USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1888 > Part 14
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327
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Received from 153 owners of scales and weights as per schedule A. $164 53 Less paid for travel and transportation of standard weights. 26 50
138 03
Rec'd for testing and sealing measures as per schedule A.
4 60
46 milk licenses issued and for one milk retailer registered 23 50
testing 22 samples of vinegar
50
66 one license for dealer in oleomargarine 50
inspection of coal baskets for charcoal. 1 00
66 sealing one steel tape for land surveyor. 25
survey of wood and coal for city as per bill. 3 23
Total ..
$176 61
JOHN HUSE, Inspector and Sealer.
Newburyport, February, 1889.
VINEGAR INSPECTION.
There has been application for inspection of 20 samples of vin- egar, all of which contained the required amount of acetic acid, which is 42 per cent for a legal vinegar. About one-half of the applicants were from manufacturers of vinegar, the others from grocers. There not being any penalty for selling vinegar without inspection, application for inspection is from parties only who in- tend to deal only in a legal article. Fees for inspection $5.50.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN HUSE, Inspector.
REPORTS
OF THE
CITY CLERK,
AND
Board of Assessors.
42
331
REPORT OF CITY CLERK.
REPORT OF CITY CLERK.
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, March, 1889.
GENTLEMEN-The following statistics relating to births, mar- riages and deaths in the city of Newburyport for the year ending December 31, 1888, are compiled and presented for the purpose of comparison with former years for such as are interested in such matters.
BIRTHS.
The number of children born alive during the year 1888 and recorded in this office is 295, forty-two less than the preceding year. The births recorded are the same number as the deaths in the city, not including stillbirths, for the year. If there is no gain we are pleased to know we hold our own.
Physicians returned 257; heads of families are credited with making two returns. The returns of physicians though often faulty are a great assistance in perfecting the records.
Of the births 136 were males and 159 females. Five were re- turned as illegitimate, four males and one female. There were three.pairs of twins, two of which were both males, the third pair both females.
Births occurred by months as follows:
1st quarter.
2d quarter.
3d quarter.
4th quarter.
January. .24
April 13
July. .. 27
October ...... 20
February. .. 27 May. 25 August ...... 24
November ... 30
March . .. 17
June. 29
September. 34
December ... 25
68
67 85 75
The month of September. as last year, being high line, and the month of April low line.
The statistics of parents of childron born are as follows:
Fathers. Mothers.
Born in the United States
194
176
66 Canadian Provinces
21
34
Ireland.
57
69
66
Other foreign countries
21
16
Unknown
2
295
295
332
REPORT OF CITY CLERK.
Of 47 children born both parents were returned as natives of this city; of 108 children born the fathers are natives of New- buryport and of 87 the mothers were natives of Newburyport.
MARRIAGES.
The number of intentions filed and certificates issued for the year 1888 was 133, ten more than the preceding year; of this number all but four have been returned for record, the marriages having been solemnized in this city or elsewhere.
The number of marriages recorded on the books of the city for the year, 135, four more than for the preceding year; of these 118 were solemnized in this city, 17 elsewhere.
Marriages in each month and quarter were as follows:
1st quarter. 2d quarter. 3d quarter.
4th quarter.
January ...... 12
April 12
July .. 7 October ...... 16
February 19 May 2 August 10 November .. 23
March 6 June. 12 September .. 8
December .. 8
37 26 25
47
Marriages were solemnized by the following named clergymen and officials.
Congregational-Charles P. Mills
9
Willis A. Hadley
8
S. J. Spalding
.12
Daniel 'T. Fiske
3 4 Samuel A. Harlow
Unitarian-Samuel C. Beane.
4
Methodist-F. K. Stratton
5
Baptist-E. E. Thomas
1
Episcopal-J. H. VanBuren
14
E. R. Woodman.
2 Advent-John Pearson
Presbyterian-Charles C. Wallace 3
Theophilas Beaizley 1
Roman Catholic-Arthur J. Teeling. Murty E. Twomey. 11
2
20 Charles F. Cowen 1
Justice of the Peace-George H. Stevens. 3
Non-resident clergymen. 20
135
ยท
J. F. Allen.
9
Palmer S. Hulbert
4
333
REPORT OF CITY CLERK.
Average age of grooms, 28.62 years ; average age of brides, 25.61: the united ages of each of five couples were over 100 years; the united ages of the oldest couple 138 years, the second marriage of each.
The united ages of the youngest couples, 36 years-three couples-two of which the grooms and brides were each 18 years of age, the third couple, groom 19, bride 17.
First marriage of 113, second of 19 and third of 3 grooms. First marriage of 121 brides and second of 14, the ladies evidently not taking kindly to a third term.
There were 27 grooms younger than their brides and of twelve couples the ages are recorded as the same.
DEATHS.
Deaths occurring in the city of Newburyport for the year 1888 were 295, not including 9 stillbirths ; thirty less than the preced- ing year. The number recorded on the books of the city for the year, 375; fifty being brought from other places to this city for in- terment.
The number of interments in this city only exceeded the deaths by 12, as 38 permits were granted for removal from the city, 19 of which were to the neigeboring town of Newbury.
Deaths by months and quarters :
1st quarter. 2d quarter. 3d quarter.
4th quarter.
January . . . . 29 April. . .. 20 July . . . . . . .. .20 October ... . 28
February. .. 25 May .. .26 Angust. 38 November ... 15
March ..... 27
June. 25 September. 26 December .. 25
- - - 81
84 68
Largest number of deaths occurred in the month of August, and more than half of the cases of cholera infantum, 10 in num- ber, occuared in this month.
The number of deaths from the so-called zymotic diseases dur- ing the year 12, five less than last year. Measles 3, croup 3, diphtheria 2, typhoid fever 2, and one each of scarlet fever and erysipelas.
Deaths from diphtheria occurring in December ; croup in Au- gust and December ; measles in May ; erysipelas in July ; scarlet fever in January and typhoid fever in March and December.
334
REPORT OF CITY CLERK.
Consumption as usual claims the largest number, 48; heart disease, 23; pneumonia, 23; old age, 19; cholera infantum, 18; apoplexy, 13; brain diseases, 10. These are the only classes of diseases that come up to the tens.
Deaths from all causes under 10 years of age, 89; fifty years old and upwards, 139. Five persons were between 90 and 100 years of age.
The united ages of of the deceased in this city for the year was 12,079 years, making the average 41.62 years,
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. STEVENS, City Clerk.
335
REPORT OF BOARD OF ASSESSORS.
REPORT OF ASSESSORS.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council :
GENTLEMEN-The Board of Assessors respectfully report that the whole amount of property on which taxes have been levied for the current year was $8,732,345, from the following sources : Real estate. $6,088,890
Aersonal estate, including resident bank tax 2,643,455
8.732,345
An increase over last year of $857,608.
The value of vessels engaged in the foreign trade and exempt by law, amounting to $308,721.48, is not included in the above; but the income of such vessels, amounting to $3,669.52, is in- cluded.
It will be noticed by comparison with previous years, that the present year has been sadly deficient in profit to our ship-owners, but it is hoped that the increased demand for vessels and the up- ward tendency of freights will continue, and that the coming year will show a more encouraging aspect to this ancient and most in- portant branch of our city's industries.
The rate of taxation for 1888 was $16.00 on each $1,000 as- sessed. The poll tax $2.00.
Whole number of polls, 3964.
Tax on $8,732,345
$139,717 52
Tax on polls. 7,928 00
$147,645 52
Total tax levy.
For the following purposes :
City expenses
$143,750 00
Less a portion of city income.
19,000 00
$124,750 00
State tax
$ 10,282 50
County tax ..
8,919 62
3,693 40
Overlay or surplus tax.
$147,645 52
336
REPORT OF BOARD OF ASSESSORS.
Number of dwelling houses 2276
do horses. 762
do
cows. 295
do oxen. 20
Total number taxpayers 5015
Number taxed for property 2321
Number taxed for polls only. 2694
Valuation of exempted property :
Religious societies-Real estate $255,500
Invested funds. 33,100
Beneficient and Charitable-Real estate 23,400
Invested funds 205,800
Literary Institutions-Real estate 90,000
Invested funds. 91,000
Total amount of exempted property $698,800
The assessors realizing the importance of a lower rate of taxa- tion as a stimulus to the growth of our city, have labored to that end by a more equitable adjustment of real estate values, and by such increase of personal property as a careful exercise of their judgment allow, and hope with the growing desire on the part of our citizens to aid in this direction, a material increase in valua- tion and a consequent lower rate may be assured, and as the re- sult already achieved, beg leave to call your attention to the change in the rate in the last three years from $18.00 to $16.00 per $1000, and with the added new property see no reason why the rate cannot be still further reduced.
ANDREW J. HAYNES,
GEORGE J. L. COLBY, JOSEPH L. JOHNSON.
337
REPORT ON FOLLANSBEE FUND.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE FOLLANSBEE FUND.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council:
GENTLEMEN-I have the honor of submitting to you the fifteenth annual report of the Follansbee Fund for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1888, showing the disposition of the income derived there- from by the trustees.
FUND INVESTED AS FOLLOWS:
Three thousand dollars in City Railroad bonds at 7 per cent. $2 850 00
Deposit in Five Cent Savings bank 120 00
Deposit in Institution for Savings. 30 00
3,000 00
INCOME ACCOUNT.
Unexpended balance from 1887
$45 35
Coupons due in March 105 00
Coupons due in September 105 00-255 35
EXPENSE ACCOUNT.
Paid B. F. & F. L. Atkinson 97 64
George P. Balch.
5 38
B. F. & F. L. Atkinson
112 14
George P. Balch
5 00
Philip H. Creasey
12 38-232 54
Balance to new account. $22 81
The distribution of fuel to persons and families by wards is as follows :
Distributed in ward one
$36.88
66
two.
40 39
three
21 89
four 58 25
66
five
66
66 six 5 13
$232 54
Amount of stove coal distributed 45,000 lbs., 22} tons ; pine wood, 62 cord feet or 72 cords ; hard wood, 17 cord feet, 2 1-8 cords. The wood in nearly every instance being sawed and split for immediate use. Total number of single orders issued 44, va- rying in amounts from $2.38 to $8.80.
43
338
REPORT ON FOLLANSBEE FUND.
Fourteen persons or families were supplied but once. Six were supplied twice, five supplied three times and one four times. Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. STEVENS, Treasurer. Newburyport, February 13, 1889.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF SIMPSON FUND.
TREASURER'S OFFICE, January 1, 1889.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council:
GENTLEMEN-I herewith respectfully submit a report of the con- dition of the Simpson fund at the close of the financial year end- ing December 15, 1888, in accorance with city ordinance :
Total funds December 17, 1887
$20,000 00
Interest on investment in 1888. 900 00
$20,900 00
Paid to City of Newburyport for watering streets dur- ing year, 1888. 900 00
Total funds December 15, 1888
$20,000 00
339
REPORT ON SIMPSON FUND.
INVESTED AS FOLLOWS:
City of Newburyport note for $20,000.00 bearing interest at rate of 4} per cent per annum.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES V. FELKER, Treasurer.
REPORT OF CITY PHYSICIAN.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council:
GENTLEMEN-During the eleven months since February 1, 1888, I have had the medical charge of all the sick who were under the care of the Overseers of the Poor.
The amount of this work was as follows :
Visits to Almshouse 89
Visits to families 317
Office patients. 123
Vaccinations 8 Obstetric cases 5
All of these visits have been to patients strictly entitled to help from the city. Ten families were the charges of other towns, and for my services to them the city treasury recovers $83.50. I have made three visits to the police station and have examined four ap- plicants for appointment upon the police force. I have also made a large number of visits in my capacity as chairman of the Board of Health, for the purpose of investigating nuisances, contagious dis- eases, violations of health regulations, etc.
340
REPORT OF CITY PHYSICIAN.
The statistical report of the mortality of the city, required by law, will be found appended to the report of the Board of Health.
A very serious difficulty in the way of the humane treatment of the sick among the very poor is the total lack of most of the ordi- nary comforts of life among them. Even the free supply of medi- cines, food and the employment of expensive nurses cannot give such patients a fair chance of recovery while in their homes. Nor does the almshouse offer any proper care for severe sickness.
I wish to earnestly represent to the city government the necessity for hospital accommodations for some of these cases. I would recommend the support, by the city, of a free bed at the Anna Jaques Hospital. The payment of $300 annually to the hospital trustees would entitle the city to all hoard and treatment required by the occupant of this bed, and would give to the city in a small way the advantages of a city hospital. The Anna Jaques Hospital is a private institution, and under no obligation to admit any city patient, and it may now properly collect full pay from the city for any cases sent there by the city physician.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY F. ADAMS, M. D., City Physician. January, 1889.
341
REPORT OF SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGH- WAYS.
To His Honor the Mayor and the Committee on Highways:
GENTLEMEN-In accepting this position from your hands I felt it my duty to do all that was possible under the circumstances, that your administration might compare favorably with those who had preceded you in former years. How I have succeeded will remain to be proved.
As you and all others are aware of, the uncommon year for rain, which causes a larger part of damage to the highways than the other elements, although in the winter months 1-15 of the money appropriated was spent on the outskirts of the city on ac- count of heavy snow, localities where it is not deemed prudent to take the city teams, in case of fire-in fact I am not allowed by the chief engineer-a wise precaution you are all well aware of.
In making a summary of the labor performed for the year 1888, the figures show that I have exceeded the appropriation by a certain sum, and I deem it my duty, as yours and the public's servant, to make such a statement of the expenses as will satisfy any fair-minded person of your part in the city's expenditures for the year now brought to a close.
The city of Newburyport, from correct figures of others in former days, consists of 66 miles of street and roads, divided thus: 41 miles of roads, and 25 miles of streets within the city proper, to be kept in repair, independent of teams, which, how- ever, is quite equal to the appropriations, as in my judgement the teams and drivers conjointly can be classed thus: 3 double teams and three single teams for 200 days of service at $7.50 each. Engine company horses actually earning $1,500, making the sum total $4,500.
342
REPORT OF SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS.
The appropriation for manual labor is $4,000 including the salary of the superintendent, which is supposed by many people to be a sum large enough to cover all the streets and roads in the city at once, but when we consider the extent of territory, 66 miles, to be kept in repair, and allowing 5'000 feet to a mile, making 330,- 000 feet, and the figures actually showing that for every 1,000 feet we have $1.10 for a year or 9 1-6 cents for a month, it shows for itself the small amount to be used in the various ways the highway fund is used.
What constitutes the highway labor and paid from the appro- priations? Building of streets, paving of gutters, purchase of crossing stones and the labor of placing them in position, and paving beside them. Building of gutter bridges, clearing off snow in its season, purchasing of sand and the distribution of the same at times when deemed unsafe for foot travellers. And what- ever labor is performed in connection with the care of sidewalks, all gutters that are paved from stones found in excavating for gravel. The present year the horse railroad company paved in Market square conjointly with the city and this was paid from the highway fund.
This year we have hauled 6,000 loads of gravel at a cost of 20 cents per load for labor, which makes. $1,200 00 For labor on Oak street and removing the loam from the same,
1,115 feet in length, by 40 feet in width, cost the highways .... 295 00 For labor at foot of Fair street which belonged to the city to finish 400 feet of crossing stones were purchased at a cost of. 200 00 Cost of placing the same in position and the paving of 3,600 feet and the grading of the same cost 150 00
40 00
The building of gutter bridges and the repairing of the same by blacksmiths and other mechanics. 125 00
Building oi 28 gutter bridges by highway workmen at $2 each .... 56 00 Cost of sand and labor of sanding sidewalks 308 70
Labor attending the clearing off dirt and hauling of sand for the
laying of brick sidewalks at 10 cents per yard, to the best average, 2,128 yards laid the present year 212 80
Covering wells in different parts of the city. 15 00
Repairs on snow ploughs. 20 00
Building of road &t Gowen Dockum's on the Ferry road 75 00
Building of new gravel screen 5 00 Purchase of tools. 8 50
343
REPORT OF SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS.
We have also built 8,000 yards of sidewalks.
We have also built 1,000 feet of gutters averaging 3 feet in width, making a total of 3,000 feet of paving from cobble stones found in gravel pits.
The increase of wages commenced last year and as the appro- priations are no more than my predecessors had for this use in a financial way, amounts to the sum of $560.
The labor of clearing of gutters in the spring and fall, also labor at the time of heavy snows, repairs of the sidewalks, $200.
Superintendent's salary $1,000
ASHES AND RUBBISH.
In the collection of rubbish the total continues to increase, as the taxpayers consider one locality to have the same right as an- other. In this department I have been able to keep within the appropriations by disposing of the same at a small price-5 cents per load-rather than place the same to be removed at the city's expense. In these days of sharp competition between the different mechanics they are not as careful of their rubbish as formerly; as a result we find brick, mortar, etc., from masons, in the gutters, while the general practice seems to be to put all the vines, trees, and of whatever nature the rubbish may consist, into the streets. The amount of boxes and paper allowed to be put upon the streets for collection is, in my judgement, a source of expense and trouble which in part might be avoided. The weekly collections vary from 84 loads to 60 loads at cost of 20 cents per load for labor ; taking the weekly average at 70 loads per week for 52 weeks, we have for labor $728. For the use of teams in collecting, 6 of them are employed at a weekly average of 8 hours, and reckoned at 70 cents per hour for each pair of teams makes $16.80 per week, and for 52 weeks in the year $873.60.
SIDEWALKS AND EDGESTONES.
During the year the city has purchased 2,900 feet of edgestones at a cost of 50 cents per foot making $1,450.
344
REPORT OF SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS.
Two thousand five hundred and fifty feet have been laid in different parts of the city at a cost of 10 cents per foot for the laying, making a total of $255.
The abuttors have been charged for their proportionate part of the expense 32 cents a running foot, and for 2,550 feet we have a credit of $816, leaving $889 to be charged to the department.
The remaining 350 feet purchased and paid for in last year's expenses, are now lying at the Green street landing, to be used as per agreement at the foot of Fair and extending to the foot of Independent street.
There have also been reset in different parts of the city 739 feet of edgestones at a cost of 10 cents per foot, $73.90.
During the year the city has relaid at her own expense for brick and labor, 6,600 brick, furnished at $8.50 per 1000, making the amount $101.35.
In connection with the above there has been laid 2,128 yards at a cost to the city of 30 cents per yard, making a total of $638.40.
I might also state here that the sand used in the laying of the brick sidewalks was what remained after the winter use, and as it had been charged to the highways I could find no correct way of making an average of what was used.
I think in this particular department there could be a modifica- tion of the past expenses, or in fact have it limited to a certain extent
BRIDGES AND CULVERTS.
All culverts have been cleaned from Jefferson to Marlborough street, and the one at the foot of Forrester street has been relaid, and in all cases where necessary for present use have been re- paired in as good a manner as possible.
In the construction of the various culverts throughout the city the trouble, to my mind is that in all cases they contemplated a continuation and for that reason left the mouths unprotected from the storms of winter. The least protection should be of stone directly across the mouths, and as they are rebuilt will become neccessary. I trust the coming year will find them in a fair con- dition without a great deal of expense.
345
REPORT OF SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS.
All tools and whatever belongs to this department are stored and in goad order, except the road scraper, which needs repairs to such an extent that I do not feel warranted in having the same made.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
All the public buildings and their surroundings have been cleaned of rubbish, and care of the various places of the city property under this special department.
BARTLETT MALL.
During the year a large number of loads of good material have been deposited on the Bartlett Mall, considering that by so doing the city is best serving its own interest. The labor of levelling all material is charged to the Bartlett Mall as I do not think it just to draw from the highway fund for the whole expense.
BROMFIELD FUND.
Considerable labor has been performed by the city teams in the collection of limbs and the trimmings of trees and as more than usual has been done this year it has devolved on the superintend- ent of streets to keep cleaned up.
Gentlemen-In submitting this report it is not without sadness that he who was at the head of municipal affairs at the com- mencement of the year and who had the good will of the whole city at heart and who also placed me in this pasition, has, by a stroke of divine providence, passed from this troublesome sea of life to the rest that remaineth above. To those that remain, for your hearty co-operation and the good will that has been extended to me by all with whom I have been brought in connection, will please accept my sincere wishes for your future success in all the departments of life.
Yours truly, with respect,
CHARLES M. PRITCHARD, Surveyor of Highways.
44
.
346
REPORT ON ATKINSON AND PUTNAM SCHOOL FUNDS.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON ATKINSON AND PUTNAM SCHOOL FUNDS.
To His Honor the Mayor and the Board of Allermen:
GENTLEMEN :- The Committee on Atkinson and Putnam funds, to whom was referred the report of the treasurer of the Atkinson school fund, herewith present a statement in relation to the con- dition of said fund and the disposition made of the income thereof for the past year.
The investments of this fund as per report of the treasurer are as follows :
20 shares Merchants' National bank stock $$ 400 00
" shares Ocean National bank stock 350 00
Deposit in Institution for Savings. 1,591 46
Three rights in common pasture.
10 acres salt marsh in Salisbury.
EXPENSE ACCOUNT.
Paid two teachers for 40 evenings, school ($50-$33.33) .... 83 33
Paid for janitor's services, etc .. 5 25
It appears that the income from the fund is not wholly expended in the support of said evening school, the deposit in savings bank being increased over last year's statement in the sum of $57.46.
PUTNAM FUND.
No statement has been referred to the committee for the year 1888 of the condition of the fund.
By the report of the school committee something may be learned of the existence of the institution founded and maintained by this fund, and to which we invite the attention of the citizens for infor- mation in relation thereto.
F. A. HOWE, C. D. PETTIGREW, & Committee.
W. F. HOUSTON, 1
347
REPORT ON WHEELWRIGHT FUND.
REPORT OF WHEELWRIGHT SCIENTIFIC . SCHOOL FUND.
The triennial report of the treasurer of the Wheelwright Scien tific School Fund filed with the Board of Aldermen, November 15, 1888, in accordance with provisions of Chap. 23 of Acts of 1882, shows the condition of the fund at that date to be as follows :
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