USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1893 > Part 10
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HALE FUND.
The amount of the Hale fund for the benefit of injured firemen amounts to
$5,814 00.
Paid out during the year . 30 25. Income, interest of the fund 114 00.
SICK BENEFIT ASSOCIATION.
Amount on hand Jan., 93 . $364 36.
Paid out for benefits . 20 00.
$344 36.
Proceeds of ball Dec. 15, 1893, and dues 129 00.
Total .
$473 36.
RUNNING TIME OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Remains the same as last year, excepting the general alarm. In the daytime, two alarms call the services of the entire depart- ment ; in the night time, three alarms, or the general alarm which consists of the chief's call, which. in case of emergency is pulled directly after the box number, thus saving the time that would be consumed in striking two more alarıns.
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
The rules and regulations governing the department, which were adopted some years ago, under different circumstances than exist at the present time, should be revised. New rules should be made, and old ones eliminated from the code.
APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURES.
Appropriation .
Income .
$8,000 00. 23 93.
Total
$8,023 93.
Expenditures .
9,864 71.
· Overdraft
$1,840 78.
222
ANNUAL REPORTS.
We must not expect to have or maintain a modern fire de- partment without paying for it, or keep the department in first- class condition without cost. During the year the department, through their committee, have had and have asked for nothing but what was absolutely necessary, and the overdraft can be accounted for by the amounts paid out for increasing the pay of the depart- ment, overhauling the fire alarm, and purchase of hose.
Numerous complaints have been made during the year of dan- ger from storing combustible material, to which the board has paid strict attention, and obliged the owners to remove or had removed at the owner's expense, as provided for in the regulations of the department.
224
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Schedule of all the Fires which Oc
DURING THE YEAR END
Date of Fire.
Class of Build-
ings : Wood, brick or Stone.
How occupied :-
Dwelling, Store, what kind? Ma- nufactory, what kind?
Name of Owner.
Name of occu-
pant.
Jan. 1
Wood.
Barn.
E. Reddy.
Jan. 7
Wood.
Jan. 13
Wood.
Offices. Dwelling. Store.
S. B. Hayes. J. Sumner. W. O'Neil. Belleville Cem. Asso. John Kilborn. E. Sweeney.
J. L. Ellwood. P. Coffee. E. Sweeney. ( E. C. Gilman.
April 10
Wood.
April 15
Wood.
May 27
Coal.
June 27
Brick.
July 1
Wood.
July 4
Wood.
Dwelling. Junk store. Steamer. Store. Hotel. Soap factory.
Coffee & Moynihan. W. B. Wentworth. D. Rogers.
Sept. 29
Wood.
G. H. McLaren.
Oct. 10
Wood.
Nov. 2
Wood.
Slaughter house. Steam yaclıt. Hotel.
B. F. & C. E. Atkinson. H. H. Landford. P. & R. R. Co. Estate R. Griffith. W. B. Wentworth. D. Rogers. G. H. McLaren. J. L. Christie. Mr. Brooks.
W. Jarnier. ( C. B. Huse. Water Company. J. Sumner. W. O'Neil.
Jan. 22
Wood.
Feb. 2
Wood.
Dwelling.
April 4
Wood.
Dwelling.
April 5
Wood.
Dwelling.
T. J. Macfaddin. S. Seaman.
Mr. Brooks.
March 10, chief's call, fire in Boston, Steamer and Hose 1 sent.
225
CHIEF ENGINEER.
curred in the City of Newburyport, ING DECEMBER 31, 1893.
BUILDING.
CONTENTS.
Value of.
Damage to.
Insurance
upon.
paid.
Value of.
Damage to.
Insurance
upon.
paid.
loss.
$ 300.00
$ 200.00
None.
None.
None.
None.
None.
None.
Part al.
Child'nand matches.
5000.00 2500.00
772 00 106 50
2000 00
106 50
Partial.
Defective flue. Accidental. Accidental.
600.00
15 00
500 00
15 00
None.
1200.00
28 00
1000 00
28.00
None.
None. None.
Partial. Partial.
Defective flue. Boys and matches.
7000.00 1200.00
2340.00 100.00 300.00
6500.00 1200.00
2340.00 None
4200 00 800.00
3880.55 None.
4200 00 None.
3880 55 Non -.
Partial. Partial.
3000.00
25.00
2000 00
4000.00
3.00
4000.00
3 00
None.
None. None.
Partial.
1500.00
9.28
1000 00
9.28
None.
Partial
5000.00
4200.00
4270.00
4200 00
Total
2000.00
375.00
2000.00
375.00
Partial.
3000.00
2000.00
3000.00
2000 00
Total.
Cause of fire.
$2700.00 $ 772 00
$4000.00
$2148 40
$3900.00
$2148.40 Partial.
Sl.dam.
2000.00
80.10
1300 00
80 10
300 00 25.00
450.00
285.00
400.00
285.00 Partial.
Partial.
Unknown. Incendiary. Spont. combustion. Kerosene explosion. Fire crackers.
Fire crackers. Incendiary. Incendiary. Incendiary.
Insurance
Insurance
Total or Partial
Partial. Kerosene explosion.
The department have also responded to 15 still alarms, where the loss paid by the insur- ance companies amounts to $260.15.
226
ANNUAL REPORTS.
MEMBERS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
BOARD OF ENGINEERS.
NAME.
AGE.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Chief S. C. Reed .
48
Photographer.
Charter st ..
Asst. Chief E. S. Johnson
46
Gardener
Marlboro st. .
District Chief J. W. Sargent .
48
Reporter . · Brown st. .
66
H. H. Landford .
45
Stabler .
Salem st. .
66
66
J. N. Carter
28
Teamster ·
Congress st. .
=
66 G. A. Coffin
38
Shoe cutter
Jefferson st. .
-
/
STEAMER NO. 1.
NAME.
AGE.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Captain G. A. Young .
34
Teamster
Charter st.
Lieutenant G. E. Niles
33
Shoemaker
. Liberty st.
Clerk. E. P. Allen .
39
Moulder
South Pond st.
Engineer P. H. Bolman .
40
Machinist
Bromfield st.
Asst. Engineer J. E. Lawrence
33
Shoemaker .
Prince pl.
Stoker J. N. Ellery
35
Carpenter
School st. .
Hoseman A. F. Young
39
Teamster
Allen st. .
66
G. L. Richardson ·
36
Operative
Kent st.
Shoemaker .
Ashland st.
66 S. F. Towne
26
Painter .
Merrimac st. .
S. L. Truesdale
26
Shoemaker
. Merrimac st. .
66
J. P. Plumer
40
Teamster .
· Bromfield st.
G. A. Banks
25
Painter
.
Prospect st.
.
66
Isaac Poor, jr. .
41
Grocer
·
·
.
33
Carpenter
Lime st.
F. W. Knapp
40
·
.
24
Silversmith .
Oakland st.
W. F. Ellery
.
W. H. Chase
Lime st.
227
CHIEF ENGINEER.
STEAMER NO. 2.
NAME.
AGE.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Captain W. W. Hutchins .
49
Painter
School st. . .
Lieutenant T. E. Colman
33
Engineer
Lime st. .
Clerk and Asst. Engineer S. C. Blake
41
Painter
Fair st.
Engineer F. W. Landford
35
Clerk
Federal st.
Hoseman C. W. Turner
47
School st. .
J. C. M. Blaisdell .
47
Shoe cutter .
Temple st.
Stoker G. N. Black
56
Painter
Bromfield st.
Hoseman G. H. D. Leighton
39
Shoe cutter .
Prospect st. .
66
C. H. M. Bartlett .
44
Carpenter
Prospect st. .
66
G. Parker
29
Lime st. .
E. Babcock
25
. Franklin st.
F. E. Thurlow
33
Chestnut st. .
66
J. A. Bean .
57
Loom fixer .
Fair st.
E. E. Langlands
34
Clerk .
Chestnut st.
A. Parsons
32
Shoemaker
. Bromfield st
228
ANNUAL REPORTS.
STEAMER NO. 3.
NAME.
AGE.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Captain Andrew Roaf.
26
Shoe cutter ·
Strong st.
Lieutenant J. H. Page
29
Hatter .
Griffin ct.
Engineer and Clerk C. W. Adams
45
Machinist
Pond st. .
Asst. Engineer G. W. Ross .
27
Machinist
Congress st.
Stoker W. R. Bradbury
31
Shoe cutter
Olive st. .
Hoseman J. A. Brock
23
Shoe cutter .
Warren st ..
C. W. Brown.
26
Silversmith
Lime st. .
S. Chase
34
Painter .
Olive st.
66
E. Hardy
32
Shoe cutter
Merrimac st.
F. B. Ives .
37
Hatter
Merrimac st.
A. P. Lewis
47
Newsdealer
Carter st. .
J. H. Morrison
32
Clerk
Merrimac st.
66
J. T. Moore.
. .
Undertaker
. Pleasant st.
66
F. H. Marston
. .
Silversmith .
Oakland st.
66
J. F. White.
..
Silversmith
Merrimac st. .
·
.
.
.
229
CHIEF ENGINEER.
HOOK AND LADDER NO. 1.
NAME.
AGE.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Captain J. P. Atkinson
26
Printer
Market st. .
Lieutenant H. M. Lord
..
Shoe cutter .
State st. .
Clerk and Treasurer W. P. Phillips.
29
Shoemaker . Temple st ..
Steward E. C. Tyler .
32
Shoemaker .
Washington st.
Standing committee J. W. Butler
26
Machinist
.
66
G. P. Osborn
Shoemaker .
Private J. F. Sullivan .
25
Shoemaker .
Water st ..
J. E. Gartner.
25
Shoemaker
Temple st.
60
A. C. Hall
29
Clerk
Water st.
J. A. Wilson
26
Clerk
Water st. .
W. B. Frost.
28
Planer
Federal st. .
W. F. Gale
28
Silversmith
Buck st. .
E. C. Lang
25
Shoemaker
Temple st ..
. .
T. Leary
29
Plumber .
Water st.
E. C. Reed
31
Clerk
Orange st.
Market st. .
230
ANNUAL REPORTS.
HOSE NO. 7.
NAME.
AGE.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Captain W. G. Somerby .
30
Shoemaker .
Ashland st
Lieutenant T. W. Mitchell
36
Shoemaker .
Forrester st.
Clerk E. H. Whitmore
32
Hatter ·
Coffin st. .
Treasurer E. E. Towne
30
Hatter .
Merrimac st
Hoseman G. F. Carter
38
Shoemaker
.
No. Atkinson st. .
66 C. W. Farrell
33
Shoemaker .
Jefferson st.
H. Marsell
38
Carpenter
·
Forrester st. .
H. (. Manchester .
21
Hatter
·
Forrester st.
231
CHIEF ENGINEER.
HOSE NO. 8.
NAME.
AGE.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Captain W. B. Porter .
54
Teamster .
Lunt st. . .
Lieutenant D. W. Jackman .
34
Laborer .
Marlboro st.
Clerk W. H. Woodman
29
Shoemaker · Oak st.
Steward C. A. Caswell
35
Laborer.
Purchase st.
Hoseman W. S. Porter
35
Teamster .
Chestnut st. . .
L. S. Hilton
50
Laborer .
Union st. .
66 W. H. Perkins .
35
Fish pedler
Union st. .
A. Russell .
29
Comb maker.
Madison st.
G. W. Stanwood
38
Laborer .
Neptune st.
66
F. McBirney
25
Shoemaker
Union st. .
HOSE NO. 4.
NAME.
AGE.
OCCUPATION.
RESIDENCE.
Driver and Steward H. H. Bowdoin .
28
Merchant .
Market sq.
.
.
.
232
ANNUAL REPORTS.
CONCLUSION.
I desire to express my thanks to my assistant and district chiefs, officers and members of the different companies, for the courage and fidelity shown in subduing our common enemy, for the prompt manner in which they have responded to all alarms, the support and good will shown to me on all occasions, and their desire and efforts to sustain the good reputation of the depart- ment. I also desire to thank His Honor, Mayor Gurney, the board of aldermen and the common council, for their interest man- ifested in the department; the committee on fire department, for their efforts in all matters for the improvement of the department ; the chief of police and police force, for assistance at fires and on other occasions, and all others with whom I may have been brought in contact in my official capacity.
Respectfully submitted,
S. C. REED,
Chief Newburyport Fire Department.
REPORT OF CITY SOLICITOR.
REPORT.
To the City Council of the City of Newburyport.
GENTLEMEN :- The first and most important matter which claimed the attention of this office was the petition of the city of Newburyport to the General Court for a charter "To supply its inhabit- ants with water for the extinguishment of fires and for domestic, manufacturing and other purposes." After an extended hearing before the committee of the legislature on water supply, at which the New- buryport Water Company were the principal ob- jectors to the petition of the city, and after a some- what protracted contest in the senate, the act, which is to be found in Chap. 471 of the acts of 1893, was, by the express agreement and consent of those authorized to represent the city and the Newburyport Water Company, passed and ap- proved.
In re Jonathan W. Douglass vs. Newburyport, Col. John P. Sweeney of Lawrence, M. D. F. Steere, esq., of Amesbury, and
236
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Stephen Osgood, esq, of Georgetown have been selected and agreed upon by the parties, and have consented to act as referees in adjustment of the matters in controversy. The plaintiff has not seen fit as yet to press the matter for trial, but there is every ap- pearance of an early hearing and termination of the litigation.
In re Leonard vs. Hatch, a suit for trespass, for unlawfully entering upon land of plaintiff and tearing down portions of his houses on Prospect street, the city council voted to defend the ac- tion. Since the report of my predecessor the damages have been assessed at $500.00 and the case is now pending upon questions of law in the supreme judicial court.
In re Eva A. Knapp vs. Newburyport, for damages sustained by a fall upon Birch street, the suit was tried September last be- fore a jury, but after the evidence of both parties was in, the case was taken from the jury and settled by the payment of $300.00 and costs.
In re Mary V. Healey vs. Newburyport, after suit was brought and immediately before trial settlement was effected by payment of $200.00 without costs.
Claim of Mrs. Elizabeth A. Smith, for damages for injuries received by reason of a fall upon street crossing corner of Federal and Temple streets, settled without suit by payment of $200.00.
Action of Ellen Hurley vs. Newburyport, for damages for personal injuries sustained by reason of a fall upon Market street, is pending in superior court.
Claim of Ellen Mahoney, for personal injuries sustained by reason of a fall upon Liberty street, was settled by payment of $200.00.
Claim of E. P. Stickney for damage to horse, paid by Mr. Jeremiah Cashman who was carrying on the work which occasioned the defect in the highway where the horse was injured.
I most respectfully suggest that the surveyor of highways and the city marshal or some officer of the police force be instructed to ascertain the ma- terial facts in cases of injuries sustained upon our highways and report the same without delay to the
237
CITY SOLICITOR.
city solicitor. In very many cases, especially those known as "snow and ice cases," the city author- ities are left in ignorance of the fact that an accident has happened until notice of the same has been filed by the party injured. Inasmuch as this notice is frequently not given until nearly or quite thirty days after the occurrence of the facts upon which' suit may be based, the opportunity to obtain a true knowledge of the precise condition of things at the time and place in question is lost and the city's in- terests thereby suffer.
The receipts and expenditures of this office for the year have been as follows :
Travelling and incidental expenses
.
$105 26
Witness fees
27 30
$132 56
Received from city treasurer
132 56
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT E. BURKE,
City Solicitor.
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
REPORT.
To His Honor the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Newburyport.
GENTLEMEN :- The whole number of arrests dur- ing the year ending December 31, 1893, for offences committed within the city of Newburyport is 753, of which 290 were of foreign birth, 463 were born within the limits of the United States; 42 were fe- males and 44 were minors.
THE ARRESTS WERE FOR THE FOLLOWING CAUSES,
VIZ :
Assault and battery
Assault (mutual) .
32
Assault on officers
2
Assault (felonious) ·
1
Assault with a dangerous weapon
1
Assault with intent to kill
4
Adultery
2
Non-support
3
Bastardy
1
242
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Breaking and entering
10
Drunkenness
559
Disturbing the peace
23
Exposing person
1
Disturbing a religious meeting
2
Breaking glass
2
For out of town officers
2
Fighting
4
Peddling without license.
1
Profane language .
1
Interfering with an officer
2
Larceny
28
Malicious mischief
11
Evading fare
.
1
Safe keeping
13
Stealing ride
Stubborn and disobedient child
1
Fighting birds
.
1
Vagrancy
13
Violation of city ordinances
12
Violation of the dog law
4
Violation of the liquor law
·
6
Total
753
DISPOSED OF AS FOLLOWS, VIZ :
Appealed
· 9
Bound over to superior court
14
Cases continued
9
Cases settled without trial
3
Committed for non-payment of fine
37
Bailed on call
4
Discharged without complaint
72
Discharged by court
48
Fined and paid
89
House of correction
1
-
·
1
Rape
1
243
CITY MARSHAL.
Newburyport workhouse
8
Ordered to pay costs
· 6
Put on probation
245
Placed on file
8
Sentence postponed
.
1
Sent to jail .
170
Turned over to other officers
10
Turned over to parents .
4
Reformatory prison at Concord
Sherborn prison
·
5
State farm at Bridgewater
3
Total
753
MISCELLANEOUS.
Amount of property reported lost .
$1,781.45
Amount of property recovered
1,227.76
Amount of imprisonment imposed
42 years, 5 months, 12 days
Accidents reported
68
Assisted other officers
257
Buildings found open and secured
130
Complaints investigated .
1,712
Defective places in streets reported
162
Disturbances suppressed without arrest
318
Escorts furnished processions
8
Fire alarms given .
4
Fires extinguished without alarm
1
Injured persons assisted
22
Intoxicated persons helped home
156
Lights furnished for dangerous places
81
Lost children restored to parents
41
Meals furnished lodgers and prisoners Nuisances investigated .
1,568
Officers for extra duty at church
12
Persons provided with lodgings
1,280
Search warrant for liquor served
4
Street obstructions removed
406
·
·
31
244
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Stray teams put up
24
Persons notified to remove snow 381
Amount of money taken from prisoners and returned $351.35
Respectfully submitted, ASA W. EMERSON,
City Marshal.
REPORT OF BRIDGE TENDER.
REPORT.
NEWBURYPORT, December 22, 1893.
To the Committee on Bridges and Culverts.
The total number of steamboats, sailing vessels and sailboats was 1,530, as follows :
Steamer Merrimac .
192
-
Tug Clara E. Uhler
. 296
Tug Bronx . 364
Small steamers
35
Sailing vessels
192
Sail boats
. 410
Total
1530
The number of tons of coal, stone, and feet of lumber that has passed up the river during the year follows :
Coal 23,552 tons.
Stone
850 tons.
Lumber
140,000 feet.
The draw was opened 1,530 times in 1893, against 2,035 times in 1892.
248
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The following supplies have been used on the bridge :
Kerosene oil
20 gallons.
Sperm oil
3 gallons.
Coal
.
2 tons.
Matches
4 doz. bunches.
Salt
. 1 bushel.
Yours respectfully,
WILLIAM I. HUNT.
REPORT OF ASSESSORS.
REPORT.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council.
GENTLEMEN :- The board of assessors respect- fully report the following statement of taxes for State, county, and city purposes for the current year :
Assessed value of real estate . $6,980,200 00
" personal property 2,219,000 00
Resident bank shares
506,328 00
$9,705,528 00
The rate of taxation for the year 1893 was $17.00 on each $1,000.00 assessed; the poll tax, $2.00; whole number of polls assessed, 3,912.
The tax on real estate, $6,980,200 at $17.00 is $118,663 40 The tax on personal estate, $2,219,- 000.00, at $17.00 is 37,723 00
The tax on bank shares, $506,328, at 8,607 68 $17.00 is
The tax on 3,912 polls at $2.00 .
·
7,824 00
$172,818 08
252
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The sums required by the warrants from the State, county, and city are as follows :
From George A. Marden, state treasurer $11,700 00 E. Kendall Jenkins, county treas-
urer . 11,113 70
From George H. Stevens, city clerk, under a resolve
from the city council $177,445 62
Less this amount not other-
wise appropriated . 30,000 00
147,445 62
The amount of overlay being .
.
1,098 96
66 " additional assessments 1,459 80
$172,818 08
The value of vessels in the foreign trade exempt by law amounting to $142,262.50, is not included in the valuation of personal property first mentioned ; the net income of such vessels amounting to $6,216 64 is included, showing a gain in the amount of said income, as compared with that of last year amounting to $2,791.73.
The value of exempted property is as follows : Religious societies, real estate $299,500 00
Literary institutions, real estate $84,900 00
Literary institutions, in-
vested funds .
88,948 73
173,848 73
Benefit and charitable in- stitutions, real estate $87,300 00
Benefit and charitable in- stitutions, invested funds
275,425 62
362,725 62
$836,074 35
253
BOARD OF ASSESSORS.
Number of dwelling houses assessed, 2,583 ; number of acres of land assessed, 4,576 ; number of residents assessed on property, 1,816 ; all others, 126 ; number of non-residents assessed on prop- erty, 182 ; all others, 24 ; total number assessed on property, 2,148 ; total number assessed for poll tax only, 2,707; total number of tax-payers, 4,847 ; value of buildings assessed, excluding land, $4,734,600; value of land, excluding buildings, $2,246,050.00. Number of horses assessed, 651; cows, 245 ; oxen, 6.
CHAS. C. DONNELL, J. OTIS WINKLEY, AMOS H. GEARY,
December 16, 1893.
Assessors.
REPORTS OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
IN BOARD OF DIRECTORS, NEWBURYPORT, December 14, 1893. 5
ORDERED, That the Report of the Directors, together with the accompanying reports, be submitted to the City Council, agreeably to the requirements of section 5th of the ordinance concerning the Public Library.
JOHN D. PARSONS, Secretary.
TRUSTEES OF THE LIBRARY-1894.
ORRIN J. GURNEY, Mayor.
ALDERMEN.
CHARLES H. BLISS,
C. C. STOCKMAN,
GEO. E. STICKNEY,
CHARLES W. PAGE, EBEN A. YOUNG. ALVAH HOYT.
DIRECTORS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
ORRIN J. GURNEY, Mayor .
Ex officio.
ANDREW R. CURTIS, President of Common Council EDWARD S. MOSELEY, Trustee of Building Fund . ELISHA P. DODGE,
EBEN F. STONE,
66
AMOS NOYES, term of office expires .
1894.
SAMUEL C. BEANE, term of office expires
1895.
ENOCH C. ADAMS, 66
66 66
1896.
CHARLES C. DAME,
1897.
JOHN E. BAILEY,
66
66
1898.
MOSES BROWN, 66
66
66
1899.
AMOS H. ADAMS, 66
66
66
.
1900.
TRUSTEES OF THE PEABODY FUND.
EDWARD S. MOSELEY, BENJ. HALE,
WILLIAM H. SWASEY, LAWRENCE B. CUSHING, JOHN J. CURRIER.
LIBRARIAN .
ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN
EXTRA ASSISTANT .
SUPERINTENDENT OF READING ROOM
JOHN D. PARSONS. EFFIE A. TENNEY. E. S. THURSTON. MARTHA P. LUNT.
JANITOR .
. HERBERT A. MUTCH.
ORGANIZATION
OF THE
Board of Directors of the Public Library
FOR 1894.
PRESIDENT, ORRIN J. GURNEY.
SECRETARY, JOHN D. PARSONS.
COMMITTEE ON BOOKS,
SAMUEL C. BEANE, E. C. ADAMS, AMOS NOYES.
COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIAN,
AMOS NOYES, ELISHA P. DODGE, MOSES BROWN.
COMMITTEE ON BUILDING AND GROUNDS,
EDWARD S. MOSELEY, E. P. DODGE. A. H. ADAMS.
COMMITTEE ON READING ROOM,
EDWARD S. MOSELEY, ENOCH C. ADAMS, JOHN E. BAILEY.
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS,
ORRIN J. GURNEY, E. F. STONE, CHARLES C. DAME.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS.
To the Honorable the Mayor and City Government of Newburyport.
The thirty-eighth annual report of the librarian is before you, and also the reports of the custodians of the several library funds, leaving few facts for us to communicate.
We bear cordial testimony to the ability and faithfulness of the librarian and his assistants, not only in the discharge of their routine duties, but in advising and directing readers, especially the young and inexpert. We deem the latter a very important and valuable part of their labors.
The librarian's report gives assurance that there has been no loss of interest on the part of the pub- lic, but a gratifying increase of readers, especially of the younger class. During the last months of the present year this increase has been surprisingly great.
The reading-room is under excellent manage- ment, and is amply supplied with the best Ameri-
260
ANNUAL REPORTS.
can papers and magazines, as well as some of the most valuable English periodicals. The fund given by William C. Todd, esq., to whose munificence we owe the public reading room, has, by his last dona- tion, reached the amount of $10,000.00, and the thanks of our people are increasingly due to this wise and generous friend of Newburyport.
The directors cannot but repeat their recommen- dation of a year ago, that the city government should further the work of re-arranging the library, and preparing a complete and convenient catalogue, by furnishing to the librarian for a while an expert assistant for this special purpose. Only one alcove contains books of a single class; elsewhere there has been little or no assorting and arranging of books by subjects or classes of subjects. The many supplements which have been added to the cata- logue increase this confusion, and render the finding of volumes by both the reader and the librarian a weary and time-consuming labor. If this re-ar- rangement can be made now, then every new book as it is purchased can be put at once into its proper place ; but if not, the library will every year increase in disorder, and the labor and expense of final clas- sification will be exceedingly great. Financial econ- omy, no less than public convenience, demands that this confusion be arrested before the library has reached greater proportions.
The library has appreciated in literary value since our last report, by the addition of a consider- able number of carefully selected books, in different
261
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
departments, and gives promise of increased useful- ness in future years.
O. J. GURNEY, R. JACOBY, E. S. MOSELEY, E. P. DODGE, E. F. STONE, W. R. JOHNSON, AMOS NOYES,
S. C. BEANE,
C. C. DAME, E. C. ADAMS, J. E. BAILEY, MOSES BROWN,
Directors.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.
-
To the Book Committee.
GENTLEMEN :- The thirty-eighth annual report of the librarian of the Newburyport public library is herewith submitted.
The whole number of books catalogued and shelved at the close of the library year was 29,547. Last year the number was 28,703. There have been added by purchase during the year 741 volumes, by donations 173 volumes. Of those purchased, 25 were to take the place of worn out volumes, of which there have been, during the year, 70 discarded. There have been 14 volumes lost, stolen or misplaced during the year. The net increase of the li- brary was 844 books, against 745 the previous year. The state- ment of library growth is more fully set forth in appendix E.
The number of books withdrawn for home use was 36,213, against 33,914 last year. This increase in circulation has been most marked since the summer vacation, the figures for the past three months amounting to 10,011, against 8,034 for a correspond- ing period last year, a gain of about 25 per cent.
During the past year, 477 new borrowers have registered, the accounts of 63 have been cancelled, and the number of card-hold- ers is now 4,087.
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