USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1891-1900 > Part 49
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Voted, that the building of a sidewalk on West Street, as petitioned for under this article, be postponed for the pres- ent year.
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to complete the widening of West Street, between Fowler Street and War- ren Street, as petitioned for by John Sullivan and others, and raise and appropriate money therefor.
Voted, that the widening of West Street, as petitioned for under this article, be postponed for the present year.
Article 25. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Water Commissioners to extend the water main from its present terminus on Mill Street to the residence of Charles F. Doonan, and raise and appropriate money therefor.
Voted, that the Water Commissioners be instructed to ex- tend the water pipes as petitioned for in said article, and that the expense thereof be met by the proceeds from the sale of one or more bonds.
Article 26. To see if the town will authorize the Select- men to remove the building known as "Matthew Clark build- ing " by razing or otherwise.
135
Voted, that the matter suggested under Article 26 be com- mitted to the Selectmen, who shall act thereon in such man- ner as in their judgment shall be for the best interest of the town.
Article 27. To see if the town will grant permission to the Veteran Fireman's Association to erect a building on land in rear of Stetson Hall for an engine house.
Voted, that the matter suggested under Article 27 be com- mitted to the Selectmen, to take such action thereon as shall be deemed expedient.
Article 28. To see what action the town will take in rela- tion to the care and keeping in repair the clocks in the towers of the First Congregational and First Baptist churches, also the clock in Stetson Hall, and raise and appropriate money therefor.
Voted, that action thereon be indefinitely postponed.
Article 29. To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen to appoint special police officers to enforce the laws, and raise and appropriate money for the payment of such officers.
Voted, that the town instruct the Selectmen to appoint special officers, or direct officers elected by the town, to en- force all the laws of the Commonwealth, and that the sum of $500 be raised and appropriated for said purpose.
Article 30. To see what action the town will take in rela- tion to medical attendance on the poor, and raise and appro- priate money therefor.
Voted, that the sum of $300 be raised and appropriated for said purpose, said sum to be apportioned equally among the several physicians, and to be in full for attendance upon all persons under the care of the Overseers of the Poor for one year from January 1, 1898. That is to say, each phy- sician resident in the town on the first of March, 1898, shall receive the sum of $50 for his services, provided he makes fifty visits during the year; after that he shall receive no
136
compensation for his services, but shall attend such of the poor as may call upon him for his services ; those physicians that make less than fifty visits shall receive pay at the rate of one dollar for each of said visits.
Article 31. To see what action the town will take in rela- tion to the pay of laborers employed by the town.
Voted, that each person employed by the town shall re- ceive such sum of money as is equal to the value of his labor, and that the laborers residing in town and the residents own- ing teams shall be employed in preference to any others.
Article 34. To see if the town will authorize the Collector of Taxes to charge interest, at the rate of six per centum per annum, on all taxes remaining unpaid on and after October 10, 1898.
Voted, that the Collector of Taxes be so authorized.
Article 35. To see if the town will authorize the Collector of Taxes to use the same means which a town treasurer may use when acting as collector.
Voted, that the Collector of Taxes be so authorized.
Article 36. To see what action the town will take in rela- tion to improved methods of constructing and repairing the highways, and raise and appropriate money for that purpose.
Voted, that the Selectmen, with the approval of said Com- mittee on Improved Roads, purchase for the town a steam roller, a crusher, bins, belts, etc., a portable engine and boiler, the cost of all of which shall not exceed the sum of $5,000, and that the Treasurer be authorized and directed to borrow the money for the payment thereof at a rate not ex- ceeding five per cent per annum, and that the town treasury note or notes approved by the Selectmen be issued therefor in such manner that $500 of the amount so borrowed shall become due and payable in one year from the date of bor- rowing, and $500 each year thereafter until the whole sum of $5,000 shall become due and paid.
137
Article 37. To see what action the town will take in rela- tion to a fire alarm system, and raise and appropriate money therefor.
Voted, that action on this article be postponed for the pres- ent year.
Voted, that we reconsider the vote whereby it was voted that this article be postponed for the present year.
Voted, that this article be postponed for the present.
Article 38. To hear and act on the report of any commit- tee, and choose any committee the town may think proper.
No action was taken on this article, as no committee was ready to report.
Voted, that the sum of $20.00 be paid Mr. John T. Flood for services as Moderator.
Mr. Flood, having expressed his thanks, directed the Treasurer to pay that amount to Post 110, G.A.R., for its monument fund.
The total appropriations for 1898 :
For support of schools under Article 5 . $11,500 00
highways under Article 6 . 5,800 00 .
general town expenses under Article 7 13,000 00 .
fire department under Article 8 2,085 00
Grand Army Post No. 110, under Article 9, 100 00
contributions to sinking fund under Article 10, 3,000 00
water for hydrants, public buildings, etc., under Article 11 . ·
2,000 00
street lighting by electricity under Article 12, 3,300 00 insurance on Town Treasurer's bond under Article 20 120 00
enforcement of laws under Article 29 500 00
medical attendance under Article 30 . 300 00
State tax
1,260 00
County tax
1,875 00
Total
. $44,840 00
138
Voted, at 9.20 P.M., to dissolve the meeting.
A true record.
JOSEPH T. LEAHY, Town Clerk.
TOWN MEETING WARRANT. . NORFOLK, SS.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Randolph: GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Randolph, qualified to vote in town affairs, to assemble at Stetson Hall in said town, on Thursday the twenty-second day of September instant, at seven and one-half o'clock in the evening, then and there to act on the following articles, namely :
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meet- ing.
Article 2. To see if the town will vote to close the un- graded school on North Street (District No. 5) for such length of time as the School Committee shall deem ex- pedient ; and will grant and vote money to convey the pupils in said district to and from the public school building in District No. 10, the same to be expended by the School Committee in their discretion.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting at- tested copies hereof at five or more public places in said town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting, and by publishing the same in the " Randolph Reg- ister and Holbrook News," a newspaper published at said Randolph.
Hereof fail not, but make due return of this warrant, with
139
your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, on or before the time of holding said meeting.
Given under our hands at Randolph this twelfth day of September A.D. eighteen hundred and ninety-eight.
PETER B. HAND, PATRICK H. MCLAUGHLIN, M. WALES BAKER, Selectmen of Randolph.
NORFOLK, SS. RANDOLPH, September 20th.
Pursuant to the within warrant I have notified the inhabi- tants of the town of Randolph, herein described, to meet at the time and place and for the purpose within mentioned, by posting up attested copies of this warrant at ten public places in said town seven days before the time set for hold- ing said meeting ; and I have likewise caused the substance of said warrant to be published in the "Randolph Register and Holbrook News," a newspaper published in said town.
MICHAEL F. SULLIVAN,
Constable.
A true copy of warrant and return.
JOSEPH T. LEAHY, Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING.
RANDOLPH, September 22, 1898.
Pursuant to the preceding warrant the inhabitants of the town of Randolph, qualified to vote in town affairs, assembled in Stetson Hall, on Thursday the twenty-second day of Sep- tember A.D. 1898.
The Town Clerk called the meeting to order at 7.30 o'clock P.M., and read the warrant and officer's return.
John T. Flood was elected Moderator.
140
Voted, unanimously, that the School Committee are hereby authorized to close the ungraded school on North Street in District No. 5 for such time as in their opinion it is desirable that instruction there be discontinued, and that they are further authorized and empowered to make such arrange- ments as are necessary to convey the pupils in said district to and from the public school building on Belcher Street, and to expend such sums as said Committee may deem requisite therefor out of the moneys raised and appropriated by the town for school purposes at the last annual town meeting.
Voted, to dissolve the meeting.
A true record.
JOSEPH T. LEAHY, Toun Clerk.
ELECTION WARRANT.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Randolph, GREETING :
You are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabi- tants of the town of Randolph, qualified to vote in State elec- tions, to assemble in Stetson Hall in said town, on Tuesday the eighth day of November next, at six o'clock in the fore- noon, then and there to give in their votes to the Selectmen on one ballot : for Governor, for Lieutenant-Governor, for Secretary of the Commonwealth, for Treasurer and Receiver General, for Auditor, for Attorney General, for Councillor for District No. 2, for Senator for the First Norfolk District, for a Representative in the General Court for the Seventh Norfolk District, for a County Commissioner in and for Norfolk County, for two Special Commissioners in and for
141
Norfolk County, for a District Attorney for the South East- ern District, for a Register of Probate and Insolvency in and for Norfolk County, for a Sheriff in and for Norfolk County, for a Representative in the fifty-sixth Congress for the Twelfth District.
The polls for the reception of the ballots aforesaid will be opened at six o'clock A.M., and will be kept open for four hours, and such further time as the voters shall determine.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting at- tested copies hereof at five or more public places in said town, seven days at least before the time for holding said meeting, and by publishing the same in the "Randolph Reg- ister and Holbrook News," a newspaper published in said Randolph.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Selectmen, on or before the day and hour appointed for said meeting.
Given under our hands at Randolph, this twenty-fourth day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety- eight.
PETER B. HAND, PATRICK H. MCLAUGHLIN, M. WALES BAKER,
Selectmen of Randolph.
A true copy.
Attest : MICHAEL F. SULLIVAN, Constable of Randolph.
NORFOLK, SS. RANDOLPH, November 5, 1898.
Pursuant to the within warrant, I have notified the inhabi- tants of the town of Randolph, herein decribed, to meet at the time and place and for the purpose within mentioned, by posting up attested copies of this warrant at ten public places in said town eight days before the time set for hold- ing said meeting; and I have likewise caused the substance
142
of said warrant to be published in the " Randolph Register and Holbrook News," a newspaper published in said town.
MICHAEL F. SULLIVAN,
Constable.
A true copy of warrant and return.
Attest : JOSEPH T. LEAHY, Town Clerk.
STATE ELECTION.
RANDOLPH, November 8, 1898.
Pursuant to the preceding warrant, the legal voters of Randolph assembled in Stetson Hall on Tuesday, November 8, 1898. All the preliminaries required by law in relation to the polling-booths, cards and specimen ballots were com- plied with. The presiding officer administered the oath of office to Edward O'Flaherty and Thomas L. Stetson as bal- lot clerks, and delivered to them a package containing 1,300 ballots, taking their receipt. Thomas Farrell and Joseph H. Foster were appointed officers at the gates.
The Town Clerk administered the oath of office to Fred M. French, appointed assistant at check-list, also to W. A. Croak and Edward T. Hand as deputy ballot clerks.
The warrant and officer's return were read by the presid- ing officer, and promptly at six o'clock the polls were de- clared open for the reception of ballots.
The ballot box was examined, found in apparent good order, and shown to the meeting as being empty; it was then locked and the key given to the officer at the gate.
The Town Clerk administered the oath of office to the fol- lowing named tellers :
Franklin W. Hayden,
Frank A. Long, James F. Sullivan, John K. Willard,
Royal T. Mann,
Nelson Mann,
Fred L. Belcher,
Ezra Holbrook.
143
The ballot box gave perfect satisfaction all through the day ; it was opened four times during the day, viz. :
At 8.07 o'clock A.M., when the register showed 261 bal- lots cast.
At 9.35 o'clock A.M., when the register showed 385 bal- lots cast.
At 10.35 o'clock A.M., when the register showed 489 bal- lots cast.
At 12.54 o'clock P.M., when the register showed 704 bal- lots cast.
It was voted that the hour of closing the polls be fixed at two o'clock.
The hour of two o'clock having arrived, it was voted to close the polls.
The register of the ballot box showed 758 ballots cast ; the presiding officer counted out 758 ballots ; the election officers' check-list and the ballot clerks' list each showed 758 names checked.
The new ballot counting apparatus was used in canvass- ing and gave satisfaction.
The following is the result of the vote :
Whole number of ballots cast, 758.
FOR GOVERNOR.
Alexander B. Bruce 360 Samuel B. Shapleigh 6
George R. Peare ·
11 Roger Wolcott . 315
Winfield P. Porter
3 Blanks 63
FOR LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.
Michael T. Berry
26 Isaac W. Skinner 14
W. Murray Crane .
287
Edward J. Slattery
339
John L. Kilbon
6 Blanks 86
144
FOR SECRETARY.
Charles H. Bradley
·
32
William M. Olin
286
Henry A. Inman
.
5
James F. Stevens
14
Henry Lloyd
·
301
Blanks
. 120
FOR TREASURER.
Martha Moore Avery
.
18
Herbert Morley Small,
3
Harry J. Jaquith ·
319
Charles W. White
14
Edward P. Shaw
·
283
Blanks
121
FOR AUDITOR.
Charles S. Grieves
22
Charles F. Parker
316
John W. Kimball
·
279
Walter E. Sanford
.
4
John Palme
12
Blanks
125
.
FOR ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
Patrick Kilroy
.
366
Clarence E. Spellman,
12
Hosea M. Knowlton
285
Blanks
95
·
FOR COUNCILLOR.
William W. Davis
.
278
Harrison Dunham
.
348
Blanks
132
FOR SENATOR.
George R. R. Rivers .
396
George Parrish
1
B. Herbert Woodsum . 284 Blanks .
77
FOR REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL COURT.
Charles F. King . 469 George T. Wilde · 277
Blanks
12
145
FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
Thomas Blanchard . 280 J. W. Richardson 1
Charles O. Sanderson . 364
Blanks . 113
FOR SPECIAL COMMISSIONER.
John Everett
271
Lewis R. Whitaker
.
229
Robert B. Martin
317
Blanks
381
Timothy F. Quinn
318
FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
Charles A. Gilday 363 Robert O. Harris · 308
Blanks
87
FOR REGISTER OF PROBATE AND INSOLVENCY.
Jonathan Cobb 528 John E. Boyle . . 1
Blanks 229
FOR SHERIFF.
Samuel H. Capen
· 522 Scattering
3
Blanks 233
FOR REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS.
Philip E. Brady 356 Jeremiah O'Fihelly 22
William C. Lovering . 286 Blanks 94
The ballots, unused ballots and both check-lists were sealed up in open town meeting, returns made to the Secretary of the Commonwealth and Clerk of the Courts, and at 4.46 o'clock P.M. the meeting was dissolved.
A true record.
JOSEPH T. LEAHY, Town Clerk.
146
MEETING OF TOWN CLERKS.
RANDOLPH, MASS., November 18, 1898.
We, the undersigned, Town Clerks of Avon, Holbrook and Randolph, comprising Representative District number seven in the County of Norfolk, hereby certify that at an election duly held at the respective towns aforesaid on the eighth day of November, 1898, to vote for one representative in the General Court, the following votes were given :
Charles F. King, of Holbrook,
A. 150
H. 210
R. 469
Total. 829
George T. Wilde, of Holbrook,
148
255
277
681
Blanks
3
9
12
24
Total vote of each town and
the district
301
475
758 1,534
MORTIMER D. RICHARDSON, Town Clerk of Avon. GEORGE T. WILDE, Town Clerk of Holbrook. JOSEPH T. LEAHY, Town Clerk of Randolph.
TOWN MEETING WARRANT.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Randolph,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Randolph, qualified to vote in town affairs, to assemble in Stetson Hall in said town on Friday, the sixteenth day of December instant, at seven thirty o'clock in the evening, then and there to act on the following articles, namely :
147
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meet- ing.
Article 2. To see if the town will appropriate money to pay for the removal of snow from the highways.
Article 3. To see if the town will appropriate money for the support of the poor.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies hereof at five or more public places in said town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting, and by publishing the same in the "Randolph Register and Holbrook News," a newspaper published at said Randolph.
Hereof fail not, but make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, on or before the time of holding said meeting.
Given under our hands at Randolph this seventh day of December A.D. eighteen hundred and ninety-eight.
PETER B. HAND, PATRICK H. MCLAUGHLIN, M. WALES BAKER,
Selectmen of Randolph.
NORFOLK SS.
RANDOLPH, December 14.
Pursuant to the warrant, I have notified the inhabitants of the town of Randolph, herein described, to meet at the time and place and for the purpose within mentioned, by posting up attested copies of this warrant at ten public places in said town eight days before the time set for holding said meet- ing ; and I have likewise caused the substance of said war- rant to be published in the "Randolph Register and Hol- brook News," a newspaper printed in said town.
MICHAEL F. SULLIVAN, Constable.
148
A true copy of warrant and return.
JOSEPH T. LEAHY, Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING.
RANDOLPH, December 16, 1898.
Pursuant to the preceding warrant, the qualified voters of the town of Randolph assembled in Stetson Hall on Friday evening, December 16, 1898.
The Town Clerk called the meeting to order at 7.30 o'clock, and, having read the warrant and return, called for action under Article 1.
Voted, that the Town Clerk be instructed to cast one bal- lot for John T. Flood for Moderator. The ballot being cast, Mr. Flood was declared elected.
Article 2. Voted (by more than a two-thirds vote), that the town grant and vote the sum of fifteen hundred ($1,500) dollars for the expense incurred and to be incurred prior to the next annual town meeting for the removal of snow from the highways of the town, and to that end that the Treasurer be and he hereby is authorized and empowered to borrow said sum upon the note or notes of the town, and that said note or notes be paid from the money to be raised and ap- appropriated for the repairs of highways for the year 1899.
Article 3. Voted, unanimously, that the town grant and vote the sum of eight hundred ($800) dollars for the sup- port of the poor prior to the next annual town meeting, and to that end that the Treasurer be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to borrow said sum upon the note or notes of the town, and that said note or notes be paid from the money to be raised and appropriated for the support of the poor for the year 1899.
Voted, to dissolve the meeting.
149
A true record.
JOSEPH T. LEAHY, Town Clerk.
APPOINTMENTS RECORDED BY THE TOWN CLERK IN 1898.
Superintendent of Almshouse : George R. Weaver. Agent of Board of Health : Joseph T. Leahy.
Inspector of Animals and Provisions : Dr. A. L. Chase. Field Driver : Adoniram A. Payne.
Superintendent of Streets : Stillman B. Woodman. Keeper of Lockup : Arthur W. Alden. Sealer of Weights and Measures : Dexter T. Clark. Burial Agent : William A. Croak.
Registrar of Voters : Herbert W. Pratt.
Special Police without pay : Leonard Pierce, Thomas J. Kiernan, Frank W. Harris, Frederick W. Vye, Charles F. Bean, Thomas B. Jones, Albert H. Holbrook, E. Lawrence Payne.
Special Police with pay : John Haney.
Jurors drawn .- Grand : Wellington Lewis. Traverse : William Mahady, Nicholis English, Amasa S. Niles, Hiram Snow, Evander F. King, Maurice E. Scanlon, William B. Spear.
REPORT ON TOWN RECORDS.
In previous reports mention has been made of deficiencies in our older records of births, marriages, and deaths. In- quiry has developed the fact that in the years 1857 and 1858 series of articles, written by the late Dr. Ebenezer Alden, were published in the ".Randolph Transcript," treating of Randolph history and furnishing records which, though un- official, owing to lack of proof of correctness, are yet val- uable as references to those interested in genealogical and historical subjects.
150
Further search brought to light the fact that there were in existence church records containing entries which were never. returned to the Town Clerk for record. These records, over which the clerk has hastily glanced with a view of compari- son, will rectify many omissions and go far toward filling up the wide gap now existing in our records. In the records of marriage alone, that being by far the most easy to com- pare, 363 entries were found which were not on record in our town books.
When we consider that the number of marriages in any one year as compared with the number of births and deaths in the same year is in the proportion of 1 to 3, an idea can be obtained of the importance of these records. They were submitted to the Commissioner of Public Records, and after careful consideration it was deemed best to lay the matter in detail before the town to decide as to the advisability of tran- scribing the records.
If the town should decide to authorize a copy to be made, an appropriation would be necessary to defray the expense, and the question being one of advisability rather than com- pulsion, the Clerk refrains from making, at this particular time, any recommendation.
During the past year the work of indexing the records, mentioned in the last report, was completed.
Attention is again called to Section 14 of Chapter 444, Acts of 1897, which provides for the correction of errors and the supplying of omissions in our records, and the Clerk will furnish the necessary blanks upon request.
Notice is hereby given, in compliance with Section 17 of said Act, that the Clerk is prepared to furnish to parents, householders, physicians, and midwives applying therefor, blanks for the return of births as required by law.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH T. LEAHY, Town Clerk.
151
TABLE OF VITAL STATISTICS OF THE TOWN OF RANDOLPH FOR THE YEAR 1898.
The number of intentions of marriage, marriages, births and deaths recorded during the year IS9S was as follows :
MONTHS.
Intentions of Marriage.
Marriages.
Births.
Deaths.
January
2
3
7
6
February
I
I
S
3
March
I
I
IO
7
April
+
+
5
4
May
I
O
5
June
5
6
6
4
July
I
I
II
IO
August
2
2
4
9
September
I
2
7
5
October
5
5
IO
12
November
2
2
IO
5
December
3
2
4
IO
Totals
28
29
S7
83
Whole number of births recorded
87
Males
35
Females
S7
Parents, both native born both foreign born one native, one foreign
Whole number of deaths
83
Males
39
Females
44-
S3
Under five years of age Between 5 and 10 years
I
10 and 20 years
3
20 and 30 years
5
30 and 40 years
S
40 and 50 years
9
50 and 60 years
7
60 and 70 years
II
70 and So years
I7
So and 90 years
6
Over 90 years
I-
83
Whole number of intentions of marriage
28
Whole number of marriages
29
Couples both native born . both foreign born
23
3
one foreign, one native
3- 29
52-
58
14
15-
S7
15
8
152
MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN RANDOLPH IN 1898.
DATE.
NAME.
RESIDENCE.
AGE.
Jan. 10.
John Johnston Catharine Blythe
Randolph
59
Randolph
41
II.
James H. Reilley
Randolph
40
Mary B. Stafford
Randolph
28
31.
Patrick H. McGrath
Randolph
33
Anna J. Hill .
.
Boston
3 L
Feb. 17.
William F. Barrett
Randolph
44
Elizabeth W. Bennison .
Randolph
44
March 2.
Archie W. Delano
Randolph
28
Belle R. Marchant
Randolph
25
April 19.
Edward F. Murphy Rose G. Donahue .
South Boston
23
Randolph
23
25.
George H. Stetson H. Mabel Holbrook
Randolph
30
Randolph
23
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