USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1890 > Part 11
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The natural advantages of Newburyport for surface drainage are such that many have been misled into arguing that therefore
259
BOARD OF HEALTH.
we need no sewers. It is true that storm water takes care of itself perfectly well in nearly all parts of the city, and needs not to be considered ; therefore the city has put in the separate system of sewers, calculated mainly for house drainage. As to the neces- sity for sewers for this purpose, the examination of the wells and the soil in many sections of the city makes evident.
We would therefore urge upon all the citizens their duty to themselves and neighbors to connect their house drainage with the sewers as soon as possible.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST HENRY NOYES, M. D. Board JOHN F. YOUNG, of HERBERT A. CLARK. Health.
REPORT OF THE CITY REGISTRAR.
·
REPORT.
-
REGISTRAR'S OFFICE, March, 1891.
The following statistics relating to births, marriages and deaths in the city of Newburyport, for the year ending December 31, 1890, are compiled and presented in this form for purposes of comparison with former years, and may be of interest :
BIRTHS.
The number of children born alive during the year 1890, and recorded in this office, is 311, thirty more than for the preceding year.
Of the births, 147 were males and 164 females, reversing the order of things of last year, when the boys were ahead. Eight returned as illegitimate. There were eight pairs of twins,-three pairs being males, three pairs being females, and two pairs male and female.
Births occurred by months and quarters, as follows :
1st Quarter.
2d Quarter.
3d Quarter.
4th Quarter.
January . 24
April . 34
July . 19
October . 23
February . 29
May 35 .
August. 28
November 29
March . 23
June . 22
Sept. . 20
December 25 -
- 76
91
67
264
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Nativity of parents.
Fathers.
Mothers.
Born in the United States .
203
193
Provinces
51
60
Ireland
34
36
66
Other Foreign Countries
19
22
Unknown
4
0
311
311
Of 56 children born both parents were returned as natives of Newburyport; of 115 the fathers were natives of this city, and 99 mothers were natives of Newburyport.
MARRIAGES.
The number of intentions filed and certificates issued from this office for the year 1890 was 144, fifteen less than the preceding year.
The number of marriages recorded was 151, eighteen less than the preceding year. One hundred and twent-nine marriages were solemnized in this city, and 22 elsewhere.
Marriages in each month and quarter as follows:
Ist Quarter.
2d Quarter. 3d Quarter.
4th Quarter.
January . 5 April . 12 July . 8 October . 12
February 15 May . 11 August 10 November 30
March . S June . 17 Sept. 14 December 9
28 40
32 51
Marriages were solemnized by the following named clergymen and officials :
Congregational-Charles P. Mills
·
17
Willis A. Hadley .
9
Samuel J. Spalding
14
Daniel T. Fiske
11
Samuel A. Harlow
S
George W. Osgood
Unitarian-Samuel C. Beane
.
2317 2 3 1
Methodist-James F. Allen
E. A. Howard
265
CITY REGISTRAR.
H. B. Swartz . Episcopal-J. H. Van Buren W. C. Richardson
1
6
1
Roman Catholic-Arthur J. Teeling .
29
M. E. Twomey
3
F. P. Hannawin
2
Presbyterian-B. D. Sinclair T. James Macfaddin
2
3
Baptist-Louis A. Pope P. F. Jernegan
3
Justice of the Peace-E. F. Bartlett. .
2
Horace I. Bartlett
1
Non-resident clergymen
22
Average age of groom, 28.17; average age of brides, 25.44 ; united ages of oldest couple, 137 years, the second marriage of the groom and first of the bride. The united ages of the youngest couple, 36 years ; groom 17, bride 19. There were ten grooms under 21 years of age,-one 17, one 18, two 19, and six 20. The brides this year are evidently not in so great a hurry ; none under eighteen years of age.
First marriage of 128 grooms and 137 brides ; second marriages, nineteen grooms and fourteen brides ; and the third marriage of four grooms, no bride risking third term.
DEATHS.
Deaths occurring in this city for the year 1890 (not including twelve stillbirths) were 313, 22 more than the preceding year. The number recorded on the books of the city for the year, 416 ; of this number 91 occurred in other places and were brought to this city for interment.
The number of interments exceeded the deaths by 47. The number brought here exceeded the number removed to other places. Of the number removed nine were interred in the town of Newbury.
. Deaths by months and quarters :
January . 41 April . 28 July 31 October . 22
February 24 May . 16 August 36
November 24
March 27 June . 17
Sept. 29 December 30
(34)
266
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The excessive number in the first and third quarters may be attributed to the presence of "la grippe" in this city in the early part of the year, and the usual summer complaints among children in July and August.
The number of deaths from the so called zymotic diseases, 34 : eight more than the preceding year. Three more of croup, seven more of diphtheria, and one more of typhoid fever.
Consumption still claims the larger number, 34 ; but pneumonia is well up, only two less, the number being 32. Deaths from all causes under ten years of age, 115 ; fifty years old and upward, 127. There were four between ninety and one hundred, and one, Mrs. Elizabeth (North) White, 101 years, seven months and eighteen days.
Average age of deceased in this city for the year (not including stillbirths), 38.3 years.
Further information can be obtained from the statistical ar- rangement of deaths for the year 1890 hereto annexed.
GEORGE H. STEVENS, Registrar.
268
STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF DEATHS IN NEWBURYPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1890.
CAUSE OF DEATH
Males
Females ....
January ...
February ..
March
April .
May.
June
July
August . . . |
November. | October ... September. |
December . |
Under 1 yr. |
1 to 2 years |
2 to 5 . . . . .
5 to 10 ..
10 to 15 . .
15 to 20.
20 to 30 . .
30 to 40 .
40 to 50 .
50 to 60 .
60 to 70 . .
70 to 80 . .
80 to 90 . . . .
90 to 100 .. . .
Over 100 ... |
CLASS I. Zymotic :
4
1
5
13
.
. .
111
113
14
121
22
14
1
Diphtheria.
3
3
6
Typhoid Fever.
CLASS II. Constitutional :
1
. .
1
2
3
6
:22
.24
Consumption.
2
4
6
1
3
8
Marasmus.
CLASS III. Local;
Abscess of the liver.
1
1
.
..
9
.. ..
1
..
. .
.
. . .
·
......... ...
. .
.
·
4
5
9
3 1
Bronchitis. .....
3
3
1
..
1
Congestion of brain.
. 2
3
1
1
Convulsions.
1
1
2
Cystetes. .
1
1
1
1
1
·
2
2
. .
10
Cholera infantum.
5
7
12
Diarrhea ..
1
1
. .
2
3
1 ..
1
.
..
.
.
.
1
Edema of lungs ...
...
.
.
. .
. .
. ...
Empyemia. . .
. . . . . .. ...
Entres colites. ..
1
1
..
.
. .
Eucephaloid ...
..
. .
Friboid tumor.
.
. .
1
1
. .
1
1
2
Gastritis ..
.
.
13
10
23
.
.
.
. .
1
.
2
9
11
Cancer ..
13
21
Hydrocephalus
2
.
.
Apoplexy.
1
Blood poisoning.
1
1
. .
..
..
. ...
..
..
. .
1
Bright's disease. ..
2
2
1
1
..
·
·
·
.
.
.
·
.
.
1
1
Chlorosis.
.
..
Carbuncle.
.
Cholera morbus.
1
1
.
.......
.
.......
. . . . .
. . ..........
.
1
Diabetes. .
...... . .
..
.
.. ........
1
1
.
.
.
1
.
1
1
1
. .
1
.. .
..
· 1
1
......
.
. .
. .
.
7
2
.
.
.
...
. .
4
4
1
Congestion of lungs.
1
..
ANNUAL REPORTS.
.
·
Croup.
14
1
.
Total .
..
..
.
1
.
1
1
Asthma.
........ ..
1
Brain disease .. .. .....
.
·
Dysentery ..
1
34
5
Adanemia ..
269
CITY REGISTRAR.
Hernia ..
1
.
Heart disease.
13
8
1 1
3
1
2
4
2
2
4
1
. .
..
1
. . .
.
..
2
2
4
3
1
1
Intussusception ..
·
. . ..
. .
..
.
.
.
..
..
..
Inflammation of brain.
...
.
. ......
..
.. .
.
·
..
..
.
Myelitis ...
..
..
Meningitis, cerebro spinal.
2
3
5
1
1
4
6
1
1
22
32
12| 5
3
5
1
2
2
Peretonitis.
1
1
2
. .
9
16
3
3
2
Prostetes
1
·
.
1
1
.. .
.
..
..
1
.. ..
.
2
3
1
2
. . .
1
1
..
1
. 3
3
1
1
.
CLASS IV. Developmental;
Congenital debility
Esclampsia and childbirth
...
.
·
General debility.
..
Old age ..
5
13
18
2
·
2
..
.
2
1
1
12
CLASS V. Accidental :
Suffocation.
1
1
1
3
Scalded ..
1
1
·
Broken neck
1
..
Fracture of spine .
1
.
1
1
. .
1
1
1
.
..
. .
1
.
. . .
.
.
1
. .
. .
.
.
..
·
1
1
. .
..
. . .
..
..
..
..
-
149
176
325
41 24
271 28|16 17 31.36 29 22 24 30 60 14 20 21
5 12 23 24 19 25 29 41 27 4 1
.
Paresis.
. ..... .
.
Perforation of vermiform appendix
1
1
1
Rheumatism ...
.. .......
Senile gangrene ..
. ..... .
Softening of the brain
·
Thrombosis ...
1
Tuberculosis ..
. .
Ulceration stomatitive ..
2
1
3
3
1
1
1
1
.
1
.
Protracted labor.
.. . . .
.
1
1
3
6
9
22
12
Still-born
.
.
9
3
12
1
1
1
1
.
. .
. .
.
.
Suicide, hanging ... " overdose of opium ...
... ...
.
. ........
1
. .
.
. .
Unknown.
..
.
. .
. . ..
-
1
1 16
Heart failure.
...
Hydrophobia.
1
.....
...
..
Influenza (la Grippe) .
...
.. .
.... ...
,
..
. .. .. ......
.
.
. .
..
..
..
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
2
1
·
.
1
3
4
2
Meningitis.
Nephritis. .
2
Pneumonia.
10
3
1
Paralysis ..
7
.
1
1
1
. .
.
1
1
1
1
10
Premature birth.
.......... ..
.. ..... .
. .
Drowning.
. .
..
.. ..
.
..
. .
. . .
1
1
1
.
Intestinal obstruction. .
1
1
1
1
..
..
2
2
.. . .
.
.
2
1
..
..
1
1
1
........ ·
.
..
.....
.
Hemorrhage of bowels. stomach.
1
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS, 1891.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS, 1891. -
MAYOR,
ELISHA P. DODGE.
Residence, 71 High Street. Office : City Hall.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Ward One.
JOHN J. PUTNAM
-
-
29 Hancock Street.
Ward Two.
ALFRED PEARSON -
Ward Three.
EDWARD A. HALE -
Ward Four.
11 1-2 Spring Street.
C. H. DEROCHEMONT
-
-
42 Washington Street.
GEORGE E. Ross
-
Ward Five. - 22 Congress Street.
Ward Six.
ISRAEL A. MORSE
10 Tyng Street.
-
Clerk of Board of Aldermen.
GEORGE H. STEVENS.
(35)
11 Federal Street.
274
ANNUAL REPORTS.
COMMON COUNCIL.
ORRIN J. GURNEY, President.
Ward One.
WILLIAM P. LOWELL
-
JOHN W. ALLEN
-
-
BENJAMIN F. HATHAWAY
-
-
42 High Street. 31 High Street. 50 Purchase Street.
Ward Tuo.
BENIAH F. GERRISH
FRANK H. PLUMER
OLIVER O. JONES
-
49 Prospect Street.
Ward Three.
EBEN A. YOUNG
FRANK W. GOODWIN
-
-
CHARLES L. PERKINS
-
-
19 Middle Street.
Ward Four.
PAUL A. PATHE
GEORGE F. AVERY
-
-
WILLIAM H. T. DODGE
-
-
Ward Five.
ORRIN J. GURNEY
65 Washington Street.
DANIEL F. BUCKLEY
-
-
-
Ward Six.
GEORGE W. COOPER
-
-
1 No. Atkinson Street.
WILLIS G. MERRILL
-
SAMUEL G. WILLIAMS
-
- 322 High Street. 27 Ashland Street.
Clerk of Council.
THOMAS E. CUTTER.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1891.
Finance : Mayor, ex officio; Alderman Hale; Councilmen Avery, Lowell, Jones, Goodwin and Stickney.
ACCOUNTS : Aldermen Pearson and Hale ; Councilmen Lowell, Avery and Gerrish,
-
Dalton Street. 13 Orange Street.
-
5 Titcomb Street. 14 Titcomb Street. 153 High Street.
-
- 20 Warren Street. Summit Place.
GEORGE E. STICKNEY
-
29 Milk Street. 73 Federal Street.
275
CITY GOVERNMENT.
PUBLIC PROPERTY : Mayor, ex officio, Aldermen deRochemont, Putnam and Ross; Councilmen Allen, Jones, Perkins, Dodge, Stickney and Williams.
ALMSHOUSE AND POOR : Aldermen Morse and Putnam ; Coun- cilmen Jones, Allen, Buckley and Merrill.
FIRE DEPARTMENT : Aldermen Ross, Pearson and Morse ; Councilmen Pathe, Hathaway, Goodwin and Cooper.
BRIDGES AND CULVERTS : Aldermen Ross and Morse ; Council- men Merrill, Lowell and Gerrish.
SAWYER FUND : Alderman Putnam ; Councilmen Goodwin and Stickney.
BROWN FUND : Alderman deRochemont ; Councilmen Perkins and Williams.
ATWOOD AND DEXTER FUNDS : Mayor Dodge, President Gur- ney, City Treasurer Felker.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION : Mayor, ex officio ; Aldermen Hale and Pearson ; Councilmen, President Gurney, Gerrish, Lowell, Young, and Cooper.
CLAIMS : Aldermen Ross and Putnam; Councilmen Plumer, Dodge and Cooper.
ORDINANCES : Mayor ; Councilmen Goodwin and Williams.
HIGHWAYS: Mayor, ex officio, board of aldermen, Councilmen Hathaway, Plumer, Young, Avery, Buckley and Merrill.
FUEL : Aldermen Morse and Ross ; Councilmen Perkins, Pathe and Avery.
LIGHTING STREETS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS : Aldermen Hale and Putnam ; Councilmen Buckley, Pathe and Allen.
PRINTING : Alderman deRochemont ; Councilmen Lowell and Gerrish.
WATER SUPPLY : Aldermen deRochemont and Putnam ; Coun- cilmen Goodwin, Cooper, Hathaway.
JOINT SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
SEWERAGE: Aldermen Hale and Ross ; Councilmen Young, Merrill and Allen.
276
ANNUAL REPORTS.
SALARIES : Aldermen Putnam and Morse; Councilinen Jones, Lowell and Young.
MAYOR'S ADDRESS : Aldermen Pearson and deRochemont ; Councilmen Pathe, Lowell and Goodwin.
-
STANDING COMMITTEES OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
POLICE : Mayor, ex officio ; Aldermen deRochemont and Ross.
ELECTIONS : Aldermen Morse and deRochemont.
BROWN FUND : Aldermen Ross, Putnam and Morse.
PUTNAM AND ATKINSON FUND : Aldermen Futnam, Ross and Pearson.
LICENSES : Aldermen Pearson, deRochemont and Hale.
ENROLLED BILLS : Aldermen Pearson, Hale and Morse.
FROTHINGHAM FUND : Aldermen Putnam, Morse and Hale.
GREEN FUND : Aldermen Hale, Ross and Putnam.
TOPPAN FUND : Aldermen Morse, Pearson and Ross.
ABRAHAM WILLIAMS FUND : Aldermen Pearson and Hale.
-
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS : Councilmen Dodge and Goodwin. ENROLLED BILLS : Councilmen Avery, Plumer and Lowell. BILLS OF SECOND READING: Councilmen Stickney and Gerrish
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ELISHA P. DODGE (Mayor), Chairman, ex officio. HENRY B. LITTLE, Vice-Chairman 215 High Street.
WILLIAM P. LUNT, Secretary and Agent - Office at City Hall.
Ward One.
STEPHEN PEABODY (Term expires 1891) - 51 Marlboro Street. WILLIAM T. HUMPHREYS (Term expires 1892) 56 Purchase Street.
277
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Ward Two.
GEORGE H. PLUMER (Term expires 1891), 93 High Street.
PRENTIS H. REED 1892), 8 Atwood Street. Ward Three.
WILLIAM F. HOUSTON (Term expires 1891), 2 Harris Street. JOHN F. YOUNG 1892), 7 Fruit Street.
Ward Four.
MISS H. E. LUNT (Term expires 1891), 10 Auburn Street.
JOSEPH B. LITTLE (
1892), 22 Boardman Street. Ward Five.
HENRY B. LITTLE (Term expires 1891), 215 High Street.
EDWARD G. MOODY ( 1892), 218 High Street. Ward Six. ·
JAMES PARTON (Term expires 1891), 256 High Street.
PAUL A. MERRILL ( - 1892), 24 Tyng Street.
-
BOARD OF HEALTH.
ERNEST H. NOYES, M. D., Chairman 12 Essex Street.
JOHN F. YOUNG, M. D. - 7 Fruit Street.
CHARLES W. DAVENPORT - 6 Fruit Street.
Agent of Board.
D. CLARK BATCHELDER - Clerk of Board.
51 Fair Street.
AMOS H. GEARY. Office : City Hall.
ASSESSORS.
Term three years.
CHARLES C. DONNELL (elected 1891), Chairman, 25 Marlboro St. *AMOS H. GEARY 1890), Secretary, 36 Prospect St. ANDREW J. HAYNES ( 1889), 152 High Street.
*Elected to fill vacancy caused by death of George J. L. Colby.
278
ANNUAL REPORTS.
OVERSEERS OF POOR. Term one year.
LEONARD W. SARGENT, Chairman - 280 High Street.
JOHN C. STEVENS - - 2 Madison Street. LAWRENCE W. BROWN - 20 Fruit Street.
Clerk of Overseers of Poor. WILLIAM H. BAYLEY. Office : City Hall.
BOARD OF REGISTRARS.
GEORGE H. STEVENS, City Clerk Term three years.
37 Kent Street.
NATHANIEL GREELY (appointed 1889) Chairman 37 Marlboro St.
ARTHUR I .. HUSE (appointed 1888)
37 Federal St.
BENJAMIN G. DAVIS (appointed 1890) - 1 Horton St.
SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS.
MAYOR, ex officio. PRESIDENT OF THE COMMON COUNCIL, ex officio. CITY AUDITOR, ex officio. EBEN SUMNER, CHARLES C. DAME. JAMES V. FELKER, Treasurer and Clerk.
TRUSTEES OF SIMPSON FUND.
ELISHA P. DODGE (Mayor), ex officio. ORRIN J. GURNEY (President), ex officio. THOMAS C. SIMPSON, CHARLES C. DAME, ELIPHALET GRIFFIN. JAMES V. FELKER, Treasurer and Clerk.
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES. JAMES V. FELKER. Office : City Hall. Clerks of City Treasurer. ARTHUR P. BROWN, PERLEY N. PLUMMER.
279
CITY GOVERNMENT.
-
CITY CLERK.
GEORGE H. STEVENS. Office : City Hall. Clerk of City Clerk. GEORGE F. POOR.
-
CITY SOLICITOR. NATHANIEL N. JONES. Office : 68 State Street.
CITY AUDITOR. WILLIAM H. WELCH. First National Bank.
- CITY MESSENGER. FRANK H. RUNDLETT, Office : City Hall.
SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGHWAYS.
CHARLES M. PRITCHARD. 17 Atwood Street.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SEWERS. FRANCIS CURTIS. 3 Park Street.
CITY PHYSICIAN.
ERNEST H. NOYES. 12 Essex Street.
CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT. EBEN S. DOLE. Oakland Street.
-
SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH. WILLIS H. YOUNG. 14 Strong Street.
280
ANNUAL REPORTS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. WILLIAM P. LUNT. Office : City Hall.
LIBRARIAN PUBLIC LIBRARY. JOHN D. PARSONS. Public Library.
SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC READING ROOM. MARTHA P. LUNT.
-
NEWBURYPORT POLICE FORCE. City Marshal.
A. WARREN EMERSON. Office : Central Police Station. Assistant Marshal.
EDWARD E. TAYLOR.
Captain of the Watch.
SAMUEL W. TUCK. Day Officers.
Albert D. Hale,
Night Patrolmen.
Lemuel Hicken.
Patrick Creeden,
George J. Ross,
William H. Pike,
James W. Merritt,
Joseph H. Post,
Robert C. Bragg, John L. McLean.
Seth Young,
Constables. Samuel W. Tuck, Joseph M. Tappan.
Frank H. Rundlett.
A. Warren Emerson,
Edward E. Taylor,
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. James W. Gunnison.
MEASURERS OF GRAIN.
Moses H. Rolfe, Joseph Knight, Charles B. Knight.
281
CITY GOVERNMENT.
INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGAR. James W. Gunnison.
-
GAUGERS. William C. Cuseck, William A. Little, Hiram P. Macintosh.
SURVEYORS OF LUMBER.
John T. Fillmore, George W. Marston, Leonard W. Sargent,
William B. Coffin,
Charles S. Lovejoy, John C. Kimball,
Daniel M. Felch,
Edward Perkins, William H. Morse,
Orlando F. Hatch,
Gideon C. Webster, William J. Hunt.
WEIGHERS OF COAL, HAY, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE.
William S. Coffin, Philip H. Creasey, John Reddy, Leonard W. Coker, Fred G. Spinney, Johu J. Collins,
George P. Balch,
Edward Donahoe,
Amos H. Geary,
James R. Conley, William Conley, Harry W. Bayley, Edward E. Varina, Fred L. Macintosh, Walter E. Atkinson, George J. Warner, Daniel Balch,
John C. Stanley,
John S. Brown,
Fred L. Atkinson,
Benj. F. Atkinson
Fred B. Fanning, Jere Haley, Charles Watts, John L. Noyes, Lawrence Whalen,
James Joy.
FIELD DRIVERS.
Luther Ordway, Jeremiah S. Parker,
Alonzo F. Osgood, William A. Hopkinson.
POUND KEEPERS. Pound No. 1, Auburn Street, Timothy Maroney. Pound No. 2, Wesley Street, Luther Ordway.
(36)
282
ANNUAL REPORTS.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK.
Philip H. Creasey,
John L. Noyes, Fred L. Atkinson,
John Reddy, George P. Balch, Benj. F. Atkinson,
Amos H. Geary, Jere Haley,
Fred B. Fanning,
John Collins,
William S. Coffin.
MEASURERS OF CHARCOAL.
J. W. Gunnison, George P. Balch, Fred L. Atkinson,
John L. Noyes.
Philip H. Creasey, - WEIGHERS AND MEASURERS OF CITY FUEL.
George J. Warner, Leonard W. Coker, James W. Gunnison.
INSPECTOR OF COAL BASKETS. James W. Gunnison.
-
FENCE VIEWERS.
William H. Whitmore, Nathaniel Morse, Greenleaf Dodge.
2S3
MEETINGS.
MEETINGS.
-
CITY COUNCIL. First Monday evening of each month.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Last Monday evening of each month.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Last Monday evening of each month.
REGULAR COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
Commencing with last Monday evening in each month.
Monday evening : School Committee; Lighting Streets, etc. ; Bridges and Culverts ; Overseers of the Poor.
Tuesday evening : Public Property.
Wednesday evening : Highways; Police.
Thursday evening : Fire Department.
Friday evening : Accounts.
·
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Jan. 5, 1891.
ORDERED, the Mayor and Aldermen concurring, that the joint stand- ing Committee on Printing be and hereby are instructed to request of His Honor the Mayor a copy of his inaugural address, for publication in the volume of Receipts and Expenditures and reports and papers per- taining to the last municipal year.
Adopted.
THOMAS E. CUTTER, Clerk.
Adopted in concurrence.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Jan. 5, 1891. GEORGE H. STEVENS, Clerk.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. ELISHA P. DODGE,
Delivered January 5, 1891.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL :---
It now becomes my duty, for the second time, to address you in reference to the history of a year of our city government, and to offer you such suggestions and advice as, in view of our past expe- ence and present information, may seem to me wise and expedient. Before I proceed to the consideration of such matters, I desire to express to my fellow citizens my grateful acknowledgement for the exceptional honor conferred upon me at the late election. While I am quite willing to regard it as an expression of confidence in me, and duly appreciate it as such, I wish it might also be consid- ered as an emphatic condemnation of the policy of introducing national politics into municipal affairs. Such a policy is as unwise and imprudent as it would be in the conduct of a private business. No one ever considers whether his employe is a Democrat or a Republican, but simply whether he can fulfill the requirements of his position. No other question should be asked in reference to any reputable candidate for municipal office, but simply can he
288
ANNUAL REPORTS.
best fill the requirements of the position. When this principle is thoroughly understood, and when votes are cast in accordance therewith, a better day will dawn on municipal government in America. I feel impelled to say, also, that we are too prone to neglect public duties. Ours is a government by the people, and it will be a failure unless the people really govern. Every man should have an opinion on public affairs and express it, and act upon it on all fitting occasions. Every man should be willing to accept public office when called upon to do so, even at the expense of personal comfort, convenience, or profit. Nothing worth hav. ing can be got or retained without personal sacrifice, and popular government is no exception to the rule. And now, gentlemen, I shall be obliged to ask your indulgence if I speak at considerable length upon matters pertaining to our city affairs. There are many subjects of exceptional interest connected therewith, that should not be lightly treated. I shall proceed in the usual order and will first call your attention to the finances.
FINANCES.
The total appropriations for the year 1890, were . $159,506 26
Income received in the several departments . 23,643.58
Making the total credits to all the different ac- counts .
$183,149 34
The total expenditures through the regular channels were $187,- 518.31 and with payments of $9,400 made on the city debt there is an overdraft of $13,768.97 against $10,066.26 at the beginning of the year.
The gross city debt is
$479,965 72
Less sinking fund and cash items
65,902 17
Showing the net debt to be
$414,063 55
An increase of $10,077.71 over the net debt at the close of 1889. The increase of the net debt is accounted for by the fact that there
289
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
has been paid during the last year on account of the construction of sewers $17,155. Had it not been for this item, there would have been an actual decrease of the debt of about $7,000. This is a satisfactory showing in view of the extraordinary expendi- tures in the highway and incidental departments. Of the net debt $74,000 is represented by stock in the City Railroad, and there is a fair prospect that at the expiration of the lease of that property, which will occur August 14, 1892, the stock may be sold on favor- able terms, and the debt reduced at once by at least that amount.
On the first of July last $111,000 of city bonds became due. It was found that we could not legally issue new bonds to run for a term exceeding ten years, and the requirements for a sinking fund on such a bond, it was felt, would be unreasonably burdensome. It was therefore determined to hire for one year the amount neces- sary. I now advise that we petition the legislature for the right to refund any debts by the issue of bonds running for twenty years. Such a privilege has been granted to the city of Fitchburg, and I see no reason why it ought not to be given to Newburyport. The debt of $74,000, incurred in aid of the City Railroad, will become due May 1, 1891. I would suggest that it be renewed for a period of one year, in view of the possibility that it can be paid at the expiration of the lease of the road.
Taxation and the public debt represent a part of the price we pay for the necessities, the comforts, and the luxuries of civiliza- tion. We all recognize the fact that neither taxes nor debts can be avoided, and ask only that the one shall be equitably assessed and the other reduced to a minimum. There has been much dissat- faction with the manner in which the assessors have done their work. It will always be the fate of these officials to suffer the dis- approbation of many of those whose share of the public burden it is their duty to determine. Their work may, and should, be done, however, in such a manner as to satisfy reasonable men. Taxes
(37)
290
ANNUAL REPORTS.
cannot be equitably assessed unless property is justly and fairly valued, and the valuation should never exceed that for which it would sell in the market.
"Twelve millions valuation, and twelve dollars per thousand tax" has an agreeable sound in Newburyport, but as a basis for assessments it should have no more weight than should the famous alliteration of the late Republican, the Rev. Dr. Burchard. It is your duty to elect men to the board of assessors in whom the peo- ple have confidence, and whom you believe to be fully competent and determined to perform the duties of the office as you know they should be performed.
Of the amount you are obliged to order to be raised by taxation, you practically have no control over that part which is expended by the school and poor departments. I would suggest that here- after the amount called for by each of these departments, and the amount to be expended directly under your authority, be specified on the tax bills. This will serve to fix responsibility where it properly belongs.
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