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 1907 > Part 8
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All the available time of the year has been spent upon the preparatory work for a new charging system. The classes of fiction, history, and biography are ready, as well as the entire juvenile collection, so that it is proposed to put the Browne charging system into effect in the juvenile de- partment with the opening of the new children's room.
The Booklovers' Library service has been found unsatis- factory, and has therefore been discontinued. Membership in the Library Art Club is still continued although, naturally, the pictures cannot be exhibited while the work of building the addition is in progress. The south gallery of the main building, from which the books have been removed, will fill the much needed want of an art gallery.
Among the gifts of the year should be mentioned that of a nearly complete set of Harper's magazine from Miss Mary Perkins in memory of her mother, a constant patron of the library, who much appreciated and valued its privi- leges, and whose face is still missed from among its visitors.
In conclusion, the librarian wishes to thank the trustees for their support and co-operation through a very trying year, and the assistants for faithful work and loyalty.
Appended are the statistics for the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE G. WHITE, Librarian.
215
ACCESSIONS AND CIRCULATION.
Added by purchase, new books 485
Added by gift, new books
246
Added by purchase to replace old copies 600
Rebound and repaired
1,517
Pamphlets received
332
New names registered during the year
716
Days the library was open 305
Volumes delivered for home use 67,736
CIRCULATION BY CLASSES.
*Home Use.
General works
1,567
Periodicals
12,956
Philosophy and Religion
1,108
Sociology
602
Science
1,225
Useful and Fine arts
1,377
Literature and Philology
2,119
History
2,196
Travel
1,603
Biography
. 1,206
Fiction
29,242
Juvenile fiction
12,535
67,736
(Unclassified )
Library Use
4,513
72,249
*Includes School circulation ; Fiction, 182 ; Non-fiction, 415 ; Total, 597.
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Quincy, Mass., January 1, 1908.
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
I herewith submit my report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1907.
Scales examined 669
Scales condemned
I4
Weights examined 1,854
Weights found heavy 14
Weights found light 15
Weights condemned 0
Dry measures examined 302
Dry measures found large O
Dry measures found small O
Dry measures condemned . 3
Wet measures examined 247
Wet measures found large 0
Wet measures found small 0
Wet measures condemned
3
Yard sticks 44
Total, 3,165
Total for testing
$212.39
Cash paid to City Treasurer 212.39
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218
Amount expended was as follows :
April 17 Nathan Ames & Co.
$7.18
June 10 G. W. Prescott 1.00
July 15 F. F. Green
1.50
Aug. 17 J. Hargraves
1.50
E. F. Hayden 113.82
$125.00
Yours respectfully,
EDGAR F. HAYDEN,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Report of Overseer of the Poor
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of Quincy :
In presenting the annual report, it is to be regretted that. the usual deficit is again apparent. This state of affairs has existed since the year 1894, and every Overseer has had to take unjust criticism. Quincy is a growing city, and with. new industries locating here, emigrants are directed this way. They locate here, and secure employment, and with the en- ergetic methods used in collecting poll taxes, soon gain for- themselves a settlement, which in time, if misfortune befalls. the head of the family, proves a great expense upon our city. The expense of the Poor Department cannot be restricted to a fixed amount. There is a natural increase each year, not considering the advance in the cost of living, and the sum. which might have met the requirements ten years ago, is today entirely inadequate.
There were forty-one more families relieved during the year 1907 than in the preceding year, and the receipts of the Department will be larger, showing that aid has been ren -- dered to those with settlements in other places.
During the past year the property of the Almshouse has been improved, thus following the policy of the two preced- ing years. By doing a little each year, and taking proper care of that already done, a gain has been made, until now the place is in excellent condition, and meets with the hearty" approval of the State authorities. There is still a chance to make improvements, which besides adding to the comfort
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"of the inmates, will prove an economical investment to the -city.
During the past year, a panelled glass partition has been built in the front hallway, thus preventing the strong winds from sweeping through the house, and chilling the rooms oc- cupied by the inmates. The partition also serves the purpose of separating the main house from the office, which should have been considered when the Almshouse was built, so that strangers and visitors cannot wander at will about the house without first reporting at the office.
The entire second floor of the house has been newly screened, and the doors at the entrances have been replaced. Of the screening there remains only the third floor to com- plete this work. The kitchen and dining room furnishings have been added to where needed. While the house is ap- parently complete in its furnishings, there are many things which might be added to bring it up to a higher standard, and these additions would not be considered either an extrav- agance or a luxury.
It is to be hoped that having brought the Almshouse up to its present satisfactory condition, the City of Quincy will never again allow it to be neglected.
During the coming year, the piazza floors should be re- paired, and the entire outside of the Almshouse should be painted.
The smoke house used by the men is quite the popular place, and it is much appreciated over the former one located in the main house. This building should be reshingled.
The stable should be made a more modern one, so that the animals housed there may be humanely kept.
The ice-chest, bought more than sixteen years ago, has been replaced by a new and more modern one, which will last for many years to come.
The uncomfortable beds used by the females, which were placed in the Home in 1882, have been replaced by new
22I
modern iron beds, with suitable springs. It is to be regretted that sufficient money was not provided to supply similar beds for the males. In front of every bed a neat tapestry rug has been placed, which adds to the comfort of the inmates. These improvements were provided for by a special appropriation.
The management of the house has been excellent. The superintendent and matron, Mr. and Mrs. William Vaughan,. have been untiring in their efforts to keep the Almshouse clean and healthy. Too much cannot be said in praise of their work for the city. They have faithfully carried out all orders issued by the Overseer, and our city is fortunate in being able to retain them.
I wish to extend my thanks to Mr. William Patterson,. the florist, who for several years has presented plants for decoration of the flower beds about the grounds.
My thanks are also extended to all others who have in any way assisted me in the conduct of the office.
The following is the financial statement for the year :
Appropriation $11,000.00.
Expended Outside Poor $5,483.40
Expended Almshouse net 5,386.23
Total Amount $10,869.63
Bills in excess of Appropriation $1,366.97
Actual cost of the year
$12,236.60
EXPENSE OF THE OUTSIDE POOR.
Provisions
$2,703.03
Coal
295.38
Clothing
71.40
Medicine
20.00₺
222
Rent
352.00
Board
126.70
Burials
127.50
Transportations
15.60
Institutions
951.93
.Other Hospitals
985.80
Other Cities
940.89
Telephone
55.23
Nursing
54.00
Clerical
100.00
Miscellaneous
32.85
Total
$6,832.31
EXPENSE OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
Salary of Superintendent $550.00
Wages
379.62
House Supplies
4,895.32
Stable and Poultry Supplies
817.85
Medicine
33.05
Clothing
202.62
Fuel
535.07
Electric Lights
124.35
Telephone
90.84
Express
23.95
Furniture
140.34
Miscellaneous
182.03
Total Amount during the year
8,107.32
Credit by supplies to Outside Poor
2,703.03
Net cost of the Almshouse during the year . . $5,404.29
32.28
Hardware
223
1
ALMSHOUSE.
!
Number inmates January 1, 1907
I4
Admitted during the year I5
Total number during the year
29
Discharged during the year I2
Died during the year 2
Total
14
Number in Almshouse December 31, 1907
I5
Number families aided temporarily
185
Number having settlement in Quincy
IIO
Number having settlement in other cities or towns.
I7
Number having no settlement (State Charges) ..
58
Number cases fully reported
37
In Almshouse
29
In Institutions
6
In Private Families
2
DISCHARGED.
Almshouse
12
Institutions
Private families
O
DIED.
Almshouse
2
Institutions
100
Institutions
I
Number cases fully supported December 31, 1907
22
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK F. GREEN,
Overseer of the Poor.
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, 1907 :-
During the year I have made thirty-four calls at the alms- house and one hundred and thirty-eight calls to poor out of the almshouse. To patients to whom I have been called by the Police Department I have made twenty-two calls and to those to whom I have been called by the Board of Health I have made eighteen calls. I have vaccinated sixty school children. In my service I have had four births and four deaths.
The uniformly good health which has prevailed at the almshouse reflects great credit upon the management of the house and bears testimony to the sanitary condition of the house and its surroundings.
HENRY C. HALLOWELL, M. D.
City Physician.
January 1, 1908.
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١
Public Burial Places
Quincy, Mass., January 1, 1908.
To His Honor the Mayor :
The Managers of Public Burial Places respectfully sub- mit the following report for the year 1907.
The annual appropriation of $4,000.00 ordered by the City Council for the maintenance of the cemeteries, has been expended, under the direction of this Board, as economically as possible. This sum is barely sufficient for the ordinary needs of the cemetery, such as care of lots and avenues, and the building of foundations, etc., and leaves no funds for improvements, or for preparing new lots for future use.
Early in the year 1907 we had no lots for sale, and re- quested of the City Council an additional appropriation of $650.00, which was granted. With this sum, a small portion of the unimproved land, known as the Greenleaf Street Ex- tension to Mount Wollaston Cemetery, has been graded, and a roadway built. There has been returned to the City Treas- ury, up to the present time, $1,200.00 from the sale of lots and graves in this section alone.
During the year there have been sold to residents of Quincy, sixty-six single graves, thirty-seven lots, and nine lots have been placed under perpetual care.
The Hancock Cemetery is sadly in need of attention, par- ticularly the wall on the Hancock Street side. We are of
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the opinion that the City should take immediate action to preserve the same. The grounds have received what care we could give with the funds at our disposal.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
$4,650.00
Total appropriation
Expenditures, including salaries
4,575.71
Balance unexpended
$74.29
PERPETUAL CARE FUND.
Cash on deposit Jan. I, 1907
$23,563.00
Cash added during the year 1,150.00
Income from investments 975.55
$25,688.55
Paid for care of lots
$975.55
Amount of fund Jan. 1, 1908
24,713.00
$25,688.55
Invested as follows :-
4 per cent. Bonds of City of Quincy 18,000.00 Deposit in National Granite Bank 5,675.00 Deposit in Quincy Savings Bank . 1,038.00
$24,713.00
229
C. C. JOHNSON FUND.
Deposit in Quincy Savings Bank $150.00 Interest on same 6.06
Paid for care of lot
6.06
On deposit Jan. 1, 1908 I 50.00
$156.06 $156.06
STATISTICS.
Whole number of lots cared for 620
By yearly contract 436
By perpetual care 184
During the year there has been 279 burials in Mount Wollaston, and one in the Hancock Cemetery.
Adults 169
Under 21 years of age III
Died in other places 90
Adults
74
Under twenty-one years of age I6
RECEIPTS PAID INTO THE CITY TREASURY.
From sale of lots and graves $2,353.00
From opening graves 1,167.00
From care of lots 1,206.00
230
From foundations and grading
From miscellaneous receipts
From income from perpetual care
671.23 48.00
fund 981.61
$6,427.34
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT W. FAY,
Chairman,
W. W. MITCHELL, Secretary.
Report of City Solicitor
Quincy, Mass., March 10, 1908.
To His Honor the Mayor of the City of Quincy,
Sir :- I have the honor to submit the following report regarding the matters coming under the head of my depart- ment during the preceding year.
Much complaint has been made by the citizens in general against the Old Colony Street Railway Company regarding its schedule, the insufficiency of the cars, the inadequacy of the waiting rooms, etc., which led to an appeal by an order of the City Council to the Railroad Commissioners. Hear- ings were held at which I represented the City and while some few grievances were remedied, others were not owing to the fact that the Commission thought the road was doing as well as it really could by the city.
An act was passed by the Legislature, prepared by the Solicitor, granting the city authority to borrow the sum of $200,000 for the extension of its water mains and services. In the original draft of the act the rate of interest was speci- fied not to exceed five per cent. per annum which would enable the city in times of financial stringency an opportunity to sell its bonds, but this rate the Legislative Committee re- stricted to four percentum and in this form the act passed. I was personally present before the committee at its meet- ings in relation to the act.
During the year the final agreements accepting the High
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School were drawn and signed and proper releases protecting the City from any liability on account of the construction were executed by the contractors.
The contract for the building of the Atlantic School was drawn during the year as well as various other documents of a legal nature affecting the interests of the city.
Numerous cases of different natures have been tried in the lower court affecting the city, and as in the preceding year I have given my services gratuitously to the Chief of Police in prosecuting liquor cases and other cases of a crim- inal nature in which my services were desired.
Several small cases pending against the city have been satisfactorily adjusted.
A few cases against the city were brought during the year, mostly for damages to property occasioned by the lay- ing out or widening of streets in the City.
I have furnished my successor, Mr. McAnarney, an ab- stract list of the cases now pending.
I have had an office at City Hall for the transaction of business and have been in daily attendance and have answered such questions and rendered such opinions as were asked of me.
I have also attended the meetings of the City Council and those of its committees when so requested by the latter.
As it is compulsory for the city to furnish a proper room for the reception of the books furnished by the State, and as the books are now kept in various rooms, mostly in the room of the City Clerk, I would once more call attention to the necessity of providing adequate space to care for the law li- brary of the city.
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, 1907.
ROSTER OF QUINCY POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Frank E. Burrell, Chief.
Daniel R. McKay, Lieutenant.
Mark E. Hanson, Sergeant. David J. Barry, Sergeant.
PATROLMEN.
James W. Murray
John T. Larkin
Alfred W. Goodhue
Jeremiah Hinchon
William S. Lyons
Timothy J. Golden
Edward Johnson
Patrick A. Milford
John Bowton
Charles T. Crooker
Edward J. Curtin
Claes A. Broberg
Michael Donovan
Ernest H. Bishop
Charles Olson
Daniel H. Doran
Henry F. Riley
·George A. Cahill, Driver. John Halloran, Wagon Officer.
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234
RESERVE FORCE.
Henry W. Thorne
George F. Phillips
John P. Duffy
Jeremiah Dinneen James H. Whelan Daniel J. Ford
SPECIAL POLICE.
Henry J. Matthews
John J. Duane
Thomas A. Malone Alphonse G. Williams
Henry Hathorn.
Whole number of arrests 976
/
Offences for which arrests were made :
Adultery
7
Assault
I
Assault and battery
83 8
Assault on an officer
Assault with dangerous weapon
9
Assault with intent to rape
I
Attempt to steal from person
I 1
Abduction
I
Bastardy
3
Being found present at gaming on Lord's day
17
Breaking and entering
5.
Breaking, entering and larceny
3.
Breaking glass
I
Building bonfire
2
Buying junk of a minor
I
Contempt
I
Carrying weapons
City ordinance, violation of
235
Concealing leased property
3
Collecting junk without license
2
Cruelty to animals
3.
Default
5
Defrauding hotel
I
Disorderly conduct on public conveyance
I5
Disturbing the peace
24
Disturbing a religious meeting
3
Desertion from United States service
I
Drunkenness
500
Gaming on Lord's day
32
Idle and disorderly
3
Interfering with an officer
I
Keeping disorderly house
1
Keeping unlicensed dog
2
Larceny
57
Larcenty from the person
I
Lewdness
Lewd and lascivious conduct
2
Loitering at depot
4
Malicious injury to realty
3
Malicious mischief
2
Malicious injury to personal property
3.
Malicious injury to tombstones
I
Neglect to provide for family
15.
Neglect to send child to school
I
Out of town officers
12
Operating boiler without license
2
Peddling without license
3
Rape
I
Railer and brawler
I
Refusing to serve food to a negro
I
Reckless driving
I
Receiving stolen property
2. .
· Rescuing a prisoner I
236
Safe keeping
5
Sale of mortgaged property
I
Sale of obscene pictures
I
Selling tobacco to minors
I
Setting fire to building
I
Stopping a train
I
Stubbornness
I
Threat to assault
15
Tramp
6
Trespass
3
Trespass of fowl
I
Unlawfully taking shell fish
18
Vagabond
4
Vagrant
4
Violation of bicycle law
2
Violation fish and game law
I
Violation pure food law
5
Violation liquor law
25
Illegal sale of liquor
7
Keeping and exposing liquor for sale
13
Maintaining a liquor nuisance
4
Violating express law
I
Of Those Arersted There Were
Males
942
Adults 830
Females
34
Minors 146
Married
338
Residents 753
Single
636
Non-Residents 223
Nativity. 1
Armenian
3 New Zealand 1
Austria
5
New Brunswick
7
Canada
17
Nova Scotia 41
Cape Breton
Norway
5
237
China
1
Prince Edward Island 20
England
27
Russia 28
Finland
54
Scotland 40
France
3
Sweden 23
Germany
3
Spain 2
Greece
3
Syria 13.
Hungary
1
United States 447
Ireland
128
Wales
3.
Italy
96
Number of cases in court 978.
Disposition of cases :
Appealed
24
Appealed from fine
15.
Appealed from sentence
9
Bound to the peace
8 -
Committed to institutions
83
Committed in default of bail
25
Committed on sentence
22
Committed in default of fine
32
Committed to State Farm
3
Committed on Capias
I
Cases now pending
35
Defaulted
35
Default removed
7
Delivered to out of town officers
13.
Delivered to friends
3
Discharged
44
Dismissed
25
Dismissed for want of prosecution
20
Fined
274
Fines remitted
I3
Hearings on seizures 15.
238
Held for Grand Jury I-5
Paid fines 228
Paid cost of prosecution
37
Placed on file 98
Released from court
25
Released from police station
300
Sentence suspended 4
SIGNAL SERVICE.
Number of telephone calls 1779
Number of wagon calls 532
Number of ambulance calls 43
Number of raids 23
Number of miles ran with wagon 1488
Amount of fines imposed by the Court $4,449.03
Amount of fines paid 3.107.03
MISCELLANEOUS WORK.
Accidents investigated 2
Accidents prevented 3
Accidents reported 3
Bicycles found
6
Bridges in dangerous condition
3
Cows found astray 2
I
Cows killed
I
'Cesspools, running over, reported
257
Complaints investigated 35
Dangerous electric wires reported
Dead bodies found 2
Defective streets reported 21
Defective sidewalks reported 15
239
Disturbances suppressed without arrest
45
Dogs lost, return to owners 6
Dogs killed 35
Doors found unfastened 244
Dangerous telephone poles reported
4
Demented persons cared for
4
Fire alarm boxes found open
2
Fire alarms given
I5
Fires discovered
6
Fires extinguished without alarm
8
Fire larms, still, given
8
Fire alarm box, glass broken
49
Goods left outside store
2
Horses found cast
2
Horses loose in stable
I
Horses, runaway, caught
19
Injured persons cared for
10
Lanterns displayed in dangerous places
18
Leaks in water main reported
13
Leaks in supply pipe reported
9
Leaks in gas pipe
3
Lights out, arc .
275
Lights out, series
1736
Light out, gas
95
Lights on moon schedule, number of nights all lights were out 30
Number of nights, out part of night
17
Lost children returned to parents 58
Obstructions removed from street
IO
Obstructions in street reported
2I
Obstructions on sidewalk reported I2
Obstructions on sidewalk removed
4
Pocketbooks found 2
Unoccupied houses found open I
Safes found open 3
240
Sick persons assisted 13.
Stray horses found 7
Suspicious places reported
8
Water running to waste
3
Windows found unfastened
80
Value of property recovered $5,409.95
Delinquent cases II4
Assault
8
Arson
3.
Being present at game on Lord's day
I
Breaking and entering freight car
2
Breaking and entering a building
29
Breaking glass
I
Burning a building
3
Burglary
I
Habitual school offender
I
Larceny
21 12
Malicious mischief
Loitering at depot
4
Malicious injury to property
3
Neglected child
2
Setting fire
I
Setting fire to grass
3
Stubbornness
I
Trespass
4
Truancy
I
Violation City Ordinance
I3
Total
.114
Disposition of delinquent cases :
Appealed 3
Committed to State Board of Charities 7
Committed to Lyman School 5
Dismissed
17
24I
Dismissed for want of prosecution I
Discharged 2
Fines remitted 5
Fines paid 3.
Placed on probation 9
Placed on file 84
Paid cost of prosecution 5.
Of the three appealed cases, two were placed on file and. one placed on probation in the Superior Court.
ENFORCEMENT OF LIQUOR LAWS.
It has been harder to obtain evidence enough to convict violaters of the liquor law the past year than ever before.
The Fore River district is in my mind cleaner than at. any time since the ship yard came to the city.
Three express offices have been closed and two other par- ties have practically been driven from the city. Six convic- tions have been secured in the immediate vicinity.
Outside of the foreign population there is very little- liquor sold in the city. Hough's Neck had one of the quiet- est seasons for years, and we were able to secure but one con- viction, and that late in the summer.
The express law is still the subject of much debate, and the granting of permits will, in all probability, give the pres- ent City Council as much trouble as that of 1907.
I find that most of the expressmen who were granted permits have endeavored to keep within the law and have kept their liquor books in better shape than formerly.
The following is a summary of the work done in the department during 1907 :
Total number of cases brought in District Court 25 Cases found guilty in District Court 18
242
Cases found not guilty in District Court 6
Cases defaulted in District Court I
Cases appealed to Superior Court
Cases found guilty in Superior Court 5
5
Fines paid in District Court $700.00
Fines paid in Superior Court 375.00 Committed for non-payment of fines 4
Total number of liquor raids 23
Cases where liquor was found 21
Cases where liquor was ordered forfeited by Court I6 Cases where liquor was ordered returned to owners 5
Cases where no liquor was found 2
CONCLUSION.
In closing this, my third annual report, I would recom- mend that the day patrol in Wards 2, 3, 4 and 6 be provided with bicycles during the spring, summer and fall months. By this means they would be enabled to cover a great deal more territory than at present.
I would also recommend the purchase of a Motor Cycle for the apprehension of violators of the automobile speed laws. It is universally admitted by all police officials that this is the only method by which reckless and persistent violators of the law can be caught. Such a machine would soon pay for itself.
As in last year's report, I recommend a double steel cage be placed in the basement of the Fire Station at Hough's Neck.
Quincy has not escaped entirely from the epidemic of crime from which Boston and its suburbs have suffered dur- ing the past year. One Post Office break at Atlantic, and four dwellings burglarized while the family was away during the early evening, contribute our share. No serious assaults or crimes against the person have been reported. Juveniles have
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been in evidence all over the city, and have left their mark in the shape of broken windows and street lights. Quite a few have been before the Court for breaking and entering, and five have been committed to the Lyman School and seven to the State Board of Charity. There is a general opinion among police officials, which is shared by many others, that the delinquent child law is not a success as it is administered at present.
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