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 1899 > Part 11
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In relation to the widening and relocation of Sea Street and other streets through which the sewer is designed to be built, I desire to call your attention to section six of said act. The scope of the authority to be given the commissioners in conjunction with the mayor and aldermen of cities, or selectmen of towns, was somewhat enlarged through the suggestion of the solicitor. You will observe that the Metropolitan Sewerage Commissioners may widen or change the location or grade of any highway, townway and public street, or other way of travel, crossed by sewers or in which sewers are to be located,
It is the intention, I believe, of the Metropolitan Sewerage Commissioners to locate a part of their sewer in Sea street, and I have no doubt that arrangements may be made with the com- missioners concerning the widening, relocation and construction of this street which may save a large sum of money to the City of Quincy in carrying out the proposed improvements in this highway.
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In reference to the city's financial interests under said act I would say that after several conferences between the chairman of the Metropolitan Sewerage Commissioners and the Solicitor, portions of the act were redrawn by the Solicitor, the proviso in relation to the City of Quincy being added. This section as it now stands will, in the opinion of the engineer of our Sewerage Board, be of the greatest importance to Quincy when the system is constructed, and I refer you to him for particulars.
The Supreme Court will in March appoint a commission to apportion, among the cities and towns comprising the South Metropolitan District, the cost of construction and the expense of maintenance of the South Metropolitan Sewer for the next five years. If the commission appointed adopts the method accepted and in force for the North Metropolitan District, we shall pay for construction on the basis of our valuation, and for maintenance on the basis of our population.
After many fruitless conferences with the officials of the New York, New Haven & Hartford R. R. Co. during the spring and summer, Mayor Keith instructed the Solicitor to begin pro- ceedings against the railroad company with a view to obtain from the company adequate service and proper conveniences for the Quincy patrons of the railroad.
In pursuance of these instructions, the Solicitor drew a peti- tion addressed to the Railroad Commissioners, asking that the company be required to furnish a new station at Quincy, also one at Atlantic, better train service at Quincy, and increased freight facilities. The commissioners were also asked to modify their last recommendation concerning the approaches to the Wollaston station, and to require the railroad company to erect farther in upon its location a suitable open wire fence with gates in place of turnstiles.
Upon this petition the Railroad Commissioners gave Mayor Keith a hearing and later came to Quincy and viewed the com- pany's property.
The Solicitor conducted the hearing on behalf of the city and attended the commissioners on their view. Before the final. hearing, the management of the New York, New Haven & Hart -. ford R. R. Co. changed hands, and the new president, Judge. Hall, requested a conference with Mayor Keith and the City So,-
210
licitor. As a result of that conference, the president conceded in writing all the requests contained in our petition to the Rail- road Commissioners. The fence at Wollaston was soon after- wards removed and one of suitable design, with gates in place of turnstiles, erected in a satisfactory location. A temporary siding for bulk freight was constructed at Quincy. It was agreed that the erection of a new station should be deferred until spring. Concerning the better train service, the Solicitor contended at the conference that Quincy's centre was deserving of at least half hourly service during all the day with even more frequent trains during the periods of heaviest transportation. Mr. Cham- berlain, the general manager, who was at the conference, agreed that we ought to have more trains and that as soon as the new railroad bridge at the train entrance to the terminal station was completed and ready for use, he would take up the matter with a view to better accommodating the Quincy people in this res- pect. I would suggest that long before the spring schedule goes into effect, Mr. Chamberlain be seen and a new timetable agreed upon.
There has been no final disposition of the petition before the Railroad Commissioners, it being continued nisi to await the completion of the improvements promised by the company.
In connection with the consideration of the abolition of grade crossings and the erection of a new station, the Solicitor is of the opinion that expert engineering talent should be at once employed by the city with a view to devising plans for a wide thoroughfare to President's Hill, and at the same time to provide for an artistic and adequate approach to the railroad station. If the new station is located upon the site of the present one, it can be readily seen that the present narrow approaches to Han- cock street will soon be so congested with electric cars, carriages and foot passengers as to be extremely dangerous, to say nothing of its being as it is now, most unattractive. It is the opinion of the Solicitor that in no event can the abolition of the grade cros- sings, under the act, cost the city over ten per cent. of the entire cost of the same, and whether the proceedings are upon the ini- tiative of the city or of the railroad company makes no difference in the final apportionment of the commissioners.
On January 25, the Metropolitan Park Commissioners gave
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a hearing to Mayor Keith and the committee of citizens origin- ally appointed by ex-Mayor Sears and others, at which hearing the commissioners confirmed the rumor for some time prevalent that it was not the intention of the commissioners to acquire land in Quincy for a shore reservation and park-way, and it appeared that the prices asked for property in Quincy, necessary to be taken for these purposes, had largely influenced the board in its action. It further appeared that although it was then possible to obtain a reduction in the prices, the commissioners could not take favorable action inasmuch as such money as had been available for Quincy had been appropriated or would be needed for work undertaken in other places.
The commissioners admitted that a reduction in the cost of the takings of property might affect their action if called upon to again consider the project, but declined to ask the Legislature for money for this specific purpose or to agree to endorse the action of the Mayor or any citizens of Quincy in their efforts to procure the same, not wishing to take any position tending to commit the Board of Metropolitan Park Commissioners to the acquiring of property or the construction of reservations, boule- vards or parkways in Quincy in the future.
The present Solicitor entered upon the duties of his office on the sixth day of February. The thirty-first day of January, however, was the last day for the introduction of new bills in the Legislature. As a result of a conference with Mayor Keith and the late Mr. Nelson V. Titus, a bill and petition was drawn by me, requiring the Metropolitan Park Commissioners to take land and construct a parkway within the city of Quincy and ap- propriate money therefor. At the request of Mayor Keith, this bill was introduced in the House by Representative Sheppard. Subsequently, the Solicitor on several days appeared before the Committee on Metropolitan Affairs and conducted the hearings on the petition of Mayor Keith. He also accompanied the com- mittee to view the proposed locus, later appeared before the Committee on Ways and Means, and was constantly in atten- dance at the State House, in conference with members of com- mittees and others, and watched the passage of the bill through the House and Senate.
The Legislature of 1899 passed two bills reported by the
212
Committee on Metropolitan Affairs to increase the amount of money to be placed at the disposal of the Metropolitan Park, Commissioners for general purposes and for roadways and boule- vards in the sum of $800,000. Of this sum, $100,000 was inten- ded to be available for the takings of the Quincy shore front reservation, $25,000 for immediate construction, and $55,000 for the takings of the Blue Hills Parkway, all in the city of Quincy but though these sums were voted by the committee for the purposes enumerated and went to makeup the above total, the actual taking of the property was left to the discretion of the Metropolitan Park Commission in pursuance of a policy some- time ago adopted by the Legislature in such matters. These acts were approved May 25th and 27th.
. In the meantime the personnel of the Metropolitan Park Commission had somewhat changed, and before the Board was ready to review the Quincy project in detail, many of the op- tions already secured had expired and it was also thought neces- sary to secure others. During the entire summer and fall the Solicitor was in communication with the office of the Park Com- missioners and engaged in obtaining and renewing options and interviewing parties in interest.
On December 20th the Metropolitan Park Commission voted unanimously to order the Secretary to prepare plans for the tak- ings of the shore reservation and the Blue Hills Parkway. The takings at Squantum were not made because satisfactory arrange- ments with the present owners had not been accomplished. This action was intended to give to Quincy the shore reservation and parkway so long desired.
By the schedule of estimates and options in the possession of the Metropolitan Park Commission, it appears that the land for the shore front reservation, from Hancock street to Hancock street, can be had for about $55,000, leaving $45,000 of the $100,000 for contingencies and immediate construction in addi- tion to the $25,000 for construction. It also appears that there may be a fair sum left from the Blue Hills Parkway appropria- tion after the land takings are made and paid for. There may, therefore, be anywhere from $65,000 to $75,000 available for immediate construction after the takings have been made and paid for. This will not, however, be sufficient to do a great deal
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in the way of construction, and it will therefore become neces- sary for the representatives of Quincy to procure an additional appropriation from the Legislature at as early a date as the Metropolitan Park Commissioners deem advisable.
This year the Supreme Court will be called upon to deter- mine and apportion the cost among the cities and towns in the Metropolitan Park District for both the reservations and boule- vards. It seems to me that the City of Quincy at this time might properly contend that the apportionment, so far as this city is concerned, should not be radically different from that made in 1895 because the conditions under which the old award was made, particularly in reference to the cost of reservations and parks, have not been materially changed.
I have gone into this matter somewhat at length because it seemed to me, in view of that which must be done later, to be of importance to the succeeding legal representatives of the city to have in their department a full and complete history of this matter.
The Solicitor desires to publicly acknowledge the valuable assistance and encouragement given him in his labors as counsel in this matter by the late Mr. Titus, Representative Sheppard, Mr. Theodore Parker, Mr. John Swithin, Mr. Kingston, Mr. A. J. Bailey, and the gentlemen who appeared and testified before the committees and who assisted him in procuring options, with- out whose services he believes he could not have taken the many successive steps which ultimately led to the laying out of the reservation and parkway in Quincy.
At the request of Mayor Keith, the Solicitor drew the bills which were finally enacted and became a law and are now known as Chapter 219 of the acts of 1899, entitled "An act to authorize the City of Quincy to refund a part of its indebtedness," Chap- ter 225 of the acts of 1899 entitled "An act to authorize the City of Quincy to incur indebtedness beyond the limit fixed by law for street improvements," and Chapter 237 of the Acts of 1899 entitled "An act relative to the tenure of office of the Board of Water Commissioners in the City of Quincy."
Upon all these bills the Solicitor appeared before the com- mittees of the Legislature having the same in charge and con- ducted the hearings thereon. The Solicitor also attended the
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several committees of the Legislature having bills before them which affected the City of Quincy in general with other places, and at the request of the Metropolitan Board of Water Commis- sioners, appeared in opposition to certain bills in which there appeared provisions detrimental to the interests of Quincy and the district.
Concerning the petition for the widening of the bridge, and approaches thereto, over the railroad on Hancock street near Atlantic, a view was taken of the premises and a hearing given by the County Commissioners in December, at which time the matter was further postponed to enable the railroad officials to perfect their plans for improvements at Atlantic.
There was also a hearing given by the County 'Commission- ers on the question of connecting Warren avenue, East and West, over the railroad location by an overhead foot bridge. After hearing all the testimony, the commissioners continued the matter into February. The evidence introduced was to the effect that a foot bridge, which would cost not more than $4,500, was much needed at this place. If the County Commissioners act favorably on our petition, it will then be in order for the City Council to authorize an appropriation for the construction of the bridge as petitioned for.
In reference to the cases against the city pending in court and referred to in earlier reports of this department, Larkin vs. City of Quincy, and Jenness vs. City of Quincy were both set- tled upon terms which were approved by the City Council.
Of those suits in which the city is plaintiff, the Solicitor tried at Dedham, before a jury, that of Brasee, Tax Collector, vs. Wilkins, Executor, which resulted in a verdict in favor of the city for the full amount claimed with costs. Upon the result of this suit, the receipt of four year's taxes from the Laura Whicher estate depended, the action being tried to determine whether Quincy or Boston was entitled to receive the same.
In the suit of Brasee, Tax Collector, vs. Fuller, counsel for defendant and the Solicitor have had many conferences concern- ing an adjustment of the city's claim, and I believe that a fair settlement can soon be made.
The suits brought and entered against the city, and not pre- viously reported with statements concerning them, are as follows :
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Mary McClellan vs. City of Quincy was an action for per- sonal injuries sustained by reason of the plaintiff's falling from the highway into the brook on Brook Road, there being no fence or rail where the accident occurred. The suit was settled with the approval of the Mayor for $150.
Lillian V. Connolly vs. City of Quincy is an action now pending in the Superior Court to recover damages for personal injuries sustained by the plaintiff's falling over the granite block situated on the edge of the sidewalk in front of the Durgin & Merrill Block. The block complained of was placed there by Mr. Merrill many years ago. Mr. Merrill has been notified to defend the suit.
Alexander Bently vs. City of Quincy is a suit pending in the Superior Court at Dedham for personal injuries which the plaintiff claims he received on Sept. 21st, 1898, while travelling on Quarry Street near the stone sheds of McDonnell & Sons. He alleges that there was a deep hole in the street at this point, into which he fell and was injured.
Sarah E. N. Edwards and George A. Brackett, Trustees, vs. City of Quincy is a petition now pending in the Superior Court at Dedham to assess damages for land taken in the widening of Hancock street near the junction of School street in the city of Quincy.
Mary Haley vs. City of Quincy is an action pending in the Superior Court at Dedham for personal injuries received by the plaintiff while travelling on the sidewalk on the northerly side of Robertson street on the evening of the 14th day of September, 1899. The plaintiff claims that her injuries were received by reason of her falling into a hole in the sidewalk which was about twenty-five feet west from the culvert near the residence of Silas Hicks.
Eunice A. Doble vs. City of Quincy is a suit commenced the 27th of December and returnable at the Superior Court in Feb- ruary next. It is brought to recover damages for personal injur- ies sustained while travelling over Copeland street in a carriage on the afternoon of the 26th of October, 1899. The claim is that there was a defect in Copeland street about twenty feet easterly from the junction of said Copeland street and an avenue called Furnace avenue which caused the accident.
216
Besides the suits above enumerated, there are several pend- ing in the Superior Court and the District Court of East Norfolk, wherein the City of Quincy appears as trustee.
There are also several suits against the city still pending in the District Court of East Norfolk, wherein the city has been sued under the statute giving to laborers liens for labor performed in the construction of public sewers. These are cases where the men have been unable to get their money from the contractors with whom they bargained, and seek to recover from the city under the statute aforesaid. A list of all these cases brought during the term of office of the present Solicitor will be found in the docket of the Law Department.
I have attended the meetings of the City Council ; submitted opinions in writing, when requested, to the Council, its com- mittees, the Mayor and heads of departments, and have also rendered the city officials such other assistance upon legal mat- ters as they have from time to time required.
In closing this report, I desire to acknowledge the coopera- tion and active sympathy and support which Mayor Keith has always accorded me in the performance of my duties as his Soli- citor to the City of Quincy.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL R. BLACKMUR, City Solicitor.
1
Police Department.
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
SIR-In compliance with the ordinance governing the Police Department, I have the honor to submit this, the eleventh annual report of the department, for the year ending December 31, 1899.
The department consists of eleven men, eight regular and one special officer doing night patrol duty, one on night duty at the Police Station, one doing day patrol duty and also one de- tailed to enforce the liquor law and inspection duty.
Following is a synopsis of the work of the department :
Number of arrests, 535 Number of males, 512
Number of females, 23 Number of married, 193
Number of single, 342
Number of Adults, 433
Number of minors, 102
Number of residents, 389
Number of non-residents, 146
Nativity of Those Arrested.
Canada,
7 England, 14
France,
5 Finland, 15
Germany,
5 Ireland, 127
Italy,
35
Newfoundland,
4
Nova Scotia, 21
New Brunswick,
1
Prince Edwards Island,
3
Portugal,
1
Poland,
1 Russia,
10
Scotland,
17
Sweden, 31
United States,
238
,
218
Causes of Arrests.
Arson,
4 Assault, 57
Assault and battery,
5 Assault on an officer, 1
Assault with a dangerous weapon,
Bastardy,
Breaking and entering,
Contempt of court,
Cruelty to animals,
3 City ordinance, violation of, 7
Default,
4
Disturbing the peace, 49
Dipsomaniac,
1 Drunkenness, 222
Embezzlement,
5
Escape from prison,
1
Evading fare,
1
False pretenses,
2
Fish law, violation of,
2 Gaming, 5
2
Insane,
11 Indecent exposure,
1
Injury to property,
1 Larceny, 34
Larceny in a building,
9 Larceny from a person,
1
Larceny from the realty,
2 Liquor law, violation of, 16
Lord's day, violation of,
10 Libel,
1
Malicious injury,
1 Malicious mischief,
6
Murder,
2
Neglect of family, 3
Peddling without license,
1 Perjury,
1
Profanity,
2 Reckless driving,
2
Receiving stolen property,
2 Safe keeping, 2
Stubbornness,
3 Truancy,
1
Trespassing,
3 Tramp.
1
Vagrancy.
1
Number of cases before the East Norfolk District Court,
533
Result of Findings.
Committed to institutions,
66
Committed to jail, .
4
Committed in default of bail,
4
Committed to house of correction,
46
Committed on sentence, .
12
Committed for non-payment of fine,
34
Assault, felonious, 2
6 Arrested for out of town
5 officers, 3
8 Breaking, entering and lar- ceny, 4 3
Game law, violation of,
6 Held for witness,
Non-support,
4 Park rules, violation of, 6
219
Committed to dipsomaniac hospital,
1
Committed to State farm,
2
Committed to Sherborn home,
1
Committed to truant school,
1
Committed to insane hospitals,
11
Committed to Taunton hospital,
10
Committed to Westboro hospital,
1
Appealed,
9
Continued,
11
Defaulted,
16
Discharged,
80
Dismissed,
1
Delivered to out of town officers,
7
Held for grand jury,
22
Held for superior court,
1
Paid fines,
255
Placed on file,
47
Placed on probation,
2
Released,
8
Settled by mutual consent,
4
Quashed complaints,
1
Liquors forfeited, .
7
Amount or fines imposed by the court, $2,306 05
Amount of fines paid to court, $1,552 05
Cash paid to City Treasurer, .
$404 34 .
Miscellaneous Work.
Accidents reported,
6
Bicycles found,
7
Complaints investigated,
65
Cows found astray, .
6
Dangerous wires reported,
8
Defective streets reported,
56
Defective sidewalks reported, .
35
Defects in bridge reported,
7
Disturbances suppressed without arrest,
44
Doors found open,
175
Dogs killed,
9
Dangerous lights reported, .
3
220
Dead bodies found, .
8
Fire alarm boxes out of order,
2
Fire alarms pulled in,
2
Fire, still alarms given,
4
Fires extinguished without alarm,
15
Fires prevented from overheated stoves,
Goods left out and cared for,
Horses found cast,
14
Horses found astray,
18
Horses, runaway, caught,
9
Horses loose in stall,
3
Horses killed, .
4
Injured persons cared for,
2
Leaks in water pipes,
12
Lanterns displayed in dangerous places,
20
Lost children returned to parents,
10
Lost and stolen articles returned,
4
Lights reported out, are, .
140
Lights reported out, incandescent,
107
Lights reported out, gas, .
135
Obstructions removed from street,
14
Obstructions removed from sidewalk,
5
Persons assisted,
12
Pocket books found,
2
Sick persons cared for,
4
Teams found and cared for,
2
Teams taken from intoxicated drivers,
1
Windows found open,
71
Number of lodgers cared for,
2,993
Lost and stolen property recovered,
$4,443 15
2
15
Leaks in water main,
3
The order of the City during the past year, as a whole, has been very good. This is proof that for a city as large as Quincy (with no police patrol in the day time, except one man, and less than half enough in the night) that the inhabitants are quiet and law-abiding. There has been no serious outbreak of crime, with the exception of an unusual large amount of property stolen, which has been most all recovered by the Inspector. There has
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been about the usual number of unscrupulous persons who at- tempted to sell intoxicating liquor, but their enterprise soon came to grief (see Liquor Officer's report).
I am pleased to know that Your Honor is of the opinion that this department is in need of something to do with. We have nothing; and, therefore, what is needed is everything to make up a well equipped department.
Tramps.
The tramp nuisance has fallen off the past year over 15 per cent., but there are still more than there ought to be. I think we have more than our share of this class, for the reason that we lodge and feed them without anything for them to do, while in other places they are obliged to saw wood, or do some light work, to partly pay for what they receive.
There should be some place provided for them other than in the same room with prisoners, where we are obliged to keep them. They are an imposition on the public, and should be obliged to work and pay for what they get. People along the road which they travel should refuse to feed them and compel them to get what they eat where they lodge. There is not one in five hundred that is deserving of the charity they receive. If they are destitute, they have themselves to blame. If you ask them what sends them on the road, they will tell you that they spend their money for drink, or they would have no need to beg for food or lodging.
Many of them live in adjoining towns, have been in Boston, spent all their money, or got intoxicated and have been robbed and as a final result are obliged to beg for a lodging on their way home.
Men stop here who have been employed all summer, and out of work not more than a week, and yet they are on the road, begging, because they know people will feed them.
In concluding this report, I desire to tender my thanks to Mayor Keith, the officers of this department and all other per- sons who have assisted me in the performance of my duty.
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