USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1903 > Part 13
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Dodge, William H. T.
153 High street
Carpenter
Donahue, Arthur J.
15 Market
Clothing dealer
Donahue, Timothy D.
34 Carter street
Provisions
Drew, Oscar F.
86 Federal street
Silver-plater
Edmands, Leroy S.
37 Broad street
Machinist
Fanning, Fred B.
41 Fair street
Clerk
Fogg, Clarence J.
33 Milk street
Shoe cutter
Foley, Richard J.
27 Dove street
Stove dealer
Ford, Samuel J.
7 Charles street
Shoe cutter
Fowle, Frank O.
- Ferry road
Shoe cutter
Gale, Stephen W.
4 Kent street
Janitor
Gerrish, Benaiah F.
29 Milk street Clerk
Gerrish, Gilbert
112 State street
Clerk
Gillis, William
- Plummer avenue Motorman
Goodwin, Charles W.
108 State street
Dry goods
Produce dealer
Coffin, William B.
Gardener
Crabtree, Abram A.
343
LIST OF JURORS
NAME.
RESIDENCE.
OCCUPATION.
Gorwaiz, Albert M.
1 Buck street
Clerk
Gorwaiz, John
205 High street
Fancy goods
Gould, Horace
16 High street
Retired
Gould, Walter F.
6 Chestnut street
Laborer
Greeley, Lucius H.
78 High street
Mason
Greenleaf, George P.
33 Bromfield street Shoe cutter
Greenough, Joseph M.
12 Titcomb street
Livery stable
Greaton, George B.
18 North Atkinson st. Towle Mfg. Co.
Greaton, Obed W.
18 North Atkinson st. Carpenter
Griffin, Joseph T.
19 Chestnut street Painter
Hale, Henry S.
6 Allen street Sec'y Lumber Co.
Hart, Robert E.
45 Bromfield street Shoe cutter
Hathaway, Benjamin F.
50 Purchase street Baker
Healey, Jere
16 Dove street
Coal dealer
Hicken, George B.
Willow av. & Maple st. Carpenter
Hinckley, Fred P.
136 State street Janitor ct. house
Hines, Joseph
131 Merrimac street 6 Orange street Merchant
Shoemaker
Holker, William
Holland, J. Douglass
50 Woodland street Insurance
Hopkins, Thomas J.
9 Federal street
Comb maker
Hopkinson, Albert W.
311 High street
Laster
Howard, W. H. P.
117 Merrimac street Foreman
Hoyt, Alvah
26 Oakland street
Carpenter Carpenter
Huntee, Thomas J.
65 Washington street Foreman
47 Middle street Printer
12 School street
Rigger
Ireland, Benjamin P.
14 Fair street Machinist
275 Merrimac street Clerk
Clerk
23 Jefferson street 7 Titcomb street Teamster
156} High street Upholsterer
203 High street 49 Prospect street
Banker
Master mariner
Hunt, John D.
185 Merrimac street
Huse, Caleb B.
Hutchins, William W.
Ives, Frank B., Jr. Jackman, James M. Jaques, George N.
Jackson, Percy B. Johnson, William R. Jones, Oliver O.
344
ANNUAL REPORTS
NAME.
RESIDENCE.
OCCUPATION.
Jordan, William J.
Kelleher, Michael J.
24 Carter street
Kenney, Edward
17 Titcomb street
Retired
Kent, Otis L.
20 North Atkinson st. Florist
Kimball, Philip H.
2 Bradstreet place Watchmaker
Knight, Alpheus G.
24 Atwood street
Gentleman
Knight, Eben C.
31 Purchase street Retired
Lang, Charles
19 Market street
Shoe cutter
Leach, Alexander Leach, Hiram
- Broad street
Carpenter
Leighton, George H. D.
58 Bromfield street Shoemaker
Little, Isaac W.
36 High street Clerk
Little, Joseph A.
22 Boardman street
Pressman
Little, Eben
45 Purchase street Agent
Mansur, George W.
4 Garden street Baker
Marsh, Clarence I.
6 Bridge road Carpenter
Martin, Henry O.
53 Washington street Manager
McCarthy, Timothy S.
McGlew, Hugh E.
- Prince place Blacksmith
Merrill, Alfred D.
25 Woodland street Clerk
Moody, Arthur M.
218 High street Electrician
Moylan, Albert E.
33 Olive street Insurance
Noyes, Charles M.
142 High street Clerk
Noyes, Charles Melvin Noyes, Fred T.
116 State street
Box maker
21 Barton street Grocer
Noyes, Joseph
6 Tyng street Shoe cutter
Oliver, George Clinton
157 Merrimac street Clerk
Ordway, Charles H.
54 Ashland street Livery stable
Ordway, J. Horace
287 High street
Hack driver
Osgood, Edward
49 Purchase street Crockery
Parker, George
35} Washington street Silversmith
Parsons, Fred W.
Peckham, George P.
32 Charles street
Shoe cutter
Perkins, Charles L.
10} Bromfield street
152 State street Books
Lumber surveyor
129¿ State street
Hats and clothing Expressman
7 Summit place
Painter
345
LIST OF JURORS
NAME.
RESIDENCE.
OCCUPATION.
Pettingell, George B.
523 Marlboro street Retired
Pettingell, Peabody G.
61 Purchase street
Clerk
Pike, George I.
38 Tyng street
Trimmer
Pike, John S.
2 Dalton street
Boots and shoes
Pritchard, John N.
134 Water street
Master mariner
Purington, John W.
11 Oakland street
Silver molder
Randall, Frank A.
9₺ Kent street
Motorman
Richardson, Joseph C.
25 Boardman street
Retired
Richardson, Fred C.
6 Market street Clerk
Ross, Edgar
11 Tyng street
Carriage mfr.
Ross, Herbert W.
22 Congress street
Clerk
Rourke, John J.
10 Barton street
Laundry
Russell, Eugene
33 Carter street
Shoemaker
Sargent, Charles H.
323 High street
Machinist
Shackford, Charles H.
29 Bromfield street 14 Tremont street
Hair dresser Clerk
Shute, George E.
34 Liberty street
Salesman
Smart, George H.
163 Merrimac street
Painter
Smart, Harrison F.
163 Merrimac street
Clerk
South, Fred H.
5 Buck street
Paper hanger
Souther, David F.
39 Fair street
Shoemaker
Southwell, George W.
4 Greenleaf street
Silversmith
Stanley, Benjamin F.
3 Ashland street
Ship carpenter
Stickney, Edward S.
32 Kent street
Variety store
Stevens, E. Scott
194 High street
Clothing dealer
Stevens, J. Albert
246 Water street
Wood worker
Sullivan, James F.
28 Federal street
Shoemaker
Sullivan, John M.
- Hale's court
Blacksmith
Swan, George J. G. Thompson, George E. Thurlow, John Jacob
20 Tyng street
Printer
37 Lime street
Comb maker
Thurlow, Rufus E.
23 High street Clerk
Tibbetts, Russell S.
41 Purchase street Baker
Titcomb, John W.
39 Kent street
154 Water street Machinist
Retired
Shea, George E.
346
ANNUAL REPORTS
NAME.
RESIDENCE.
OCCUPATION.
Toomey, James
4 Eagle street
Laborer
Townsend, Oliver P.
11 Salem street
Nurse
Tucker, C. Frank
35₺ Washington st.
Fruit dealer
Varina, Edward E.
43 High street
Coal and wood
Wallace, William H.
18 Market street
Shoemaker
Welch, George H.
20 Oak street
Shoe cutter
Welch, Samuel R.
20 Barton street
Foreman
Wilson, Albert P.
88 Federal street
Bicycles
Wilson, Simon E.
246 Merrimac street
Veteran
Wilkinson, Michael J.
70 High street
Plumber
Wilkinson, William J.
70 High street
Plumber
Winkley, Paul T.
- Parker street
Farmer
Winkley, J. Otis
- Parker street
Milk dealer
Wood, Benjamin S.
30 Washington street Grocer
Woodman, William E.
19 Madison street Molder
Young, Eben A.
1 Dalton street Mason
Young, John P.
37 Lime street Motorman
Young, Samuel P.
286 High street
Shoemaker
RETURNS OF THE ELECTIONS -1903.
ANNUAL STATE ELECTION.
[November 3, 1903.]
GOVERNOR.
Wards . One Two Three Four Five Six Total
John L. Bates
258
120
217
168
116
258
1137
Thomas F. Brennan
3
3
3
1
12
27
John C. Chase
8
16
26
17
31
53
151
Oliver W. Cobb .
1
0
0
1
0
2
4
William A. Gaston
111
154
189
138
182
118
892
Blanks .
16
9
20
6
13
17
81
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.
Wards .
One Two Three Four Five
Six Total
John Q. Adams
26
25
40
25
40
65
221
Curtis Guild, Jr.
237
125
202
159
116
254
1093
William F. Merrill
4
1
2
3
2
4
16
Richard Olney, 2d.
80
123
162
117
156
96
734
Moritz E. Ruther
3
5
10
3
3
7
26
Blanks .
47
25
44
26
26
34
202
348
ANNUAL REPORTS
SECRETARY.
Wards .
One Two Three Four Five Six Total
Olof Bokelund
18
23
25
21
34
57
178
John F. Coyle
4
4
3
8
8
8
35
Alfred L. Cutting
6
3
7
4
2
4
26
Ezekiel M. Ezekiel
54
107
139
94
134
89
617
William M. Olin
238
125
220
166
129
262
1140
Blanks
77
42
61
40
36
40
296
TREASURER.
Wards .
One Two Three Four Five Six
Total
John A. Billings
19
22
30
19
36
57
183
Edward S. Bradford .
. 231
119
211
168
120
255
1104
Napoleon B. Johnson
4
3
3
4
2
8
24
Frederick A. Nagler
2
3
5
5
3
8
26
Thomas C. Thatcher .
61
116
139
98
147
85
646
Blanks
80
41
67
39
35
47
309
AUDITOR.
Wards .
One Two Three Four Five Six
Total
John H. Hagan
7
8
11
10
11
13
60
Joseph Orr .
13
18
23
18
34
57
163
Alfred E. Steele
7
2
4
7
2
9
31
Francois X. Tetrault .
51
110
134
89
137
78
599
Henry E. Turner
223
115
207
162
119
254
1080
Blanks
96
51
76
47
40
49
359
ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
Wards .
. One Two Three Four Five
Six
Total
John A. Anderson .
5
7
6
10
2
14
44
William J. Carroll
16
21
25
14
34
59
169
Henry M. Deane
5
1
2
6 90
2 136
71
580
Herbert Parker
227
125
215
167
129
256
1119
Blanks
95
47
76
46
40
54
358
6
22
John J. Flaherty
49
103
131
349
RETURNS OF ELECTIONS
COUNCILOR (5th District).
Wards . . One Two Three Four Five
Six Total
William C. Cuseck
89
138
196
121
167
108
819
James F. Dailey
5
5
4
4
7
14
39
E. Francis deLara
12
14
20
19
23
45
133
George R. Jewett
. 205
105
181
151
107
237
986
Jonathan S. Lewis
9
4
2
5
3
7
30
SENATOR (3d Essex District) .
Wards .
. One Two Three Four Five
Six
Total
Alfred L. Binley
23
33
33
33
51
79
252
James A. Cogswell
34
53
69
57
83
56
352
Moody Kimball .
285
174
304
202
163
275
1403
Blanks
55
44
49
41
46
50
285
REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL COURT (22d District) .
Wards
One Two Three Four Five Total
Thomas Huse
. 282
171
255
175
130
1013
George A. Schofield
. 226
191
261
182
223
1083
Claude H. Tarbox
. 133
83
159
115
108
598
Charles M. Watson .
15
28
41
31
53
168
Blanks
138
135
194
163
172
801
REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT (2d Essex Dis. )
Ward
Six Total
James William Bailey
33
33
Samuel F. Coffin .
213
213
James F. Pease
2
2
George A. Titcomb
197
197
Blanks
15
15
350
ANNUAL REPORTS
COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
Wards
One Two Three Four Five Six Total
Justin Allen
9
4
4
8
2
5
32
Edward B. Bishop
. 232
131
215
170
126
245
1119
John E. Eustace
14
8
5
3
6
17
53
James O. Parker
45
103
132
85
133
78
576
Jason Spofford
17
23
36
23
43
65
207
Blanks
80
35
63
44
33
50
305
REGISTER OF PROBATE.
Wards .
. One Two Three Four Five
Six
Total
Benjamin H. Blaney .
26
34
35
30
49
73
247
Jeremiah T. Mahoney . 213
186
284
214
213
275
1385
Michael Tracey
3
9
8
10
11
46
Blanks
153
81
127
81
71
101
614
REGISTER OF DEEDS (South Essex).
Wards . . One Two Three Four Five Six Total
Willard J. Hale
272
208
327
245
209
311
1572
Frank B. Jordan
8
7
7
4
10
15
51
Alfred Pearson
33
43
44
38
62
75
295
Blanks
84
46
77
46
62
59
374
COUNTY TREASURER.
Wards .
. One Two Three Four Five Six Total
William H. Hitchcock
19
20
29
22
41
63
194
John Kenny
1
4
36
5
3
12
61
Frank N. Rand
10
2
4
7
0
7
30
David I. Robinson
225
118
206
161
117
250
1077
Frederick O. Spaulding .
49
112
135
92
145
76
609
Blanks
93
48
45
46
37
52
321
35I
RETURNS OF ELECTIONS
ACCEPTANCE OF ACT OF LEGISLATURE (Luce Law).
Wards One Two Three Four Five Six Total
Yes .
97
61
103
95
80
113
549
No
138
148
199
122
158
195
960
Blanks
162
95
153
116
105
152
783
TOTAL VOTE.
Wards . One Two Three Four Five Six Total
Totals . . 397 304 455 333
343
460
2292
VOTE FOR REPRESENTATIVE (22d Essex District).
TOWN OF IPSWICH.
Thomas Huse 203
George A. Schofield
533
Claude A. Tarbox . 184
Charles M. Watson
21
George H. W. Hayes
1
Blanks
464
TOWN OF ROWLEY.
Thomas Huse . 124
George A. Schofield
135
Claude H. Tarbox . 132
Charles M. Watson
22
Blanks
151
TOWN OF NEWBURY.
Thomas Huse . 114
George A. Schofield 68
Claude H. Tarbox . 238
Charles M. Watson 12
Blanks 140
352
ANNUAL REPORTS
NEWBURYPORT (WARDS ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE).
Thomas Huse 1013
George A. Schofield 1083
Claude H. Tarbox . 598
Charles M. Watson 168
Blanks 802
REPRESENTATIVE VOTE (2d Essex District).
NEWBURYPORT (WARD SIX).
James William Bailey 33
Samuel F. Coffin 213
James F. Pease .
2
George A. Titcomb 197
Blanks
15
TOWN OF MERRIMAC.
James William Bailey 40
Samuel F. Coffin 96
James F. Pease 29
George A. Titcomb 247
Blanks
13
TOWN OF WEST NEWBURY.
James William Bailey 17
Samuel F. Coffin 223
James F. Pease
3
George A. Titcomb 73
Blanks
8
TOWN OF SALISBURY.
James William Bailey 18
Samuel F. Coffin 86
James F. Pease 7
George A. Titcomb 113
Blanks
6
353
RETURNS OF ELECTIONS
CITY ELECTION.
[December 15, 1903.]
MAYOR.
Wards .
One Two Three Four Five
Six Total
James F. Carens
. 288
235
402
259
290
281
1755
William J. Gregory
4
1
12
8
15
52
92
Blanks
176
107
117
155
133
185
873
ALDERMAN-AT-LARGE.
Wards .
One Two Three Four Five Six
Total
Charles W. Ayers
. 225
156
251
219
178
277
1306
Robert G. Dodge
208
151
239
170
228
212
1208
Blanks
35
36
41
33
32
29
206
ALDERMAN, WARD ONE.
Wards .
. One Two Three Four Five
Six
Total
Samuel R. Welch
. 184
138
200
145
165
206
1038
George F. Woodman .
. 260
172
280
196
207
237
1352
Blanks
24
33
51
81
66
75
330
ALDERMAN, WARD TWO.
Wards . . One Two Three Four Five Six Total
Moody B. Noyes
329
258
365
264
290
340
1846
Blanks
139
85
166
158
148
178
884
ALDERMAN, WARD THREE.
Wards .
. One Two Three Four Five
Six Total
Arthur P. Brown
230
144
232
169
146
264
1185
Benjamin P. Ireland .
. 204
173
271
200
237
200
1285
Blanks
34
26
28
53
55
54
250
12
354
ANNUAL REPORTS
ALDERMAN, WARD FOUR.
Wards One Two Three Four Five Six
Total
W. H. T. Dodge
.123
76
94
80
58
109
540
Charles P. Kelley
102
125
195
169
231
129
951
William H. Wallace . . 182
109
180
136
113
220
940
Blanks
61
33
62
37
36
60
289
ALDERMAN, WARD FIVE.
Wards . . One Two Three Four Five Six Total
Andrew R. Curtis . . 315 254
382
280
344
391
1966
Blanks
153
89
149
142
94
127
754
ALDERMAN, WARD SIX.
Wards .
. One Two Three Four Five
Six
Total
John M. Chase
. 221
171
271
190
166
165
1184
Herbert Patten
.167
115
173
144
206
337
1142
Blanks
80
57
87
88
66
16
394
OVERSEER OF THE POOR FOR THREE YEARS.
Wards . One Two Three Four Five Six
Total
Leonard W. Sargent . . 320
223
344
274
262
366
1789
Blanks . 148
120
187
148
176
152
931
COUNCILMEN.
WARD ONE.
Winfred A. Bridges . . 192
John J. Dunn 154
Hudson Harriman Hardy . 200
Franklin P. Knight 202
George H. Welch . 287
Blanks . 369
355
RETURNS OF ELECTIONS
WARD TWO.
Laurens C. Emery 149
James F. Sullivan 143
Chester G. Menut . 93 Fifield E. Woods . 120
George P. Peckham 181
Arthur J. Richard . 78 Blanks 265
WARD THREE.
J. Eugene Fowle
225
Abraham Seaman 162
Charles W. Genn
136
David F Souther
160
Robert E. Hart 202
John J. Kelleher
257
Blanks
. 451
WARD FOUR.
Richard S. Goodwin, Jr. . 165
John J. Kohlhaas 79
Leonard S. Davis . 102
Frank A. Page
217
Blanks
. 514
WARD FIVE.
Albert H. Beckford . 133
John Balch Blood . 139
William P. Donahue 79
George W. Hussey 214
Frank W. Marshall 159
Blanks . 244
WARD SIX.
Frank O. Fowle . 186
George W. Martin 149
Albert D. Frost 260 Herman S. Stevens 278
Obed W. Greaton . 312
Blanks
369
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
WARD ONE.
Richard G. Adams . 307 Blanks . . 161
WARD TWO.
Charles W. Bailey . . 214 Blanks . 129
Bartholomew M Sullivan . 189
John J. O'Brien . . 111
E. Scott Stevens 108
Arthur Withington . 127
356
ANNUAL REPORTS
WARD THREE.
John F. Young . . 341
Blanks 190
WARD FOUR.
Philip H. Kimball . . 244 Blanks . 178
WARD FIVE.
Jere Healey
. 185
Blanks
41
Randolph C. Hurd . 212
WARD SIX.
Paul A. Merrill
.356
Blanks
. 162
CLAM REFERENDUM.
Wards . . One
Two Three
Four
Five
Six
Total
Yes .
. 324
198
310
243
234
263
1572
No
61
66
84
66
77
106
460
Blanks .
83
79
137
113
127
149
688
LIQUOR LICENSE.
Wards . . One
Two Three Four
Five
Six
Total
Yes .
175
156
279
213
208
134
1165
2 79
No
. 217
172
232
192
217
354
1444
Blanks .
16
15
20
17
13
30
111
TOTAL VOTE.
Wards. . . One
Two Three Four
Five
Six
Total
Totals
. 468
343
531
422
438
518
2720
357
CITY GOVERNMENT
CITY GOVERNMENT .- 1904.
MAYOR. HON. JAMES F. CARENS.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
CHARLES W. AYERS, President of the Board.
GEORGE F. WOODMAN . Ward One
MOODY B. NOYES
Ward Two
BENJAMIN P. IRELAND Ward Three
CHARLES P. KELLEY . Ward Four
ANDREW R. CURTIS . . Ward Five
JOHN M. CHASE Ward Six
CHARLES W. AYERS (ward four) . At Large
GEORGE H. STEVENS, Clerk of the Board. HENRY W. LITTLE, Assistant Clerk.
BOARD OF COMMON COUNCIL.
JAMES F. SULLIVAN, President.
WARD ONE.
WARD FOUR.
FRANKLIN P. KNIGHT,
FRANK A. PAGE,
GEORGE H. WELCH,
BARTHOLOMEW M. SULLIVAN,
HUDSON H. HARDY.
RICHARD S. GOODWIN, JR.
WARD TWO.
WARD FIVE.
GEORGE P. PECKHAM,
GEORGE W. HUSSEY,
LAURENS C. EMERY,
FRANK W. MARSHALL,
JAMES F. SULLIVAN. JOHN BALCH BLOOD.
WARD THREE.
WARD SIX. OBED W. GREATON,
JOHN J. KELLEHER,
J. EUGENE FOWLE,
ROBERT E. HART.
HERMAN S. STEVENS, ALBERT D. FROST.
J. HERMANN CARVER, Clerk of the Board.
HON. JAMES F. CARENS
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
-OF -
HON. JAMES F. CARENS DELIVERED JANUARY 4, 1904.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL :
In keeping with a long-established custom, we meet tonight to assume offices of responsibility as well as honor. And ungrateful indeed would I be did I not pause at this time to express my indebtedness for and appreciation of the renewed evidence of the confidence of my fellow-citizens. And it becomes a duty to all to give, to the city that has honored us, service that is in keeping with our oath of office and a devotion sincere and unfaltering.
Preliminary to discussing the detailed needs of the several departments of the city, I invite your attention to a careful consideration of the financial report, as ren- dered by the city treasurer at the close of the municipal year, Dec. 19, 1903.
I3
362
ANNUAL REPORTS
Statement of city debt, December 19, 1903 :
City bonds, refunding loan, 4 per cent .
$65,000 00
66
4 90,000 00
66 66 4 25,000 00
66 sewerage loan, 4
107,500 00
66 3₺
46,000 00
66 school house loan, 3₺ per cent 27,500 00
66 high school " 3} 66 85,000 00
$446,000 00
Notes payable, temporary loan
90,534 54
water account loan
56,933 19
66 trust funds 79,750 00
Due sundry accounts
3 48
Gross debt
$673,221 21
Less available assets :
Tax of 1901
$ 2,029 65
66 1902 26,546 30
1903 55,537 75
Betterments
2,235 48
Watering streets, 1902
353 00
66 1903 .
953 45
State of Massachusetts, state aid . 9,891 00
66 military aid 270 23
Sinking funds
132,616 41
Cash on hand .
72,855 64
State of Massachusetts, burial account
245 00
303,533 91
Net debt December 19, 1903
$369,687 30
66 20,1902 321,725 39
Increase of debt in 1903 $47,961 91
The increase of debt in 1903 is explained as follows :
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Appropriated to sinking fund in 1903 $17,200 00
Iucome of sinking fund in 1903 . 4,329 10
Appropriated to ward six engine house 1,000 00
Credit for the year .
$22,529 10
Increase of overdraft in 1903 $ 8,326 65
Net expenses on sewerage in 1903 1,235 68
new high school in 1903 . 60,279 68
Expenditures on water account
649 00
70,491 01
Increase of debt (as before stated). $47,961 91
The total appropriations amounted to $186,906.98, income and transfers amounted to $40,881.05, making a total of $227,788.03. The expenditures were $236,- 391.66, making an overdraft of $9,603.63.
FINANCES.
The material welfare of every community depends in the greatest possible measure upon its financial standing as judged by those beyond its borders. The financial problem which confronts us at this time, coupled with the desire to maintain the present efficiency of every de- partment, is not pleasing to look upon, but the confidence of our fellow-citizens in our integrity and ability to man- age the affairs of the city calls for such action as will demonstrate a proper conception of civic responsibility.
The loss of $18,000 from the license fees, supple- mented by the call for $5800 per year for interest and sinking fund requirements in payment for the high school building, will be reinforced by a demand from the county commissioners for $3500 as the first payment
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ANNUAL REPORTS
upon the new bridge, and a call for not less than $3500 to repair and improve the Davenport school, which was burned in December. In these four items can be found the material that, if economy from a theoretical stand- point is practised, will militate to the disadvantage of the city by a tax rate of an abnormal figure; while the economy that discards parsimony, yet suggests no ex- penditure that calls not imperatively, will be of inestim- able advantage in perpetuating the prosperity that is upon us and which no act of ours should or will retard.
THE OVERDRAFT.
" Age cannot wither nor custom stale " the public interest in the annual dissertation explanatory of the overdraft of the preceding year. The extraordinary and woeful conditions of the fuel market that prevailed during the winter of 1902-03 are in a great measure responsible for the overdraft of 1903, and for the follow- ing reasons : By the inability of the administration of 1902 to procure coal to heat the buildings, the property of the city, it was necessary to purchase, and in many cases at exorbitant prices, a sufficient quantity of wood to do so. While at the beginning of the year much consideration was given this matter, the amount of wood consumed and the abnormal prices at which it was con- tracted for by the government of 1902 (and which, as a matter of fairness, were in all cases at the market value at that time) completely overthrew the plans mapped out by the committee having the matter in charge.
By reference to the financial sheet of the year, an
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
overdraft of $7627.17 appears on the fuel account, all of which was paid before April 1st, 1903, all of which under ordinary conditions would have been paid by the preceding administration. In addition to the above amount, the fuel committee, in order to place matters again in their normal condition, were obliged to spend the sum of $6164.52 for coal and other fuel in order that our buildings might be properly heated.
" Comparisons are odious," but the inequalities of fuel financiering are readily understood when it is seen that the administration of 1902 passed favorably upon fuel bills amounting to $1543.07, while that of 1903 was obliged to pay the sum of $13,490.17. The totals are spectacular, to say the least, and we offer in extenuation of the facts that every dollar charged to the account has been paid, regardless of which administration contracted the bill, and all public buildings are fully supplied with fuel for the season.
The school department, in whose expenditures the city council have no voice, shows an overdraft of $4661 .- 61, and in these two appropriations can be found the causes that make necessary this explanation, as without these two overdrafts our total appropriation would have shown an undrawn balance of $2685.15.
The overdraft in the fire department was caused by the large number of bills, amounting to $900, carried from 1902, and a statement of which has been prepared by the chairman of last year's committee.
The police appropriation shows an overdraft for the reason of an over-estimate of its income and by the in- crease of pay.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
The board of health appropriation was overdrawn in stamping out what promised to be an epidemic of diph- theria, and for their prompt and successful action they deserve the thanks of the whole community.
The appropriation for shade trees was overdrawn $499.01, it being found necessary in order to save the trees.
Incidental to the overdraft, it may be stated that it was found during the summer that there were no lots available for burial purposes in the cemeteries owned by the city, consequently land was purchased at an ex- pense of $1200. Plans have been made and the city is now in possession of a burial ground containing about three hundred lots.
The Kelley school has also been fitted with first-class sanitary arrangements at a cost of $1100, upon which a payment of $800 on account has been made.
A sinking fund has been created for an engine house at ward six, and $1000 remains to its credit.
SCHOOLS.
The department that responds to this caption is un- questionably the nearest, and in more than one sense the dearest, to us all. For the department that cares for our children during their tender years deserves well of all citizens, and, whatever the financial exigencies, should be the first to be considered. I have no hesitancy in saying that we have an excellent system of schools and a corps of intelligent, efficient and devoted teachers, that have made our schools the equal of those in other
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
cities of the state. This in itself means much to the community in general, for, in spite of all outside crit- icisms, the schools of Massachusetts lay the foundation upon which is built the intelligent and moral greatness of a state which represents the best culture and best sentiments of humanity.
There are twelve buildings in use for schools. The High school is the largest and best equipped. The Jackman, Kelley and Curtis schools meet the require- ments in full. The others are insufficient to meet the needs of the pupils.
It has been the policy during the past few years to greatly improve our school buildings, and as a conse- quence great progress has been made toward better and more commodious quarters.
The appropriation for this department was $34,000 ; its income amounted to $2403.80. Its expenditures amounted to $41,019.24, showing an overdraft of $4615.44.
This does not in any way convey a proper idea of the total expense, for, aside from the above-named amount, we will this year be obliged to provide, in interest and sinking fund charges, about $5800 on account of the high school and about $2900 on account of the Jackman school. We will also spend $2500 under the direction of the committee on public property. In view of the in- creased expenses of this department, while I would urge no " penny wise and pound foolish policy," I would ask the school board for that which will meet the approval of the people, economy, where it may be practised safely and wisely.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
To add to our already large expense, the Davenport school, damaged by fire December last, will cost in the neighborhood of $3500 to repair it, if modern heating and ventilating methods are to be added, and provisions for the payment of these repairs must be made by the city council of this year. The pupils from this school are pleasantly and comfortably housed by the courtesy and kindness of the trustees of the Methodist church, who for their favorable consideration of our request de- serve much praise.
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