USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1906 > Part 11
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Retired
Bartlett, Edward E.
186
ANNUAL REPORTS
NAME
Delano, James C.
Dodge, William H. T.
High street
Carpenter
Donahoe, Arthur J.
16 Fruit street
Merchant
Donlon, Patrick W.
IS Olive street
Provision dealer
Drew, Oscar F.
86 Federal street
Silver plater
Driscoll, Dennis F.
512 Elm street
Shoe cutter
Dunn, John J.
19 Barton street
Comb maker
Edmands, Leroy S.
37 Broad street Federal street
Salesman
Elliott, Clayton J.
26 Olive street
Silversmith
Fanning, Fred B.
472 Harris street,
Book-keeper
Foley, Richard J.
27 Dove street
Stove dealer
Fowler, Edward C.
Plummer Ave.
Motorman
Fowle, Frank O.
Ferry Road
Shoe cutter
Gale, Stephen W.
4 Kent street
Janitor
Gerrish, Beniah F.
29 Milk street
Merchant
Gerrish, Gilbert
I12 State street
Clerk
Goodwin, Charles W.
108 State street
Merchant
Gorwaiz, Albert M.
I Buck sireet
Manufacturer
Gould, Horace
16 High street
Retired
Grant, Charles A.
39 Temple street
Laster
Greeley, Lucius H.
78 High street
Contractor
Griffin, Life
Spofford street
Real estate
Healey, Jere
16 Dove street
C'oal dealer
Hinckley, Fred P.
114 High street 6 Orange street
Merchant
Hart, Robert E.
22 Liberty street
Insurance
Hoyt, Edward B.
26 Marlboro street
Carpenter
Hoyt, Alvah
26 Oakland street
Contractor
Hussey, George W.
43 Kent street
Carpenter
Horsch, George
Haskell, Edward H.
Holland, John M.
47 Forrester street
Shoe cutter
Ives, Frank B, Jr.
276 Merrimac street
Burnisher
Johnson, William R .
203 High street
Banker
Johnston, James H.
17 Boardman street
Supt. highways
Jones, Oliver O.
52 High street
Retired
Jordan, William J.
3 Pond street
Merchant
Kelly, Charles P.
126 Merrimac street
Grocer
Kelly, John J.
26 Prospect street
Insurance
Kimball, Philip H.
2 Bradstreet place
Jeweler
Knight, Eben C.
31 Purchase street
Assessor
Knight, William P.
29 Bromfield street
Shoemaker
Kelleher, Michael J.
Toppan street
Teamster
Lambert. Eben M.
Io Horton street
Restaurant
Langdon, George W.
Leavitt, Alvah W.
Leighton, George H. D.
Shoe cutter
Little, Isaac W.
36 High street
Historian
Little, Eben
45 Purchase street
Clerk
Little, William
Little, Benjamin P.
RESIDENCE
OCCUPATION
428 Merrimac street
Motorman
Civil engineer Merchant
6 Park street 37 Prospect street 4 Vernon street
Io Independent street 8 Pine street
Shoemaker Comb shop
39 Market Square 8 Horton street
Farmer
Pressman
Janitor
Holker, William
Machinist
Emery, Lurens C.
187
JURY LIST
NAME
RESIDENCE OCCUPATION
Lunt, Charles H.
271 Merrimac street
Undertaker
Lunt, Jere B.
9 Bromfield street
Mason
Lattime, George W.
Pine street
Retired
Manser, George W.
16 Tremont street
Poultry raiser
Marsh, Clarence I.
6 Bridge road
Carpenter
McCarthy, Timothy S. McCusker, John E.
McGlew, Hugh E.
Prince place
Retired Blacksmith
McGrath, Thomas J.
15 Tremont street
Moylan, Albert E.
33 Olive street
Hatter
Marden, Arthur P.
15 Summit place
Piano tuner
Nilan, Thomas
52 Federal street
Combmaker
Noyes, Charles Melvin
167 State street
Boxmaker
Noyes, Fred T.
21 Barton street 32 Milk street
Shoe cutter
Noyes, Joseph
6 Tyng street
Shoe cutter
O'Brien, John J.
5 Kent street
Driver
Oliver, George Clinton
157 Merrimac street
Undertaker
Ordway, J. Horace
287 High street
Hackman
Osgood, Edward
49 Purchase street Marlboro street
Merchant
Osgood, John Parsons, Fred W.
152 State street
Actor Driver
Peckham, George P.
32 Charles street
Shoe cutter
Perkins, Charles L.
1032 Bromfield street
Assessor
Pettingell, George B.
5212 Marlboro street
Retired
Pettingell, Peabody G.
61 Purchase street
Clerk
Pike, George I.
38 Tyng street 134 Water street
Trimmer
Pritchard, John N.
Retired
Poor, Isaac
Lime street
Grocer
Pray, Charles G.
55 Federal street
Collector
Purington, John W.
II Oakland street
Silver molder
Poole, William W.
43 Bromfield street
Shoe cutter
Richardson, Joseph C.
25 Boardman street
Clerk
Richardson, Fred C.
24 Fair street
Clerk
7 Prospect street
Silver shop
22 Congress street
Clerk
Russell, Eugene
Shoemaker
Reed, Prentis H.
Clerk
Randall, Frank A.
972 Kent street
Foundry
Sargent, John W.
40 Milk street
Reporter Barber
South, Fred H. Souther, David F.
39 Fair street
Shoemaker
Starr, Everett L.
Io Kent street
Silversmith
Stickney, George E.
62 Pleasant street
Undertaker
Stanwood, William F.
Conductor
Stark, Frank
33 Madison street Prince Place
Starter
Stockman, Charles A.
153 High street
Merchant
Rodigrass, Lemuel W. Ross, Herbert W. Ross, Herman S. Rouke, John J.
3 Railroad street 19 Charter street 23 Temple street Lime street
Shoe operator
Laundryman
Shackford, Charles H.
5 Allen street
Painter
5 Buck street
Retired
Patten, Herbert
21 Tyng street
Grocer
Noyes, James A.
28 Warren street
Mason
21 Charter strer
188
ANNUAL REPORTS
NAME
RESIDENCE OCCUPATION
Swan, George J.
36 Tyng street
Printer
Sawyer, Louis C.
8 Birch street
Silver worker
Stevens, Luren
212 Jackson street
Silversmith
Stevens, J. Wallace
65 Purchase street
Shoemaker
Thompson, George E.
37 Lime street
Comb shop
Thibault, Joseph R.
12 Orange street
Barber
Thurlow, John J.
38 Purchase street
Machsnist
Thurlow, Rufus E.
23 High street
Clerk
Thurston, William
8 Harris street
Agent
Thurlow, Daniel P.
Spring street
Musician
Todd, John C.
90 High street
Retired
Tilton, Daniel E.
46 Federal street
Grocer
Toomey, James
4 Eagle street
Laborer
Upton, Edward E.
26 Marked street
Provision
Usher, William R.
30 Broad street
Shoe mfg.
Varina, Edward E.
I Alter Court
Coal Dealer
Welch, George H.
20 Oak street
Foreman
Welch Samuel R.
20 Barton street Ferry Road
Farmer
Wilson, Albert P.
15 Horton street
Merchant
Winkley J. Otis
Parker street
Farmer
Winkley, Paul T.
Parker street
Farmer
Whitmore, George L.
5 Chapel street
Shoemaker
Whiteley, Charles
1472 Beck street
Clerk
Wood, Benjamin S.
30 Washington street
Grocer
Woodbury, Francis
18 Tremont street
Clerk
Young, Eben A.
I Dalton street
Mason
Young, John P.
37 Lime street
Clerk
Foreman
Wilson, Simon P.
RETURNS OF THE ELECTIONS- 1906
GOVERNOR
Wards ..
I
2
3
4
5
6
Total
Gamaliel Bradford ..
4
5
8
4
4
8
33
James F. Carey.
5
9
14
4
3
25
60
William H. Carroll.
4
3
O
3
2
O
I2
Curtis Guild jr
268
164
289
232
162
355
1470
John B. Moran, P .. .
31
23
24
28
35
38
179
John B. Moran, I. L ..
33
24
46
39
41
35
218
John B. Moran, D.
54
74
93
78
I33
70
502
John B. Moran
2
4
6
2
5
4
23
Blanks, 107.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Wards.
I
2
3
4
5
6 Total
E. Gerry Brown .
I28
I32
189
14I
217
151
958
Hervey S. Cowell.
8
6
2
5
9
5
35
Eben S. Draper.
254
143
255
214
136
.326
1328
Walter J. Hoar.
6
6
5
4
4
8
33
John F. Mullen
6
7
I2
6
4
18
53
Blanks, 196.
SECRETARY
Wards.
I
2
3
4
5
6 Total
Joao Claudino.
I
5
3
3
3
3
18
Jonathan S. Lewis.
7
0
3
5
7
6
28
Ambrose Miles.
I3
14
15
7
5
31
85
William M. Olin.
269
147
256
222
I54
350
1 398
Charles C. Paine.
79
107
I53
II3
172
91
715
Blanks, 360.
TREASURER
Wards.
I
2
3
4
5
6 Total
Arthur B. Chapin.
264
147
257
223
155
359
1405
George B. Cushman ...
II
14
I7
5
9
31
87
S. Frederick French. .
IO
4
3
4
5
3
29
George M. Harrigan, .
71
103
147
107
106
83
677
David F. Richardson.
05
2
4
7
5
6
29
Blanks, 377.
190
ANNUAL REPORTS
AUDITOR
Wards.
I
2
3
4
5
Total
Albert Barnes ..
6
2
2
2
8
7
27
Thomas L. Hisgen
75
I02
148
I02
167
93
687
Fred L. Johnson.
7
14
16
I3
S
34
92
James F. Pease.
II
I
5
6
7
6
36
Henry E. Turner
260
I39
243
210
142
333
1327
Blanks, 435.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Wards.
I
2
3
4
5
6
Total
Allen Coffin
18
8
5
II
IO
20
72
Dana Malone.
244
142
246
197
145
327
1301
Arthur E. Reimer ....
4
3
2
5
6
IO
30
John Weaver Sherman
14
14
19
6
8
28
89
John A. Thayer ...
... .
79
IIO
I54
I2I
172
I02
738
Blanks, 374.
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS-6th District
Wards. ..
I
2
3
4
5
6 Total
Augustus P. Gardner.
209
115
200
179
I20
267
IO88
John F. Putnam.
II
4
9
2
2
15
43
George A. Schofield .. .
203
188
273
208
260
254
1386
Blanks, 87.
COUNCILLOR - 5th District
Wards.
I
2
3
4
5
6 Total
Lewis H. Bartlett.
251
142
247
208
140
329
1317
Frank H. Hills ..
75
III
I35
108
167
93
689
Harry G. Wright
17
16
2 J
II
I3
30
108
Blanks, 490.
SENATOR - 3rd Essex District
Wards.
I
2
3 182
4
5
6 Total
James A. Cogswell.
146
1 38
135
199
197
997
James F. Shaw
235
I40
263
222
I57
287
I 304
Blanks, 303.
REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT - 25th Essex District
Wards.
I
2
3
4 Total
Clarence J. Fogg.
330
24I
349
289
I20
Blanks, 437.
I9I
ELECTION RETURNS
REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT - 26th Essex District
Wards.
5
6 Total
Samuel F. Coffin.
225
259
484
William F. Runnells.
I55
274
429
Blanks, 36.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER
Wards.
I 2
3
4
5
6 Total
Charles S. Grieves.
2I
28
28
I6
27
53
I73
James C. Poor ..
262
I37
244
214
I46
336
I339
Fred G. Richards.
73
108
I46
III
165
91
694
Blanks, 398.
CLERK OF COURTS
Wards.
[
2
3
4
5
6 Total
Edward B. George ....
289
224
33I
265
249
371
I729
Blanks, 872.
REGISTER OF DEEDS
Wards
I
2
3
4
5
6
Total
Robert A. Amend.
25
31
37
I5
39
50
197
Willard J. Hale.
336
240
386
309
275
416
1962
Blanks, 445.
COUNTY TREASURER
Wards.
I
2
3
4
5
6
Total
Jonn J. Lavigne.
19
20
I7
7
16
31
IIO
James O. Parker .
74
II2
152
103
163
94
698
David I Robinson
266
I43
242
216
152
338
1358
Blanks, 438.
TOTAL VOTE
Wards.
I
2
3
4
5
6 Total
Total vote
434
316
50I
402
399
552
2604
REPRESENTATIVE VOTE - 26th Essex District
NEWBURYPORT
Wards. Samuel F. Coffin .
5
6
Total
225
259
484
William F. Runnells
155
274
429
Blanks, 38.
192
ANNUAL REPORTS
TOWN OF NEWBURY
Samuel F. Coffin .. 7 1
William F. Runnells. .... 148
Blanks, 14.
TOWN OF SALISBURY
Samuel F. Coffin
146
William F. Runnells
146
Blanks, 25.
TOWN OF WEST NEWBURY
Samuel F. Coffin.
193
William F. Runnells
86
Blanks, 12.
TOWN OF GEORGETOWN
Samuel F. Coffin.
161
William F. Runnells
226
Blanks, 45.
CITY ELECTION
-
MAYOR
Wards.
I
2
3
4
5
6
Total
Irvin Besse.
212
118
272
147
105
213
106
Albert F. Hunt.
212
141
201
183
158
241
II36
Charles P. Kelly.
58
92
86
III
173
83
603
Blanks, 57.
ALDERMAN AT LARGE
Wards ..
I
2
3
4
5
6 Total
Herbert Currier
77
49
103
80
56
I44
509
John J. Kelleher.
52
58
170
I16
184
50
630
George P. Peckham. .
I51
I28
79
68
40
56
522
Edgar Ross
130
63
83
105
96
253
730
John J. Walsh.
24
29
60
19
21
IO
163
Blanks, 310.
ALDERMAN, WARD ONE
Wards
I
2
3
4
5
6 Total
George H. Welch.
377
244
356
300
286
387
1950
Blanks, 910.
193
ELECTION RETURNS
ALDERMAN, WARD TWO
Wards.
I
2
3
4
5
6 Total
Laurens C. Emery .
226
157
201
197
216
320
1317
Orrin F. Files. .
188
I57
278
163
152
I54
1092
Blanks, 454-
ALDERMAN WARD THREE
Wards ..
I
2
3
4
5
6
Total
Robert E. Hart.
222
172
304
200
175
236
I 309
Harry E. Hewitt.
156
106
182
154
187
204
989
Blanks, 564.
ALDERMAN, WARD FOUR
Wards.
I
2
3
4
5
6
Total
William H. T. Dodge
I 30
92
150
115
109
I28
724
Percy B. Jackson. . .
I25
71
IO7
109
II2
193
717
William H. Wallace ..
159
I33
223
I74
159
162
IOIO
Blanks, 413.
ALDERMAN, WARD FIVE
Wards
I
2
3
4
5
6 Total
Albert H. Beckford ...
250
I28
202
I85
189
328
1 282
Michael J. Kelleher. .
J23
169
2.48
178
198
I39
1055
Blanks, 527.
ALDERMAN, WARD SIX
Wards ..
I
2
3
4
5
6 Total
Louis A. Blaisdell
I51
I32
219
159
I22
223
1006
Obed W. Greaton ..
240
I35
214
184
250
289
1312
Blanks, 544.
OVERSEER OF POOR, TWO YEARS
William W. Hicks ....
217
125
II3
87
I35
174
851
William B. Porter.
119
68
104
92
85
92
560
John W. Sargent.
122
I2I
248
192
I52
214
1049
Blanks, 404.
OVERSEER OF THE POOR, THREE YEARS
Wards.
I
2
3
4 180
5
6 Total
Herbert Patten.
262
167
205
238
332
I384
Leonard W. Sargent. .
I45
124
222
167
I26
169
953
Blanks, 527.
194
ANNUAL REPORTS
LICENSE
Wards.
I
2
3
4
5
6 Total
Yes.
202
186
281
221
226
I65
128B
No.
273
163
275
210
203
376
1500
Blanks, 83.
TOTAL VOTE
Wards.
I
2
3
4
5
6 Total
Totals.
494
357
567
443
445
558
2864-
COMMON COUNCIL
WARD ONE
Joshua F. Cahoon.
132
Herbert A. Furbush
158
Henry H. Harris.
184
Frederick W. Knapp.
248
Cornelius F. Sullivan.
206
Blanks, 554.
WARD TWO
William H. Connell.
200
Chester G. Menut .
177
Frank H. Plumer ..
225
Blanks, 469.
WARD THREE
James E. Fowle .. 299
Edward M Plumer.
359
Nicholas J. Waters.
290
Blanks, 753.
WARD FOUR
John W. Akerman 196
William J Cusack. 190
Leonard S. Davis
I32
Herbert C. Hewitt
165
George W. Martin.
143
Blanks, 509.
WARD FIVE
Edward Bass. . . ISI
George C. Howard .
I49
Henry O. Martin .
158
Edward G. Moody.
217
Donald Morrison . 144
Jeremiah H. Ryan
Blanks, 330. 149
195
ELECTION RETURNS
WARD SIX
Charles E. Coffin. 261
George E. Cooper. 35I
Orin R. Hill. . 223
George P. Rand.
228
Herbert H. Whitmore.
214
Blanks, 397-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
WARD ONE 4
Ernest W. Bliss 217
Franklin P. Knight.
200
Blanks, 76.
WARD TWO
William Lyall
I35
Prentis H. Reed.
16I
Blanks, 60.
WARD THREE
Arthur P. Brown 376
Blanks, 19I.
WARD FOUR
Charles F. Johnson.
297
Blanks, 148.
WARD FIVE
Patrick W. Donlon
182
William F. Lunt .. 221
Blanks, 42.
WARD SIX
William R. Usher
385
Blanks, 173-
CITY GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS-1907
MAYOR ALBERT F. HUNT Residence: No. 15 Washington street. Office: City Hall
BOARD OF ALDERMEN President of the Board: GEORGE H. WELCH Ward One
GEORGE H. WELCH 20 Oak street
Ward Two
LAURENS C. EMERY .56 Federal street
Ward Three
ROBERT E. HART.
22 Liberty street
Ward Four
WILLIAM H. WALLACE
18 Market street
Ward Five
ALBERT H. BECKFORD
17 Summit place
Ward Six
OBED W. GREATON
26 Tyng street
At Large
EDGAR ROSS
II Tyng street
Clerk of the Board : HENRY W. LITTLE
COMMON COUNCIL President of the Council : EDWARD G. MOODY Ward One
HENRY H. HARRIS. . 150 Water street FREDERICK W. KNAPP. .. 27 High street CORNELIUS F. SULLIVAN ·30 Franklin street
197
CITY GOVERNMENT
Ward Two
WILLIAM H. CONNELL ·30 Charles street
CHESTER G. MENUT. . . 26 Lime street
FRANK H. PLUMER. 69 Federal street
Ward Three
J. EUGENE FOWLE. 100 State street
EDWARD M. PLUMER. 6 Fruit street
NICHOLAS J. WATERS. .II Orange street
Ward Four
JOHN W. AKERMAN 16 Market street
WILLIAM J. CUSACK .38 Washington street
HERBERT C. HEWITT 2472 Summer street
Ward Five
EDWARD BASS. 7 Congress street
HENRY O. MARTIN. ·53 Washington street
EDWARD G. MOODY. . 218 High street
Ward Six
CHARLES E. COFFIN. 324 Merrimac street
GEORGE E. COOPER. 3 North Atkinson street
GEORGE P. RAND 14 Oakland street
Clerk of the Council : J. HERMANN CARVER
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
- OF
HON. ALBERT F. HUNT
DELIVERED JANUARY 2, 1907
Gentlemen of the City Council :
Having taken the oath of office, we now meet to perfect the organization of the city government for the ensuing year. It is a time honored and graceful custom to give expression to the sentiments of gratitude and loyalty which occasions of this kind inspire, and I therefore take this op- portunity to extend to the voters of Newburyport my heartfelt thanks for the great honor they have conferred upon me, and to assure them that to the utmost of my ability I will exercise the authority of my office in the in- terest of all the people of this city, without fear and with- out favor.
I am aware that there is nothing novel in this pledge, no new conception of the responsibilities of my office, no departure from the pledge usually given public officers throughout the United States. But there is, nevertheless, a vast difference between the situation in which I find my- self, and that which confronts the large majority of men who accept public office ; a difference not due to any supe- rior honesty or capacity on my part, for I have never claimed either, but due to the political conditions which gave rise to my election. I owe my election to no man ; I represent no special interests ; I am free; free from party obligations and political debts of every kind and nature ;
HON. ALBERT F. HUNT
199
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
free to respond to the only pledge I have ever made, my oath of office, and that freedom I shall preserve and use in the interest of the people and in fostering the growth of the political sentiment which has made such freedom pos- sible.
I believe that the abuses that have crept into politics, not only in this city but elsewhere, are largely due to the lack of a similar freedom on the part of officeholders, and my criticism of public officials in the past has been di- rected against them not as individuals, but as the repre- sentatives of a political thraldom, of which I am ready to believe they were, in many instances, the unwilling vic- tims. I have faith in and have never questioned the in- herent decency and honesty of purpose of the great major- ity of men, both in and out of public office, nor have I ever sought to array one class of lawabiding citizens against another, but I have said and I now affirm what everybody knows to be the truth, that there is in this as in every com- munity a small number of forceful, unscrupulous men who, through the wrongful use of party loyalty, fraternal feel- ings and good fellowship, all worthy sentiments in them- selves, too often secure the election of public officials for the purpose of using them in the accomplishment of pri- vate ends not only unconnected with the public welfare, but usually diametrically opposed to it.
An awakened public conscience and a higher sense of civic responsibility on the part of both voters and office- holders have combined to make irresponsible boss domina- tion increasingly difficult and dangerous, and I am firmly convinced that the recent city election was a local expres- sion of the prevalent demand for law enforcement and " A Square Deal." In this spirit, gentlemen, let us take up the duties and responsibilities of office, each showing a due regard and respect for the rights and obligations of the other, and all uniting to carry into effect the will of the people whose lawful representatives we are.
200
ANNUAL REPORTS
As is customary, I will now discuss the various subject matters usually considered in an inaugural address. We have many serious and difficult problems ahead of us, the satisfactory solution of which will require a deeper acquaint- ance with municipal affairs than it is possible to have at this time. I will therefore make such general recommenda- tions as I can in the light of present information, and leave for the future such special and detailed communications as the circumstances shall warrant and the needs of the city may require.
FINANCE
We are confronted at the outset of our administration by financial problems of the most serious nature. The amount permitted by law to be raised by taxation during the current year for strictly municipal expenditures ($12 per thousand on the net valuation of taxable property of 1906) is $132, 105.44, the valuation being $11,008,787 ac- cording to figures furnished by the board of assessors. This is, however, exclusive of the amount allowed to be taxed for state and county taxes, interest on the city's bonded indebtedness and sinking fund requirements, which for purposes of taxation do not come within the $12 per thousand that can be levied for municipal purposes.
If we have in 1907 the same tax rate as in 1906, $18.20 per thousand, this simply means that $6.20 per thousand is supposed to be applied to interest and sinking fund re- quirements and to payment of the state and county taxes. No part of the excess over $12 per thousand can legally be raised for ordinary municipal purposes. Assuming the valuation stated above, and a tax rate as high as last year's, the total amount raised by taxation will be $190,- 362, and adding the income of the city for 1907 from all other sources, approximately $30,000, to the amount raised by taxation and we have $220,362 as the gross amount of
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money that can be raised by the city for 1907 with even so high a tax rate as $18.20 per thousand.
In 1906 the appropriation for municipal purposes, in- cluding interest and sinking fund requirements, was $212,- 402.82, and the amount expended for such purposes, ac- cording to the statement of the city treasurer, dated December 15, 1906, was $229,128.97, making an overdraft of $16,726.15. The amount expended for state and county taxes was around $29,000 more. In addition to the amounts expended during the year there are still out- standing bills presented for payment after the close of the fiscal year on December 15, 1906, which I am informed will aggregate $6000 more, thereby bringing the total of the overdraft for 1906 up to about $23,000, which will have to be provided for by the present administration.
From the above it will be seen that the gross amount of money required for all purposes during 1906 was in round figures $264,000. $229,000 plus $29,000 plus $6000. The cost of carrying on the city government, as appears from the annual reports, is increasing every year and was up- wards of $15,000 more in 1906 than in 1905. But assuming that the expenses for 1907 shall be no larger than for 1906, it is apparent that with a gross income of $220,000 or thereabouts with which to meet all bills and take care of the 1906 overdraft the city will find itself face to face with an overdraft of $44,000 at the end of 1907.
This large deficit will be due to two things, the loss of about $19,000 in the city's income from liquor licenses and the overdraft which is turned over to us by the outgoing administration. Two ways of meeting this situation sug- gest themselves:
First. By effecting economies in the municipal expend- itures that are provided for in the tax of $12 per thousand, heretofore mentioned, and applying the amount saved in liquidation of the floating debt.
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Second. By funding the overdraft and issuing short. term bonds to an amount sufficient to cover the same and. put the city on a proper financial basis, thus bringing the current expenses within the tax-levying powers of the city and making the payment of the overdraft gradual and less, burdensome upon the taxpapers.
While I shall in every way possible insist upon economy in the administration of the city government, I am satisfied that this floating indebtedness cannot be taken care of out of money appropriated for strictly municipal purposes without seriously crippling every branch of the service, and I am opposed to the loose method of simply raising. taxes whenever a situation like the present one arises, and consider this method of doubtful legality.
As we have long since reached the limit of taxation for strictly municipal expenditures, an increase in taxes (ex- cept of course for state and county taxes) can only be jus- tified to meet the city's interest and sinking fund require- ments. It therefore seems that the only way open to us is to issue the city's bonds to such amount as shall be necessary to remedy existing evils. I know there are those who believe that a floating indebtedness constantly hanging over the city council's head is a greater incentive to economy than a bonded indebtedness would be, but while this sounds well it doesn't seem to have worked out in practice, and the phantom of debt, bonded or otherwise, hasn't been productive so far of any economies in adminis- tration worth mentioning. The logic might even go to the length of advocating overdrafts because of their correc- tive tendency. However that may be, all will agree that when there arises a possibility of an overdraft that shall be equal to 25 per cent of the amount authorized to be appro- priated for municipal purposes, it is time to call a halt, and readjust our finances on a basis that will be consistent with our tax-levying power.
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The fact that the increase in taxable city property does not keep pace with the increased city expenditures is serious enough in itself, but this, with the recent defalca- tion of the city treasurer, and the loss of revenue to the city involved in changing from license to no-license at this critical time, has created a situation that has no parallel in the city's history.
For your enlightenment as to the public debt of the city I give you the following figures: I learn that at the close of the fiscal year, on December 15, 1906, the total was $953,225. Besides, the overdraft and bills payable, amounting in round numbers to at least $23,000 additional, bringing our public debt near the million dollar mark. Provisions for payment: Sinking funds, $202,873.81. The water commissioners have authority to issue additional bonds to the amount of $50,000 this year in payment for improvements at the source of supply and the laying of new and larger water mains.
To the city's credit, December 15, 1906: Taxes outstand- ing, $88,509.98; deposit in banks, $26,873.81.
The vital importance of this subject to the city's welfare is a sufficient excuse for the lengthy discussion I have given it and for the recommendation I am about to make. I request the aldermen and common council as soon as possible after organization to pass a resolution designating the mayor, the president of the board of aldermen, the president of the common council, and three citizens to be named by the mayor to act as a committee for the purpose of considering and reporting to the city council as soon as possible such plan as shall seem best calculated to put the finances of the city on a more satisfactory basis.
POLICE
This department, always important, becomes doubly so this year by reason of the passage of a no-license law.
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Whatever may be said as to the advisability of passing such a law, especially in a year when the city can ill afford' to be deprived of the revenue received for licenses, there. can be no differences of opinion as to our duty to enforce this law against all who may seek to infringe it. The policy of this administration, so far as I am able to shape it through the authority vested in me, shall be one of law enforcement, not merely of the liquor laws, but of all laws. And by this I do not mean a strict enforcement of the law against some and a liberal one against others. I mean an. impartial enforcement of the spirit of the law in order to accomplish the objects for which it was passed. I am con- scious that all law enforcement is impossible without the support of public opinion, and I ask the same public opin- ion that dictated the no-license law to stand at my back in its enforcement.
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