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 1906 > Part 9
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It cannot be said that the city could not afford to give the necessary funds in the annual budget, for since 1894 new measures have been adopted, some of which might properly be called luxurious and there has been added expense to other departments which might have been delayed. The poor of the city must be provided for. The widow, the orphan, the aged and the sick must have food, clothing, fuel and medical treatment. The city is not supporting a lot of able bodied people. There may be an occasional impostor, but when found out they are promptly dealt with.
213
It is a work which must be continued and the city can- not escape paying the bills. Why then refuse sufficient funds in making the annual appropriation? The expenses for the year 1906 have been a trifle more than $11,000 and the ap- propriation was $9,000. When the budget was arranged I asked for more money and I defended the request before the finance committee of the Council, but the budget was so made up that no more could be given. For the year 1907 I do not see how it will be possible to get through with less than $11,000 and it would be much safer if another $500 was added. The department would then be in a position to keep within its appropriation and the whole city government could congratulate itself upon having once more, at the beginning, wisely provided for the poor and needy, a thing which had not been done for twelve years.
The Almshouse has been under the care of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Vaughn and they have in every way met all the requirements of their positions. Their work has been con- scientiously performed and they have labored faithfully for the best interest of the city. The very creditable comments made by the State Inspector of Almshouses assures me that the city has for superintendent and matron the proper per- sons. The faithful performance of their duties has caused some disagreeable comments from outsiders, who neither appreciate the real conditions which surround the proper and efficient management of an Almshouse or those who be- come inmates.
The inmates of the Quincy Almshouse are as contented a lot as will be found in any almshouse.or public institution in the State. They are well housed, clothed and fed, many of them better than they ever enjoyed before. I can see where some minor improvements might be made that would add to their comfort. With the limited appropriations these things cannot be gained in one year. What goes into the
214
Almshouse should be new. It would be folly to make the place a dumping ground for old furniture and old clothing. There are two kinds of old rubbish. There is that which is clean and that which is unclean. You cannot accept from one citizen and immediately turn around and refuse from another. What is the result? If you accept from all it will be but a short time before the Almshouse will again be over- run with vermin of all kinds and the City will be called upon to spend hundreds of dollars to renovate it. To refuse seems to be the wisest course to pursue.
There are several improvements which must be made this year and it may be found necessary to ask for a special appropriation. Having thoroughly renovated the Alms- house to the entire satisfaction of the State Inspector of Almshouses, so that today the city cannot be compelled by the State Board of Charity to make one improvement, a fact which has not existed since the state first commenced regular inspections or more than twelve years ago, I believe some- thing should now be done.
The City spent nearly one thousand dollars for install- ing bath rooms in the Almshouse. They were not intended as ornamental cozy dens or simply to satisfy the demands of the State Board of Charity. They were intended for use and that purpose has been regularly served during the past two years. Almost the first thing required of a new inmate, if his or her physical condition will permit, is to take a bath. Clean clothes are then given to them.
Bathing for the permanent inmates is required once each week and there are no omissions except in case of sick- ness. This order was at first evaded in all manner of ways. Some inmates would go into the bath room, put on their clean clothes and after waiting a reasonable time come out. All kinds of excuses were made to avoid taking a bath, until today there are few who object. Some there are, strange to
215
say, who dislike to be made clean, but as their health de- pends partially upon cleanliness and in justice to those who readily obey this rule, there are no exceptions made.
All the inmates are required to do such work as they are able. Acting under the advice of the City Physician the work given to each is not injurious to them but serves to occupy their minds and attention and keeps them in a more contended condition.
At the earliest possible date the sewer should be ex- tended and the Almshouse connected with it. The present arrangements are not proper.
Visitors are always welcome at the Almshouse, partic- ularly those who as taxpayers are desirous of seeing that the money spent furnishes the city's poor and unfortunate with a comfortable home. The inmates of any public institution are not there because they want to be, but circumstances force them. It should be plain then to visitors that outside inter- ference spoils the discipline, causes the inmates to become discontented and eventually makes trouble.
In concluding this report the Overseer desires to ex- press his thanks to all those who have assisted in raising the Quincy Almshouse to the high rank it has gained among the Almshouses of the State. In dealing with the outside poor, a problem which has baffled all authorities in every city and town as well as the State itself, there are times when private citizens can render valuable aid to the authorities. Any information which will prevent impostors from receiving aid will be greatly appreciated and promptly investigated.
FREDERICK F. GREEN.
Overseer of the Poor.
216
The following is the financial statement for the year: Appropriation
$9,000.00
Expended Outside Poor $5,160.74
Expended Almshouse net 3,829.69
Total Amount expended
$8,990.43
Bills in excess of Appropriation .
2,010.25
Total cost of the year . $11,000.68
EXPENSE OF OUTSIDE POOR.
Provisions
$2,609.19
Coal
384.90
Clothing
45.95
Medicine
21.55
Rent
419.00
Board
417.05
Burials
129.50
Transportations
45.47
Institutions
761.35
Other Hospitals
1,137.7I
Other Cities
744.35
Telephone
26.83
Nursing
24.58
Clerical
100.00
Miscellaneous
46.14
Cost of Outside Poor for the year. Bills in excess of Appropriation ..
$6,904.57
1,743.83
Amount expended for Outside Poor during the year $5.160.74
217
EXPENSE OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
Salary of Superintendent
$600.00
Wages
345.03
House supplies
3,891.64
Stable supplies
771.16
Clothing
126.26
Fuel
504.14
Telephone
29.76
Electric Lights
91.75
Medicine
33.60
Hardware
75.25
Express
13.90
Furniture
60.56
Miscellaneous
163.15
Actual cost of Almshouse
$6,705.20
Credit by supplies to Outside Poor,
2,609.19
Net cost of the Almshouse for the
year
$4,096.11
Bills in excess of Appropriation ..
266.42
Amount expended for Almshouse
during the year
$3.829.69
AIMSHOUSE.
Number of inmates January 1, 1906
II
Admitted during the year 23
Total number during the year 34
Discharged during the year 17
Died during the year I
Total 18
218
Number in Almshouse December 31, 1906
16
Number of families aided temporarily 144
Number having settlement in Quincy 87
Number having settlement in other cities or towns II
Number having no settlement (State charges),
46
Number of cases fully supported
42
Number of cases in Almshouse
34
Number of cases in Institutions
5
Number of cases in private families
3
DISCHARGED.
Almshouse
17
Institutions
o 0
Private families
I
DIED.
Almshouse
I
Institutions
0
Private families
0
Number fully supported December 31, 1906
23
Report of City Physician.
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Quincy:
I respectfully submit the following as the report of the City Physician for the year ending December 31, 1906.
During the year I have made forty visits to the Alms House. To the poor out of the Alms House I have made eighty-five visits and thirteen office prescriptions. To pa- tients to whom I have been called by the Police Department. I have made twenty calls. To contagious cases to whom I have been sent by the Board of Health I have made twenty- five calls. I have examined twenty-eight applicants for posi- tions in the Civil Service and have vaccinated seventy-eight children.
In this service there has been one death which resulted from tuberculosis. Two confinement cases are also included in this service.
During the year the health of the inmates of the Alms House has been unusually good. No deaths have occurred there and no continued illnesses other than the chronic ail- ments incident to those whose advanced age and physical infirmities render them fit subjects for such a charity. The continued good health of the inmates seems to me an ad- mirable testimonial to the intelligent care of the superin- tendent and matron.
As part of the duties of my office I have made frequent calls at the house at irregular intervals of time and have always found the house and grounds in good sanitary con- dition and the inmates generally well contented with their lot.
Under the directions of the Civil Service Commission-
220
ers I held four regular and two supplementary examinations for applicants for positions in the public service as police- men and members of the fire department. Twenty-eight ap- plicants were examined. The physical examination for applicants for these positions is growing more and more rig- orous, and to prevent disappointment in those who may think of taking these examinations I insert a few of the direct instructions to examiners. I quote from the form for the physical examination of policemen :
Reject if the applicant has insufficient or defective teeth, provided, however, that if he furnishes within thirty days from such rejection a certificate from some reputable dentist that his teeth have been put in proper condition for mastica- tion, his name will be placed on the eligible list.
Reject for loss of thumb or any part thereof.
Reject for loss of forefinger of either hand or any part thereof above the distal joint.
Reject for malformation of foot that would impair use- fulness.
Reject for either complete or incomplete hernia.
Reject for varicose veins.
Reject for excessive weight over 200 lbs. when excess is due to fat, or for obesity, whatever the weight.
Reject if he is under 5 ft. 7 in. in bare feet and 125 lbs. without clothing.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY C. HALLOWELL, M. D.,
City Physician.
Public Burial Places.
Quincy, Mass., Jan. 1, 1907.
To His Honor the Mayor:
The Managers of Public Burial Places respectfully sub- mit the following report for the year 1906.
The constantly increasing demands on this department have been met and carried out as promptly and thoroughly as possible within the appropriation.
The City Council appropriated $4,000 for the main- tenance of the cemeteries for the year 1906, which has been economically expended for the immediate needs, principally in the care of lots, regrading, foundations, etc.
During the year fifteen lots have been sold, for which the City Treasurer has received $1,336. Sixteen lots have been placed under perpetual care and $2,600 added to this fund, which now amounts to $23,563.
The Hancock Cemetery remains in about the same con- dition as for a number of years past, and has been cared for as far as our funds would allow.
The receipts of this department are paid directly into the City Treasury, and are in excess of the expenditures, as will be seen by the following financial statement.
Appropriation $4,000.00
Expended 3,919.75
Balance unexpended $80.25
PERPETUAL CARE FUND.
Cash on deposit Jan. 1, 1906 $20,963.00
222
Added during the year 2,600.00
Interest on the same 879.25
Paid for care of lots .
$879.25
Cash on deposit Dec. 31, 1906 . .
23,563.00
$24,442.25
$24,442.25
C. C. JOHNSON FUND.
Deposited in Quincy Savings Bank $150.00
Interest on the same 5.29
Paid for care of lot $5.20
Cash on deposit Dec. 31, 1906
150.00
$155.29
$155.29
STATISTICS.
Whole number of lots cared for 590
By yearly contract 415
By perpetual care 175
There have been 265 burials in Mount Wollaston Ceme- tery during the year, as follows:
Adults 148
Under 21 years of age
I17
Died in other places 70
Adults
57
Under 21 years of age
13
Buried in Hancock Cemetery
5
RECEIPTS.
Care of lots previous to 1906 $622.50
Care of lots during 1906 602.00
Lots sold during 1906 1,336.00 *
Foundations 563.75
223
Regrading
III.00
Use of Receiving Tomb
40.00
Graves sold
305.00
Opening graves
1,069.00
Removals
54.00
Miscellaneous receipts
34.50
Interest on Perpetual Care Fund
884.54
$5,622.29
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT W. FAY, Chairman.
W. W. MITCHELL,
Secretary.
Report of City Solicitor.
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy:
Sir: I have the honor to make the following report in relation to the legal matters committed to my department during the year.
The most important cases tried during the year were the case of Julia Foley vs. the City of Quincy and the case of Keough Bros. & Co. against certain officials of the City and various labor unions.
The Julia Foley case was for personal injuries received from plaintiff being thrown from an overturned sleigh on Hancock Street during the winter of 1904, and was tried be- fore a jury of the Superior Court for Norfolk County. It was shown in evidence that the accident occurred by the sleigh in which plaintiff was riding being overturned owing to ice and snow on the sides of the track of the Old Colony Street Railway System which sloped from the traveled part of the way to the tracks. At the conclusion of the testimony for the plaintiff, upon motion, the judge directed the jury to return a verdict for the defendant.
The case of Keough Brothers was against the Mayor, Commissioner of Public Works and Aaron H. Gould, archi- tect on the High School building, and the various labor unions, in which the complainant sought an injunction re- straining the respondent from interfering with the complain- ants in the process of the work upon the building and charg- ing a conspiracy to prevent them from completing the work. Upon the conclusion of the testimony the judge ordered the bill dismissed as relating to the Mayor, Commissioner of Public Works and the architect. The case was tried in the
225
equity session of the Superior Court sitting in Suffolk County.
Several cases were tried in the lower court in which the Board of Health complained of violation of the City Ordi- nances. A large number of liquor cases were tried during the year in the District Court, for the Police Department, and in all cases a conviction was secured and a heavy fine imposed by the Court. This work was done gratuitously and in addition to the duties of my office as City Solicitor.
I also appeared before committees of the Legislature upon matters which affected the interests of the City.
The question of a reduction of fares on the Nantasket Beach line of the Old Colony Street Railway Co. was pressed before the Railroad Commissioners and they reported in favor of a reduction on that line.
The final hearings on the Fore River Bridge were held during the year and the report of the Commissioners was filed in court and a decree of the court entered confirming the same. This fixes the amount to be paid by the various towns and the City of Quincy and other parties interested for the construction of the steel bridge over the Weymouth Fore River.
The case of Hanrahan vs. the City of Quincy, brought in the Superior Court for Norfolk County, was dismissed in December for want of prosecution.
The usual number of written opinions were rendered during the year and various questions which were submitted to me by heads of departments were answered.
I would again call attention to the necessity of adequate space to care for the law library of the City and that consid- eration of this matter be given this year.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM R. THOMAS,
City Solicitor.
Police Department.
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Quincy:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Police De- partment for the year ending December 31, 1906.
The force at present is composed as follows: One Chief, one Lieutenant acting as Inspector, two Sergeants, four day Patrolmen, fourteen night Patrolmen, one Wagon-man and one Driver.
During the year the city accepted the act relating to a. reserve force and we now have a reserve force of seven men, two of whom are now doing regular night patrol duty.
ROSTER OF QUINCY POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Frank E. Burrell, Chief. Daniel R. McKay, Lieutenant.
Mark E. Hanson, Sergeant. David J. Barry, Sergeant.
PATROLMEN.
Patrick H. Bradley.
James W. Murray. John T. Larkin.
Alfred W. Goodhue.
Jeremiah Hinchon.
William S. Lyons.
Timothy J. Golden.
Edward Johnson.
Patrick A. Milford. Patrick J. Kelliher. John Bowton. Charles T. Crooker. Edward J. Curtin. Claes A. Broberg. Michael Donovan. Ernest Bishop.
Charles Olson.
George A. Cahill, Driver. John Holloran, Wagon Officer.
227
RESERVES.
Henry F. Riley. Henry W. Thorne.
Jeremiah Dinneen. Daniel H. Doran.
George F. Phillips.
SPECIAL POLICE.
John P. Duffy. Joseph F. Goodhue.
Daniel J. Ford.
Thomas A. Malone. James H. Whalen.
Malcolm C. Stewart.
OFFENCES FOR WHICH ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE:
Whole number of arrests, 1, 165.
Adultery
5
Assault
4
Assault and battery 83
7
Assault with intent to rape
I
Assaulting and interfering with a motorman
5
Bastardy
6
Begging
I
Being present at a game on the Lord's day
13
Blackmail
Board of Health rule, Violation of 4
3
Breaking and entering
2
Breaking glass
9
Breaking street lights 6
7
Carrying weapons
City ordinance, Violation of 15
Collecting junk without license I
Committing an unnatural act I
Assault on an officer
Assault with a dangerous weapon 7
Henry J. Matthews.
228
Crap shooting 6
Cruelty to animals I
Default
2
Disorderly conduct on public conveyance 3 L
Disturbing the peace 14
Disorderly conduct 5
Disturbance in public hall
I
Disturbing a public meeting
2
Drunkenness
646
Evading fare
2
Forgery
I
Fornication
I
Fraudulently obtaining money
I
Gaming on Lord's day
I2
Habitual school offender
I
Hunting without license
I
Idle and disorderly
I
Illegal sale of renovated butter
8
Interfering with an officer
3
Indecent exposure
T
Intimidating employees
I
Keeping an unlicensed dog
I
Larceny 53
Lewd and lascivious
2
Loitering at railroad station
2
Maintaining a gaming room
2
Malicious injury to realty
1
Malicious mischief
5
Murder
Neglect to provide for family 20
Neglect to send child to school
I
Neglected child 6
Out of town officers 13
Rape I
229
Receiving stolen property 4
Removing lights from street I
Renting room for gaming
1
Ringing in false alarm of fire 2.
Safe keeping
3
Sale of adulterated food
2
Sale of milk below standard
4
Stubbornness
Tampering with tools and appliances on car
I
Threat to commit an assault
Tramp
[
Trespass of fowl
2
Truancy
I
Trespass
4
Unlawfully employing a minor
2
Vagrancy 3
Violation of auto speed limit 40
Violation of park rules 2
Violation to law in relation to diseased animals I
Violation of quarantine law 2
Wilful injury to realty
I
NATIVITY OF THOSE ARRESTED.
Armenia
3
New Brunswick
8
Austria
ลข
Newfoundland I
Canada
15
Nova Scotia 43
Cape Briton 2
Norway
2
China T
Prince Edward Island
I4
England 42
Poland
1
Finland 95
Russia
France 4
Scotland
74
Germany
8
Sweden
17
Greece
3
Spain
2
Hungaria
I United States . 547
230
Ireland
162 Wales
3
Italy
97
PERSONS ARRESTED WERE-
Males
1,132
Females 33
Adults
1,042
Minors
123
Married
437
Single 723
Residents
93 I
Non-residents 234
ENFORCEMENT OF THE LIQUOR LAW.
The Liquor Law in our city has been enforced in a more thorough manner than ever before.
Raids have been made in forty places, covering nearly every part of the city, and liquor found in every instance. In all but two cases the liquor has been declared forfeited by the Court.
Thirty-eight have been found guilty and either paid fines, appealed to the Superior Court, or have been committed.
The verdict of the Lower Court has been sustained in the Superior Court in every instance.
In all cases where legal advice was needed the City So- licitor has given his valuable time and services free of any expense to the department. In regard to licenses granted to expressmen to transport liquors, greater care should be ob- served in the future. It seems to me that we might well cut out all out of town expressmen of which we now have six. Then there are others who cart liquor and nothing else what- ever. It does not appear to me that these people can be called legitimate expressmen.
During the year since May Ist, three expressmen have been before the Court and convicted. One was for a viola- tion of the express law and the conviction took away his license.
231
The others were convicted on a charge of exposing and keeping liquor for sale illegally. They have since gone out of business.
Below follows a detailed account of the Liquor Cases be- fore the Court.
AGGREGATE OF VIOLATIONS OF THE LIQUOR LAW.
Illegal transportation
Illegal sale of intoxicating liquor 8
Keeping and exposing liquor for sale 22
Violation of express law . T
Maintaining a liquor nuisance 8
40
Whole number of liquor raids
40
Number of places where liquor was found 40
Number of cases ordered forfeited
35
Number of cases ordered returned 3
Number of cases now pending
2
REPORT OF SIGNAL SERVICE.
Number of telephone calls 1,615
Number of wagon calls 623
Number of ambulance calls 22
Liquor raids where wagon was used
22
Number of miles run 1,608
DISPOSITION OF CASES.
Whole number of cases 1,198
Appealed 3I
Appealed from fine 24
Appealed from sentence
7
232
Appeals from fines, withdrew and paid fine 8
Appeal from sentence withdrawn I
Bound to the peace
5
Committed to institutions
73
Committed in default of bail 15
Committed without bail
I
Committed in default of fine
27
Committed on sentence
16
Committed to State Farm
7
Committed to State Board of Charity
5
Committed to Sherburn
2
Defaulted
57
Defaults removed
1
Delivered to out of town officers
I3
Delivered to friends
I
Discharged
35
Dismissed
52
Dismissed for want of prosecution
22
Dismissed for want of probable cause
4
Died in police station
I
Fined
330
Held for grand jury
II
Held for Superior Court
I
Paid cost of prosecution
14
Paid fines
296
Placed on file
I34
Released by Court
90
Released from Police Station
361
Settled by mutual consent
8
Hearing on seizures 38
2
Cases now pending
I6
Seizures now pending
Amount of fines imposed by Court $5,422.00
Amount of fines paid 4,245.00
233
Amount remitted from Sheriff 170.00
Money paid City Treasurer 3,393.36
MISCELLANEOUS WORK.
Accidents investigated 6
Accidents reported 6
Bicycles found
23
Complaints investigated
I22
Covers found off manholes
2
Cows killed
I
Cows found astray
2
Children lost, returned
23
Children runaway, returned
3
Cesspools, overrunning, reported 4
Dangerous wires reported 23
Dead bodies found 2
Defective street reported 18
Defective sidewalks reported
20
Disturbances suppressed without arrest 38
Dogs found and returned to owner
2
Dogs killed 30
239
Doors found opened
3
Fire alarms given
3
Fire alarms, still, given
5
Fires extinguished without alarm
8
Goods left out of stores
55
Goods found on street
12
Glass in fire alarm boxes broken, reported 22
Horses astray, found
13
Horses found cast
18
Horses killed
4
Horses runaway, caught 4
Doors found unfastened
Fires discovered I
234
Injured persons cared for 7
Lanterns displayed in dangerous places 29
Leaks in water main reported 6
Leaks in supply pipe reported 3
Leaks in gas main reported 6
Lights out reported, arc 256
Lights out reported, series 1,212
Lights out reported, gas 347
Lights not burning, moon schedule all night 2I
Lights not burning, moon schedule part of night 28
Lost pocket books found I
Obstructions removed from street 14
Obstructions removed from sidewalk 24
Obstructions on sidewalk, reported 8
Safes found open II
Sick persons assisted 9
Stolen teams found
2
Suspicious places reported I2
Teams without drivers cared for
Teams taken from intoxicated drivers 2
Water running to waste, reported
.IO
Windows found unfastened
124
Value of property recovered $778.00
Value of yacht and boats recovered 3,580.00
SCHEDULE OF PROPERTY IN USE BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I signal cabinet.
I book-rack.
3 desk chairs.
75 badges.
6 short clubs.
6 office chairs.
.I couch.
235
12 cuspidors.
2 rugs.
21 window shades.
I door screen.
6 ink-stands.
6 pairs blankets.
3 shovels.
I clock.
22 revolvers.
5 mattresses.
6 pillows.
36 towels.
I water cooler.
I accident case.
I window brush.
I book of complaints.
I directory.
24 signal boxes.
3 roll-top desks.
24 pairs handcuffs.
22 parade belts and billies.
4 iron bedsteads.
12 common chairs.
2 tables.
2 art squares.
I oilcloth carpet.
22 window screens.
I cocoa mat
5 ink-wells.
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