USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1896 > Part 17
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GRADES
49
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
INCOME
Appropriation.
$28,000.00
Income from Brown Fund.
675.00
Tuition from non-resident pupils.
288.12
Sale of books. 4.30
$28.967.42
EXPENDITURES
Salaries of teachers. ..
$21,961.09
Salaries of pupil teachers
388.35
Salary of superintendent
1,200.00
Salary of truant officer
472.00
Janitors.
1,165.53
Evening schools
228.05
Printing and advertising
152.66
Sundries
345.93
Books and supplies.
1475.32
Rent of Putnam school
500.00
Fuel.
988.24
Paid Highway department
88.88
$28,966.05
Balance unexpended
1.37
...
$28,967.42
50
ANNUAL REPORT
GENERAL STATISTICS
Taxable property of the city . $9,762,540.00
Estimated value of school property $99,284.00
Total sum available for schools. . $28,967.42
Total expenditures not including repairs ·$28,966.05
Population at last census 14,554
Children of school age, May 1, 1896. 2,303
Number in private and parochial schools. 619
Total enrolment in public schools. 1905
Average membership of public schools 1573
Average attendance of public schools.
1456
Per cent. of attendance of public schools. 92.5
Number of teachers employed, 1896.
41
Male teachers, 1896 4
Female teachers 37
Special teachers. .. 1
Average cost per pupil for books and supplies $1.01++
TEACHERS AND SALARIES
1895-1896
High school.
George A. Dickey, principal. salary $2.000 ; paid by the city $1600
Arthur H. Berry sub-master 1000
Sarah A. Leonard, assistant .. 600
Mary T. Spalding, assistant. 650
Ida M. Wallace. assistant .. 700
Sarah Dean, assistant. 500
Inez Cohen. 550
$5800
Irving H. Johnson, principal. 1000
Grace L. Rivers, assistant ... 400
Anna L. Whitmore, assistant 400
Alice W. Hopkinson. assistant. 400
Clara J. Edgerly, assistant.
400
$2600
Training school
Frances W. Richards, principal. 1000
L
George W. Brown, principal. 1300
Anna M. Lamprey, 1st assistant. 400
Jackman school
Josie W. Kimball. 2d assistant. 400
Lillian Hamilton, 3d assistant 350
$2450
Anna L. Coffin, principal. 500
Emma M. Lander, 1st assistant 400
Johnson school.
Jenny P. Haskell, 2d assistant. 375
Grace E. Bartlett, 3d assistant. 350
$1625
L
Priscilla G. Craig, principal 550
Bromfield school
Abbie L. Frost. 1st assistant. 400
Lillian Greenleaf. 2d assistant. 375
Mary T. Colby, 3d assistant. 325
. . . . .
$1650
Kelley school
52
ANNUAL REPORT
Currier grammar (boys'). Sarah B. Chute, principal 750
Alice A. Bartlett, assistant 400
$1150
Currier grammar (girls') Sarah E. Whitmore, principal. 500
Ellen Frothingham, assistant .. 400
$ 900
Helen S. Merrill, principal. 400
Moultonville school.
Flora Pettigrew, assistant. 350
$ 750
Storey avenue school. ¿ Nellie G. Stone, principal 400
Temple street primary .
Lillian Goodwin, principal. 350
Elizabeth H. Cheever, principal 375
Sarah L. Ross, 1st assistant ... 350
Congress street primary . . .
Gertrude E. Lewis, 2d assistant 350
Annie P. Toppan, 3d assistant 350
$1425
Congress street ward room ... { Charlotte Dickins. 350
Ashland street primary
Sarah F. Badger, 1st assistant. 350
Ward room ₹ Julia J. Hubbard, 2d assistant. 350
$1075
Purchase street primary { Mary A. Roaf, teacher. 350
Special teacher ¿ Sadie M. Morse, supervisor drawing. 600
ANDREW R. CURTIS (Mayor), Chairman, ALBERT W. HITCHCOCK, Vice Chairman, WILLIAM T. HUMPHREYS,
--
EDWARD OSGOOD,
CHARLES W. POORE, PRENTISS H. REED,
-
GEORGE E. L. NOYES,
School Committee.
GEORGE H. PLUMER,
GEORGE W. WORCESTER,
SAMUEL C. BEANE,
OLIVER B. MERRILL,
HENRY B. LITTLE,
PAUL A. MERRILL,
WILLIAM P. LUNT, Superintendent.
( Frances L. Pettigrew. principal. 375
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT. CITY GOVERNMENT. 1897.
.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS --- 1897.
MAYOR, ANDREW R. CURTIS. Residence, 274 Merrimac street. Office-City Hall.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN. Ward One.
HENRY J. NOYES
68} Bromfield st.
Ward Two.
JAMES D. LEWIS,
68 Lime street.
Ward Three. BENJAMIN P. IRELAND
14 Fair street.
Ward Four.
ABRAM A. CRABTREE
35 Winter street.
Ward Five.
JERE HEALEY
16 Dove street.
Ward Six.
WILLIAM C. COFFIN
272 High street.
Clerk of Board. GEORGE H. STEVENS.
3
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1
ANNUAL REPORTS.
COMMON COUNCIL. JAMES F. CARENS, President.
Ward One.
JERE B. LUNT .
GEORGE S. LANG
CHARLES H. SHACKFORD
9 Bromfield street. 2 Harrison street. 29 Bromfield st.
Ward Two.
JAMES F. CARENS
. 4 Milk street.
GEORGE E. THOMPSON
37 Lime street.
ALEXANDER G. PERKINS
15 Horton street.
Ward Three.
CHARLES E. COFFIN
ARTHUR P. BROWN
ALBERT E. FOWLER
99 State street. 9 Orange street. 5 Essex street.
Ward Four.
WILLIAM G. FISHER
144 High street.
WILLIAM MCKAY
65 Merrimac st.
JOHN H. GILMAN
33 Boardman st.
Ward Five.
ANDREW J. CASEY
CHARLES W. JOHNSON
ANDREW ROAF .
8₺ Buck street. 2 Johnson street. 4 Johnson street.
Ward Six.
JOHN C. STANLEY
SAMUEL G. WILLIAMS .
JOB WESTON
248 High street. 27 Ashland street. 2 Jefferson court.
Clerk of the Council. THOMAS E. CUTTER.
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CITY GOVERNMENT.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
FINANCE - Mayor, ex officio; Alderman Healey, Councilmen Brown, Williams, Stanley, Coffin and Lunt.
ACCOUNTS- Aldermen Lewis and Ireland; Councilmen Thompson, Stanley and Brown.
PUBLIC PROPERTY - Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Noyes, Coffin and Ireland ; Councilmen Shackford, Perkins, Fowler, Gilman, Roaf and Stanley.
ALMSHOUSE AND POOR -Aldermen Ireland and Healey; Councilmen Casey, Perkins, Coffin and Shackford.
FIRE DEPARTMENT-Aldermen Noyes, Coffin and Crabtree ; Councilmen Brown, Mckay, Johnson and Weston. ·
BRIDGES AND CULVERTS- Aldermen Noyes and Lewis; Councilmen Lunt, Mckay and Williams.
SAWYER FUND-Alderman Ireland ; Councilmen Casey and Gilman. BROWN FUND -Alderman Crabtree ; Councilmen Lunt and Roaf.
TODD FUND -Alderman Noyes; Councilmen Thompson and Stanley. DEXTER AND ATWOOD FUND -Mayor, ex officio; Treasurer, ex officio ; President Carens, ex officio.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION - Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Coffin and Lewis; President Carens, ex officio ; Councilmen Weston, Mckay and Lang.
CLAIMS - Aldermen Crabtree and Lewis; Councilmen Weston, Lunt and Lang.
ORDINANCES - Mayor, ex officio; Councilmen Lang and Shackford.
' HIGHWAYS - Mayor, ex officio; Board of Aldermen ; Councilmen Lang, Thompson, Coffin, Fisher, Casey and Williams.
FUEL-Aldermen Coffin and Crabtree; Councilmen Lunt, Thompson and Roaf.
LIGHTING STREETS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS - Aldermen Healey and Crabtree ; Councilmen Casey, Fisher and Perkins.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
PRINTING -Alderman Healey; Councilmen Casey and Fowler.
WATER SUPPLY -Aldermen Healey and Lewis; Councilmen Williams, Johnson and Brown.
SEWERAGE -Aldermen Crabtree and Coffin ; Councilmen Johnson, Fow- ler and Gilman.
JOINT SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
SALARIES-Aldermen Coffin and Noyes; Councilmen Brown, Perkins and Stanley.
JANVRIN'S LANDING-Aldermen Healey and Noyes; Councilmen Shack- ford, Lunt and Perkins.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
POLICE - Mayor, ex officio; Aldermen Noyes and Healey. ELECTIONS -Aldermen Ireland, Lewis and Coffin.
BROMFIELD FUND -Aldermen Coffin, Ireland and Crabtree. PUTNAM AND ATKINSON FUND - Aldermen Noyes, Crabtree and Lewis. LICENSES-Aldermen Healey, Coffin and Noyes. ENROLLED BILLS -Aldermen Ireland, Noyes and Crabtree. FROTHINGHAM FUND -Aldermen Lewis, Crabtree and Coffin.
GREEN FUND -Aldermen Crabtree, Noyes and Ireland. TOPPAN FUND -Aldermen Coffin, Lewis and Crabtree. ABRAHAM WILLIAMS FUND-Aldermen Crabtree, Noyes and Coffin. W. O. MOSELEY FUND -Aldermen Crabtree, Coffin and Noyes. STATE AID, MILITARY AID AND SOLDIERS' RELIEF -Aldermen Coffin, Crabtree and Lewis.
7
CITY GOVERNMENT.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF COMMON COUNCIL.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS-Councilmen Coffin, Stanley and Mckay. ENROLLED BILLS - Councilmen Brown and Weston.
BILLS OF SECOND READING-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ANDREW R. CURTIS, [Mayor, ] Chairman, ex officio. ALBERT W. HITCHCOCK, Vice-Chairman, 298 High street. WILLIAM P. LUNT, Supt. and Sec., Office at City Hall.
ROBERT G. ALLEN, Truant Officer, · 25 Milk street.
TWO YEARS.
Ward One.
EDWARD OSGOOD, [term expires 1898] 49 Purchase street. WILLIAM T. HUMPHREYS [term expires 1899] 56 Purchase street.
Ward Two.
CHARLES W. POORE, [term expires 1898] . 65 Prospect street. PRENTISS H. REED, [term expires 1899] . 55 Lime street. Ward Three.
GEORGE H. PLUMER, [term expires 1898] . 93 High street. GEORGE E. L. NOYES, [term expires 1899] IOI State street.
Ward Four.
GEORGE W. WORCESTER, [term expires 1898] 124 High street. SAMUEL C. BEANE, [term expires 1899] 6 Harris street.
Ward Five.
HENRY B. LITTLE, [term expires 1898] · 215 High street.
OLIVER B. MERRILL, [term expires 1899] . Monroe street.
Ward Six.
PAUL A. MERRILL, [term expires 1898] . 24 Tyng street. ALBERT W. HITCHCOCK, [term expires 1899] 298 High street.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
-
BOARD OF HEALTH.
CLARENCE C. DAY, M. D., (City Physician,) ex-officio. TERM TWO YEARS.
JOHN E. BAILEY, Chairman, (term expires 1897) 6 Kent street. ARTHUR WITHINGTON, (term expires 1898) 206 High street. Agent of the Board.
GEORGE W. KNIGHT, Parker street. Clerk of the Board. AMOS H. GEARY, (Office : City Hall) 36 Prospect st.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS. (Office : City Hall.) TERM THREE YEARS. AMOS H. GEARY, Chairman, (term expires '98) 36 Prospect st. Jos. L. JOHNSON, Secretary, (term expires '99) 27 Wash'n st. J. OTIS WINKLEY, (term expires 1897) Parker street.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
ANDREW R. CURTIS, (Mayor), Chairman, ex-officio. TERMS THREE YEARS. L. W. SARGENT, Vice-Ch. (term expire '97) 280 High street. LAWRENCE W. BROWN, (term expires 1898) 20 Fruit street. BENJAMIN F. HATHAWAY (term expires 1899) 50 Purchase st.
Clerk of Overseers of the Poor. WILLIAM H. BAYLEY, (Office : City Hall) . 63 Bromfield st.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT.
BOARD OF REGISTRARS.
GEORGE H. STEVENS, (City Clerk), ex officio, 37 Kent street. TERM THREE YEARS.
NATH'L GREELEY, Ch., (term expires '98) · 37 Marlboro st.
LUTHER CARTER, (term expires 1897) . II Kent street.
BENJAMIN G. DAVIS, (term expires 1899) I Horton st.
Board of Water Commissioners. (Office : Bartlet street.) TERM FIVE YEARS.
Albert W. Greenleaf (term expires 1901) . 9 Parsons street. Nathaniel Appleton (term expires 1900). 126 High street.
John N. Pike (term expires 1899) 39 Green street.
Charles C. Dame (term expires 1898). 28 High street.
Charles H. Sargent (term expires 1897)
323 High street. Philip H. Lunt, Treasurer. William H. Lawrence, Superintendent. Harold S. Noyes, Clerk.
Trustees of Simpson Fund. Andrew R. Curtis (Mayor), ex officio.
James F. Carens (President of Common Council), ex officio.
Thomas C. Simpson (term expires 1897.)
Charles C. Dame (term expires 1898.) Eliphalet Griffin (term expires 1899.)
Treasurer and Clerk-James V. Felker, (City Treasurer.)
2
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Board of Park Commissioners.
TERM THREE YEARS. Andrew R. Curtis (Mayor), ex officio.
James F. Carens (President of the Common Council), ex officio.
Orrin J. Gurney (term expires 1893.)
Eliphalet Griffin (term expires 1899.)
Charles C. Stockman (term expires 1897.)
Commissioners of Atkinson Common. Andrew R. Curtis (Mayor), ex officio.
James F. Carens (President of Common Council), ex officio.
Alvah Hoyt (term expires 1897).
Eliphalet Griffin (term expires 1899).
Orlando F. Hatch (term expires 1898).
Sinking Fund Commissioners. Andrew R. Curtis, (Mayor) ex-officio.
James F. Carens, (President of the Common Council), ex-officio.
William H. Welch, (City Auditor,} ex-officio.
Charles C. Dame, (term expires 1898.)
Philip H. Lunt, (term expires 1897.) Treasurer and Clerk-Jame's V. Felker, (City Treasurer.)
Liquor License Commissioners.
Moses Brown, chairman and secretary (term expires 1900). George Perry Sargent (term expires 1898). Jacob True Rowe (term expires 1902).
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Trustees Wheelwright Scientific Fund. Andrew R. Curtis, (Mayor) ex-officio.
Robert Codman, President.
James E. Whitney, Treasurer.
John W. Winder, Secretary. John W. Dodge,
Lawrence B. Cushing.
City Clerk.
George H. Stevens
37 Kent street. Office : City Hall.
Assistant City Clerk.
Henry W. Little
45 Purchase street. Office : City Hall.
City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes.
James V. Felker 12 Harris street. Office : City Hall. Clerk of City Treasurer-Joseph M. Greenough, Jr.
-
William H. Welch.
City Auditor. 24 Washington street. Office : First National Bank.
Robert E. Burke
- City Solicitor. 49 High street. Office : 76 State street.
Frank H. Rundlett
City Messenger. Office : City Hall.
78 Federal street.
I2
ANNUAL REPORTS.
William P. Lunt
Superintendent of Schools. Office : City Hall.
19 Pond street.
Superintendent of Highways.
Charles M. Pritchard 17 Atwood street. Office : Basement of Armory Building.
Superintendent of Sewers.
Francis Curtis
3 Park street.
Clarence C. Day
City Physician. IO Washington street.
Superintendent of Old and New Hill Burying Grounds.
262 Merrimac street. Alfred Gurney
Chief Engineer Fire Department.
Hiram H. Landford 20 Purchase street.
Superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph.
20 Purchase street. Hiram HI. Landford,
Librarian Public Library.
John D. Parsons
236 High street. Office : Public Library.
Superintendent Public Reading Room.
Martha P. Lunt
19 Pond street.
13
CITY GOVEREMENT.
NEWBURYPORT POLICE FORCE. City Marshal. (Office : Central Police Station.) 44 Federal street.
John F. Gardiner
Captain of the Watch. Patrick Creedon.
Simon E. Wilson,
Day Officers. Frank L. Lattime, Lemuel Hicken.
Seth Young, William E. Young, Joseph H. Post,
Night Patrolmen. Henry C. Tate,
John L. McLean,
George W .. Lattime, James W. Merritt. Charles W. Wells.
William H. Pike,
William Gillis.
Constables. Frank H. Rundlett,
Joseph M. Tappan,
Simon E. Wilson, Samuel W. Tuck, Robert G. Allen.
Deputy Collectors of Taxes. Samuel W. Tuck, Robert G. Allen.
Inspector of Buildings. Hiram H. Landford.
Inspector of Animals and Provisions. George W. Knight.
Harbor Master. George W. Mckay.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. Amos H. Geary. Office : City Hall.
Patrick Creeden, Moses P. Towne, · John J. Bryan,
Joseph M. Tappan,
14
ANNUAL REPORTS
Moses H. Rolfe,
Measurers of Grain. Charles B. Knight, Dennis Healey.
Frank W. Landford.
-
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar. George W. Knight, Office : City Hall.
Gaugers.
Amos H. Geary, William S. Coffin, Hiram P. Macintosh
Surveyors of Lumber.
George E. Currier,
William B. Coffin,
William H. Morse,
John C. Kimball,
Charles L. Perkins,
Gideon C. Webster,
Orlando F. Hatch
Thomas F. Corey, Edward Perkins,
Leonard W. Sargent, Edgar Ross,
Chas. W. H. Jackman,
Alex. G. Perkins,
Ezra Lunt,
Joseph Langevin.
Fred B. Morse.
Weighers of Coal, Hay and Other Merchandise.
Charles W. Nelson,
Harry W. Bayley,
Fred L. Atkinson, Fred L. Macintosh, James Joy, Walter E. Atkinson,
Edward Donahue, Jr., Lawrence Whalen, Jere Healey, Edward E. Varina, William Conley, Amos H. Geary, Jackson Greenaway, Rudolph Jacoby, Frank A. Bray,
William S. Coffin, John J. Collins, James Conley, Fred B. Fanning,
John L. Noyes, Stephen P. Bray,
John Collins, John H. Balch, Jr.,
Edward Donahue.
Alonzo C. Pearson, Joseph L. Jacoby, Leonard W. Coker,
Annie Healey.
Jeremiah S. Parker,
Field Drivers. Nathan A. Massey.
I5
Pound Keepers.
Pound No. 1-Auburn street
Pound No. 2-Wesley street
John R. Silloway.
Measurers of Wood and Bark.
John H. Balch, Jr.,
Fred L. Atkinson, John Collins,
John L. Noyes,
Fred B. Fanning, John J. Collins,
William S. Coffin, Joseph Woods,
Frank A. Bray, Charles A. Pearson,
Charles W. Nelson,
C. W. H. Jackman,
Jackson Greenaway,
Measurers of Charcoal.
Fred L. Atkinson,
Stephen P. Bray, Jere Healey,
John H. Balch, Jr., John L. Noyes, William S. Coffin.
Weighers and Measurers of City Fuel.
Amos H. Geary, Charles W. Nelson,
Leonard W. Coker,
William S. Coffin, Edward Donahue.
Inspector of Coal Baskets. Amos H. Geary, Office : City Hall.
Fred B. Morss,
Fence Viewers. Anthony W. Reddy, Eben Little.
Measurer of Upper Leather. Luther Carter. -
.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Timothy Maroney.
Jere Healey, Stephen P. Bray,
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CITY GOVERNMENT.
MEETINGS.
CITY COUNCIL. FIRST MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
LAST MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH.
OVERESERS OF THE POOR.
LAST MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH.
REGULAR COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
Commencing with last Monday of each month.
Monday evening-School Committee; Lighting Streets, etc .; Bridges and Culverts ; Overseers of the Poor.
Tuesday evening-Public Property.
Wednesday evening-Highway; Police.
Thursday evening-Fire Department; Sewerage; Printing.
Friday evening-Accounts.
First Friday evening after first Monday each month-State Aid, Military Aid and Soldiers' Relief.
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 1897.
HON. ANDREW R. CURTIS, MAYOR.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF HON. ANDREW R. CURTIS.
DELIVERED JANUARY 4, 1897.
Gentlemen of the City Council:
It is with deep feelings of gratitude to my fel- low citizens that I again assume the responsibil- ities of this office. Encouraged by the confidence thus reposed in me I enter upon my duties with a re- newed determination to sacredly guard the interests intrusted to my keeping, and to labor with what abil- ity I possess to promote the welfare of this, my na- tive city.
In this, my resolve, I am confident that I am joined by you, and that together we shall not only make this, our administration, one that will be highly acceptable to our citizens; but one that in after years we may look back upon with feelings of pride and conscious- ness of duty well performed.
4
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Before engaging in our duties, which will require us to act upon measures where the interests of our city are deeply involved, let us insist upon their care- ful consideration, not only in the committee rooms, but in the council chamber, where all the members may have a right to pass upon them, and where the people can determine whether or not we, their ser- vants, have been faithful to the trust reposed in us.
Under existing conditions the responsibilities for extravagance in expenditures cannot be fixed, because the power which has heretofore been exercised solely by the City Council is now delegated to the commit- tees.
The mayor, presumably for the reason that he is the central figure, is often held responsible for ex- penditures of which he knows no more than if he were a resident of one of our neighboring towns. Nor is it possible for him to know, so long as committees are permitted to expend the public funds. To be sure the mayor has been invested with the veto power and can disapprove any measure passed by the City Council but if the entire appropriation is ex- pended by the committees, and contracts made which oblige the city to perform certain acts, how is this power to be exercised, and how can he interpose to check extravagance or any infringements upon the rights of city? In fact, the mayor's power consists
5
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
wholly, and is determined by the amount of personal influence he can exert upon the members of the City Council.
Last year an order was passed by the City Coun- cil instructing the mayor to petition the legislature for an amendment to the city charter, providing for the election of seven aldermen, one of whom was to pre- side at all meetings of the City Council. If this had become a law the mayor would have been de- prived of even that power, and he would have become a nonentity in city affairs. Had the amendment con- tained a proviso which would have enabled the mayor to pass upon all business transacted either by the City Council or committees I believe it would have met with public approval. I would therefore recommend that the amendment petitioned for, be further amended by adding the words "all business transacted by either branch of the City Council or its committees shall be submitted to the mayor for his approval."
FINANCE.
As a financial statement has been published in our local papers I will not detain or weary you by going into details. The expenditures of last year were $451.05 less than the appropriations and income, which sum has been added to the sinking fund.
6
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The public debt shows an increase of $6,731.12' This increase is due principally to the expense of $28,195.43, which has been incurred by the water hearings; had it not been for this expense there would have been a decrease of the debt $21,464.31, instead of an increase of $6,731.12.
The city holds 411 shares of Boston & Maine rail- road stock. At the close of the financial year ending December 19, 1896, the market value of this stock per share was $165 which if sold at said price would have reduced the public debt $67,815. Although these shares were taken by the way of trade at $180; yet the cash balances and dividends received have reduced the net cost of these shares to the city, to about $175 or $71,925. During the past year this stock has fluctuated but at no time has it reached that figure, when by selling it we could recover that amount.
Now a few words about the public debt. It is safe to predict that no one, however young he may be, will ever live to see that time when our city will be free from debt. As fast as it is decreased, the re- quirements of passing years will increase it. Old buildings must be replaced by new ones, bridges re- built, and many other expenses incurred to supply the wants and desires of our citizens. As it has been, so it will continue until time is no more. But even
7
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
though our debt today were liquidated, yet the tax rate could not be materially diminished unless we retrenched in our expenses. I trust that you will do this, and this year take the first step to lessen the burdens of our citizens by reducing taxes.
WATER QUESTION.
One of the most important matters pertaining to the welfare of our city is the legal contest between the city and the Newburyport Water Company. Although the settlement of this case has been de- layed beyond what many deemed to be a reasonable time yet I can assure you that the delay was not oc- cassioned directly or indirectly by the city's counsel. At all stages of the proceedings they have been ready and eager to push the matter to a conclusion.
The present standing of the case is as follows:
The commissioners have made a report of their award, which is $275,000, about one-quarter of the amount which expert witnesses for the water com- pany testified the works to be worth. This award will not be final until accepted by the Supreme Court of the commonwealth, and will not be accepted until the court passes upon some questions of law, which the commissioners are to report to it at once.
S
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The fees and expenses of the commissioners amounting to $8450, have been paid by the city. As it was an open question to be decided by the court, whether or not this money should be paid in part by the company or wholly by the city, this pay- ment was made under protest and our rights have been carefully protected.
HIGHWAYS.
The committee on highways, consisting of the mayor and aldermen and one councilman from each ward, elects the superintendent, purchases all sup- plies and all material required in the highway depart- ment, makes contracts, and designates all streets to be improved. In other words, it has absolute control of highway affairs.
- Although the Common Council is represented upon this committee by six of its members, yet if the mayor and aldermen, who are a majority of the same, were to agree to make any improvement, which would require the expenditure of the entire highway appropriation, they could do so, even if every member of the common council were opposed to it. Surely this preponderance of power, which can and which does exclude the common council from acting upon measures in which the welfare of
9
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
our city is so deeply involved, does not and cannot in- sure for such measures a proper and careful consid- eration. Nor have they been so acted upon, fort his committee which has arrogated to itself this authority and which has expended over $213,000 upon high- ways and sidewalks during the past seven years, has never even pretended to exercise any such care.
From the first there has been a constant struggle among the members of the committee to obtain all for that part of the city in which they were directly interested, and as a result of this struggle thousands of dollars have been expended for work that the pub- lic convenience did not require. Not only is this true but for what has been expended not even a fair equivalent has been received. Neither can this paucity of results be attributed to the inefficiency of the superintendent, for even he was compelled to surrender his individuality and become the obedient servant of several masters. He was expected and did not only hire and retain in the highway service, men, many of whom were disqualified by their age or by their predispositions to evade "in so far as pos- sible" the primeval curse imposed upon mankind, but he was to do the work when and where each would have him do it. In the nonsensical scramble which has ensued is it suprising that feeble energy was di- versely applied and very meagre results attained?
2
IO
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
And now gentlemen I would recommend that the business which has heretofore been transacted by the committee on highways, be transferred to, and acted upon by the council where each may have equal rights and equal responsibilities, and where rules have been provided which will insure for this business a proper and careful consideration. Mark the contrast. An order originating in the council, which calls for the expeniture of even $1 requires two readings be- fore it can be finally acted upon. But in the com- mittee on highways thousands can be expended with- out even a vote. Surely this is a case of penny wise and pound foolish. I would also recommend that the superintendent be elected by the city council for a longer term, or during good behavior, and that he be invested with the power to hire men and made respon- sible for the appropriation provided for highways. If these changes are made I am confident that good results will surely follow.
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