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 1894 > Part 6
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The cost to State will be more than repaid in dollars and cents from the increased demand and value of the products derived from this source. Sanitarians, as well as all other intel- ligent people throughout the United States, look to Massachu- setts as a State always at the front in all matters of
PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE.
The importance of the subject is abundantly demonstrated. The dairymen throughout our eastern States, are watching and wait- ing for a market where they can go and be assured of purchasing animals free from tuberculosis. Every intelligent, thinking man in New England to-day is asking himself the question : " Where can I procure my milk, butter and cheese, with the ' absolute knowledge that I am not giving to my family the germs of consumption ?"
It has been stated that consumption destroys one-sixth of the human race. Consumption and tuberculosis are one and the
147
same disease. The same germ that produces tuberculosis in cattle produces consumption in man. The disease is communi- cable from a diseased man to a healthy animal, and from a diseased animal to a healthy human being.
The malady is conveyed from an affected animal to man- kind through the milk or the meat used for food. It is because of this incontestible, but rather recently appreciated fact that so much of an endeavor is now being made to rid the different states and countries of tuberculous cattle.
During the past year the Legislature of this Commonwealth passed an act codifying and extending the law in relation to contagious disease among domestic animals, being Chapter 491, of the Aets of 1894.
Contagious diseases under the provisions of this Act shall include glanders, farcy, contagious pleuro-pneumonia, tubercu- losis, Texas fever, foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, hog cholera and rabies.
Every inspector appointed under the provisions of this Act shall carry out and enforce all regulations and orders to him directed by the Board of Health under the provisions of this Act, or by the Board of Cattle Commissioners or any of its members, in the discharge of his duties.
Said inspectors shall make regular and thorough inspections of all neat cattle found within the limits of their several cities and towns, such inspections shall be made at such times and in such manner as the Board of Cattle Commissioners shall from time to time determine and direct. They shall also make, from time to time, inspections of all other domestic animals within the limits of their several cities and towns, whenever they have knowledge or reason to suspect that such animals are affected with or have been exposed to any contagious disease, and they shall immediately inspect any and all domestic animals when- ever directed so to do by the Board of Cattle Commissioners or any of its members.
Said inspectors may inspect all veal found in said city or town or offered or exposed for sale or kept with the intent to sell therein, and if said veal is, in the opinion of said inspector, that
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of a calf killed under four weeks old, he shall seize the same and' cause it to be destroyed or disposed of as provided in Section 10.
For the purpose of inspecting or examining any animal, carcass, meat, fish, vegetables, produce, fruit or provisions of any kind under the provisions of this act, any inspector, duly qualified, may enter into any building or buildings, or any part thereof, enclosure or enclosures, or other place where any such animal, carcass, meat, fish, vegetables, produce, fruit or pro- visions of any kind are stored or kept, or exposed for slaughter or sale, and may examine or inspect the same.
Any person who prevents, obstructs or interferes with any such inspector, or other person having the power and authority conferred upon inspectors under this Section, in the perform- ance of any of his duties as provided herein, or who shall hinder, obstruct, or interfere with his making any such inspection or examination, or who shall secrete or remove any animal, car- cass, meat, fish, vegetables, fruit or provisions of any kind, for the purpose of preventing the same from being inspected or examined under the provisions of this Act, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, or to imprisonment in jail not more than sixty days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
I find in Quincy some very fine cows, oxen and young cattle, well kept and in good condition and have found but few cattle to quarantine, and yet there may be some cases of tuber- culosis in the first stages that cannot be detected without the aid of tuberculin ; yet I think that the cattle in Quincy are compar- atively free from it.
HORSES.
There has been a number of cases of glanders and farcy and some horses have been killed. I wish if anyone knows of a case of suspicion that they would notify me immediately that it may be taken care of at once, as it is a dangerous, loathsome and contagious disease.
149
MEATS AND PROVISIONS.
I think Quincy has some provision stores to be proud of, with a fine quality of meat and provisions, kept neat and clean ; others do not rank quite so high, and I have been obliged to seize and destroy that which was not fit for food, but the greatest trouble is with meat and fish carts that come from out of town, especially those which come from Boston. Sometimes they may have a tolerably fair load and again they may have that which is not fit for food.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES M. CUTTING,
Inspector of Animals and Provisions.
Police Department.
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
SIR :- In accordance with the City ordinance governing the Police Department, I have the honor to submit this, the sixth annual report of the Department for the year ending December 31st, 1894.
The Police Force now consists of ten men : one chief of police, eight regular officers and one special officer. Seven patrolmen are on duty at night, one in the day time, and one man in charge of the Police Station at night.
The work of the Police for the past year has been as fol- lows :
Number of Lodgers accommodated
1876
Whole number of arrests
380
Males
368
Females
9
Married
149
Single
228
Adults
332
Minors
45
Residents
263
Non-residents .
114
The offences for which arrests have been made are as fol- lows :
Assault
32
152
Assault and battery .
2
Assault on an officer
.
1
Assault with dangerous weapon
2
Assault (felonious ) .
2
Abusing family
1
Bastardy
1
Contempt of Court .
2
Collecting junk without license
1
Cruelty to animals .
2
Disturbing public meeting
2
Disturbing the peace
32
Disturbance on cars
3
Defrauding boarding house .
1
Discharging fire arms on Sunday
1
Drunkenness .
206
Extortion
1
Evading fare
1
Insane
7
Indecent language .
1
Keeping unlicensed dog .
3
Larceny .
25
Loitering around R. R. station
3
Manslaughter .
1
Obstructing firemen
1
Police officer, assuming to be .
1
Profanity
7
Rescue
1
Reckless driving
1
Robbery .
1
Setting fire to a dwelling
3
Stubbornness .
2
Selling milk under standard
1
Tramps .
1
Unlawful discharge of firearms
1
Vagrancy
1
Violation Lord's day
2
Violation liquor law .
1
153
Violation city ordinance
1
Violation bicycle law
Violation park rules
Violation road law . ·
1
NATIVITY OF PERSONS ARRESTED.
Austria
2
Newfoundland 6
Canada
9
New Brunswick 3
England 3
Norway ·)
France 1
Prince Edward's Island
9
Finland
-
Russia
1
Germany
1
Spain
1
Ireland 117
Sweeden
14
Italy
19
Scotland
13
Nova Scotia 1×
United States 140
Wales
Number of cases before the East
Norfolk District Court . 377
Disposed of as follows :
Committed to jail .
48
Committed on sentence .
19
Committed fornon-payment of fine
20
Committed in default of bail
9
Committed to reform school
Committed to State farm
Committed to Insane asyhmm .
Paid fines
188
Discharged
32
Released
74
Placed on probation
17
Placed on file .
377
154
Cases held by lower court for grand jury ·
8
Cases brought before grand jury ·
11
Aggregate of fines paid to the Court . $1312 50
Amounts paid to City Treasurer .
952 54
COMPARISON FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS.
TOTAL ARRESTS.
DRUNKENNESS.
LODGERS.
1889
185
94
864
1890
216
108
629
1891
293
135
509
1892
396
230
468
1893
420
218
626
1894
380
206
1876
MISCELLANEOUS REPORT.
Amount of property reported lost
or stolen
$288 00
Amount of property recovered
198 00
Complaints investigated .
155
Cows found and cared for
8
Defective streets reported
24
Defective sidewalks reported .
41
Defective street lights reported
15
Disturbances suppressed without arrest .
127
Dead persons found on R. R. track Deserted infant found and cared for
1
Doors found open and secured
108
Dogs killed
6
Fire alarms rung in by officers
·
Fire alarm (still) given by officers .
3
Fires extinguished without alarm .
7
Horses found cast . .
15
Horses found and cared for
·)
1
155
Horses killed . 2
Horse blankets found and returned
to owner 1
Injured persons found on R. R. track
Lost children returned to parents
25
Leaks found in water pipes .
19
Leaks reported in water mains
1
Lights furnished in dangerous places ·
16
Lights, electric are out .
233
Lights, incandescent out
.
271
Lights, gas out
935
Obstructions removed from R. R. track 4
Obstructions removed from street .
24
Pigs found and cared for .
Sunday ball game broken up .
4
Teams found and returned to owners
7
Windows found open and secured Pocket-books found and returned to owners .
3
Runaway horses caught .
·
19
Bicycle found and returned to
Owner . 1
LIQUOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
The liquor law has been enforced the past year by the local police, with the assistance of others who always stand ready to lend a helping hand in this work, -with the following result :-
Prosecutions for violation of the law 8 ; of these, two have paid fines, two were committed to jail for non-payment of fine s, two appealed to a higher court ; one was discharged, and one was found guilty and case placed on file. Of the appealed cases, one was discharged and the other is yet unsettled.
Search warrants issued by the Court, 5; In all these cases the liquors seized have been forfeited in the lower Court, but
44
156
two appealed to a higher Court, and one was forfeited there, and one ordered to be returned.
I think the law has been enforced without fear or favor, with credit to the department, and light expense to the City : the actual expense amounting to only one hundred and thirty- five dollars and fifty cents ($135.50)
I believe that the convenience of the police Department are behind those of all other departments and we are not keeping pace with the growing City. I think it advisable for the City to have three more regular officers. I know better work could be accomplished.
The Police Department has asked for nothing and receives nothing, and it has now come to the point where its needs should be looked after by some one. What officers we have are faithful and do their duty the best they can with what they have to do with.
There should be some method of communicating between the different routes and the Police Station. It is not infrequent that we receive notice by telephone, during the night, of teams strayed or stolen and various other happenings and desiring that the police be notified to be on the watch ; but what way have we to notify them. The police in different cities and towns are dependent on each other for assistance and Quincy should try to render as good service to others as she receives. In the early part of the evening, through the courtesy of the street car Conductors we have been able to receive and send notes, lanterns etc., to different parts of the City, but when the cars are done running for the night, communication is cut off. I desire here to express my thanks to the conductors for their assistance in this manner. Quincy has so many places of "re- sort" and pienie grounds that are visited by all classes, that there is hardly a day in the summer that there is not word sent to the police station of a disturbance somewhere and a demand for police officers. There should be a horse and wagon provided for the use of the department to convey officers to such places, and kept in the night time where it could be sent to convey arrested persons to the police station. As it is now, if an
157
officer arrests a person after the cars have stopped running (and often when they are running, such language is used that he would not take them on a car) there is no way but to hunt the neighborhood over for a team and then perhaps not find one, and finally is obliged to wrestle with his prisoner for one or two miles to the station honse ; and this takes the officer from his route from one to two hours at the very time, perhaps, when he is needed to look after others.
The place we now occupy is a poor apology for a police station. Situated as it is in the cellar under the City Hall, without sunshine or ventilation, it can be nothing but an un- healthy place, totally unfit for the purpose for which it is used. It might have answered the purpose twenty-five years ago, but the City has grown and the demands on the police have in- creased as rapidly as on any other department. There is prac- tically one room for lodgers, tramps and prisoners, drunk or sober, be they, men, women or children. If we had as good a place as the abandoned fire station on School street, that was considered not fit to keep horses in, we would be well provided for in comparison with our present quarters. In my opinion it would be wise to look the situation over and ascertain whether or not the old stone school house on School street can be re- paired and put in proper shape for a police station at a com- paratively small cost to the City, and whether it would not answer all requirements for several years
In concluding this report I desire to express my thanks to his Honor the Mayor, for valuable advice and unwavering sup- port to all regular and special officers for their ready and wil- ling manner in responding to all calls, and their utmost en- deavor to keep peace and good order. I fear the public do not sufficiently realize how well they have performed their duty under the trying circumstances and cramped condition in which they are placed. My sincere thanks are also due to all citizens who have in anyway assisted me in the discharge of my duty.
Respectfully submitted.
JOSEPH W. HAYDEN, Chief of Police.
Thomas Crane Public Library.
The City appropriated for the use of the library for the past year $5,670, of which $5,335.99 have been expended for the usual purposes. The tables and other data annexed to this report have been prepared by the librarian and indicate the valuable uses that the citizens of Quincy are making of this library. Some changes have been made in the reading room, making it more convenient for use and the heating apparatus has also been replaced. A fund for a new catalogue is slowly accumulating, but on account of the increase in the number of volumes belonging to the library and the great use that it is being put to, a new catalogue is required at once, and we there- fore recommend that there be a sufficient appropriation for such a purpose. The income upon the trust funds held for the library has been employed as directed by the donors. It is to be hoped that it will not be forgotten by all liberal minded people interested in the prosperity of the library that there is ample space upon its shelves to hold all gifts of books and papers that their generosity may prompt them to contribute, and we hope that they will bear in mind that while the library is well equipped for most work, yet in special branches and particularly relating to educational matters, there remain vacant places to be supplied. During the past year the library has sustained a
160
serious loss in the resignation of the Hon. Charles Francis. Adams from its Board of Trustees, consequent upon his removal from town. We are sure that the citizens of Quincy will heartily justify the Board if we thus publicly extend to him the regrets. of everyone that he could not have remained with us and con- tinue at the head of the library his very able and faithful services. Whatever is best in its creation and fruition belongs to him. Faithful and capable men have toiled with him in this work for years, but he has been the master builder and that we have this fine monument dedicated to our people is more justly due to his untiring efforts than to all the rest of us. And although he would not assent to this public recognition we claim the right to extol and to thank him for his faithful, sincere and capable services in our behalf, and to say that the citizens of Quiney, as the best possible appreciation of what he and the others have done for the library, will keep up and advance if possible, its standard of excellence. The John Adams library has been kept in the Crane Library building ever since it has been open to the public ; practically it is of little, if any, use for popular circulation. It is said it has only been consulted by two people during the past ten years. However, this gift was
regarded, and particularly by the older people, as something more than a curious collection of ancient and unused book, but rather as a mark of kindly recognition and compliment on the part of this eminent man to his neighbors, and it seemed but right, to many at least, that these books should have remained in town. It has been thought by others, however, (and upon that opinion the Board of Supervisors having the direction and control of these books has acted), that the same should be placed in and become a part of the Public Library in Boston. The Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library had only the cus- tody of them and we delivered them up at the request of the Board of Supervisors and understand that they are now in the Boston Library. The chairman wishes to add that it seems to him a misapprehension of the intention of President Adams. under his deed of gift to have permitted these books to be removed out of the limits of this City, and that, at any rate, our.
161
right to them ought to continue ; that while we do not object to the citizens of Boston getting all the advantages which they can out of an attentive perusal of these ancient volumes, the title is in us and that we ought not to surrender this right.
EVERETT C. BUMPUS, WILLIAM H. PRICE, GEORGE W. MORTON, HENRY MCGRATH. JOHN H. ASH, HARRISON A. KEITH,
Trustees.
STATISTICS OF THE THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC
LIBRARY.
During the year 1895 the Library was opened 305 days.
PUBLIC.
SCHOOLS.
TOTAL.
PER CENT.
Fiction .
24,901
370
25,271
34.4
Periodicals
17,554
158
17.712
24.1
Juvenile Fiction
14,584
1,068
15,652
21.3
History
3,142
60×
3.750
5.1
General Literature
2,514
92
2,606
3.5
Arts and Sciences
1,980
146
2,126
2.8
Travels
1,747
984
2,731
3.7
Biography
1,551
194
1,745
2.3
Poetry
1,158
76
1,234
1.6
Religion
331
331
.4
Educational
264
20
284
.3
69,726
3,716
73,442
-
12,378 names are now registered ; 706 names registered during the year. Books rebound, 612; books purchased, 383 ; books replaced, 113 ; books presented, 72; pamphlets, 128.
162
TREASURER'S STATEMENT.
DECEMBER 31, 1894.
Received from ex-Treasurer F. A.
Claflin . $485 29
Proceeds sale of catalogues, fines and interest 91 08
Income from $2000, Cotton Center
Johnson fund 100 50
Income from $500, Albert Crane fund . ·
25 87
Income from $500 Catalogue fund .
25 00
$727 74
Deposited in Quincy Savings bank Cotton Center Johnson fund $100 50
Deposited in Quincy Savings bank Albert Crane fund 100 87
Deposited in Quincy Savings bank Catalogue fund 526 37
$727 74
Dr.
Received of ex-Treasurer F. A. Claflin. Chicago Junction & U. S. Y. R. R. bonds $3,000 00
Cr.
Deposited in Boston Safe Deposit
and Trust Company 3,000 00
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE W. MORTON,
Treasurer.
Report of the Fire De= partment.
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
In compliance with the requirements of the City ordinance, I hereby present my first annual report for the year ending December 31, 1894, containing a statement of all fires and alarms for the year ; the loss and insurance on the same as far as could be ascertained ; a list of the permanent force of the department and their ages ; a schedule of the property under their charge ; also :
ORGANIZATION.
The force consists of one chief and six assistant engineers, six permanent men and sixty-four call men, four hose companies with ten men each, one ladder company of twelve men, one combination chemical engine and hose wagon with ten men, one chemical engine at Hough's Neck, with volunteer company, with one man to take care of same.
APPARATUS.
The apparatus consists of one steam fire engine in good condition which has been thoroughly repaired this year, one combination chemical engine, one ladder truck, two hose
164
carriages, three hose wagons, two hose jumpers, one express: wagon for fire alarm purposes, one exercise wagon loaded with one thousand feet of hose ready at all times at the Central Station in case of a large fire ; one chemical engine, one hand engine. Hose 3 wagon has been put in first class repair this year. I would recommend a new hose wagon for the central fire station, as the one in use is not heavy enough to carry the load which is put upon it. I will recommend putting this wagon in Ward 2 and putting the hose reel which is called the W. M- French at Hough's Neck, as I see that the water pipes are being laid in that direction.
Furthermore I will recommend a Central Fire Station to be built between Squantum Street and the old car house lot of the Q. & B. Street Railway.
With this Central Station we can cover Atlantic, Norfolk Downs and Squantum and Wollaston, which is covered mostly by the Central Station now. By doing so people in Squantum would get a very good fire service, which they do not get now. I would also recommend putting the combination Chemical in the new station, also the hose wagon at Wollaston. I will also recommend putting the Hook & Ladder truck which is now at the Central Station into the new Station, and getting a heavier truck in its place, as we have got a number of large buildings in the centre of the city. By doing so the apparatus from the Central Station now would not have to go until a second alarm, except the steamer, which I would have go to all alarms. That would leave the hose wagon and hook and ladder truck, which go to all alarms now, in the Central Station in case a fire should break out in some other part of the city. There have been two new fire stations built the past year, one in Ward 2, and one in Ward 4. I would recommend that they be supplied with a per- manent force as it would give those two Wards better service. I would recommend that a chemical engine be purchased as soon as possible as it would be of great value to the depart- meńt.
The number of horses in the Department owned by the city is eight, seven in good condition and one which will have
16.
to be changed this year. We have in service, 10,450 ft. cotton hose, rubber lined, 600 feet of which is in poor condition ; 300 ft. linen hose. The water supply continues to be good. New hydrants have been added in nearly all parts of the city, there- by increasing the facilities of the Department to get a supply of water and to use shorter lines of hose. 92 new hydrants have been added during the past year, making the whole num- ber 278. I would recommend putting in 50 hydrants on the old line of pipes, as that would give shorter lines and better fire protection.
RESERVOIRS.
The reservoirs are 16 in number, and are in about the same condition as they were a year ago. Two of them have been repaired this season.
FIRE ALARM.
The fire alarm has been extended the past year through to Quarry street, thereby giving the granite district two signal boxes. There have been five signal boxes added the past year. I would recommend putting in ten more this year.
CONCLUSION.
In closing this report I desire to tender my sincere thanks to your Honor for your interest in the welfare of the Department, to the Council for all favors rendered me during the year, to Chief of Police Hayden, officers and men, for the efficient man- ner in which they performed their duties at all fires, to the Committee on Fire Department for the interest they have manifested in the business of the Department, to City Electri- cian Wight for the pains taken at all times to keep the fire alarm in order, to my associates of the Board of Engineers, officers and members for the prompt and efficient manner in
166
which they have discharged the duties, thereby maintaining the reputation of the Department for efficiency.
FIRES AND ALARMS.
There were 53 alarms during the year, 43 bell alarms and 10 still alarms.
The Value of property $98,160.00, loss 13,259.00.
Insurance $60,250.00. Insurance paid $9,021.00.
PERMANENT FORCE.
AGE.
Charles P. Costa
48
Michael P. Barry
33
Gilbert M. Wight
44
Henry T. Brown
35
William R. Corbin .
34
Charles Weeks .
29
FIRE ALARM .- Location of Boxes.
BOXES.
12 Sea street, corner of Palmer.
14 Hough's Neck engine house.
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