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 1915 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
ADAMS TEMPLE AND SCHOOL FUND
This fund is derived from property provided by the late President John Adams, supplemented by his grandson, the late Charles Francis Adams, and others. Its use was held in abeyance until the Adams Academy was erected upon the historic site of the birthplace of John Hancock. A flourishing school was conducted there for a considerable time, until, largely because the funds were too limited, it was closed several years since. The fund is accumulating but no attempt has been made to reopen the building for educational purposes. During the administration of Mayor Stone he caused the matter to be brought before the Supreme Judicial Court, where it has since been pending. I shall instruct the Solicitor to bring the matter to a determination as soon as it is practicable and have it settled whether the fund shall continue to accumulate or be devoted to educational or such other purposes as the court may decree.
CITY LABORERS
It appears that the city laborers are being paid two dollars per day and have been receiving the same amount for fifteen years. The cost of living, however, has so increased in the last few years that it justifies, as I think, the recommendation that their wages be increased to at least two dollars and fifty cents per day.
CITY CHARTER
Our city charter has been called unique by high authority, and yet those who know its qualities appraise it as being far superior to anything that has been or is now proposed. It embraces the features of the old town meeting and reflects the sentiments of the framers who figured largely in the conduct of town affairs. It was the result of much study, and every meeting when its features were discussed there
20
was a large attendance of the voters who freely expressed themselves. It was desired to have in this charter a one man executive head, and in no place was there left a loophole through which the chief executive could shift the burden of responsibility. Clothed with the sole power to appoint and remove each and every department head no excuse could be truthfully offered by any past Mayor for the retention in office of incompetent officials. The failures, if there were any, shows not a fault in the valuable document which should be the guide and power, but rather the lack of courage and force in the man who had accepted the confidence and trust of his fellow citizens.
There may be good reasons why some cities desire changes in their charters, as those charters do not safeguard the welfare of the com- munity, but this can never be said of our charter, which was framed by the citizens and has ever zealously been protected and defended by them.
Our charter stands today without an equal, and the more one studies it the more possibilities one finds in its several sections. Those who have selfish desires to serve find it not to their liking because it prevents them from manipulating the city affairs and thwarting the will of the people.
I have always believed in a representative government, and the present charter gives us that form in a fair and just degree. The membership of the city council is none too large for a city of over 40,000 population, that is, in round numbers, three members from each ward representing an average population of about 7,000, with five members at large to represent the entire mass. I can readily appreciate that it is much harder for any one man to manipulate a body of twenty-three members than it would be if that same body was composed of but nine members.
Let us keep as close as we can to the principles of the fathers of this great nation, who believed in a government of, for and by the people, and in so doing the city, state and nation need have no fear for the future. It is the promoters of these schemes who are most to be feared as their apparent desire is to take from the people the rights of free government. Probably no city of its size has been freer from dishonest acts than has our city, and our present charter is no doubt in a large measure responsible for this very favorable condition. Let us retain it in its entirety, and better for our city that we devote all our energies and time in carefully guarding and protecting the wel- fare of our citizens and taxpayers.
OUR QUARRIES
The present state of our quarry industry demands, as to some phases at least, our careful consideration. We may pertinently inquire as to the taxation of the property involved, the use made of our streets for the transportation by this business, the effect of its present condition upon a large portion of our population affected by it, and also the effect upon the one hundred and twenty-five or more granite manufacturers dependent upon the action of the quarry owners for the granite stock which they may desire to use.
Quincy was for many years, as is well known, the leader in this industry and might, I believe, continue to be, to the advantage of its people, if the quarries had been developed so as to command a greater market as they might have been by the employment of more modern and efficient methods, which in the hands of their competitors have made such a success.
21
The quarries, now owned or controlled, I understand, by four parties, occupy about six hundred acres, or one-tenth of the entire territory of the town. They are taxed for less than $10,000. So this large tract of land, comprising one-tenth of the entire area of the city and containing such valuable assets, is, as developed today, paying but about one-hundreth of the city taxes. Instead of having a proper railroad connection to facilitate its operations, our streets are seriously damaged by the use of the antiquated methods employed for trans- portation. The result is, it is fairly estimated, I believe, that it costs the city to repair the damages caused by such use of its streets double the amount of taxes paid, leaving nothing for the support of our schools and the other departments of our city. The people dependent upon this industry for their livelihood keenly feel the failure to con- duct this business upon an extensive and successful scale, while the one hundred and twenty-five or more granite manufacturers in order to fulfill their contracts, are dependent upon the will of the quarry owners, who can fix their own prices and impose such terms as they may determine upon.
Whatever assistance I, as Mayor, may be able to render in the resuscitation of our once great and prosperous industry will be earn- estly contributed, and I hope for the co-operation of our quarry owners and granite manufacturers, the board of trade, our banks, the Council, and all other persons in interest. Among other things, I shall instruct the board of assessors to make a careful investigation, with a view to determining the actual and fair value of this property, employing the same just rule as will be applied to all other property in town. I also advise that a city ordinance be passed that shall virtually regulate the use of our streets in the matter of the transportation of excessive loads of granite over them. The effect of such an ordin- ance as this would not only be to protect our streets in this respect, but it would serve as an inducement, as I believe, to the establishment of a railroad connecting all quarries on both commons with a dock upon the Neponset river or at any other point commercially advantage- ous, thus facilitating the proper transportation of the products of this industry as well as protecting our streets. At the present time there are in contemplation four great projects - the extension of the Cape Cod canal, the building of a submarine base for the United States government at Chatham, the construction of the East Boston docks, and the proposed docks upon the Neponset river - any one of which will require more grout than is to be found in all our grout piles. With proper facilities for the transportation of our granite product - by the means of a railroad and waterway - we would be able to dispose of these mountains of waste granite which are today a menace to the future development of that section of our city.
PLANNING BOARD
The legislature, by Chapter 283 of the Acts of 1914, in amend- ment of a law enacted in 1913 authorizing cities and towns to create planning boards, provided among other things that such boards should make a careful study of the resources, possibilities and needs of such municipalities, particularly with respect to conditions which may be injurious to public health, or otherwise injurious, in and about rented dwellings, and make plans for the development of municipalities with special reference to the proper housing of the people, as well as to make reports to the municipal governments of their doings and recom-
22
mendations. It is also provided that such boards shall be aided by the State Homestead Commission created in 1911.
I am advised that as yet no law has been enacted defining what power, if any, a municipal government may, upon the recommendation of such a board, exercise in relation to private rights and interests. And, unless the legislature take such action, no jurisdiction can be exercised over such interests unless the inquiry of the board relates to a public nuisance which is already prohibited by law, or, unless, in the matter of the "housing of the people," following the words of the statute, a city ordinance shall be enacted which reasonably pro- vides for the protection of the public health and safety as to such premises. But this law in relation to public rights is very broad and comprehensive. The board may act in all matters relating to the "resources, possibilities and needs of the municipality." Here there is no limit to the service it can render for the benefit and well being of the municipality.
If our planning board performs its duty with zeal and efficiency, it will greatly contribute to the present and future of the city. We must bear in mind that Quincy within the next thirty years, if it shows the same ratio of growth in that time as it has in the past thirty years, will have a population of over 100,000. And we will have a board with knowledge of our resources, what we can spend and ought to conserve, what public changes should be made for the best interest of the future as well as the present, and what is needed to better conditions.
I have discussed this matter at some length as the law is a novelty in legislation and it may be of some advantage to bring the matter to public attention. I feel confident that by a practical application of this law to the needs of the city this board will constitute one of the most valuable factors in our municipal government.
-
CITY HALL IMPROVEMNETS
The present City Hall was granted to the town by Daniel French, April 19, 1844, upon condition that "this parcel of land shall not be used for any other purpose than as a place for a town-house for said inhabitants; and upon any breach of this condition, this conveyance shall be void to all intents and purposes."
The town building was erected in 1862. The town was so small at that time that part of the building was rented for other purposes than the town government. Action was brought claiming that such extraneous use worked a forfeiture of the rights of the town in the promises, but the court held to the contrary. Owing to the changes which have occurred during the past sixty years, a point has been reached where the quarters which can be devoted to the several de- partments are so cramped and crowded as to apparently necessitate substantial changes and alterations in order that the public business may be properly carried on and the records of the city be properly kept. I suggest, for the consideration of the Council, the question whether some economical changes cannot be made in order to secure greater convenience in use.
COLLETION OF TAXES
In regard to the collection of its taxes the city of Quincy has the poorest record of any municipality in the state. I shall instruct the
23
tax collector that better results must be obtained during the present year in this department.
ASSESSING DEPARTMENT
This department of our municipal government has for years been noted for its incompetency. The present board has done its part toward burdening the incoming administration. It has, I have been informed, already rebated in excess of its overlay to an amount of more than $10,000. This means that this amount must be made up by the new administration. This department shall receive my early and most careful consideration.
WATER RATES
The water department has been in a very unsatisfactory con- dition for many years. The rates are excessive and in spite of such rates this department always ends the year with a deficit. I shall give this matter my careful consideration and promise that there will be a more favorable revision of the rates than was the result of the investigation of the past administration.
STREETS
The antiquated method of transporting our granite product and the opening of our streets by public service corporations has caused our streets to be in a deplorable condition, and until some systematic plan for the building of permanent highways is adopted no real or satisfactory relief can be expected.
OTHER DEPARTMENTS
There are of course many other topics for the administration of the several departments which one might be tempted to discuss, but, so far as I know, they are not of a character that need to be passed upon until reached, at which time it seems to me they can be con- sidered and disposed of, rather than undertake to anticipate them at this time.
Returning again to the economic condition of the city. We must not conclude that the fight has been won as yet because the people have said it must be. We are likely to have arrayed against us opposition of a type which heretofore has largely been in control of the social and financial affairs of the town, as well as of the men who have hidden their resources from the assessors and of those who are fearful of any change in the practises and methods heretofore in vogue. But I am sure we shall win out if we have faith and courage, and, knowing we are right, persevere in our course. We will remember that the field over which the contest may rage is a worthy one. One genera- tion after another has marched across the stage we now occupy, and whenever a call, has been made upon their patriotism or manhood, they have never flinched but stood to their guns. We have seen the town grow into a city and in thirty years advance in population from 12,000 to 40,000, and we confidently anticipate that in a like period it will advance to from 100,000 to 125,000.
We hold a sacred obligation, not only to the present, but to the future. This responsibility rests upon every citizen, whether in office or not. We are called upon to see to it that our home government, in which the lives and fortunes of all our people are so closely blended, is sustained and supported by devotion to its service, as well as pro- tected against anything insidious which might impair or destroy its efficiency.
24
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Valuation, Debt and Tax Rate of Quincy for the years 1889 to 1915, inclusive
Year
Valuation
Debt
Tax Rate
1889
$12,319,245
$ 168,811.79
$10.80
1891
14,427,030
262,386.89
13.60
1891
14,427,030
262,386.89
13.60
1892
15,566,920
267,442.00
16.00
1893
16,638,079
1,043,730.00
15.60
1894
16,817,455
1,066,091.00
17.60
1895
17,325,855
1,037,895.61
16.80
1896
17,580,515
1,134,855.61
17.40
1897
18,012,146
1,234,515.60
18.80
1898
19,236,832
1,350,505.86
18.00
1899
19,684,319
1,421,206.59
19.20
1900
20,219,151
1,518,605.61
18.20
1901
21,335,800
1,566,635.64
17.60
1902
22,166,692
1,650,840.35
17.40
1903
23,074,315
1,741,628.00
17.30
1904
23,849,150
1,667,092.00
18.00
1905
25,451,025
1,740,330.00
18.30
1906
26,640,100
1,785,350.00
18.60
1907
27,170,555
1,816,540.00
19.70
1908
28,378,675
1,839,060.00
20.50
1909
31,538,390
1,858,005.00
20.40
1910
32,456,380
1,907,445.00
20.00
1911
34,038,325
2,072,633.00
19.50
1912
35,101,700
2,294,696.46
22.00
1913
37,087,335
2,185,045.00
23.70
1914
40,987,940
2,110,535.84
22.20
1915
43,608,990
2,173,450.00
22.00
STATEMENT OF DEBT DECEMBER 31, 1915
Municipal debt Dec. 31, 1914.
$595,735.64 152,435.64
Bonds matured 1915.
$441,300.00
Bonds issued 1915.
72,660.00
$513,950.00
STREET IMPROVEMENT DEBT
Debt Dec. 1, 1914. .
$63,800.00
Bonds matured 1915.
7,300.00
$56,500.00
Playground Debt
Debt Dec. 31, 1914
$18,000.00
Bonds matured 1915.
2,000.00
$16,000.00
25
Water Debt
Debt Dec. 31, 1914.
$686,500.00 65,500.00
Bonds matured 1915
Bonds issued 1915.
$621,000.00 $15,000.00
Debt Dec. 31, 1915
$636,000.00
Sewer Debt
Debt Dec. 31, 1914.
$628,500.00
Bonds matured 1915.
31,000.00
$597,500.00
Bonds issued 1915
$25,000.00
Debt Dec. 31, 1915
$622,500.00
Refunding Debt
Debt Dec. 31, 1914.
$120,000.00
Bonds matured 1915.
15,000.00
Debt. Dec. 31, 1915
$105,000.00
Summary
Total debt Dec. 31, 1914.
$2,110,535.64
Bonds matured 1915.
273,235.64
$1,837,300.00
Bonds issued 1915
$112,650.00
Total debt Dec. 31, 1915.
$1,949,950.00
To this there should be added as obligations created by the adminis- tration of 1915.
Schoolhouse loan, bond issue to be under date of Dec. 1, 1915. . Board of Health Dispensary loan under date of Dec. 1915.
$220,000.00
3,500.00
$2,173,450.00
Making the total obligations Dec. 31, 1915. Municipal Debt is divided as follows:
$244,517.00
Highways (streets, sidewalks and bridges) Fire Department.
2,391.00
Miscellaneous
2,835.00
$513,950.00
Maturing Debt 1915
Municipal debt
$139,200.00
Park debt.
2,000.00
Street debt.
7,300.00
Sewer debt. .
34,000.00
Water debt. .
66,500.00
Refunding debt
15,000.00
$264,000.00
Schools (buildings, land and furniture) .
264,207.00
26
Debt falling due each month during 1916.
Month
Mun. $35,200
Parks
St. Imp.
Water
Sewer
Ref.
Feb.
4,000
Mar.
2,000
10,000
4,000
Apr.
2,000
800
15,000
12,500
May
4,500
10,500
9,000
June
21,400
1,000
1,000
July
41,300
1,000
2,500
Aug.
14,800
1,500
21,000
1,000
Sept.
8,500
2,000
1,000
15,000
Oct.
8,000
2,000
3,000
2,500
Nov.
2,500
500
Dec.
5,000
4,000
$139,200
$2,000
$7,300
$66,500
$34,000 $15,000
Total $264,000.00
To this there must be added $25,500.00 of Municipal loans coming due in 1916 the bonds for which must be issued during the coming year under the date of December 1, 1915, making the total debt falling due in 1916 $289,500.00.
I also desire at this time to call attention to another annual obliga- tion of about $4,500.00 forced upon the taxpayers of the municipality during the dying hours of the outgoing administration; namely, the appointment of four additional permanent men to our police force.
It is, therefore, quite evident that every means to hinder and encumber the incoming administration regardless of the expense to our citizens and taxpayers was resorted to in the last weeks of the past administration - which is without precedent in the history of the city.
Jan.
27
Auditor's Report
Quincy, Mass., February 1, 1916. To the City Council, Quincy, Mass.
In accordance with the City Charter, the Auditor of Accounts submits the annual report of his department, showing in detail the expendi- tures of each department.
Also several statements showing the financial condition of the City at the close of the Financial year, Dec. 31, 1915.
The Treasurer's and Tax Collector's books have been examined and I have found the required vouchers in their respective offices.
HENRY O. FAIRBANKS, City Auditor.
28
City of Quincy
IN COUNCIL
ORDERED:
March 15, 1915.
That the several sums named herein be and are hereby appropri- ated for the payment of the expenses of the City of Quincy for the financial year beginning January 1, 1915 and ending December 31, 1915, to be expended by and under the direction of the several officers or boards as herein designated, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913.
That the appropriations for Water Maintenance and Clerical be paid from Water Receipts.
That the appropriation for Sewer Maintenance and Clerical be paid from Sewer Assessment Receipts.
General Government
City Council - Salaries
$1,100.00
Other expenses
475.00
$1,575.00
Mayor - Salary
$2,500.00
Other expenses .
1,500.00
4,000.00
City Auditor - Salary
$1,600.00
Other expenses .
450.00
Clerk
624.00
2,674.00
City Treasurer - Salary
$1,600.00
Clerk
780.00
Other expenses .
500.00
Tax Collector - Salary
$125.00
Clerk
780.00
Clerk
676.00
Clerk
520.00
Other Expenses
1,650.00
Assessors- Saari
$3,500.00
Clerk
988.00
Clerk
728.00
Clerk
624.00
Clerk
520.00
Temporary Clerks
700.00
Other Expenses
1,600.00
2,880.00
3,751 .00
8,660.00
29
City Clerk - Salary
$1,600.00
Clerk
780.00
Other Expenses
700.00
City Solicitor - Salary
$1,400.00
Other Expenses
75.00
City Messenger - Salary
$250.00
250.00
Commissioner of Public Works - Salary.
2,400.00
Clerk
780.00
Other Expenses
450.00
3,630.00
City Engineer - Salary
$1,800.00
Other Expenses
2,500.00
4,300.00
Registrars - Salaries
$3,150.00
Other Expenses
1,900.00
5,050.00
Care of City Hall - Buildings
$12,000.00
12,000.00
Police Department - Salary
1,500.00
Wages .
45,942.00
Police Signal Wires
2,000.00
Other Expenses
4,600.00
54,042.00
Fire - Salary
$1,500.00
Other Salaries
39,500.00
Other Expenses
12,100.00
Building Inspector - Salary
$1,200.00
Other Expenses
. 550.00
1,750.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures - Salary.
$1,000.00
Other Expenses
400.00
Gypsy Moth - General Expenses
$6,500.00
6,500.00
Board of Health - Salaries.
950.00
Clerk
676.00
Contagious Diseases
10,000.00
Vital Statistics
600.00
Other Expenses
1,300.00
Medical Inspectors
600.00
14,126.00
Inspector of Provisions - Salary
$300.00
Other Expenses
100.00
Sanitary Inspector
$780.00
780.00
Inspector of Animals
200.00
200.00
Milk Inspector
150.00
Other Expenses
150.00
300.00
Inspector of Plumbing - Salary
$1,400.00
1,400.00
Board of Health - Ashes
6,000.00
Garbage
10,000.00
Scavenger
4,500.00
Brooks.
800.00
21,300.00
53,100.00
1,400.00
400.00
$3,080.00
1,475.00
30
Highway
General Expenses
$48,000.00
(Including Excise Tax)
Sprinkling
10,000.00
Lighting
36,000.00
$94,000.00
Charities
Poor.
$1,300.00
Clerk
624.00
Other Expenses
22,000.00
$23,924.00
Hospital
5,000.00
State Aid
4,500.00
Soldier's Relief
4,500.00
Military Aid
400.00
$14,400.00
Education
Administration
$6,500.00
Instruction
156,385.00
Text Books.
4,750.00
Operation
23,125.00
Maintenance
250.00
Other Expenses
3,200.00
Evening Schools
2,650.00
Supplies
6,500.00
Independent Industrial
10,625.00
Industrial Evening
1,550.00
$215,535.00
Library
General Expenses
$12,325.00
$12,325.00
Parks
2,500.00
2,500.00
Awards and Claims
3,000.00
3,000.00
G. A. R. .
400.00
400.00
J. A. Boyd Camp
100.00
100.00
Cemetery
5,000.00
5,000.00
Ordinances
100.00
100.00
Board of Survey
$300.00
300.00
Planning Board
250.00
250.00
Grand Total
$580,457.00
Recapitulation 1915
General Government
City Council
$1,575.00
Mayor
4,000.00
City Auditor
2,674.00
City Treasurer
2,880.00
Tax Collector
3,751.00
Assessors
8,660.00
City Clerk
3,080.00
City Solicitor
1,475.00
City Messenger
250.00
Commissioner of Public Works.
3,630.00
City Engineer
4,300.00
Registrars
5,050.00
Public Buildings
12,000.00
$53,325.00
31
Protection of Life and Property
Police
$54,042.00
Fire
53,100.00
Buildings Inspector
1,750.00
Sealer of Weights
1,400.00
Gypsy Moth
6,500.00
$116,792.00
Board of Health
$38,506.00
Highway
94,000.00
Charities
38,824.00
Education
215,535.00
Library
12,325.00
Cemetery
5,000.00
Parks
2,500.00
Unclassified
3,650.00
Grand Total
$580,457.00
By the Water Department
To be paid from water receipts of 1915 and taxes to be levied:
Water debt falling due
$65,500.00
Water interest falling due
26,171.75
Maintenance
14,000.00
Clerk
936.00
Clerk
520.00
Clerk
312.00
Repairs
10,000.00
$117,439.75
By the Sewer Department
To be paid from sewer assessments and taxes to be levied:
Sewer debt falling due
$31,000.00
Interest falling due
23,631.00
Maintenance
2,200.00
Clerical
780.00
$57,611.00
By the City Treasurer - Bonds Coming Due
City debt
$151,985.64
Street improvement debt
7,300.00
Park debt
2,000.00
Refunding debt
15,000.00
$176,285.64
32
By the City Treasurer - Interest Coming Due
City debt $23,473.10
Street improvement debt 2,289.00 720.00
Park debt Refunding debt
4,800.00
Temporary loan.
15,000.00
$46,282.01
Passed to be ordained March 29, 1915.
Attest: - GEORGE T. MAGEE, Clerk of Council.
Approved, April 2, 1915.
CHESTER I. CAMPBELL, Mayor.
A true copy; Attest :
EMERY L. CRANE, City Clerk.
IN COUNCIL
No. 248 ORDERED: June 7, 1915.
That the several sums named herein be and are hereby appropriated for the payment of additional expenses of the City of Quincy for the financial year beginning January 1, 1915, and ending December 1, 1915 to be expended by and under the direction of the several officers or boards as herein designated, in accordance with the provisions of Section 20, Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913, authorizing a supplementary budget.
Protection of Life and Property
Purchase of new Fire Department Equipment. $11,000.00
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.