USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1894 > Part 14
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Currier, Edwin
6 Court street,
Mason.
Currier, George E.
277 High street,
Shipbuilder.
Cutter, George H.
Io Pleasant street, Clerk.
Davis, Caleb P.
28 Olive street, 60 Lime street,
Mason.
Carpenter.
Dodge, Greenleaf.
Dockum, John H.
Donnell, Charles C.
Residence.
I Market street, 71 Federal street, 38 Kent street. II Pond street, SI/2 Buck street, 7 Carter street, 59 Bromfield st., Curson road, Curson road, 7 Essex street, Maple.street.
Occupation.
Auctioneer. Shoecutter. Merchant. Gate-tender R. R. Clerk. Gardener.
Machinist. .
Farmer.
Milk dealer.
Foreman box factory. Hatter.
3 Congress street, Foreman silver shop.
43 Oakland street, Machinist.
Shoecutter.
21 Olive street, 7 Bromfield street, Shoecutter.
II School street, Shoecutter. 444 Merrimac st., Farmer. 60 Warren street, Carpenter. Shoemaker.
71/2 Lunt street, 270 High street, Florist.
Cotton, Timothy Y. Craig, George W.
21 Otis place,
Coal and wood dealer.
Retired.
Davis, Charles W. A.
Dodge, William H. T. 153 High street,
58 Prospect street, Retired.
27 Broad street. Carpenter.
25 Marlboro st.,
Retired.
337
LIST OF JURORS.
Name.
Residence.
Occupation.
Donahue, Edward Jr.
Doran, Bernard
Dunn, James E.
Edinands, Le Roy S. Evans, Joseph W.
Farrell, Garrett
Fillmore, John T.
Fogg, Clarence J.
Follansbee, Henry D.
Ford, Samuel J.
20 Summit place, Grocery clerk. 7 Charles street, Shoecutter. 55 Washington st., Fruit & News dealer. 151/2 Oakland st., Janitor.
Fowle, Stephen H. Fox, Stephen R.
Frost, John B.
431/2 Olive street, Forem. N. Port Shoe Co.
Geary, Amos H.
36 Prospect street, Assessor.
Geary, George H.
7 Olive street, 29 Milk street,
Clerk.
Gerrish, Gilbert
112 State street, Clerk.
Glynn, William P.
15 Tremont street, Clerk.
Goodwin, Abraham E. Central place,
Shoes.
Goodwin, Fred S.
39 Bromfield st., 5 Orange street, 7 Neptune street,
Sailmaker.
Goodwin, Samuel P.
Mill overseer.
Goodwin, William A. Gorwaiz, Albert M.
I Buck street,
Clerk.
Greely, Nathaniel Greene, Frank W.
37 Marlboro st., 260 High street, 33 Bromfield st., 9 Elm street,
Shoecutter.
Graham, James A.
Shoemaker.
Greaton, Obed W.
18 N. Atkinson st., Carpenter.
2 Butler street, Shoemaker.
Gregory, William J. Hale, John Hathaway, Benjamin F. 50 Purchase street, Baker.
Hatch, George E.
Hatch, Willard A.
Hawkes, Erwin
Harrington, Timothy
13 Boardman st., Silverplater.
19 Otis place, Contractor & builder.
15 Federal street, Clerk.
16 Congress street, Undertaker.
43
Clerk.
Goodwin, Eben P.
40 Prospect street, Carpenter.
Real estate agent.
Foreman foundry.
Greenleaf, George P.
II Russia street, Laborer.
Blacksmith.
Wool sorter. Weaver.
Machinist.
Supt. Car Works.
3 Horton street, II Woodland st., 23 Kent street, 29 Broad street, 21 Winter street,
2112 Carter street, Watchman. I Congress street, Shipbuilder. 33 Milk street, Painter.
Silversmith.
Gerrish, Benaiah F.
338
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Name.
Residence.
Occupation.
Healey, Freeman P.
Healey, John
Hidden, Edward S.
Hinckley, Fred P.
Hicken, George B.
Hodgdon, Albert
Hopkinson, Albert W. 311 High street,
Clerk.
Holland, John M.
47 Forrester st., II Summit place, Engraver.
Horsch, William N. Howard, William H. P. 117 Merrimac st., Forem. N. Y. Bis. Co.
Hunt, George W.
High street,
Bottler.
Hunt, John D.
185 Merrimac st., Carpenter.
Hunt, William
Huse, Arthur L.
Huse, Caleb B.
Hussey, Benjamin H. Humphreys, Thomas Jackman, Asa W.
Jackman, Rueben
174 State street,
Shoemaker.
27 Washington st., Auctioneer & assessor 5 Beck street, Janitor.
49 Prospect st., Arlington place,
Ret. master mariner.
Silver burnisher.
281 Merrimac st., Blacksmith. 24 Atwood street, Retired.
Parker street, Cattle inspector.
Monroe,cor. Tyng, Clerk.
9 Green street, Carpenter.
13 Marlboro street, Shoemaker.
22 Spring street, Cabinet maker.
36 High street,
Clerk.
20 Toppan street, Shoemaker.
Lougee, Parker M.
Lunt, Charles H. Manning, Edward F. Mannix, James E.
16 Dove street, II Lime street, 69 Lime street. 136 State street, Willow avenue, 40 Marlboro st.,
Compositor. Retired. Mason. Janitor. Carpenter.
Teamster.
Shoecutter.
U. S. dep. col. customs. Printer.
Carpenter.
56 Purchase street, Silver worker.
6 Broad street,
Carpenter.
Johnson, Joseph L. Johnson, William H. Jones, Oliver O. Kelley, James C.
Kenniston, James A. Knight, Alpheus G.
Knight, George W. Knight, James A.
Lamprey, Eli
Lang, John C.
Lawton, Jerome B. Little, Isaac W.
Lord, George F.
17 Bromfield st., Carriage maker. 212 Merrimac st., Janitor.
37 Boardman st., Veterinary surgeon. 15 Market street, City editor of News.
5 Walnut street, 210 High street, 39 Middle street, 25 Forrester st.,
Carpenter.
339
LIST OF JURORS.
Name.
Residence.
Occupation.
Martin, Henry
Wesley street,
Farmer.
McConnell, Robert C. 269 Merrimac st., Teaming.
McQuillen, John H. P. 325 Merrimac st., Ship carpenter.
Meader, Charles H.
347/2 Temple st., Mason.
Merrill, Oliver B.
Monroe & Broad, School teacher.
Merrill, Paul A.
Grocer.
Moody, Charles
Cigar & tobacco dealer. 1
Morrill, David C.
Morrill, Jonathan F.
Morse, Israel A.
Farmer.
Moylan, Albert E.
IO Tyng street, 33 Olive street,
Boot and shoe dealer.
Noyes, Henry J.
681/2 Bromfield st., Carpenter.
Noyes, George W.
Carpenter.
Noyes, Isaac P.
68 Bromfield st., 52 Purchase st., Fulton street,
Retired.
Osborne, James E.
Painter.
Osgood, George
35 Marlboro st., 41 Marlboro st., Io Boardman st.,
Carpenter.
Page, Horace A. S.
Parsons, Samuel F.
175 High street,
Machinist.
Pearson, Eugene A.
8 Marlboro street, Shoemaker.
Pearson, Samuel
32 Bromfield st., Shoemaker. IO1/2 Bromfield st., Surveyor of lumber.
Perkins, Charles L.
Pettingell, Allen D.
58 Lime street, 46 Purchase st.,
Retired.
Philipps, Jacob
18 Market street, Clerk.
Piper, Daniel W.
382 Merrimac st., Farmer. 16 School street,
Watchman.
Plumer, Frank H.
73 Federal street, Teaming.
Boots and shoes.
Pike, Stephen S.
Ship joiner.
Porter, William B.
Teamster.
Pride, Elisha P.
3 Merrimac street, Boarding house.
Putnam, John J.
48 Franklin street, Shoemaker.
Reddy, Anthony W.
20 Beck street, Insurance agent.
Richardson, Arthur C. 2 Greenleaf street, Dep. col. int. revenue
Salesman.
Page, Charles W.
II Boardman st., Moulder.
Retired.
Pettingell, Moses
Plummer, James P.
Pike, John S.
2 Dalton street, 14 Carter street, 8 Lunt street,
Apothecary.
Osgood, John
24 Tyng street, 5 Charter street, Jefferson court, Shoemaker. II Brown square, Hotel keeper.
340
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Name.
Residence. Occupation.
Roaf, George H.
318 High street, Clerk.
Roaf, Andrew J.
16 Boardman st., Sea captain.
Ross, George W.
22 Congress street, Machinist.
Rourke, John J.
14 Dalton street, Carriage painter.
Russell, Eugene Smart, George H.
47 Olive street, Painter. 2301/2 High street, Insurance.
Smart, Milton E.
Small, Charles W.
Shoemaker.
Small, Enoch L.
21 Union street, 21 Union street, 14 Ashland street, Retired.
Elevator, Towle Co.
Somerby, Abraham
Stanley, Benjamin F. Stockman, Charles A. Stockman, Charles C.
Stockman, Henry Strangman, Rueben Swett, Aaron O.
Tappan, Joseph M.
Thurlow, Charles W.
Thurlow, Frank E.
12 Chestnut street, Shoecutter.
Thurlow, Joseph L.
55 Marlboro st.,
Shoecutter.
Thurlow, Stephen H.
Thurlow, William E.
23 Horton street, Shoemaker.
Tibbetts, Russell S.
41 Purchase st.,
Baker.
Retired.
46 Federal street, Clerk.
8 Jackson street, II Salem street,
Mason. Nurse.
Towne, Moses P.
R. 319 Merrimac, Carpenter.
19 High street,
Retired.
Weston, Job
Jefferson court,
4 Court street,
Painter.
Worthen, John H.
Winkley, J. Otis
Parker street, Milk dealer.
Winkley, Paul T.
Parker street, Farmer.
Young, Eben A.
I Dalton street,
Mason.
3 Ashland street, Ship carpenter. 153 High street, Clerk. 10 Titcomb street, Furniture dealer.
24 Summer street, Salesman. 376 Merrimac st., Carpenter.
228 Merrimac st., Ship joiner.
24 Fair street,
Constable.
II Salem street,
Laborer.
23 Milk street,
Hardware dealer.
Titcomb, John W. Tilton, Daniel E.
39 Kent street,
Toppan, Edwin L.
Townsend, Oliver P.
Underwood, Wm. A. Welch, Robert
16 Vernon street, Shoemaker. Shoemaker.
Woods, Aaron D.
2 Woodland street, Ship carpenter.
9 Harrison street, Shoemaker.
MAYOR'S SPECIAL MESSAGE.
MAYOR GURNEY'S Special Message on the Water Question
DELIVERED AT CITY HALL, DECEMBER 28, 1894.
FELLOW CITIZENS :- My remarks tonight, al- though they are in writing, will be more in the nature of an ordinary talk than that of an address, for after having written them all down, I found it necessary to shorten them considerably, therefore they are left in a number of places a little disconnected; but as it is the simple facts themselves, rather than the manner in which they may be arranged, that you are looking for, I trust they will accomplish the purpose for which they are intended.
There is one question, and a very important one, that has been agitating the people of this city for more than 15 years, that of our water supply. Four- teen years ago the citizens of Newburyport, led, or rather misled, by those who were interested in form- ing a private water company, were induced to vote against the city constructing water-works of its own
344
ANNUAL REPORTS.
and afterward seduced into voting to place them- selves in the power of as selfish and grasping a cor- poration as ever existed.
Whenever anything has been said upon the subject to those who were instrumental in placing the city in such an unfavorable position, they have answered by saying that no one but the citizens themselves were to blame. That statement is not true, and these men know it. The citizens were not to blame, they were deceived; the whole matter was misrepresented to them by political and mercenary schemers. and they were led to put their trust in those men, only to learn, to their sorrow, that they were not trustworthy.
Without doubt, there are persons who were then connected with this affair who could reveal some very interesting facts to the public if they were so disposed, but in all probability we shall never know the inside workings of the scheme from the fact that those who could throw light upon the subject would hardly deem it advisable.
Whenever I allude in these remarks to the water company, I wish to be understood as referring to the management of that company, presumably consisting of Mr. George H. Norman of Rhode Island, and a few who support him and who seem to think Mr. Norman can do about as he pleases.
The majority of the stockholders in the company, such as Hon. Eben F. Stone, Hon. Albert C. Tit-
345
SPECIAL MESSAGE.
comb, and many others have some regard for the welfare of the city and the rights of its citizens and are disposed to be honorable and fair in the matter.
In 1880 a contract was made between the city and the water company, which was accepted by the legal voters on August 30 of that year, the contract being drawn up by the water company's attorney and drawn wholly in the interests of said company. Under the contract, the water company was to furnish the city with water for fire purposes, said water to be sup- plied through 150 hydrants, and to be paid for by the city at the rate of $6000 per year for 20 years, which in that time would amount to $120,000.
Now, do you suppose for a moment that the citi- zens of Newburyport would have voted to accept that contract had they been informed, as they should have been, that under the general laws the water company was obliged to furnish the water free of expense to the city? The charter under which this company exists, to use the exact words, "being sub- ject to all the duties, restrictions and liabilities set forth in all general laws which now or hereafter may be in force, applicable to such corporations."
Now under the general laws referred to, contained in chapter 40 of the Revised Statutes issued in 1836, which were continued in chapter 65 of the General Satutes issued 1860 and again continued in chapter
44
346
ANNUAL REPORTS.
IIO of the Public Statutes issued 1882 and which are still in force, the city had only to request the water company to put the hydrants in at the city's expense, and if the company had refused or neglected to do so for two weeks, then the city had the right to put them in, and to tap the water mains for that purpose, and we could have used all the water that was neces- sary for fire purposes without paying a single dollar for it, and it was not a question whether the water company were willing to furnish it free or not; they were obliged by law to do so free of expense to the city. The cost of putting in the 150 hydrants at that time would have been $8000, which being deducted from the $120,000 leaves the magnificent sum of $112,000 which was virtually presented to the water company as a gift, certainly a very strange proceed- ing. Usually a contract of this kind is not made until the company has the facilities for performing its part, but it is a significant fact in this case that the contract was made the year before the water works were constructed, everything at that time being done upon the "hurry up" principle, so fearful were these schemers that the people would get their eyes open before they could get the city bound by such a ras- cally contract, and today those who are working in the interest of the water company have been urging us all along to act hastily, hoping thereby we might
347
SPECIAL MESSAGE.
make some mistake which would be to their advan- tage; but I have always believed in looking before you leap, and that nothing is ever lost by taking plenty of time to carefully consider any important matter. If that principle had been carried out 14 years ago, the city never would have been bound to such a one-sided bargain.
Now as to who is responsible for what was done at that time it is impossible for me to say, but in jus- tice to Hon. John James Currier, who was then may- or, and who has been blamed by many for allowing the city to be caught in such a trap, it is only fair to state that in looking over the records I found Mayor Currier was not only opposed to the private water company but did all he could to prevent the contract being made between the city and the company.
I was interested in looking over those records to find that fifteen of those who were either members of the city government at the time or holding positions under it had always strongly opposed any action of the city as against the water company, while oth- ers have as strongly supported the city in its efforts to obtain justice.
In 1881 the works were put in, and are supposed to be constructed according to a plan which was to accompany the contract. I have used the word "supposed" in this connection because the person
348
ANNUAL REPORTS.
who was chairman of the Board of Water Commis- sioners at the time, informed me about a year ago that the original plan was stolen from City Hall, and that no one outside the water company knew wheth- er the works were put in according to the plan or not. Now it seems to me that it was plainly the duty of this man as chairman of the board to have made certain that such an important factor in the case as the plan should have been kept so secure that it would have been impossible for it to disappear, and most assuredly was it his duty on learning that it had been stolen, to have immediately announced it to the public; but for some reason he did not see fit to do so, and for twelve years kept the matter a secret, at least so far as the people were concerned, and then left it for me, at the State House last winter, to be the first to make it public, while he was present at the time as a witness for the water company, assist- ing them in their efforts to defeat the city.
Having thus briefly alluded to the past history of this question, and I think, thrown a little new light upon it, we will now come down to a later period. The intervening years, with the unjust and arbitrary policy maintained by the water company toward the city, you are familiar with; of the exorbitant rates charged for water you are reminded at least twice a year, when the bills are presented; the pumping of
349
SPECIAL MESSAGE.
Merrimac river water, unbeknown to our citizens, thereby endangering their lives, and if the testimony of local physicians and the State Board of Health is to be believed, even the taking of life, is still fresh in your minds. With a full knowledge of these facts, and feeling that we had borne quite enough, early in the year 1893, the city went to the legislature for re- dress, and there presented such a strong case, that for the first time in the history of the State, a city was granted an act to provide themselves with water where a private company already existed, without first being obliged to purchase the existing plant, the matter being left optional with the citizens. We then proceeded under the direction of Civil Engineer Blake to look about for a supply of pure water, and after a careful investigation a plan was developed by him, and completed early last winter. In the mean- time the company had applied to the Legislature of 1894 for a bill to compel the city to purchase their property before constructing works of its own. That bill was declared by ex-Attorney General Pillsbury, counsel for the city, to be unconstitutional, and a new one was recommended by a majority of the com- mittee which was afterward reconsidered, and a third one adopted. This bill was passed by the legis- lature and signed by the Governor on the 14th day of last June. Under the present bill, the water com-
350
ANNUAL REPORTS.
pany had 30 days in which to decide as to whether they would offer to sell their plant to the city or not, and upon the 10th day of July, within four days of the expiration of the alloted time, they sent me, as Mayor of the city, a communication in writing stat- ing that they wished to sell their property to the city, agreeably to the provisions of the acts of 1894.
Now a few words in regard to the expense in- curred by the city for the last two years upon the water question.
It has been intimated a number of times by the paper that is credited with being the organ of the water company that we have been squandering a large sum of money, the amount I have heard quoted all the way from twenty-five to one hundred thous- and dollars. The total cost to the city, including everything connected with the case, both contests at the Legislature, the prospecting for water and the developing of a plan by Engineer Blake, obtaining the legal opinions and all other expenses, is inside of $10,500, every bill having been paid and the city never invested $10,000 with better results, for if we should vote at the present time to purchase the water works, every dollar of that sum will yield twenty in return. The editor of the paper just referred to is the only person outside of the water company that I have heard complain about the expenses, and if he
35I
SPECIAL MESSAGE.
will figure up his proportionate part of the cost, I will gladly reimburse him the amount from my own pocket, for it is a shame that one who seems to try so hard to injure our city should have the privilege of paying a single dollar towards protecting its rights.
Having now reviewed some matters pertaining to the present status of the question, we will consider the main point at issue, that of voting as to whether or not we will purchase the present water works.
From the very first, I have advocated purchasing these works, provided they could be purchased for somewhere near their fair value. With this end in view, more than a year ago, I requested the city council for the appointment of a committee to act with me in conferring with the directors and a com- mittee from the water company, regarding a price. We had a conference in the aldermen's room prior to the special election held that fall; at that meeting we said everything we possibly could to have them name a reasonable price for their property so we could conscientiously advocate a vote to purchase, but without avail, one member of their committee, alone, the Hon. Eben F. Stone, taking the ground that having offered their property to the city, it was right that they should state the price, which he was willing to do, and he even went so far as to intimate what he thought would be a fair price. One other
352
ANNUAL REPORTS.
member of the committee took no part in the dis- cussion, while the remainder, consisting of George W. Piper, Hon. Wm. A. Johnson, John E. McCusker and Lawrence W. Cushing, declared they would name no price that the city could possibly accept, and if we wished to buy, the price must be fixed by a commission.
Soon after this meeting a special election was called, giving the citizens an opportunity to vote upon the question, and at that time I did all in my power to induce them to vote against it, for two reasons; first, because voting to purchase under their charter, the city had no protection; it distinctly states that we must pay for the franchise, which was the most valuable part of their property, and I was convinced the city would be obliged to pay an exorbi- tant price; secondly, I believed that with the strong case we presented to the Legislature, they could not justly refuse to grant us a bill that would enable the city to purchase upon better and fairer conditions, and while they did not grant us all we asked for or even had a right to hope for, they had given us a much better bill than any city or town has ever been able to obtain before, and it is the intention of the city of Gloucester to petition the next Legislature for a similar bill, and I have been told by the officials of the city that they would be satisfied if they could ob-
353
SPECIAL MESSAGE.
tain it. It is the opinion of the city's counsel, which includes two of the best constitutional lawyers in the state, that to purchase under the present bill will be far more favorable for the city than it would have been to purchase under the charter of the water com- pany.
To be sure, the editor of the so-called water com- pany organ has informed you that the city has gained nothing at all. Possibly even two such eminent law- yers as Judge Lowell and William G. Russell will be greatly surprised to learn that they have had the audacity to hold a different opinion upon a legal ques- tion from that held by this precocious youth, and they may be led to wonder at our coming to them for ad- vice when we had in our city such a modern Solo- mon.
Now in view of the opinion held by Judge Lowell and Mr. Russell, which opinion is concurred in by Attorney-General Pillsbury and District-Attorney Moody, it seems to me advisable that when we vote upon this question, which will be early next month, that we should vote to purchase and then if the city and the water company cannot agree upon a price, go before the commission and do everything in our power to protect the city's interests. As I have often stated before, I believe it to be absolutely necessary for the welfare of this city that we should own and control
. 45
354
ANNUAL REPORTS.
our water supply. We shall never be assured of pure water, fair rates or just treatment until we do. With- out any question, it is the most favorable opportunity we ever will have.
I cannot see where we can gain anything more by another appeal to the Legislature than we have already gained and when we consider that we had not only the Newburyport water company but the whole corporation interests of the state backed by a paid lobby which is a disgrace to the commonwealth, to fight against, we ought to feel pretty well satisfied with what the Legislature has already granted us.
The experience I have had the last two winters at the State House has not increased my respect for that body. When corporation interests are at stake, money flows freely, and it has its effect.
You have read what the Boston papers had to say in regard to the Legislature of 1894, all of which I heartily concur in, and will say in addition that the half was not told. Neither do I deem it advisable for the city to engage in a lawsuit. They are expen- sive, and at the best unsatisfactory, and I have done all I could do to prevent, and have so far succeeded, in keeping the city free from such an entanglement, notwithstanding the persistent efforts of certain par- ties to bring it about. Nothing would have pleased the water company better, for then they could have
-
355
SPECIAL MESSAGE.
carried it from one court to another and dragged it along year after year, thereby keeping their hold upon the city. I may as well say right here that there is probably no hope of breaking the contract with the water company. The mistake was in its ever being made, and we must patiently submit to pay the penalty for the folly or rascality, whichever it was, of those who were guilty of binding the city to such an unjust bargain. I find that many of our citizens have an idea that at the expiration of 20 years from the time the water company was started we can get rid of them, but that is a mistake. It is simply the contract which expires at that time, it having seven years longer to run. But the charter of the water company has no time limit; it continues for all time unless sooner terminated by the city purchasing the property.
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