en- gine and 25 feet for hose carriage, 26 feet of suction hose, 1400 feet of leading hose, composed of linen, linenrubber-lined, and rubber, set of badges, 2 blank- ets for horses, 2 hoods for horses, 1 torch, 1 clock, 1 chandelier, 6 settees, bell . and rope on house, 8 spanners and belts, 2 stoves and funnel, gas fixtures, 4 life lines, 3 hose straps, 1 brush, 5 discharge pipes, water pails, 2 suction spanners, 1 snow shovel, 3 patches, 2 hand lanterns, 1 oil feeder, 1 crank to hose reel, 1 jack screw, 1 broom, 2 shovels, 2 axes, 1 iron bar, 12 chains, 1 screw driver, 2 side lamps, 2 fire buckets, 1 extra pole for engine, 1 monkey wrench, 2 wrenches, leather washers for hose, 2 oil cans, 1 coal hod, 2 patent nozzles, 1 Johnson Patent force Pump.
" LITTLE MAC " HOSE COMPANY, NO. 1
House on Pleasant street.
APPARATUS. 1 four wheeled hose carriage with gong, 2000 feet of leather hose, 1 Johnson Patent Force Pump, 2 brass torches, 2 snap chains, 1 whiffle- tree, 100 feet of 2 inch Boyd's patent hose with copper pipe attached, 2 brass speaking trumpets, set of 12 belts with spanners, 1 iron bar, 1 iron sink, 2 hand brushes, 3 stoves with funnel, 1 coal hod, 1 bench, washers for hose, 12 badges, 20 chairs, 8 settees, 1 clock, 1 chandelier, 2 lanterns, 1. dust pan and brush, 1 conductor for oiling hose, old table, 4 office chairs, 4 gas burners and globes, hose patches, 1 sponge, 1 measure, 2 water pails, 1 hogshead, 1 shovel, 1 mop, 2 oil cans. 1 dark lantern, 1 fire alarm card and frame, 1 table, 2 brush- es for hose, 1 broom, 1 snow shovel, 1 axe, 2 fire buckets, hose patches, 1 feather duster, 1 jack, 1 large iron kettle, 1 gate for house, 1 bar, 1 horse blanket, 1 large oil can, 8 hose ropes, 1 spare pole for hose carriage, 14 blocks with ropes in tower, spare globes for lanterns, &c.
RELIEF ENGINES.
House on Monroe st.
Steam fire engine "Eon," hand engine " Warren Currier," hand engine No. 5, two hose carriages, 500 feet of old hose, rubber, linen, and cotton; 60 feet of suction hose, 1 long drag rope, 1 spare drag rope, 3 discharge pipes, 1 jack, 2 life lines, 1 patent hose stop, 1 axe, 1 bar, 1 iron sink, 1 monkey wrench, 5 spanners, 3 belts, 4 buckets, 1 lantern, 1 saddle, 3 patches, lamps with brackets, 4 chains, 1 gate for house, oil cans, 1 whiffletree, 1 coal hod, 1 desk, wash bowl, broom, dust pan, 2 suction hose straps, 1 sign, office chairs, 1 desk, 1 table, spanners, &c.
44
CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORT.
RELIEF ENGINE, NO. 2
House on Federal street near the Almshouse.
APPARATUS. 1 hand engine, 1 hose carriage, 250 feet linen hose, 25 feet rubber hose, 1 discharge pipe, 60 feet drag rope, life lines, spanners, 1 sad- dle, wrenches, &c.
STORE ROOMS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT SUPPLIES.
Basement of City Hall.
1 copper horn for hydrant in Brown square, 25 feet of hose, wrench, span- ners, saddle for filling cask with water.
Basement in east end of Market House.
A large lot of condemned combination hose, linen and linen rubber-lined ; 35 feet of rope with hook, 2 stoves with funnel, 1 fire pump with ten feet of rubber hose and pipe attached, 1 connecting chain, 1 w rench, 2 hames straps, 1 drip pan, old rakes, lot of old lanterns, 40 feet inch hose, 1 hydrant wrench, set of badges, washers for hose, 1 drip pan, brushes, measures, 2 iron kettles, 4 reducing couplings, 2 saddles, lot of spanner belts, ropes, 1 horn for reduc- ing, 1 spare grate, 1 trough 35 feet long for washing hose, 3 large wooden benches, coupling to be attached to pump for oiling hose, lot of chains, table broom, shovels, one-half barrel with about 10 gallons of hose dressing. Also connected with this department is the hose tower, which is 55 feet high in the clear, and can be arranged to accomodate 8000 feet of hose, and each length hung by the couplings clear from the floor, also 250 feet of rope, together with rings, &c.
BOARD OF ENGINEERS.
HIRAM P. MACINTOSH, Chief Engineer.
Age 45, photographer, No. 33 Federal street. CHARLES H. GOODWIN, First Assistant. Age 41, carpenter, No. 64 Federal street.
WILLIAM A. GOODWIN, Second Assistant. Age 45, carpenter, No. 40 Prospect street. G. B. HICKEN, Third Assistant. Age 41, ship carpenter, Willow avenue. E. P. RUSSELL, Fourth Assistant.
Age 35, machinist, No. 191 High street.
G. W. KNIGHT, JR., Fifth Assistant.
Age 43, butcher, No. 2 Parker street.
J. H. DANIELS, Sixth Assistant.
Age 41, ship carpenter, No. 51 Carter street.
PROPERTY IN CHARGE OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS. 7 fire hats, 7 white rubber coats, 7 speaking trumpets. 7 leather belts, lanterns, and 6 badges.
45
CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORT.
FIRĘS, ALARMS, LOSSES AND INSURANCE.
Date.
Location.
Owner or occupant.
Loss.
Insur- ance.
Causes.
1874.
Dec. 1.
Merrimac street. . .
L. W. Lane, barn .. W. H. Carter, ..
125
Ins.
66
66
16 ...
Titcomb street ...
Inn st., still alarm.
Slight
66
21 ...
Federal st, chimney
False alarm.
66
19 .. .
Inn st., still alarm.
P. Coffey, shed
Slight
66
1875.
Jan. 31 .. . .
Water street.
Fish house.
$ 200
March 20 ..
Merrimac st., still a.
Dwelling house. ...
Slight
April 26. . .
Broad street, still a.
Mrs. G. Choate, h.
66
Burn. scraps. Incendiary.
June 9. . .. False alarm.
June 15. . .
Pond street ..
B. & M.R.R. depot $ 50
Accidental. Unknown.
June 23. . 66
Wesley street. 66
66
D. F. Brown, barn J.A. Balch, h'se & b
1,000
700
July 5 ..
7 .. .
Water street. 66
D. Morrison ..
1,000
66
66
66
66
G. H. Cook.
1,200
$800
August 1. Hale's court.
J. B. Morse, ·house
1,500
Ins.
Unknown. Boys.
66 29. Jefferson street. .
29. Summer st., still a.
N. Marden, barn ...
Slight
Sept. 10 ... False alarm.
66
20 .. . Merrimac st., still a E. Whitmore, h'se. $1,500 $1,500 Chimney.
Oct. 6 .. 13. 66
Prospect st., still a. M. Wood.
Slight
Fire board. 66 66
" 14.
66
23.
Titcomb street.
North church.
$2,500
Ins.
66
30. . .
Merrimac st., still a Ocean house.
Slight
Nov. 11. . . 12.
False alarm
S. J.Spalding, h'se.
66
66 24.
Water st., still a ...
T. Rossenboton ... .
66
Unknown.
6 25. Inn st., still alarm. D. Ober
66
Brimstone.
27.
Hale's court ..
G. W. Jefts $ 150 Ins.
Accidental.
7.
Carter 66
Mercantile wharf ..
Thurston & Colman J.P.L. Wescott, sta. Shed
4,000
Ins.
66
66 24 ... 60 26 ...
Rear of M. H.,s. a.
Banford's shed.
Dwelling house.
66
Incendiary.
Fire board.
May 22.
Marlboro' st., s. a .. G. W. Woodwell, h
66
23. . .
Federal st., still a .. H.Cook, fence Slight $1,000
J.C.Stanley, br. bld
Ins.
Kerosene exp
...
24.
False alarm.
J. Moody, house .. .
1,000 $600
Unknown. Matches.
Inn st., still alarm. 66 66
66
66
Chimney. Unknown. Chimney.
Milk street. .
Morse house.
Boys. Chimney.
18.
Green st., still a ..
$1,000
Incendiary.
12 .. .
25
19 ...
Boys. Incendiary. 66
Lime st., still alarm
1,500 $400
Accidental.
.. .
46
CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORT.
PLACES WHERE WATER CAN BE OBTAINED.
1. Reservoir at the junction of Marlboro' and Hancock streets.
2. Reservoir in Charles street, opposite James Mill.
3. Cistern in Smith's Court, third house from Water street.
4. Reservoir at the junction of Lime and Purchase streets.
5. Reservoir at the junction of Lime and Newbury streets.
6. Reservoir in front of No. 2 Engine House.
7. Hydrant in Federal street, opposite Globe Mill.
8. Hydrant at the junction of Federal and Beck streets.
9. Reservoir at the junction of Federal and Middle streets.
10. Hydrant at the junction of Federal and Atwood streets.
11. Reservoir at the junction of Federal and Robert streets.
12. Hydrant on High street at the head of Federal street.
13. Reservoir at the junction of Fair and Essex streets.
14. Reservoir at the junction of Fruit and Prospect streets.
15. Hydrant on High street at the head of Fruit street.
16. Cistern at the brick stable in Temple street.
17. City Well, Market Square.
18. Hydrant on High street, corner of State street.
19. Reservoir on Pleasant street, at the Engine House.
20. Well on Brown's wharf, rear of Merrimac street.
21. Reservoir in Brown's Square.
22. Reservoir at the junction of Green and Washington streets.
23. Well at the landing foot of Market street.
24. Reservoir at the head of Winter street.
25. Large Well, rear of brick store, corner Merrimack and Strong streets.
26. Large Well in Williams' Court.
27. Reservoir on Merrimack street, at the head of Factory wharf.
28. Cistern at the residence of Jacob Horton on High street.
29. Reservoir at the junction of Boardman and High streets.
30. Reservoir at the junction of Congress and Buck streets.
31. Cistern at the residence of John Gorwaiz, High street.
32. Large Well at Cald well's Distillery, Merrimac street.
33. Cistern at the residence of T. H. Cutter.
34. Cistern at the residence of Wm. Ashby, head of Kent street.
85.
Reservoir at the junction of Monroe and Dove streets.
36. Cistern at the house, corner of Broad and Merrimac streets.
37. Reservoir at the junction of Broad and Monroe streets.
88. Cistern at the residence of Mrs. Hale, Mount Rural.
39. Cistern near the barn of Mrs. Hale, Mount Rural.
40. Reservoir at the head of Toppan's lane.
41. Cistern at Savory's Tan Yard, Bellevilleport.
42. Cistern at the residence of Mrs. Josiah Little, High street.
43. Cistern at the residence of Charles Peabody, Johnson street.
44. Reservoir at the junction of California and Walnut street.
45. Cistern at No. 234 High street.
46. Reservoir at the head of Ashland street.
47. Reservoir on High street, between the house and shop of J. B. Lord. X
47
CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORM.
48. Large Cistern at the stable of George Lucy, Essex street.
49. Reservoir on State street, opposite Charter street.
50. Reservoir on State street, opposite Temple street.
51. Reservoir on State street, opposite Prospect street.
52. Reservoir on Harris street, opposite Park street.
53. Reservoir on Washington street, opposite Titcomb street.
54. Reservoir at the junction of Washington and Market streets.
55. Hydrant at the Eastern Railroad Depot. Chuck in C. H. Danforth's store.
56. Reservoir on Prospect street, opposite No. 12.
57. Large Well at the junction of Merrimac street and Merrimac court.
58. Large Well, rear of Choate's Planing Mill, Merrimac street.
59. Reservoir on High street, foot of Coffin's court.
60. Reservoir on High street, head of Woodland street. "
61. Water at Gas House.
62. Creek at head of Caldwell's wharf.
63. Flood Gate at Pearson's wharf.
64. Hydrant on State street, south of High street.
65. Hydrant on State street, opposite James Mill reservoir.
66. Frog Pond.
67. Large Cistern north-east corner Arms Factory.
68. Reservoir at Ocean Mill.
69. Flood Gate north side of new Bridge.
70. Reservoir at junction of Bromfield and Newbury streets.
71. Merrimack River.
72. Reservoir on High street, opposite Mr. John H. Balch's house. X
73. Reservoir on High street, opposite Johnson street. X
74. Reservoir on Merrimac st., in front of No. 7 Engine House.
REPORTS.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
To the City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN : The city charter requires of the Overseers of the Poor, to make quarterly returns to the City Council of the names of all those who have received assistance from the city, for any por- tion or the whole of each quarter, ending on the last day of the month immediately preceding said returns, with the amount re- ceived by each.
This simple requirement has been faithfully performed from the time when the duty was imposed upon the board-in 1863-to the present time, these returns now furnish a complete record, in dupli- cate, one copy of which is deposited with the City Clerk, for refer- ence at all times by the City Council.
It has not been the practice heretofore, to consolidate the quar- terly returns so as to form an annual statement, exhibiting in detail the distribution of aid in the city, the character and value of the assistance rendered, the number of families or individuals assisted, and to furnish such other information as the City Council and citi- zens generally may require.
The Overseers invite the attention of the City Council to the fol lowing detailed statement of the expenditures of their departmentin
50
REPORTS.
its several branches, for the past year, and for the two previous years.
The appropriation for the Poor department is made to cover the annual expense of the almshouse, for out-door relief, the Insane, Reform school, and commitments to the House of Correction. The almshouse and out-door relief are under the direct control of the overseers, the other institutions above named, are under control of State or County authorities. The cost of fuel used by the depart- ment, is not included in the annual appropriation, but is included in the tables given below :
ALMSHOUSE AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS.
Year.
Avg. no. in
Cost
Cost
Cost
Cost
Cost
Total.
Almshouse. Almshouse. per week.
Insane. Ref. school. H. Correc.
1873
40.21
$5,634 55
$2 69
$2,099 83
$246 20
$90 84 $8,071 42
1874.
42.11
4,778 14
2 18
2,002 90
269 06
34 72
7,084 82
1875
44.88
5,370 03
2 30
2,182 56
368 34
39 70
7,960 63
The expense at the almshouse includes provisions, fuel, clothing, ordinary wear of household goods, salaries, medical attendance, and burials. Cost of insane, reform schools and house of correction, in- cludes board and clothing. The average cost at the almshouse, per week, as compared the the average cost in the county and State, is as follows :
State.
County .
City.
1873
$2 77
$2 55
$2 67
1874.
2 63
2 70
2 18
1875.
2 30
Some expense is incurred at the almshouse, for the temporary care, until removed or otherwise provided for, of those belonging to other towns or State, which amount is refunded.
Formerly large quantities of wood and coal were stored at the almshouse, and used promiscuously by the poor, and by other de- partments, as their supply became exhausted during the year. An attempt was made in 1874, to separate the fuel required by the Poor department. To carry out this plan, an estimate was made for one year's supply-say from June 1, 1874, to June 1, 1875, and 300 tons of coal, and 265 cords of wood were delivered. The coal was received July 16, 1874, the last of which was delivered July 16, 1875. The quantity of wood proved a sufficient supply for twelve months.
51
REPORTS.
The estimate for the year commencing June 1, 1875, and ending June 1, 1876, requires 325 tons of coal, and 250 cords of wood.
OUT-DOOR RELIEF.
Year.
No. families. Cash.
Groceries.
Fuel.
Incidentals. Other towns.
Total.
1873
.190 $1,660 25 $2,029 50 $2,407 99 $ 927 03 $1,098 81 $8,168 58
1874. .178
1,388 50 1,947 54 2,377 14
712 71 1,385 61 7,811 50
1875. .205
1,248 00 2.434 51
2,843 41 1,324 34 1,606 38 9,456 64
Number assisted and living in other towns 1875, 35 persons.
DISTRIBUTION OF OUT-DOOR RELIEF IN THE CITY.
No.
Year.
No. Families.
Cash,
Groceries.
Fuel.
Total.
Popu. Fam.
1873.
48
$501 75
$927 50 $ 924 56
$2,353 81
Ward
1874
47
509 50
984 25
994 73
2,488 48
One.
1875
.60
434 00
996 35 1,087 58
2,517 93
2128
525
1873
28
$409 00
$230 50
$456 96
$1,096 46
Ward
1874.
.27
258 00
351 95
371 33
981 28
Two.
1875.
28
284 00
387 40
436 42
1,107 82
2178
511
Ward
1874.
10
83 0
I48 50
179 36
410 86
Three
1875.
12
39 00
224 00
212 04
475 04
1780
419
1873
16
$ 72 50
$215 25
$157 51
$445 26
Ward
1874
13
195 00
53 50
156 96
405 46
Four.
1875
19
132 00
66 54
223 30
421 84
2022
498
1873.
30
$156 00
· $357 75
$461 64
$975 39
Ward
1874.
29
97 50
319 34
501 91
918 75
Five.
1875
30
52 00
574 15
625 81
1,251 96
2538 577
1873.
21
$414 00
$191 50
$235 84
$841 34
Ward
1874
16
245 50
90 00
172 85
508 35
Six.
1875.
21
307 00
186 07
258 26
751 33 2677 609
Families assisted in the city 1873-155; representing 349 persons.
DISTRIBUTION ON ACCOUNT OF OTHER TOWNS AND STATE.
Year.
No. Persons.
Cash,
Groceries.
Fuel.
Incidentals.
Total
1873.
43
$202 75
$597 56
$552 37
$540 89
$1,893 57
1874.
43
146 75
541 25
510 00
324 51
1.522 51
1875.
41
135 00
697 45
558 83
383
66
66
66
1875-170;
66
319
66
66
66
1874-142;
Incidental account for out-door relief, for City, other towns and State, in- cludes salaries, wages, cost of team, travelling expenses, medical attendance and burials.
..
1873.
12
$107 00
$107 00
$171 48
$385 48
52
REPORTS.
RECAPITULATION.
1873.
1874,
1875.
Cash.
$ 1,660 25
$ 1,388 50
$ 1,248 00
Groceries
2,029 50
1,947 54
2,434 51
Fuel ..
2,407 99
2,377 14
2,843 41
Incidentals
927 03
712 71
1,324 34
Other towns.
1,098 81
1,385 61
1,606 38
Out-door relief
8,168 58
7,811 50
9,456 64
Almshouse.
5,634 55
4,778 14
5,370 03
Insane
2,099 83
2,002 90
2,182 56
Reform school ..
246 20
269 06
368 34
House of correction
90 84
34 72
39 70
16,240 00
14,896 32
17,417 27
Less fuel,included
in almshouse, out-
3,544 99
3,504 14
3,970 41
door relief, &c.
12,695 01
11.392 18
13,446 86
Bills of 1872 unpaid 1,838 82
do 1873-1,715 24
do 1874- 174 68
14,533 83
13,107 42
13,621 54
Appro. and income 12,829 58
13,893 57
13,679 77
Overdrawn. 1,704 25
Undrawn ..
786 15
Undrawn. . 58 23
Due from towns ...
1,893 57
1,522 51
NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION OF PERSONS AIDED DURING THE YEAR ENDING NOV. 30, 1875.
Having military settlements.
25
Having settlements under the act of 1874.
35
Having settlements otherwise acquired.
233
Number of persons assisted residing in Newburyport
457
Asylums. 14
Other towns 35
506
Number persons assisted having settlements and belonging to oth- er towns. 26
Having no settlements in the State.
40
Number of persons temporarily aided, having no settlements in the State 57
Total number assisted.
Number of persons at almshouse Dec. 1, 1874.
40
received at almshouse during 1875 60
*died 66 66
7
66
discharged at “ 51
66
remaining " " Dec. 1, 1875 42
66
Total number assisted belonging to Newburyport.
589
.
53
REPORTS.
The inmates at the almshouse have, during the year, sawed and split for the use of the house and for outside distribution, 265 cords of wood, have performed all the work required about the premises, and nearly all the labor on the land cultivated-the product of which for the last year consists of the following items :
275 bushels potatoes,-all the vegetables required for use in the house. 40 tons hay,
18 tons delivered for use of the City teams employed by other depart- ments.
9 tons have been used at the Almshouse.
13 tons sold to individuals.
2000 lbs. pork-the cost of which is charged in house expenses.
Of the number of new applications during the year, both at the almshouse and for out-door relief, twenty-eight families comprising seventy persons have come to us from the change of the statutes, relating to settlements, by the Legislature of 1874. These will in- crease annually for five years from the passage of the Act, after which time some reduction may occur, by the changing of older settlements to the basis of the new.
Other applications have come in consequence of the general stag- nation in business channels, the continued suspension of factory labor, by which many are deprived of their usual employment, and the difficulty of obtaining work elsewhere compels some who other- wise would provide for themselves and families, to ask for tempora- ry aid. The opportunity for work for women, to be had chiefly at the factory, in absence of out door work for men, cannot be too greatly estimated, as a public as well as private benefit.
It is the long period of severe business depression which affects labor in a community like ours, rather than the sudden panic, which at times overshadows large business centres, and from which they recover, as it were, by some latent vitality, while our re- lief comes only from whatever may be infused into us by the gen- eral prosperity around.
The small variety and number of industrial establishments loca- ted here confines all labor, skilled or unskilled, in narrow channels, from which if necessity compels a change, finds no other opportu- nity.
The remote causes of pauperism, its extent and influence on com- munities, is left with the philanthropist, and public economist ; with these questions the overseer has little to do, but with the direct causes, as indicated by the increase or decrease in the locality in
54
REPORTS.
which he is called to serve, it is his duty to observe and discrimi- nate, so as to be prepared to meet any exigency which may occur, to ascertain the claims and necessities of the applicant, to give the proper relief, to transfer to their legitimate homes or to the State all those who may be temporarily residing within the limits of his ju- risdiction.
To the aged and infirm the almshouse furnishes a permanent re- treat, and to destitute and neglected children a temporary home. These are the only real subjects of public support ; the difficulty comes in the attempt to administer outside relief, a problem which all the systems of the Old World and the experience of the New have been unable to solve. A case of present necessity clearly made out, immediately resolves itself into how much, how long, and to what degree of permanancy shall such aid be tolerated.
The practice of continuing out-door relief, without frequent in- vestigations, approaches the character of a grant or pension, which fearfully tends to destroy that spirit of self-reliance and self-sup- port ; sometimes substituting fraud for necessity, and whether de- serving or undeserving, lowers the tone of the recipients, and the community in which they dwell. None apply for admission to the almshouse for the reason that another is so provided for, while many claim the benefit of out-door relief simply because A, B or C, is known to receive assistance.
Evidently the best way of assisting the deserving poor is to help them to provide for themselves. In large cities temporary relief can be, to some extent, furnished by providing employment on the public works ; by the co-operation of large charitable institutions, and assistance of wealthy individuals ; but here no such opportu- nities exist. Resource must be had to direct relief, requiring cer- tain minute information of the circumstances of each applicant, which can only be obtained by official visit or enquiry, an accurate knowledge of which allows of more substantial aid to be given to the worthy, while it often serves to demonstrate the fact that there are many persons, for whom the only hope of improvement is to be thrown on their own resources, and others for whom there is no re- cource but the almshouse.
The easy and comfortable manner of living which has come down to us from the prosperity of former times, has preserved to some extent the disposition to consider alms-giving a virtue, irre- spective of the character and need of the recipient. Many give
55
REPORTS.
indiscriminately, while others give carelessly, and so the charitable societies, which are rather relics of former prosperity, and benevo- lent impulses, than an auxiliary which can be relied upon in seasons of public distress. Their mission seems to be to fill a place which no public charity can do, in carrying to the homes their gifts of charity, and to the hearts of the recipients true sympathy and ten- derness. So the pennies are scattered here and there, oftentimes with those who are known to every source of charity-benevolent church or charitable, or receiving pensions and aid from the state, apply for further assistance, with the pertinacity of beggars.
Continued effort should be made to drive from the community the vagrant class, who travel from place to place, not in search of em- plyoment, but to beg, despoil or steal ; aid to this class of persons, is no charity in any sense of the word, but encouragement for in- dolence on the one hand, and a cover to vice on the other, while the deserving poor are crowded out, or left to subsist on the mini- mum of public or private charities. During the past year the num- ber of vagrants has somewhat diminished, their only resource being the accommodations of the station house, where they are under the observation and care of the police.
This community can congratulate itself that it is free from the dangerous evils and class of persons which often accompany an ex- cess of pauperism. There are indications of the existence of a class of young men, able-bodied, without permanent employment or the ambition to pursue any, idle, dissipated, depending on par- ents for their subsistance, who in consequence of the additional burden, have been compelled to ask aid from the city.
The execution of much of the detail of the labor devolving on the Board of Overseers, is to be credited to the efficient clerk of the board, who by his past experience, both as overseer and clerk, ren- ders valuable public services.
The Overseers, in anticipation of continued increase in the num- ber of applicants, consequent on the recent change of the statutes, recommend an additional appropriation over that of the past year, for the year ensuing.
GEORGE W. WOODWELL, ) Overseers JOHN D. PIKE, of the BEN. C. CURRIER, Poor.
Newburyport, Dec. 28, 1875.
56
REPORTS.
FOLLANSBEE FUND.
To the Hon. Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of New- buryport :-
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