Report of the city of Somerville 1888, Part 14

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 410


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1888 > Part 14


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G


Keliotype Printing Co. Boston


00 509 709 1009


WITH THEJOYULUAH


237


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.


DEATHS FROM SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER IN THE LAST TEN YEARS.


SCARLET FEVER.


DIPHTHERIA.


TYPHOID FEVER.


MONTHS.


1879.


1880.


1881.


1882.


1883.


1884.


1885.


1886.


1887.


1888.


1879.


1880.


1881.


1882.


1883.


1884.


1885.


1886.


1887.


1888.


1879.


1880.


1881.


1882.


1883.


1884.


1885.


1886.


1887.


1888.


January .


4


2


1


1


1


1


1


2


1


1


1


1


1


1


3


2


3


1


2


2


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


2


August


Sept.


2


1


1


1


1


2


2


1


1


1


3


2


1


1


1


1


3


2


1


3


1


2


1


3


Nov.


Dec.


2


-


1


1


- 10


4


8


3


4


5


1


4


3


2


1


-


1


1


1


1


-


1


2


Total


16


6


1 46


8 14


3 31 15


29 19 44 52 31 21


28 20


11 21


3


8


8,13 8 11


3 11 17


-


-


1


11


1


3


1


1


1


3


1


1


1


1


1


June


1


2


1


1


1


1


1


2


1 4


October


1


1


1


1


3


2


1 11


2


1


2


7


1


4


5


1


4


1


1


1


1


2


1


1


2


3


ʹ


5


2


6


1


2


2


1


2


3


4


2


2


1


1


1


1


2


8


6


5


1


2


2


4


1


1


2


1


1


1


3


1


41 4


2


1


3


2


1


2


2


-


1


1


1


1


1


April


May


1


1


1


-


3


1


1


1


6


1 -1


-


-


-


-


-


3


February


March


1


2


July


2


3


6


1


DISTRICTS.


The several tabulated statistics of mortality, dangerous diseases, and nuisances in the ten health districts into which the city was divided by the Board of Health of 1878, as shown by the ac- companying map, are continued in this report. The map also shows the location of sewers. The increase in population is assumed to have been the same, relatively, as the increase in the number of assessed polls, and to have been substantially uniform in the several districts.


TABLE OF DEATHS IN EACH DISTRICT DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF DEATHS IN THE MCLEAN ASYLUM.


Districts .


. .


·


1


II.


III.


IV.


V.


VI.


VII.


VIII.


IX.


X.


EntireCity.


Area


337 A.


107 A.


93 A.


171 A.


361 A.


285 A.


194 A.


482 A.


174 A:


456 A.


2,660 A.


Population


6,555


6,395


2,479


4,398


6,874


1,519


3,755


1,116


1,997


881


35,969


Dwellings .


981


916


412


688


1,091


372


617


249


396


219


5,941


Average in each dwelling.


6.7


7. .


6.


6.4


6.3


4.1


6.1


4.5


5.


4.


6.1


YEAR.


No. of


Deaths.


Rate


No. of


Deaths.


Rate


per 1,000.


Deaths.


Rate


No. of


Rate


per 1,000.


Deaths.


Rate


No. of


Rate


No. of


Deaths.


Rate


per 1,000.


No. of


Deaths.


per 1,000.


Deaths.


per 1,000.


Deaths.


Rate


No. of


Deaths.


Rate


per 1,000.


1879


92


21


50


12


29


18


62


22


77


17


14


22


9


14


19


16


12


9


16


385


16


1880


104


23


56


13


34


20


55


18


70


15


30


32


12


19


24


12


10


11


18


423


17


1881


111


23


64


14


41


23


48


15


62


12


36


32


38


14


18


22


19


13


00


12


445


17


1882


119


24


57


12


42


22


58


17


72


14


32


27


43


15


11


13


17


=


13


19


464


17


1883


138


26


59


12


49


25


60


17


76


14


40


33


51


17


17


19


28


18


9


13


527


18


1884 .


148


27


55


10


42


20


52


14


69


12


32


25


35


11


A


15


27


16


00


11


482


16


1885


152


28


56


=


40


19


72


20


78


14


31


24


53


17


13


14


25


15


11


15


531


18


1886


115


20


51


9


38


17


59


15


85


14


37


28


44


13


11


11


20


11


19


24


479


15


1887


182


29


54


9


45


19


81


19


87


13


37


25


62


17


20


19


26


14


12


14


606


18


1888 .


148


23


68


=


44


18


62


14


117


18


33


22


50


13


16


14


28


14


13


15


579


16


Average rate for 10 years.


-


24


=


20


17


14


26


14


17


13


-


16


-


17


ANNUAL REPORTS.


238


In 1888.


·


·


·


·


·


·


.


.


·


.


.


death


-


-


-


-


.


-


-


-


Rate


No. of


Rate


No. of


per 1,000.


No. of


per 1,000.


Deaths.


No. of


per 1,000.


Deaths.


per 1,000.


14 28


·


per 1,000.


·


239


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.


TABLE SHOWING THE FIVE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF DEATH IN SOMERVILLE IN 1888, WITH THE NUMBER AND RATE IN EACH DISTRICT.


CONSUMP- TION.


PNEUMONIA.


HEART DISEASE.


CHOLERA INFANTUM.


BRIGHT'S DISEASE.


DISTRICTS.


No. of


Deaths.


No. per


1,000 of pop.


No. of


Deaths.


No. per


No. of


Deaths.


No. per


No. of


Deaths.


No. per


No. of


Deaths.


No. per


1,000 of pop.


I.


13


1.98


12


1.83


11


1.68


2.29


1.37


II.


10


1.56


9


1.41


1.09


.31


1.09


III.


6


2.42


1


1.61


.81


1.21


.81


IV.


12


2.73


1.59


4


.91


V.


24


3.49


11


1.60


10


1.46


.44


.87


VI.


3


1.98


5


3.29


VII.


1


1.89


6


1.59


1


1.07


.53


VIII.


2


1.79


3


2.69


1.79


-


IX.


22


2.27


-


-


4


4.54


1.14


-


Total


81


2.28


62


1.72


45


1.25


35


.94


28


.78


TABLE OF SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER EACH DISTRICT IN 1888.


SCARLET FEVER.


DIPHTHERIA.


TYPHOID FEVER.


DISTRICTS.


Cases


reported.


Deaths.


Cases per


1,000 of pop.


Deaths per


1,000 of pop.


reported.


Deaths.


Cases per


1,000 of pop.


Deaths per


reported.


Deaths.


Cases per


1,000 of pop.


Deaths per


1,000 of pop.


I.


23


3.51


.61


16


2.41


1.07


15


3


2.29


.46


II.


26


4.07


.47


99C


2.43


.40


6


3


2.43


1.21


IV.


6


1.36


12


2.72


1.14


8


2


1.71


.45


V.


14


1


2.01


.15


20


2.89


.15


11


3


1.59


.45


VI.


4


1


1


5.59


.27


1


2


1.07


.53


4


1


1.07


VIII.


8


2


7.17


1.77


1


1


-


5


1


4.52


.88


IX.


15


3


7.51


1.50


1


3.00


.50


1


2


2.00


1.00


1


-


4.54


-


1


2.27


1.13


3


1


3.40


1.13


Total


123


15


3.42


.42


75


21


2.09


.59


63


17


1.75


.48


-


3


1


1.98


.66


2


1


1.32


VII.


21


1181


.81


.40


HUTH 15-1


.94


.31


5


2


.78


.31


III.


2


1.00


2.50


1


.50


.50


1.00


x.


12111912-16


.23


.45


3.96


HH ONOWN WON O


1,000 of pop.


Cases


Cases


2.63


29


1,000 of pop.


1,000 of pop.


1,000 of pop.


RATES PER THOUSAND OF POPULATION OF CASES OF SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER REPORTED, AND OF DEATHIS FROM THE SAME, IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.


1882.


1883.


1884.


1885.


1886.


1887.


1888.


Average for Seven Years.


DISTRICTS.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


Scarlet Fever.


Diphtheria.


Typhoid Fever.


I.


[ Cases. . Deaths.


1.00


2.39


1.91 0.38


3.25 0.57


4.98 0.96


11.35 0.55


5.76 1.26


1.26 0.18


5.12 2.20


1.83 0.55


2.59 0.52


0.86 0.17


10.48 2.10


1.45 0.32


2.74 0.64


3.51 0.61


2.44 1.07


2.29 0.46


5.22 0.57


3.97 1.25


2.34 0.42


II.


Cases. Deaths.


2.04 0.20


0.80 0.40


4.32 0.98


0.98


2.40


1.11


2.63


1.50 0.41


1.50 0.19


2.12 0.35


0.89


1.82


0.66


1.16 0.17


4.07 0.47


0.94 0.31


0.78 0.31


0.12


0.37


0.18


III.


§ Cases. Deaths.


3.69


7.90 3.16


0.53 0.53


6.58 1.52


1.01


10.90 0.95


4.76 0.48


8.70 0.97


1.45 0.48


5.03 0.46


0.46 0.46


3.84 1.71


0.85 0.43


0.85 0.43


0.81 0.40


2.43 0.40


2.43 1.21


5.14 0.64


3.49 0.99


0.31


IV.


Cases. . Deaths.


1.78 0.59


3.56 0.59


1.78


0.29


5.42 0.29


1.71 0.57


0.27


0.54


0.55


1.64 1.09


1.36 0.82


4.38 0.26


0.77 0.26


0.77 0.26


3.85 0.96


2.16 1.20


1.20 0.48


1.36


2.72 1.14


1.71 0.45


4.29 0.34


2.63 0.69


0.49


V.


J Cases. . ¿ Deaths.


1.90 0.38


8.54 2.28


0.95 0.19


2.74


7.67 1.46


1.64 0.73


2.58


3.43


1.20


6.98


2.97 0.17


0.17 0.17


4.78 1.65


4.00 0.62


1.54 0.31


0.93 0.31


2.04 0.15


2.89 0.15


1.59 0.45


0.19


0.31


VI.


( Cases. ¿ Deaths.


1.72


0.86


13.22 0.83


6.61 1.65


3.31 0.83


26.44 1.56


12.44 4.67


10.27


16.59


0.79


1.49


6.96 0.70


1.39


2.08


2.63


1.32


9.18 0.55


2.55


0.12


VII.


Cases. . Deaths.


1.39


0.35


3.68 0.67


5.34 1.67


0.33


10.06


3.14 0.31


7.34 1.60


3.51 1.28


1.60 0.64


4.22 0.30


0.60 0.30


8.45 0.56


0.85 0.28


1.41 0.28


5.59 0.27


1.07 0.53


1.07


5.99 0.44


3.63 0.92


0.17


VIII.


S Cases. . Deaths.


10.50 1.17


3.50 1.17


3.37


7:86


17.95 1.06


2.11 1.06


7.51


7.51


1.01


17.05 1.89


3.79


7.17 1.77


4.52 0.88


7.72 0.67


4.15


2.91


IX.


¡ Cases. . ¿ Deaths.


1.31 0.65


2.51


6.28 2.51


0.63 0.63


7.09


3.55


22.81


3.60


1.20


6.24


3.97 0.57


1.70 5.82 0.53


0.53


1.06 7.51 1.50


3.00 0.50


2.00 1.00


7.57 0.29


3.18 0.60


0.32


X.


1 Cases. Deaths.


7.42


4.45


7.42 2.96


2.85


10.74


1.34


4.09


2.72


5.15


10.30 1.29


8.40


4.80


4.54


2.27 1.13


3.40 1.13


6.54 0.19


0.35


0.58


City.


( Cases. . ¿ Deaths.


1.42 0.15


6.24 1.89


1.38 0.29


2.93 0.21


5.44 1.08


1.88 0.45


8.21 0.26


3.64 0.69


1.18 0.26


7.54 0.47


3.67 0.93


1.37 0.37


3.47 0.09


2.87 0.63


0.63 0.09


5.94 0.91


1.29 0.32


1.20 0.32


3.42 0.42


2.09 0.59


1.75 0.48


4.70 0.36


3.61 0.88


0.32


-


3.53


0.20


3.04


-


-


8.86


2.15


0.54


9.54


0.34


0.17


3.16


-


-


-


-


-


1.18 0.59


-


-


-


-


-


-


-


1.98 0.66


8.12


1.19


0.86


-


7.30 2.08


-


0.17


0.60


1.11


---


-


4.11


2.12


1.34


240


ANNUAL REPORTS.


2.32


1.81


1.11


0.37


1.66 0.19


0.19


1.91


5.67


2.25


0.37


-


1.77


0.48 -


3.46


0.33


2.99 0.75


5.43


0.63


3.17


6.44 1.07


0.52


4.55 0.69


0.97


3.39


1.30


0.30


16.32 7.73


--


7.17 2.79


1.03


Typhoid Fever.


-


9.55 1.36


241


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.


NUISANCES ABATED IN EACH DISTRICT IN 1888.


DISTRICT. Population (estimated).


I. 6,555


II. 6,395


III. IV. 2,479 4,398


V. VII. VI. 6,874 1,519 3,755


VIII. 1,116


IX. 1,997


X. 881


Total 35,969


Bedding used in typhoid fever on premises


Cellar damp


9


Cesspool defective


5


66


offensive . overflowing


9 19111 1 1


4


1111 1 1


1


12||1 1 2 1 1


11112


3


4


-


-


1


-


-


3


1


100 6


8 I co


1


46


66


emptying in


cellar


3


1


2


3


3


3


2


2


-


19


66


emptying on


7


1


1


1


2


1


1


1


1


19


Drain pipe defective .


2


-


11


1


1


1


2


19


Drying hair, offensive


1


1


1


Furnace without cold- air box


1


1


-


1


Hens kept in cellar


2


Hens kept in privy


1


Manure exposed and


offensive .


Offal on land


1.111 94 1 1 9 4


113112272 1 3 1 7


11112 1 1 2


-


-


ʻ


11


1


2


1


8


66


full . offensive


28


13


12


17


6


1


1


3


2


3


-


-


1


4


1


-


-


13


1 1


3


1


-


-


-


-


-


6


Stagnant water on sur- face


10


1


18


Waste-pipe defective


1


1


1


4


2


2


39


Water-closet defective 66


3


3


1


11


supplied with water


4


5


-


-


-


1 1


12


Water-closet not sup-


plied with water . .


2


2


1


1


-


13


12


Wooden waste-pipes and drains


1 1


-


-


1


1


2


156


89


14


37


84


31


42


21


21


2


497


-


-


1


7


Connections of drainage pipes defective


4


3


1


16


Cows kept in basement of house .


2


Drainage defective


10


10


1


113 1


1 1111422 1 4 2


1


-


-


1


5


Opening in drain-pipe in cellar .


1


4


17


12


Privy-vault defective


1


22


10


5


11121411 2 1 1 4


-


21


3


not trapped,


12


13


Water-closet offensive


3


3


1


-


1


ʻ


1


82


Slaughtering, offensive . Slops thrown on surface. Stable and stable premi- ses filthy and offensive Stagnant water in house cellar


1


12 2


1 12113112 1 2


3


1


1


-


-


6


Offensive odor in and about dwellings .


-


-


3311 3 3 1


1


1


11213


-


1


1


-


-


-


1


1


1


-


1


11


1


11


55


66


surface


not ventilated,


4


4


1


Hennery offensive .


21


Premises filthy untidy


1


3


insufficiently


1


5


-


2


2


242


ANNUAL REPORTS.


APPROPRIATION FOR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND EXPENDITURES THEREFROM, 1888.


Appropriation


$4,500 00


Receipts for permits to keep swine and goats and to collect grease 226 00


Total credit


$4,726 00


Expenditures : -


For inspector's salary . $ 962 96


" collecting ashes


. 2,326 68


offal 900 00


“ burying dead animals 67 00


" vaccine virus


9 00


fumigating (sulphur, pans, etc.,)


18 60


" disinfectants


9 75


abating nuisances 7 50


care of ash dumps 402 66


investigating nuisances . 37 03


66 cause of nuisance


at Bridge Street sewer out- let


10 14


analyzing water


10 44


" property destroyed after Ty- phoid Fever case 25 00


" distributing notices on collec- tion of ashes 17 50


" books, stationery and printing 190 95


serving notices 2 00


“ carriage hire 22 00


rent of post-office box


5 00


Total debit


$5,024 21


Amount overdrawn


$298 21


THOMAS M. DURELL, M.D. J. F. WELLINGTON, CHAS. H. CRANE.


INDEX


TO THE REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.


PAGE


Ashes .


231


Cows .


230


Dangerous diseases


235


Death rate, 1SSS (at end of mortality table)


235


Deaths .


234


Diphtheria


236


Districts


237


Expenses


242


Goats


230


Grease


230'


House offal


233-


Map


237.A


Manure


231


Membership


227


Night-soil


233


Nuisances


2:28


Organization


227


Pedlers


231


Permits


229


Population (at end of mortality table)


235


Private streets


229


Regulations


230


Scarlet fever


235


Sewers


233


Swine


230


Typhoid fever


236


TABLES.


Mortality in Somerville, 18SS


234


6: rates of, in districts, in last ten years


238


Nuisances abated, 1888


228


in districts, 1SSS


241


Principal causes of death, in districts, 18SS


Scarlet fever, diphtheria, and typhoid fever, 18SS


236


6:


66


6:


in districts, 1SSS


. 239


66


66


in last 7 years 240


.


239


deaths in last 10 years . 237


REPORT OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN.


-


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Jan. 23, 1889.


Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual re- ports. Sent down for concurrence.


GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.


Concurred in.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, Jan. 23, 1889. CHAS. S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


To his Honor the Muyor and the City Council.


GENTLEMEN,- I respectfully present my annual report as City Physician. I have made during the year, 1,409 visits ; of these 298 were surgical, and 43 were made to persons at the police station. I have viewed the bodies, and have given certificates of the probable cause of death of 6 persons who died unattended by a physician. I have examined 21 persons supposed to be insane, and have given certificates in 14 cases. I have, under the Civil Service, examined 13 applicants for the police force.


Respectfully submitted,


THOS. M. DURELL, M.D., City Physician.


Jan. 13, 1889.


REPORT


OF THE


TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Jan. 23, 1889.


Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual re- ports. Sent down for concurrence.


GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, Jan. 23, 1889.


Concurred in.


CHAS. S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


Jan. 1, 1889.


To the City Council.


The Trustees of the Somerville Public Library take pleasure, in submitting their report for the current year, to state that at no time in its history has this institution for general instruction been so extensively patronized, and, we believe, its usefulness so clearly demonstrated.


The report of the Librarian is herewith transmitted, which con- tains all necessary information in regard to the daily workings of the library, and its present condition. We would respectfully request that the same be published with the annual reports.


The Trustees do not consider it necessary to make an extended report, as there is no institution in the city with which the public are more familiar than the Public Library.


We have been guided in the performance of the duty intrusted to us, by the idea of making the library popular in its best sense ; dividing as judiciously as possible, the money available for new books, so that all classes of readers may be stimulated and im- proved by the best in every department of literature.


The new catalogue has been printed the present year, and is a great convenience to the many who have occasion to consult it.


In conclusion, we ask with confidence for such generous sup- port from the City Government, as we have uniformly received in the past.


CHAS. S. LINCOLN, GEO. A. BRUCE, · SANFORD HANSCOM, WM. H. BRINE, J. HENRY FLITNER, CHRISTOPHER E. RYMES, WM. E. WELD, JAMES. E. WHITAKER, CHAS. G. POPE,


Trustees.


252


ANNUAL REPORTS.


LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.


To the Trustees of the Somerville Public Library.


GENTLEMEN, -In submitting my sixteenth annual report of the condition of the library, I can only state, with more emphasis than ever before, the increased number of books asked for, of books read, and of books of reference used. It is pleasant to be able to state that nearly all of the books inquired for during the past year were immediately procured by the committee, who are always glad to know the wants of our readers.


LIBRARY WORK.


This has been a busy year. The catalogue has been com- pleted, and has been in use six months. 1,738 new books have been entered and put in circulation, a card catalogue is well under way, and the shelves are rapidly filling up. We now need the whole of our building for our own use, as there is no more room for the new reference books until some changes are made, and all public documents placed in the upper room. 145 books have been worn out and discarded, and 10,951 covered and repaired. These were principally fiction, as we are trying the experiment of putting into circulation many new books with- out the paper covers, and find they are generally well used. The delivery of books from the counter is but one part of our numerous duties. The constant overlooking of every book when returned, the replacing of soiled and torn covers, renumbering and repairing of carelessly-handled books, occupy a large share of our time. This has been cheerfully and faithfully performed by the assistants, to whom much credit is due for the excellent condition of the books.


253


REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


270 books have been bound, including periodicals. One new magazine, "The Historical and Genealogical Register," and one children's paper, "The Youth's Companion," have been added this year.


One ancient and valuable book has been given by Rev. Charles Smith, and one by the author, E. S. Brooks. The " Somerville Citizen " has also been contributed, and we are thankful for con- tinued favors from " Somerville Journal " and " Somerville Sen- tinel."


ADDITIONS.


Among the books added to our reference library are " History of Ancient Sculpture," " Palestine Illustrated," Turner's "Liber Fluviorum," " English and Greek Lexicon," "Graphic Record," Lacroix's "Eighteenth Century " in France, " England and Wales," illustrated, in four volumes, " Seats and Castles of Scot- land," and others. While in the circulating department an unusually large number of excellent books have been added; some of which are "Europe in Storm and Calm," " Ancient Rome in the Light of Recent Discovery," " American Litera- ture," in ten volumes, McCulloch's " Men and Measures," "Face to Face with the Mexicans," Long's " Republican Party," Sheri- dan's " Personal Memoirs," "Capitals of Spanish America," " Ancient Persia," "Three Cruises of the Coast-Survey Steamer Blake," " Donnelly's Cryptogram," with a large collection of juvenile books, and the most desirable works of fiction.


CIRCULATION.


The library has been open, for the delivery of books, 305 days, and 81,844 books have been delivered. Of these, 80,697 were for " home use," and 1,147 were used here for reference.


The busiest week of the year ended with March 24, in which time 2,011 were delivered for home use. The largest number on any one day was 708 (March 24), and the smallest (July 31) was 100.


This year three books were carelessly destroyed, and two others accidently spoiled, but all were paid for and re- placed.


254


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Two thousand notices have been written and sent out for books overdue, and three were found to be missing from the shelves at the annual examination.


REGISTRATION.


On the 1st of January, 1885, a new registration was com- menced; since which time, 8,369 names have been entered and cards supplied. The number in use is constantly changing, some preferring to take out books only in summer, but by far the greater part taking books regularly through the winter months. This year 1,356 names were added.


Our reading-room is generally well filled, and, with a few exceptions, quiet. We have allowed all to avail themselves of its privileges without regard to age; but sometimes are obliged to exclude those who come merely for amusement or talk, and who take the places of people who wish for a quiet room for reading or study. Our reference books are used freely, and we find it difficult to be able to state how many are used in the reference room of which no account can be kept.


An immense amount of reading is now done by some of the youngest readers, -I mean by those under the age of sixteen. These we are always ready to attend to and assist. Cannot more of our teachers interest them in some particular direction, and, now that the taste for reading has been formed, give them subjects to look up, and encourage them to report to them such facts as they have mastered, for the only test whether a book has been read or not is the ability to tell what it contains? It is true that the parents are the ones who should attend to all this ; but they are too often only pleased that the time should be so taken up, and find it too much trouble to investigate, or are not competent to decide.


Many teachers now suggest books to their pupils; but I can- not but think that a great deal more might be done in this direction by teachers of the lower grades of the Grammar Schools.


We have the best books of recent travel, and the newest thoughts of great thinkers, as well as the records of the past lives of the great and good of every land in our valuable library,


255


REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.


and it only remains for the reader to take, without money and without price, whatever will best satisfy his wants.


Looking back at the small beginning of the library (less than three thousand books), and comparing it with its present num- ber (15,883), and the delivery of 81,844 in one year, it is plain to see the great success of its establishment.


HARRIET A. ADAMS, Librarian.


SOMERVILLE, Jan. 1, 1889.


256


ANNUAL REPORTS.


FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF CITY TREASURER.


CR.


Balance from 1887


$1,012 17


Appropriation


3,000 00


Dog licenses


2,388 30


Fines


283 57


Catalogues .


46.15


Expended in excess of appropriation


12 94


DR.


Salaries


. $1,608 12


Books .


. 3,055 06


Printing and stationery


234 60


Binding


108 53


Newspapers


12 00


Gas


173 29


Fuel


203 45


Water


29 00


Repairs


274 32


Labor


11 75


Expressing .


46 95


Incidentals . .


37 31


Catalogues .


847 50


Insurance


101 25


$6,743 13


$6,743 13


REPORT


OF THE


COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Jan. 3, 1889.


Ordered to be filed with the city clerk for presentation to the next city council, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.


GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.


Concurred in.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, Jan. 3, 1889. CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS, Dec. 31, 1888.


To the City Council of Somerville.


The following is respectfully submitted as the final report of this committee for the year ending Dec. 31, 1888 : -


HIGHWAYS ACCOUNT.


CREDIT.


Appropriation $44,000 00


Receipts and credits : -


For labor and materials furnished


prior to Jan. 1, 1888, the bills for which remained uncollected that day $663 00


rent of dwellings at City


Farm . $136 00


less repairs and water rates 10 77


125 23


pasturage at Waltham


Gravel Land for years


1887 and 1888 . $240 00


less taxes on said land 117 30


122 70


unpaid bill for materials purchased 63 75


974 68


Value of materials on hand Jan. 1, 1888 1,122 25


Value of property on hand Jan. 1, 1888 9,541 60


Total credit


$55,638 53


260


ANNUAL REPORTS.


DEBIT.


Expenditures :


For construction of Aldrich Street $310 14


construction of Berkeley Street,


from School Street to Central Street 499 93


construction of Boston Street


750 28


construction of Buckingham Street


274 22


construction of Irving Street


323 11


construction of Morgan Street


88 26


street crossings


512 27


street signs


98 32


clearing and repairing streets after the laying of horse railroad tracks :


Highland Avenue, from Cedar


Street, easterly $613 87


Somerville Avenue and Elm 856 15


Street


1,470 02


repairs and improvements of streets, and paving of gutters in connection with the setting of edgestones :


Berkeley Street, School Street to Central Street, paving . .


$390 29


Bow Street, north side, from


Bow Street Place to near Somerville Avenue, paving 32 85


Cedar and Summer Streets, in


front of David Cummings & Co's estate, paving 37 61


Dartmouth Street, east side,


from Broadway to Evergreen Avenue, paving 177 99


repairs


332 28


Amounts carried forward . $971 02


$4,326 55


261


REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.


Amounts brought forward . $971 02 $4,326 55


Dartmouth Street, both sides, Evergreen Avenue to Med- ford Street, paving repairs


520 98


283 83


Dane Street, north-west side, from Washington Street to Somerville Avenue, paving repairs


420 98


687 77


Franklin Street, from Frank- lin Avenue to end of old sidewalk, paving repairs


200 80


55 81


Grove Street, west side, from Elm Street to Highland Avenue, paving 159 86 repairs 175 90


Mystic Avenue in front of H. S. Atwood's estate, paving 24 13


Prospect Hill Congregational Society, Bow and Walnut Streets, paving 136 62


Summer Street in front of Methodist Church, paving 26 86 Walnut Street in front of G. W. Simpson's estate, paving 31 64


3,696 20


cost to City of sidewalks, the bricks and edgestones for which were furnished by the abutters 336 94


ordinary repairs of streets : -


Broadway from Franklin


Street to Cross Street 516 11


Broadway from Dartmouth Street to Main Street . 829 57


Central Street from Albion Street to Forster Street. 735 05


Amounts carried forward


. $2,080 73


$8,359 69


262


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amounts brought forward . . $2,080 73 $8,359 69


Cedar Street from Highland


Avenue to Lowell R. R. 49 12


Cherry Street from Elm Street to Chestnut Street . 118 80


Franklin Street from Perkins Street to Broadway . 109 00


Harvard Street from Summer Street to Beach Street 590 63


Holland Street from Cameron Avenue to Newbury Street


138 85


Oak Street from Prospect Street to Bolton Street 95 14


Pearl Street from Crescent Street to Hillside Avenue Prospect Street from Webster Avenue to Cambridge Line .


502 63


School Street from Berkeley Street to Somerville Ave- nue


485 17


Somerville Avenue from Pros-


pect Street to Craigie Street


2,990 99


Springfield Street from Cam- bridge Line to Concord Avenue


157 03


Summer Street from Vinal


Avenue to Linden Avenue 754 80


Vinal Avenue from Highland Avenue to Pleasant Ave- nue 191 36


Walnut Street from Bonair Street to Pearl Street 416 05


Walnut Street from Boston Street to Bow Street. 99 12


Washington Street from Pros-


pect Street to Boston Line 231 53


Amounts carried forward $9,858 98


$8,359 69


848 03


263


REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.


Amounts brought forward . $9,858 98 $8,359 69


Washington Street from Un- ion Square to Dane Street 961 79 general repairs 10,547 77


21 368 54




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