USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1891 > Part 12
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27. Livingston, Ida B.
27
6
27. Hillback, Jacob
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28. Mooney, Ellen E. A.
15
4
28. Kenn,
31. Butler, Julia A.
38
6
15
Nov.
1. Carter, Charles H.
24
11
13
3. Nelson, Ada J.
3
9
5. Witherell, Delia C.
33
6
7. Nye, Lizzie A.
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7. Regan, Daniel
2
10
21
12. Curley, Margaret F.
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13. Healy, Thomas
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17. Nelson, Willie H.
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18. Souther, John L.
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21. Glover, Harriet L.
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Date. Name.
Age.
Years.
Months. Days.
Nov. 18. Burke, Edward
72
19. Sullivan, Daniel
45
26. Scott, Arthur
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28. Munroe, Thomas E.
40
28. Frolund, Christina
28
11
25
28. Dunham, Henrietta
69
11
30. Litchfield,
28
5
24
30. Mann, James F.
22
- Dec.
1. Donovan, Timothy J.
62
2. McDougall
4. McDonald, John
32
2
25
5. Keenan, Thomas
78
7. Sprague, Alfred W.
70
5
20
8. Darling, Albion
44
2
18
8. Foster, Sarah E.
27
11
10. O'Connell, Charles E.
3
4
16. Jones, Willie E.
11
17. Berry, Tristam
73
9
6
20. Lair, Sarah
81
9
21. Mosher, Emma P.
83
11
24
22. Halloran, John H.
3
22. Johnson, John
26
24. Kelly, Thomas F.
3
4
24. Keith, Emeline
78
24. Ellis, Catherine
26
6
25. Jones, Mary Ellen
30
20. Foster, Helen
35
20. Berry, Patrick
67
27. Robinson, Julia A.
79
4
27. Doyle, Andrew T.
62
28. Davis, Edwin
70
7 20
28. Sloane, Catherine
40
30. Keeley, William
67
30. Conlon, Thomas H.
38
8
31. Talbot, Barbara
74
10
8
Marriages.
Jan. 1. William H. Watts of Boston and Alice J. Richards of Quincy.
1. Samuel T. Hayden and Lizzie M. Caldwell, both of Quincy.
3. James Shea of Quincy and Elizabeth Deryer of Bos- ton.
7. John Barrett of Quincy and Emma E. Nickerson of Weymouth.
7. Santino Rizzi and Mary Bowton, both of Quincy.
7. Peter Fredericks and Mary Rouel, both of Quincy.
12. George A. Dean and Mamie Golden, both of Quincy.
15. John J. O'Neil and Norah Francis, both of Quincy.
15. Clarence E. Jones of Quincy and Winona L. Hale of Milford.
19. Patrick Igo and Nellie M. Goodhue, both of Quincy.
19. Daniel Shine and Ellen Ward, both of Quincy.
21. William P. Moodie and Hannah E. Grady, both of Quincy.
21. Alfred G. Nye of Quincy and Lizzie A. MacDonald of Boston.
21. John R. Richards and Florence A. Lowe, both of Quincy.
22. Hilbert Samuelson and Anna C. H. Engstrom, both of Quincy.
31. Timothy G. Harrington and Catherine L. Swart, . both of Quincy.
Feb. 3. Edward F. Ring and Josephine B. Meany, both of Quincy.
S. Thomas Burnie and Grace Patton, both of Quincy.
257
Feb. 9. John Gilcoine of Quincy and Elizabeth Connelly of Boston.
21.
10. Daniel Mullin and Mary Mullalby, both of Quincy. August Eliason and Martha Maria Nilson, both of Quincy.
21. Edward E. Hoxie and Susan M. Hunt, both of Quincy.
24. Moses Thayer Dyer of Braintree and Ida May Thayer of Quincy.
28. C. Robert Sellberg and Hulda A. Anderson, both of Quincy.
Mar. 8. Carl N. P. Westberg and Emma O. Fager, both of Quincy.
12. August Gustaf Anderson and Edla Almquist, both of Quincy.
16. George W. Houghton of 'Quincy and Hannah H. Tuckerman of Boston.
20. Andrew Edward Lundin and Annie Augusta Peter- son, both of Quincy.
21. Andrew Anderson and Lena Carlson, both of Quincy.
25. Albert T. Spargo and Elizabeth Bowhay, both of Quincy.
28. Victor J. Norling and Alfrida A. Lundquist, both of Quincy.
29. John M. Hart of Weymouth and Mary L. Teasdale of Quincy.
30. Michael Sheehan of Quincy and Ellen White of Boston.
31. Augustine P. Rouse of Quincy and Louise J. White- house of Great Falls N. H.
Apr. 1. Clifton F. Phelan and Carrie E. Parrott, both of Quincy.
4. Harry W. Lakin and Henrietta Ring, both of Quincy.
7. Patrick Curry of Quincy and Mary Mack of Som- erville.
9. Patrick Reardon of Quincy and Mary Reardon of Boston,
.
258
April 14. Frank M. Ridlon and Luella M. Stearns, both of Quincy.
16.
Alfred Harrison and Paulina E. Freeman, both of Orleans.
16. Samuel McLean and Nellie Benzie, both of Quincy.
16. William Hall and Nellie E. Fair, both of Quincy.
20. Henry E. Emerson and Cora E. Nash, both of Quincy.
22. John Imray and Maggie McDonough, both of . Quincy.
16. James Knight of Quincy and Mary King of Boston.
28.
23. Thomas Casey and Susan Wagner, both of Quincy. Archileus Hosken and Elizabeth Jane Tutton, both of Quincy.
29. Bartholomew Tymon and Mary A. Stanton, both of Quincy.
29. William Davidson and Alexandrina Martin, both of Quincy.
30. James McNabb Jr. of Braintree and Elizabeth J. McCracker of Boston.
30. Samuel Ellis of Quincy and Mary Jane Graham of Auburndale.
May
2. John Q. Bent and Lucretia S. Bent both of Quincy. 7. Amos Maxfield Howard of Holbrook and Mary Antoinette Bosworth of Quincy.
9. Theodore Gullickson and Emma H. G. Hansen, both of Quincy.
9. Eric Gustaf Bergfors and Sarah Matilda Gern, both of Quincy.
12. Stephen Edward Maloney and Mary Elizabeth De- lory, both of Quincy.
16. Andrew Isaacson and Emma M.Samuelson, both of Quincy.
16. Alva W. Biedman of Quincy and Georgia M. Marri- ner of Natick.
17. Charles P. Grady and Ella Sticklin, both of Quincy.
17. Francis J. Markham of Quincy and Margaret M. Conway of Boston.
24. Charles D. Bailey and Nellie May Hayden, both of Quincy.
259
May 25.
25. Alfred Jacobson and Mary Carlson, both of Quincy. Matte Paltonene and Elda W. Hatala, both of Quincy.
26. George P. Keith of Hudson and Mary A. Osborne of Quincy.
26. Dennis Mahoney and Norah Sullivan, both of Quincy. 27. Howard D. Moore of Boston and Maud E. Roberts of Quincy.
28. William Wade and Maggie Joy, both of Quincy.
29. George L. Waterman of Cambridge and Sarah A. Record of Quincy.
30. Doctor Bamford and Mary G. Drumm, both of Quincy.
June
1. Jeremiah B. Black and Walburga Schrauf, both of Quincy.
2. Dominick Caponi and Angela Campana, both of Quincy.
3. Daniel Lennon of Quincy and Lizzie Harkins of Lowell.
3. Arthur H. Bolles of New Preston, Conn., and Christianna Richards of Quincy.
3. Henry Pineo of Quincy and Mary Welch of Milton.
3. Oscar Morris Hoxie of Brooklyn N. Y. and Emma Jane Shackley of Quincy.
3. Alfred Oldham and Bessie Hancock, both of Quincy. 6. Channing H. Evans and Hattie Harmon, both of Quincy.
8. Charles C. Hearn of Quincy and Sarah M. Connor of Boston.
9. Charles Burn and Mary Magee, both of Quincy.
10. John Bisset and Catherine L. Jemison, both of Quincy.
11. Hans Martinius Hansen and Hannah Ekman, both of Quincy.
13. William Kerins and Phebe Ann Mckay, both of Quincy.
13. Edward J . Sandberg and Hannah M. Dorum, both of Quincy.
13. Pere Payson and Tilda Johnson, both of Quincy.
260
June 15. Charles A. Glover and Grace E. Rand, both of Abington.
16. Simon F. Little and Rose Anna Pierce, both of Quincy.
16. John A. Nicholson and Annie McLeod, both of Quincy.
17. John T. Pearce and Annie Jenkins, both of Quincy. 18. William F. Cummings of Quincy and Cordelia J. French of Cambridge.
18. James G. Quigley of Quincy and Mary Ferriter of Milton.
19. George Ethelred May and Etta Maria Noble, both of Quincy.
23. Dennis Donohue of Quincy and Mary Haggerty of Weymouth.
24. Lewis Moore of Quincy and Margaret Sullivan of Boston.
25. John E. Sullivan of Vinal Haven, Me. and Mary Hayes of Quincy.
30. James W. Coombs and Locia E. Haynes, both of Quincy.
July 1. Carl Erick Ogren and Edla Erickson, both of Quincy. 2. Bartholomew Lynch of Boston and Louise S. M. Langelier of Quincy.
2. Dennis Falvey and Elizabeth Byron, both of Quincy.
2. Frank Moeser of Quincy and Gussie Breitenback of Boston.
2. John McLennan and Katie Lamont, both of Quincy.
4. Geo. W. Walsh and Mand Haynes, both of Quincy.
6. Alfred L. Burr and Lettie D. McClintock, both of Quincy.
7. William Davidson of San Francisco, Cal. and Mina G. McMillian of Quincy.
10. Eli A. Hayden and Carrie E. Pierce, both of Brock- ton.
15. Herbert J. Dunbar of Brockton and Clara Belle Pitts of Quincy.
16. Robert Bissett and Jessie Ann Philip, both of Quincy. 17. Thomas Raleigh and Christina Westland, both of Quincy.
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261
July 18. John Almquist and Anna Magnusson, bothof Quincy. 29. Edward G. McGill of Quincy and Lena G. Battles of Weymouth.
Aug. 1. Joseph Ellis Tipping and Maggie Mann, both of Quincy.
1. George Salter Murray and Sarah Jane Jones, both of Quincy.
2. Geo. Frederick Brooks of Boston and Abby T. Fuller of Quincy.
14. Daniel R. McLeod of Quincy and Kate J. Stewart of Boston.
15. Dennis Box and Delia Flannery, both of Quincy.
15. George Clark and Mary E. Rothwell, both of Quincy.
19. August Lenz of Braintree and Marie Martha Hoppe of Quincy.
28. John Gregory and Lizzie Cox, both of Quincy.
29. William Martin and Emma E. Pinel, both of Quincy.
Sept. 1. Wilbur L. Scoville of Boston and Cora B. Upham of Quincy.
5. Fred N. Weeden and Annie Sundstrom, both of No. Berwick, Me.
6.
John Sexton of Quincy and Ellen O'Brien of Boston.
9. Henry T. Brown Jr. and Bridget E. Horan, both of Quincy.
9. Charles G. Nicol and Alice M. Garrity, both of Quincy.
9. Edward A. Wescott of Boston and Florence L. Prince of Quincy.
11. David Andrews and Mary McDonald, both of Weymouth.
12. Hartley S. Rich of Quincy and Maud Searles of Livermore Falls, Maine.
15. George John Bailey of Quincy and Winnie Craig of Fall River.
20. James Flannagan and Mary Mee, both of Quincy.
23. Francis A. Dunbar of Quincy and Maria D. Whit- marsh of Abington.
23. William F. Jones and Lizzie Strople, both of Quincy.
262
Sept. 24. William G. Shaw and Annie E. Guy, both of Quincy.
24. John Wedderburn and Maggie McPherson, both of Quincy.
28. Etionne Paradise and Josephine Rodgers, both of Quincy.
29. John D. Coursey of Boston and Kate Donovan of Quincy.
Oct. 1. Noah Curtis and Abigail Chamberlain, both of Quincy.
3. Martin Edward Nicholson and Josephine Eliasson, both of Quincy.
3. August Anderson and Mary Engstrom, both of Quincy.
7. James Dolan of Quincy and Katie Kerrigan of Boston.
7. Orrin C. Folsom and B. Agnes Mahoney, both of Quincy.
7. Arthur W. Beedeon and E. Mabel French, both of Weymouth.
8. Theodore Salsten and Amanda S. Sjostron, both of Quincy.
8. Howard Win. Battison of Quincy and Hortense Gilman Emmons of Bath, Me.
13. Charles P. Johnson and Mary L. Anderson, both of Quincy.
14. Ernest H. Bisson of Quincy and Sarah L. Pratt of Braintree.
16. Emil Carl W. Johnson and Caroline Louise Loun, both of Quincy.
17. Frank Schaetzel and Lena Power, both of Quincy.
17. Adolf F. Landerholm and Hannah Magnusson, both of Quincy.
20. George E. Pfaffman and Mabel A. Shaw, both of Quincy.
21. George H. Reynolds and Catharine McDonald, both of Quincy.
21. Michael E. Cook and Susie R. McAloon, both of Quincy.
263
Oct. 21. Joseph G. Holbrook of E. Somerville and Addie Cook of Middleton.
22. William Edwards and Alice Jacobs Emery, both of Quincy.
22. Andrew Johnson and Bertha Johnson, both of Quincy.
22. Christopher Dunn and Elizabeth Gathings, both of Quincy.
27. Michael P. Barry and Mary A. Faircloth, both of Quincy .
28. Michael Sullivan and Julia Sullivan, both of Quincy.
28. James Connor and Mary Boyle, both of Quincy.
28. Irving R. Bailey and Grace . Galloway, both of Boston.
Nov. 2. Frank S. Polluck of Brooklyn, N. Y. and Tressa Hart Brown of Quincy.
3. John R. Lillicrap and Hannah Ethel Clements, both of Quincy.
4. Thomas Sheehan and Mary A. McNeil, both of Quincy.
4. Edward W. Bowker of Quincy and L. Fannie Silva of Boston.
5. Calvin G. Fletcher and Agnes E. Griffin, both of Quincy.
5. David T. Drummond and Ellen W. Fife, both of Quincy.
7. Carl Hanson and Christine Anderson, both of Quincy.
10. John A. Hagberg and Annie Nelson, both of Quincy.
11. William Westland and Mary Ellis, both of Quincy.
11. John T. McGovern and Margaret E. Kelly, both of Quincy.
16. William A. Osborne, Jr. of Quincy and Mabel H. Peasley of No. Abington.
17. James E. McDonald of Quincy and Elizabeth A. Foley of Boston.
19. Stedman Williams, Jr. and Nellie Louise White, both of Quincy.
19. David Chalmers and Christina A. Arthur, both of Quincy.
264
Nov. 25. Anthony Isacsen of Quincy and Cecelia Johnson of Boston.
25. John Hannigan of Quincy and Catharine Gray of Boston.
25. Michael J. Moriarty and Ellen M. Moore, both of Quincy .
25. Michael Dorly of Brockton and Mary Bouin of Quincy.
25. Michael Grady and Hannah McCarthy, both of Quincy.
25. Timothy Corcoran and Mary A. Callahan, both of Quincy.
25. Edward F. Drohan and Annie T. O'Connell, both of Quincy.
25. James M. Harris and Susan A. Mann, both of Quincy. 25. Oscar W. Newcomb and Helen B. Harris, both of Quincy.
25. Arthur F. Pinkham and Alice L. Sparrow, both of Quincy.
26. Albert Cadlin of Southington, Ct. and M. Alice Pollard of Quincy.
26. Cornelius Scanlan and Maria Gunning, both of Quincy.
30 .. Daniel Hurley and Bridget McNally, both of Quincy.
5. Melvin Johnson of Quincy and Alice Rich of Som- erville.
9. Martin Alonza Minchin of Braintree and Alice Semantha Gould of Quincy.
10. George W. Tuckerman and Maria A. Townsend, both of Quincy.
12. Allan F. Polluck of Quincy and Mary Handy of Cotuit.
15. Thomas Mathaurs and Marie Elize Lepage, both of Quincy.
19. Charles Olson and Bertha Anderson, both of Quincy.
19. Ludwig Sandberg and Alice McCavour, both of Quincy.
24. Charles Henry Spargo and Jennie Mckay, both of Quincy.
Dec.
265
Dec. 24. Leander M. Mathaurs of Quincy and Emily Daw- kins of Salem.
24. Andrew Benzie and Mary Florence McLean, both of Quincy.
16. Klas Gotfrid Lindberg and Anna Haussen, both of Quincy.
29. Henry Fogel and Minnie Folderman, both of Quincy.
30. Charles W. Godfrey of Quincy and Sarah L. Park of Boston.
31. Henry A. Chase of Boston and Elvira M. Eaton of Quincy.
Mayor's Address 1891.
GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL:
In accordance with the provisions of our charter, and in pursuance to the call of the citizens, we have assembled here today to take upon ourselves a solemn obligation to perform such duties as will devolve upon us with care and fidelity, with zeal and an earnest purpose, being actuated by one motive, endeavoring to accomplish but one result - the welfare and prosperity of our city.
As we today officially assume the duties, we should endeavor to take a comprehensive view of the work that lies before us, and it becomes my duty to invite your attention in as brief a manner as possible to the municipal affairs of our city, and then go forward with you to meet its duties and responsibilities.
The prosperity of the affairs of any well ordered munici- pal government depends upon the management of its resources ; and how to give the city a high quality of service in all its departments with a moderate tax rate is by all odds the prob- lem that comes home directly to the citizens.
It will become my duty to carefully consider the urgent needs and demands of the various departments for the ensuing year, to thoroughly estimate the running expenses and cost of ordinary improvements, and place before you at an early date an official communication on the subject. I believe that the current expenses of our city should be paid entirely out of its revenue for the year; when, however, an improvement is designed to be of a lasting benefit, the burden should be in part borne in the years to be benefitted, but such improvements
267
should only be made after careful and mature deliberation and a firm belief in the future benefits to be enjoyed.
Expenditure of the public monies for current expenses and improvements are controlled by the law limiting municipal indebtedness and fixing the rate of taxation. The appropria- tions for city purposes cannot in any year exceed $12 on $1000 of the average valuation of property for the three preceding years, which appears from the assessors' books to be as follows : Valuation 1888 $9,757,960 00
1889
12,319,245 00
66 1890
13,683,000 00
Total $35,760,205 00 Which makes the average valuation to be $11,853,400.
Upon this amount, less abatements and with receipts from various sources, must be raised the income for the year, to which is added the state and county tax, and the sums required for that portion of the city indebtedness falling due.
The borrowing capacity of the city is limited by law to 2} per cent. of the above average valuation, which would be about $296,000.
The debt of the city January Ist, 1891, is as follows :
CITY DEBT JANUARY 1, 1891.
Totals.
Falling due this year.
Neponset bridge,
. $18,000 00
$2,000 00
Land for Willard schoolhouse,
. 14,220 00
1,580 00
Extension of Wollaston schoohouse,
10,000 00
1,000 00
Willard schoolhouse,
. 69.300 00
7,700 00
Willard special loan,
4,000 00
1,000 00
Whitwell street,
2,250 00
1,000 00
Engine house, Ward 6, .
2,200 00
2,200 00
Land on President's avenue, Ward 3,
2,000 00
2,000 00
Settlement with Mahoney,
2,419 73
2,419 73
Bates avenue brook drain,
2,200 00
2,200 00
West street,
3,000 00
1,000 00
Common street,
12,000 00
1,200 00
Amounts carried forward
$141,589 73
$25,299 73
·
.
.
.
·
.
.
268
Amounts brought forward
$141,589 73
$25,299 73
Belmont street,
500 00
500 00
Surveys Water street,
500 00
500 00
Hancock street,
40,000 00
4,000 00
Water supply, source of
800 00
800 00
Pointing wall on Beale street,
200 00
200 00
Additional extension Wollaston school 1,215 66
1,215 66
Award to Patrick Cain,
170 00
170 00
Additional lights,
500 00
500 00
Reardon street,
500 00
500 00
Repair fund Mt. Wollaston Cemetery
4,775 00
Rock Island fund,
727 50
Military aid,
150 00
150 00
$191,627 89
$33,835 39
A total of $191,627.89, of which amount $33,835.39, is due the present year. $179,318.16 is of the nature of perma- nent improvements.
A careful study of the financial situation leads me to be- lieve that, provided there is no increase in the valuation for the present year, the tax rate will be $15.50 per $1,000.
SCHOOLS.
There is no department of the city's interest that has en- trusted to it by our charter more of responsibility and care than is invested in the school committee. They have the man- agement of the education of our children, giving them a sound common school instruction, thereby preparing them to be use- ful, intelligent citizens, a credit to themselves and to our city, which has ever taken a just pride in promoting this department. The detailed report of this committee will soon be laid before the Council, giving you the account of their stewardship, and which will aid you in determining the necessary appropriation to continue the work for the present year. I am informed that the number of pupils at the present time is 3,405 ; teachers, 71 ; increase of pupils over last year, 118.
It is to be deeply regretted that the work on the Willard schoolhouse has progressed so slowly, and that still further de-
269
lays may follow from the financial embarrassment of the con- tractors. To my mind important questions have arisen, and steps are being taken to thoroughly acquaint myself with the true state of affairs-and I shall communicate to the Council, I hope at an early date, what steps are necessary to hasten the completion of this much needed building.
The city has at the present time invested in school buildings nearly $200,000, and in consideration of our present debt, and the calls for needed improvements requiring large expenditures to place our city in a more satisfactory condition, I would ask you to carefully consider if it would not be a wise policy to partially insure them, to guard against a heavy loss in the future from destruction by fire.
STREETS.
The operations of the street department are performed under the public eye, and are therefore open to much criticism, often unfair, by those who do not realize the many needs of our city in this direction and the small amount of money avail- able to keep in passable order over eighty miles of accepted streets. I believe it should be the aim that what is worthy to be done that it be well done, and that particular attention should be given that the full value of the money expended be done in a careful, judicious manner, avoiding all unnecessary expenses. It would seem as if more attention should be given to paving the gutters of many of our streets, that the surface water be given a roadway, thus preventing an annual expendi- ture upon the same streets caused by the regular washing away of the surface after a heavy rain.
Complaint, often well founded, in more than one instance, that the streets are left in a dangerous condition by the corpor- ations who have been granted franchises by the city, and it is a waste of the public monies to thoroughly repair a street to be soon uprooted for the purpose of laying mains of whatever nature, and more attention should be given to this matter, and I would recommend that the ordinance concerning streets be amended by inserting a section prohibiting the opening of the public streets for the purpose of laying pipes or mains from December 1st to April 1st, except in cases of obvious neces-
270
sity, and that when the city is about to rebuild or resurface a street due notice be sent to the corporations having the right to lay pipes or mains, informing them of the city's work, the street shall not be again opened for the space of six months.
In view of the probable construction of a sewer through many of the streets in the near future, it would seem unwise to order any large outlays, unless the work could be done in har- mony with the other departments, though a careful foresight will be given to remedy the defects which are dangerous to public travel. The demand for opening new streets is, of course, in advance of the city's ability to comply, and I would ask the Council to carefully consider the merits of all petitions, in view of the work needed in streets already accepted by the city, and which deserve attention.
The Councils of the previous years have deemed it best for the future welfare of our city to first thoroughly rebuild the main thoroughfares, and it would be my judgment that the present year should see Water street widened to forty feet from Franklin street to Granite street. It is one of the main thoroughfares of the city, and the business travel will be ever on the increase, and public necessity requires that you give this question your immediate attention. Surveys of the above street are in the possession of the city, showing the plans and details. If the work is ordered, it is hoped that the sewer pipes can be laid at the same time. Washington street from the bridge to South street should be thoroughly rebuilt or re- paired the coming year ; the city cannot afford to rebuild the entire length of this street the present year, if you in your judg- ment decide to widen Water street, which is the most important and which will cause a large expenditure of money.
The citizens have a right to expect more attention to be given to rebuilding sidewalks in various parts of this city, and which by constant travel are now in a dangerous condition and unfit for use in rainy weather. They have also the right to expect that more street crossings be placed, that they can pass from one sidewalk to another without so much discomfort in various ways, and I hope to make needed improvements in this direction.
I would repeat the recommendations made to the Council of last year by His Honor Mayor Porter in reference to Ran-
271
dolph avenue. This street is one rarely used by the citizens of Quincy, and I trust the Council will give careful considera- tion to the proposition of deeding a tract of 1000 acres which includes Randolph avenue and Forest street to the town of Milton.
The report of the Commissioner of Public Works, which will be presented to the Council, will give you valuable infor- mation as to the work performed during the past year.
LIGHTING.
The Council of 1890 deemed it wise to establish a system of incandescent lighting in various wards of the city, believing the same would be more satisfactory, and the result of the change will be watched with interest, for the city should take the very best method of furnishing protection to public travel over our highways. We have at present 88 arc lights, 91 in- candescent lights, 68 gas lights, 147 oil lamps.
I believe this city will be better lighted by the new ar- rangements entered into with the gas company to assume the care and repairs of the gas lights.
The proper method to be employed in lighting our streets is a question that we must carefully consider in the near future. Under the new contracts the expense will be the coming year over $13,000. Many petitions will be received for additional lights, but they cannot be granted. Light has become a neces- sity, and there is no true business reason why a city should not have the right of furnishing light as a protection to travel over its highways, as an aid to the police service ; also to supply its surplus to private citizens. A city should have the right to benefit its taxpayers by saving their monies. I am aware of the many obstacles apparently in the way, but I think the Council can render the city important service by studying this problem and becoming acquainted with the steps now being taken by other cities and towns to accomplish this object of properly lighting the city.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
One of the necessary adjuncts to a well regulated munici- pal government is a well organized fire department, and by be- ing so it assures protection to life and property from the rav-
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