USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1890 > Part 17
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WARWICK ST
VT
HIGHLAND
PRESCOTT
PUTNAM
VINAL
MUNA
FORD
MAPLES
ST.
AV.S
STONE
MYSTIC
MILLER'S
SUMMER
CRESTON
QUINCY
CHURCH ST.
ALLEN ST.
LINDENST
BIREL
ST.
ST
HASHLANDS
PORTE
CRAIGIE
LOWEL -
ST.
SPRING
MV AND ST.
DANE
NO
B
M
P
DIMICK SU
C
BEACON
B
Sewers shown thus;
D
G
E
4000
MYSTIC
5000
THILE.
GR.
DERBY
INT
WNEATLAN
PARK.
L ST
AVE
LAVE
UTTER ST.
GLEN
FLOI
TUFTS
COLLEGE
AND
LOWELL
COL
CROSS
FLINT
SON
AV
JENNY LIND
TENNI
ST.
HOWE
APPLETON
LOWELL
TAULL
ROFORD
ADAMS
SYCAMORE
HURSTON
AOWY.
LIEGE AVE
CURTIS
WIFE
BROO
WARE ST.
KIDDER AVEL
ST.
LEASAN
LINWOOD
3%
AVE
SOMERVILLE
PROSPECT
FITCHBUBA
CLARR ST.
APLE
ST.
AV.
ST.
SOMERVILI
FOLK SI
C
A
M
37.
LINE
R
ST
I
MYSTIC
RIVER.
MIDOL
·189!º
SHOWING HEALTH DISTRICTS.
F
EMONT
O
R
D
BOSTON
FRANK
N
FISK AV
EVER
PARTRIDGE
RAYMOND
WILLOW
GREENVÍ
ALSTOWS
AVE
CENTRAL
VIENS ST OXFORD
BERKELEY
AVE
HIGHLAND
37
WINSLOW
ST.
PARK AV.
HORNE
VE
WRASTOW
SUMMER
ST JAMES
AVE.
AVE
LEXIN TON
LM
KIS NVINGY
VỚI MINZ
RIDGE
GARRISON
TARRAGUT
JAMES
SIMPSON
IRVING
WALLACE
CHANDLER
AVE
APPLETON ST
INGTON AV
CE DAR
HUDSON
BENTON AV
ARREN AVE
CHERRY
BELMONT
FAIRMOUNT
BROADWAY.
FRANCESCA AVE
ALBION
LROAD.
LOEMSEYS
MORRISON
W
AVE
ANENON
ELMWOOD
WHITE 37
CALVIN ST
CHAUNCEY
BROAL
SANGENT'A
BROADWAY
CONWELL
AVE
ERNON
ISCHORLE
ARLINGTON
١٠
TABLE OF DEATHS IN EACH DISTRICT DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF DEATHS IN THE MCLEAN ASYLUM.
Districts
I.
II.
III.
IV.
≤
VI.
VII.
VIII.
- IX.
×
Entire City.
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. ·
7,329
7,156
2,757
4,870
7,724
1,671
4,180
1,225
2,237
968
40,117
Dwellings .
1,098
1,024
485
781
1,213
442
699
308
466
276
6,792
Average in each dwelling . . .
6.7
6.9
5.7
6.2
6.3
3.8
5.9
4.0
4.8
3.5
5.9
YEAR.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
1881
111
23
64
14
41
23
48
15
62
12
36
32
38
14
18
22
19
13
8
12
415
17
1882
119
24
57
12
42
22
58
17
72
14
32
27
43
15
11
13
17
11
13
19
464
17
1883
138
26
59
- 12
49
25
60
-7
76
14
40
33
51
17
17
19
28
00
9
13
527
00
1884
148
27
55
10
42
20
52
14
69
12
32
25
35
11
14
15
27
16
8
11
482
16
1885 .
152
28
56
11
40
19
72
20
78
14
31
24
53
17
13
14
25
15
11
15
531
18
1886
115
20
51
38
17
59
15
85
14
37
28
44
13
11
11
20
11
19
24
479
15
1887.
182
29
54
45
19
81
19
87
co
37
25
62
17
20
19
26
14
12
14
606
00
1888
148
23
68
44
00
62
14
117
00
33
22
50
16
14
28
14
co
15
579
16
1889
125
16
67
9
48
17
85
17
105
14
28
17
62
19
15
26
12
17
17
582
15
1890
140
19.
69
9
48
17
94
19
139
18
46
27
59
14
27
22
26
12
15
15
663
16
Average death rate for ten years
24
11
19
17
14
26
15
16
14
16
17
In 1890.
.
--
per 1,000.
Number of
Rate
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
per 1,000.
Deaths.
Rate
Rate
500
Grão
304
ANNUAL REPORTS.
TABLE SHOWING THE FIVE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF DEATH IN SOMER VILLE IN 1890, WITH THE NUMBER AND RATE IN EACH DISTRICT.
CONSUMP- TION.
PNEUMONIA.
HEART DISEASE.
CHOLERA INFANTUM.
MENINGITIS.
DISTRICTS.
Number of
Deaths.
Number per
1,000 of pop.
Number of
Deaths.
Number per
1,000 of pop.
Number of
Deaths.
Number per
Number of
Deaths.
Number per
1,000 of pop.
Number of
Deaths.
Number per
1,600 of pop.
1
26
3.55
15
2.05
0
1.23
14
1.91
11
1.50
II.
10
1.40
3
0.42
14
1.96
2
0.28
2
0.28
III.
7
2.54
6
2.18
3
1.09
1
0.36
'2
0.73
IV.
13
2.67
10
2.06
4
0.82
7
1.44
6
1.23
V.
24
3.11
17
2.20
21
2.72
5
0.65
3
0,39
VI.
3
1.80
5
3.00
5
3.00
2
1,20
3
1.80
VII.
7
1.61
7
1.61
4
0.96
3
0.72
3
0.72
VIII.
4
3.27
2
1.63
3
2.45
IX.
1
0.45
5
2.23
0.90
1
0.45
1
0.45
X.
1
1.02
-
-
I
-
Total .
96
2,39
70
1.74
65
1.62
35
0.87
31
0.77
TABLE OF SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER IN EACH DISTRICT IN 189).
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
DISTRICTS.
Reported.
Deaths.
Cases per
Deaths per
Cases
Deaths.
Cases per
Deaths per
Cases
Deaths.
Cases per
Deaths per
I.
26
3.55
=
4
1.51
.55
6
1
0.82
.14
II.
3
0.42
-
17
3
2.37
.42
5
2
0,69
.28
III.
22
7.97
9
2
3.18
3
1
1.09
.37
IV.
16
3.2×
.21
32
8
6,57
1.64
5
1
1.03
V.
49
6.34
.26
18
2
2.34
.26
2
0.91
.26
VI.
11
-
6.53
7
1
4.19
.59
4
2
2.39
1.19
VII.
22
5,26
14
1
-
1
0.95
.24
VIII.
4
-
3.27
5
-
4.08
1
1.63
81
IX.
4
-
1.79
5
1
2.23
.45
1
0,45
X.
4
-
4.13
1
1
1.03
1.03
2
-
2.06
-
Total .
161
3
4.01
.07
116
22
2.89
.54
39
10
0.97
.24
1,000 of pop.
1,000 of pop.
Cases
1,000 of pop.
1,000 of pop.
Reported.
1,000 of pop.
1,000 of pop.
Reported.
7
-
-
4
3.37
.73
12
-
-
1,000 of pop.
RATES PER THOUSAND OF POPULATION OF CASES OF SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER REPORTED, AND OF DEATHS FROM THE SAME' IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.
1884.
1885.
1886.
1887.
1888.
1889.
1890.
Av'age for Seven Yrs.
DISTRICTS.
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.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid Fever.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid Fever.
I.
§ Cases Deaths
0.55
1.26 0.18
5.67 0.37
5.12 1.83 2.20 0.55
2.59 0.86 0.52 0.17
10.48 1.45 2.74 2.10 0.32 0.64
3.51 2.44 2.29 0.61 1.07 0.46
4.24 3.24 3.11 0.28 0.84 0.42
3.55 1.51 0.82| -0.55 0.14
5.86 3.16 1.84 0.56 0.97 0.37
§ Cases
2.40
1.11 1.66 0.37 0.19
2.63
1.50 1.50
1.77
2.12 0.89 0.35 -
1.82 0.66 1.16 - 0.17 -
4.07 0.94 0.78 0.47 0.31 0.31
2.32 2.17 1.01 - 0.43 0.29
0.42 2.37 0.69 - 0.42 0.28
2.20 1.55 1.10
II.
Deaths
-
10.90
4.76 1.91
8.70
- 1.45 0.48 0.48
5.03 0.46
0.46
3.84 0.85 0.85 1.71 0.43 0.43
0.81 2.43 2.43 0.40 0.40 1.21
1.19 1.11 4.11 0.37 - -
7.97 3.18 1.09 - 0.73 0.37
0.69 0.43 0.29
IV.
§ Cases Deaths
8.86
2.15 0.54 0.27 0.54
9.54
1.64 1.36
4.38 0.26
0.77 0.77 0.26|0.26
3.85 2.16 1.20 0.96|1.20 0.48
1.36 2.72 1.71 - 1.14 0.45
1.24 2.52 0.84 0.88 0.63 0.21
3.28 6.57 1.03 - 0.21 1.64
4.64 2.65 1.06 0.41 0.89 0.39
V.
§ Cases Deaths
2.58
3.43 1.20 0.52 0.34
6.98 0.17
2.97 0.17 0.17 0.17
3.46
4.78 0.33 1.65
4.00 1.54 0.93 0.62 0.31 0.31 -
2.04 2.89 1.59 0.15 0.15 0.45
4.04 4.58 0.95 -0.94 0.13
6.34 2.34 0.91 0.26 0.26 0.26
0.17 0.57 0.24
VI.
§ Cases Deaths
26.44 12.44
10.27 16.59 0.79
2.99
1.49
- 6.96 1.39 2.08 0.70 -
2.63 1.98 1.32 - 0.66 -
3.65 0.61 2.43
6.58 4.19 2.39 - 0.59 1.19
8.50 5.53 1.29 0.43 1.30 0.17
( Cases
10.06
3.14 0.63
7.34
3.51 1.60 1.28 0.64
4.22 0.60 0.30 0.30
8.45 0.85 1.41 0.56 0.28 0.28
0.27 0.53 1
-10.98
- 0.24
0.35 0.53 0.21
Deaths
0.31
1.60
7.51
7.51 6.44 - 1.07
1.01
17.05
- 3.79
7.17 1.77
4.52 -10.88
2.49 4.14 - 0.83
- 3.27 4.08 1.63 - 0.81
8.06 2.70 2.61
VIII
Deaths
1.06
- 1.06
-
-
-
-
-
0.67 0.12 0.55
IX.
§ Cases {Deaths
7.19
3.55 1.18
22.81
3.60 1.20
6.24
3.97 1.70 0.57 -
5.82 0.53 1.06 0.53 -
7.51 3.00 2.00 1.50 0.50 1.00 -
- 4.63 1.85
1.79 2.23 0.45 - 0.45 -
7.32 3.07 1.35 0.29 0.22 0.23
X.
[ Cases {Deaths
10.74
- 1.34
9.55 1.36
4.09 2.72 5.15 10.30
-
8.40 4.80
- 4.54 2.27 3.40 - 1.13 1.13
2.10 8.40 - 4.20
4.13 1.03 2.06 - 1.03 1
6.37 4.41 1.36 0.19|1.09 0.16
City
§ Cases Deaths
8.21 0.26
3.64 1.18 0.69 0.26
7.54 0.47
3.67 1.37 0.93 0.37
3.47 0.09
2.87 0.63 0.63 0.09
5.94 1.29 1.20 3.42 2.09 1.75 0.91 0.32 0.32
0.42 0.59 0.48
0.18 0.72 0.18 |0.07 0.54 0.24
4.01 2.89 0.97 5.36 2.82 1.24 0.34 0.63 0.28
-
-
-
3.16
0.75
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
§ Cases
17.95
0.48
-
0.97
0.41 0.19
-
-
III.
Deaths
0.95
-
0.55
1.09 0.82
0.46
-
-
-
5.43
5.59 1.07 1.07 3.45 4.68 0.41 5.26 3.37 0.95
6.51 2.98 0.95
VII.
§ Cases
11.35 5.76 1.26
2.25
-
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
-
-
-
-
-0.59
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
305
-
1.56
4.67
3.17 2.11
0.19
0.09 0.33 0.20
5.49 2.03 1.55
4.21 3.22 0.87
-
4.94 3.34 1.57
-
1.29
1.89
Typhoid Fever.
306
ANNUAL REPORTS.
NUISANCES ABATED IN EACH DISTRICT IN 1890.
DISTRICT. Population (estimated).
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI. VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
Total.
Barn used as residence
Cellar damp
3
1
4
1
1
1
Cesspool overflowing
3
2
-
7
Connection of drainage pipes defective
6
2
6
1
1
1
1
20
Cow kept under house
Dog kept in cellar
Drainage defective
1
2
1
3
1
1
1
1
11
Drainage emptying on surface
7
4
1 1221 2 1
2
4
2
13111. 3 1 1
2
8
Drain-pipe defective
1
1
1
ʻ
1
1
-
2
1 1
1
15
Offal on land
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
8
Offensive odor in and about dwellings
4
3
1
4
1
1
Opening in drain-pipe in cellar
2
1
ʹ
1
1
5
Premises filthy
2
1
-
1
-
1
2
2
1
5
1
7
3
1
2
2
3
3
97
Privy-vault offensive !
20
14
2
29
14
16
3
6
3
107
Rubbish in cellar
1
2
1
2
42
1
1
1
-
1
1
-
-
-
1
Stable and stable premises filthy and offensive .
1
1
1
-
-
1
1
1
-
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
7
Waste-pipe not trapped
1
2
1
1
2
6
1 11
1
14
Water-closet defective
1
-
-
3
Water-closet insufficiently sup- plied with water
1 1
11
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
Total
75
70
26
81
73
59
37
25
20
11
477 1
1
1
1
-
2
Drainage emptying in cellar
Hennery offensive .
2
Hens kept in cellar
Manure exposed and offensive .
5
2
1
1
1
1
1
11111221111211 1 2 2 1 1 2 1
8
1
1
2
Premises untidy
3
5
1
1
Privy-vault defective
20
12
2
25
9
3
5
-
2
Stable affected with glanders
-
I
1
1
2
1
1
4
Waste-pipe defective
6
Water-closet offensive
1
8
1
4
1
-
-
-
-
15
Cesspool offensive
11:121
1
4
3
1
1
Drying hair on land
11 1
2
12
Premises undrained
1
3
14
22:
Privy-vault full
8
Slops thrown on surface
1
Stagnant water in house cellar .
1
Stagnant water on surface
1
Offal in cellar
1211 2 1
1211
-
2
1
1
1
2
ʻ
26
Drainage not ventilated .
8
1
1
4
2
17
12
-
1
9
307
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
APPROPRIATION FOR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND EXPENDITURES THEREFROM, 1890.
Appropriation
$6,000 00
Receipts for permits to keep swine and goats and col-
lect grease
221 00
Total credit .
$6,221 00
Expenditures : -
For inspector's salary . . $1,000 00
collecting ashes
. 2,823 78
collecting offal
1,650 20
burying dead animals
174 75
vaccine virus
15 01
books, stationery, printing, etc.
72 88
care of ash dumps
113 32
rent of post-office box .
5 00
moving and storage of goods of persons ejected from condemned premises
17 00
improving sanitary condition Columbia street
of
maps
37 50
·carriage hire
16 00
sulphur
6 88
expressing
50
repairing wheelbarrow
25
Total debit .
5,963 81
Balance unexpended
$257 19
J. FRANK WELLINGTON. CHAS. H. CRANE. ALVAH B. DEARBORN.
29 50
constable's fee
1 24
308
ANNUAL REPORTS.
INDEX
TO THE REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
PAGE.
Ashes
296
Cows
295
Dangerous diseases .
300
Death rate, 1890 (at end of mortality table)
300
Deaths
Diphtheria
298 301 302
Expenses
307
Goats
295
Grease
295
House offal
298
Map .
302₺
Membership
293
Night soil .
298
Nuisances .
293
Organization
293
Pedlers
296 295
Population (at end of mortality table)
300
Private streets
295
Scarlet fever
300
Swine
295
Typhoid fever
301
TABLES.
Mortality in Somerville, 1890 .
299
rates of, in districts, in last ten years
301
Nuisances abated, 1890
294
in districts, 1890 .
306
Principal causes of death, in districts, 1890
304
Scarlet fever, diphtheria, and typhoid fever, 1890 .
301
deaths in last ten years
302
יו
66 66
in districts, 1890
304
06
66
in last seven years, 305
Districts
Permits
REPORT
OF THE
CITY PHYSICIAN.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, February 11, 1891.
Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEO. I. VINCENT, Clerk.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, February 11, 1891.
CHAS. S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
REPORT
OF THE
CITY PHYSICIAN.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council :-
The following is my report as city physician for the year end- ing December 31, 1890 : -
Number of visits made, 853. Three hundred and seven persons have been treated at my office. Twenty-six visits have been made at the police station.
The past year has been one of remarkable freedom from con- tagious diseases among the poor, eight having been treated for diph- theria, four for scarlet fever, and two for typhoid fever.
There have been nine deaths.
Nine certificates have been given where persons died unattended by a physician.
Eighty-six children have been vaccinated.
Six women have been attended in childbirth.
Eighteen persons have been examined for the police force.
Six persons have been examined for insanity, four of whom were committed.
Respectfully submitted,
ALVAH B. DEARBORN,
City Physician.
REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 28, 1891.
Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 28, 1891.
WILLIAM P. MITCHELL, Clerk pro tem.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
To the City of Somerville : -
Nothing unusual has occurred in the management and care of the Public Library during the year now closing. It is, however, gratifying to be able to assert that the increased demand and use of books is in pace with the growth of the population in the city. It must be apparent, from a moment's consideration of the subject, that the annual appropriations made by the City Government should receive no diminution. On the contrary, the condition of many of the books and the growing demand would seem to require even greater liberality.
The librarian now reports that upwards of 90,000 volumes were taken out during the past year ; that is to say, the different volumes are taken out to be read at least five times on an average. If the whole number were taken out equally, it would be seen that the "wear and tear" would be inconsiderable; but the principal wear is upon certain classes of books, and the condition of these can be imagined. An actual examination discloses the fact that a great many of these books are in a state unfit for use, and some of them absolutely value- less, and no credit to any library. These books must be replaced by new ones, and a large part of last year's appropriation has been used for this purpose. But the same want is still pressing.
It cannot be claimed that the sums heretofore granted for the supply of books has been any burden to our tax-payers, or that any complaints have been made from that source. Taking our popula- tion to be 40,000, it would seem that an expenditure of $4,000 would
316
ANNUAL REPORTS.
be only ten cents to a person. Or, if we take our assessors' valuation at $30,000,000, the same expenditure would impose a tax of about one- seventh part of a mill on a hundred dollars; or, if we desire to ascertain the cost of circulation, take the number of books taken out at 90,000, and the whole annual expenditure of the library at $4,000, and we shall find the cost of the use of each book by the reader is less than a half cent. This certainly shows that the library has been economically managed, and that there can be no just charge of extravagance.
The trustees do not, therefore, hesitate to request a larger appropriation for the ensuing year, while the wants of the library imperatively demand it.
The report of the librarian contains a statement in detail of the work done under her charge, and of the acquisitions to the library during the past year, and is respectfully submitted herewith.
CHARLES S. LINCOLN, President. C. E. RYMES,
GEORGE A. BRUCE,
WILLIAM E. WELD,
JAMES E. WHITAKER, JOHN B. VIALL, J. HENRY FLITNER,
Trustees.
ELIJAH C. CLARK,
CHARLES H. BROWN,
SOMERVILLE, Dec. 3, 1890.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
To the Trustees of the Somerville Public Library :-
GENTLEMEN, - In accordance with the rules and regulations of the library, I have the honor to submit herewith my report as libra- rian, on the condition and work of the library for the year ending December, 1890, being the eighteenth annual report since the organ- ization of the library.
ACCESSIONS.
The library now contains 18,151 volumes, and of this number 1,428 have been added during the year. Three hundred and twenty- two have been withdrawn because worn out. The histories of many of the towns and cities of our Commonwealth have been placed in the Reference library; the London Graphic, in thirty-six volumes, "Old and new Boston," and "Dictionary of Anonymous Literature," four volumes. Among the most valued of our recent additions none are more prized than the " Cyclopedia of Music and Musicians," now completed in three volumes.
Among the books intended for circulation are "Heroes of the Dark Continent," "Massachusetts in the War," "One of a Thousand," "Emin Pasha Expedition," " Marriages of the Bourbons," "Influence of Sea Power upon History," "The House of the Wolfings," "Civil War on the Border," " Five Years among the Congo Cannibals," "The Reign of Charles IV.," "Sacred Books of the East," in thirty-six vol- umes, "History of Rome," in eight volumes, "History of Abraham Lincoln," in ten volumes, " The Republic; or, History of the Adminis-
318
ANNUAL REPORTS.
trations," in eighteen volumes, "In Darkest Africa," "Historic Oddi- ties," "Pre-historic America," "Psychology," "Four Years in Rebel Capitals," "Gleanings from Japan," "Characteristics of Volcanoes," "Great Speeches by Great Lawyers," "Great Opinions by Great Judges," "Experimental Science," "The Argonauts of California," "In Darkest England and the Way Out."
An unusual amount of books of biography and fiction have been placed in the library, and many duplicate sets of books by authors most read have also been purchased.
CIRCULATION.
The circulation for 304 library days has been 87,376. Of this number, 912 were used for reference and 86,464 for home use. The largest number given out on any day was 727, on February 1st. The smallest number was 128, on July 11th. Five hundred and forty vol- umes have been bound and rebound. In fiction much the largest number of books is called for; essays, including education, science, theology, etc., come next, with history and travel nearly as large ; periodicals with drama next, biography next, with poetry last. An endeavor has been made, by supplying the High and grammar schools with extra cards, to make the library more useful to the teachers, allowing five cards to each teacher to use for school purposes. Many of the teachers had not before made any use of the library, and all seemed pleased with the suggestion. The teaching of his- tory or geography can be made so much more delightful where many books on the same subject are at hand, and so easily procured as at the library, and where a class are interested to present something new from their own reading.
Not only in the school work will it be useful, but also in direct- ing and guiding some of our young people who have already acquired a taste for reading, which is a very important beginning.
Quite small boys take out, and read, three and four books a week, know just what authors they like best, understand all about catalogues, supplements, bulletins, and even the card-catalogue. This they like, because they find there all the books of one author together ; this, too, with scarcely any showing or extra pains on our part. course, they show and assist each other. They never ask the ques- tions older people are sometimes inclined to, or expect to find a
319
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
book in the library, as they would in a book-store, the day it was is- sued ; but, taking out books regularly, are content to take the book that we find, after they may have selected innumerable numbers, instead of becoming discouraged and going without any if the one book asked for happens to be out.
Some people wonder that anybody else should fancy the very book they had set their heart on, and say, " Well, I never can find the book in that I want," and then are ready to go away thinking it is of no use to try any more.
It is only by ascertaining the special tastes of some that the right book can be found, or another substituted, sometimes better than their own choice.
The old favorites among books still hold their own among the crowd of newer ones. "Uncle Tom's Cabin " leads in circulation, as it always has, and " Robinson Crusoe " is as great a favorite as when he first related his wonderful adventures.
REGISTRATION.
The registration for 1890 shows that during the year 5,131 persons have taken out books. Fourteen thousand nine hundred and seventy-three books have been covered, and 1,500 postal cards sent for books overdue.
The work of the assistants has been carried on in a careful and thorough manner, and the results accomplished have been all that could be desired.
The last week in March two stations for the delivery of books were established, one at West Somerville and one at East Somerville, where books are carried and returned by express four times a week. People have gladly availed themselves of this privilege, and evidences of its popularity are constantly given.
Through these two stations 5,948 books have been delivered. Other stations will undoubtedly be established in different sections of the city when called for.
Many successful attempts have been made to collect and gather up fragments of the early history of Somerville, and could they all be brought together, they would of themselves make a history.
The scrap-book of the library is to contain everything of the kind which can be obtained, and we hope that all who have any such
320
ANNUAL REPORTS.
material on hand will contribute to the collection, which, when com- plete, will be for the benefit of all.
Some further accommodation for the placing of books will soon be needed, and the time is soon coming when the building itself will have to be enlarged, as it easily can be by extending the book room.
H. A. ADAMS, Librarian.
321
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
G. A. BRUCE
Time expires 1892
J. H. FLITNER
1892
E. C. CLARK
1892
W. E. WELD
66 66 1893
J. B. VIALL
66
1893
J. E. WHITAKER
66
66
1893
C. S. LINCOLN
66
1894
C. E. RYMES
66
66 1894
C. H. BROWN
66 66 1894
President. - C. S. LINCOLN. Secretary. - W. E. WELD.
On Building and Grounds. - C. E. Rymes, G. A. Bruce, J. B. Viall.
On Administration. - J. E. Whitaker, E. C. Clark, W. E. Weld.
On Books and Catalogues .- G. A. Bruce, C. E. Rymes, C. H. Brown, J. E. Whitaker.
On Finance. - J. H. Flitner, J. B. Viall, E. C. Clark.
Librarian. - H. A. ADAMS.
322
ANNUAL REPORTS.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF CITY TREASURER.
CR.
Appropriation
$3,000 00
Dog licenses
2,631 12
Fines .
327 91
Catalogues
42 30
J. O. Paul
1 50
$6,002 83
DR.
Salaries
$1,808 70
Books
2,610 54
Printing and stationery
245 10
Binding
230 48
Newspapers .
29 55
Gas
174 19
Fuel
169 15
Water
26 97
Repairs
4 50
Furniture
119 00
Expressing
125 45
Incidentals
50 29
Insurance
252 00
Branch office
25 00
$5,870 92
Balance to 1891
131 91
$6,002 83
REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, February 11, 1891.
Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
Concurred in
IN COMMON COUNCIL, February 11, 1891. CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.
IN COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS, January 3, 1891.
To the City Council of Somerville : -
The following is respectfully submitted as the final report of this committee for the year ending December 31, 1890 : -
HIGHWAYS ACCOUNT.
CREDIT.
Appropriation $45,000 00 .
Transfer from Street Lights account 1,000 00 . .
Receipts and credits : -
For labor and materials furnished prior to January 1, 1890, the bills for which remained uncollected that day $582 26
rent of dwelling at City
Farm . $136 00
less repairs and water rates . . . 90 05
45 95
Amounts carried forward ·
$628 21 $46,000 00
·
326
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amounts brought forward
$628 21 $46,000 00
pasturage at Waltham gravel land $120 00
less taxes on said land 119 00
1 00
gravel sold from Wake-
field gravel land . $100 00
less taxes on said land 26 88
73 12
702 33
pay of laborer not called for .
2 00
Value of materials on hand January 1, 1890 .
1,237 31
Value of property (including steam road-roller pur- chased in 1889 ) on hand January 1, 1890 .
12,915 40
Net gain on tools, property, and materials
104 05
Total credit · $60,961 09
DEBIT.
Expenditures : -
For construction of Carlton street construction of Chandler street
396 85
construction of Dana street
318 55
construction of James street .
151 90
construction of Mills street
75 50
construction of Madison street construction of Montgomery and Wellington
108 75
avenues
1,045 04
construction of Sargent avenue
584 35
construction of St. James avenue
683 77
construction of Virginia street
373 85
street crossings
884 03
street signs
959 90
repairs and improvements of streets and paving of gutters in connec- tion with setting of edgestones : - Beacon and Harris street, at Wil- liam H. Berry's, paving .
$79 95
Amounts carried forward
$79 95
$5,689 04
$106 55
1
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.
327
Amounts brought forward $79 95 $5,689 04
Bonner avenue, westerly side,
Washington street to Colum-
bus avenue, paving · repairs ·
223 80
222 55
Bow street, Warren avenue to Walnut street, paving . ·
96 75
Columbus avenue, from estate of Charles A. Cushman, easterly, to end of avenue, paving 114 35
Elm street, southwest side, from near estate of William T. Hen-
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