USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1899 > Part 4
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Your committee at once organized by the choice of Wm. H. Goff as chairman and E. A. Sweeney as secretary. After some time spent in looking over a number of engine houses and police stations in other places, we prepared a rough plan of a house that we thought would meet all of the requirements called for. We then engaged Karl H. Hyde, C. E., to pre- pare plans and specifications for the same at a special meeting held July 20, 1898. Under Article 2 your committee sub- mitted said plans, and recommended that the Town build an engine house and police station on the Tinkham lot, Union
80
ANNUAL REPORT.
street. Under Article 3 it was so voted, and that the Town Treasurer be authorized to borrow money on Town notes, not to exceed twelve thousand dollars (812,000), and that all moneys received from insurance, the sale of land, etc., be placed to the credit of this new engine and police station, and that the committee on plans be the committee to build.
Your committee at once called for bids, and in response received from most of the local contractors bids, which we found were so large that the committee voted to reject all bids. After some changes in the plans and specifications we called for separate bids, and a number of bids were received. and your committee awarded the contract for the mason work to Everett O. Dexter for the sum of 84,350; the contract for the carpenter work and painting to Grant Brothers for $4,900 ; the contract for plumbing and steam heating to the J. W. Gifford Co. for 8934; electric wiring to the B. & H. Co. for 870; gas fixtures to McKenney & Waterbury, for 8105 ; furniture, curtains. etc., to G. A. Sweeney for $190.15 ; total for contract work, $10,549.15.
After awarding the contracts for building the committee appointed Wm. H. Goff as superintendent to look after the construction, the cost of which, with the cost of plans and specifications, was paid out of the 8200 appropriated in 1898 for plans. Work was commenced about the first of September, 1898. and was completed in May, 1899, when it was occupied by the various departments for which it was intended. The total cost of this building, together with the wagon shed built in the rear, with the large amount of grading required. has been $12,365.84. Your committee have included in the cost of this building several items that were not intended or included in the original estimate, such as installing the fire alarm system, the furnishing of the rooms, and building of bank wall and wagon shed. We are pleased to state that the Selectmen have sold, to good advantage, the Dunham street
81
ANNUAL REPORT.
hose house lot and the Pine street lockup lot. The amount received from the sale of land, insurance money and the sale of old material netted the sum of $6,513.80. This, with the $2,000 appropriated in 1899, leaves a balance of only $3,852.04 to be provided for by taxation.
The house, which is 35x70, with a projection on side 16x32, contains on the ground floor the apparatus room, good stable accommodation in the rear for five horses, sitting room for members, and police office. The second floor contains the company room, four large sleeping rooms, bath room, engineers and battery rooms, with large hay loft in rear. The basement contains one large cell room, three cells, boiler and coal room. and two large store rooms. The third floor or attic is fitted up with tables and cupboards for the use of mem- bers. In the rear of the stable, and opening from it is the tower for drying hose, fifty-five feet high, and surmounted by a very fine copper finial. The committee feel that we must congratulate the inhabitants of this part of the town for the addition of this fine and imposing brick structure, and the members of the fire and police departments for the very fine accommodation provided for them.
DR.
To appropriation for 1899,
$2,000 00
To insurance money, Dunham street
hose house,
2,500 00
To sale of Union and Dunham street lot,
2,350 00
Pine and Dunham street lot,
1,500 00
old junk,
15 00
28 cord stone,
42 00
11,000 brick, 59 30
granite, 20 00
loam,
27 50
$8,513 80
ANNUAL REPORT.
To balance it be appropriated.
$12.305 84
CR.
By E. O. Dexter. contract mason work. $4.350 00
By Grant Brothers. contract carpenter
work. 4.900 00
By .J. W. Giford Co .. plumbing. 337 00
.. steam heating. 597 00
.. B. & H. Electric Co .. wiring. 70 00
.. McKenny & Waterbury. gas fixtures. 105 00
.. G. A. Sweeney, furniture. 100 15
$10.542 15
·· E. O. Dexter. extra work. 58 46
.. Grant Brothers. .. .. 145 00
.. . J. W. Giffondi Co .. extra work. 64 33
.. F. E. Goff. extra painting. 34 41
.. Geo. H. Snell. iron work. 120 44
.. Installing fire alarm work.
·· coal during construction. 91 02
·· water connection with street. 11 44
·· sewer connection. 25 -7
.. iron track. Hook & Ladder truck. 23 55
.. cell locks. 40 00
·· gradling driveway. etc .. 215 21
·· concreting. 204 60
·· incidentals. 60 36
By lal or removing old lockup. Dunham
street hose honse. dry wells. drain pipe. etc .. -3 34
83
ANNUAL REPORT.
By bank wall, fence and wagon sheds, 349 52
$1,816 69
$12,365 84
WM. H. GOFF, H. R. PACKARD, L. Z. CARPENTER, E. R. READ,
Committee.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Overseers of the Poor.
The Overseers of the Poor respectfully submit the follow- ing report of receipts, expenditures, etc., connected with the support of the poor, for the year ending December 31, 1899 : DR.
To amount of annual appropriation, $5,000 00
To amount for medical attendance, 300 00
$5,300 00
Received from State for support and
burial of paupers,
$ 78 00
Received from City of Taunton,
50 00
66 City of Somerville,
89 50
66 Town of Warren,
30 10
66 Town of Norton, 26 00
66 Town of Foxboro,
247 30
" John Eden, support of Ann Eden, 50 00
Received from Geo. A. Monroe, sup-
port of Ruth C. Monroe, 146 00
.
" City of Fall River,
43 00
86
ANNUAL REPORT.
Received from Geo. A. Monroe &
Co., discount on pauper bills, $55 08
Received from E. M. Brigham, duplicate bill, 1 52
$816 50
CR. $6,116 50
The Overseers have approved bills for the following amounts, which have been paid by the Town Treasurer :
GROCERIES.
Geo. A. Monroe & Co.,
$788 50
John Daly,
70 00
William Frenier,
4 00
I. Mercier,
15 00
L. Z. Carpenter,
22 00
Wm. N. Goff,
2 00
S. J. Keniston & Co.,
90 00
$991 50
MEAT.
E. M. Brigham,
$3 04
$3 04
MILK,
Frank E. Luther,
$21 86
John Thacher,
25 55
E. W. Atwell,
4 00
$51 41
WOOD AND COAL.
Pierce & Carpenter,
$28 05
Estate of C. H. Sturdy,
36 00
Attleborough Coal Co.,
66 50
Geo. L. Adams, 51 40
Hebron Coal Co., 3 00
87
ANNUAL REPORT.
John Thacher,
$3 50
H. A. Wilmarth, 3 00
$191 45
BOOTS, SHOES AND CLOTHING.
T. E. McCaffrey,
$32 25
Enterprise Shoe Co.,
6 75
A. B. Smith, 3 00
A. F. Walch, 3 50
$45 50
RENTS.
S. D. Bushee,
$64 00
G. W. Livsey, agent,
52 00
F. A. Newell,
126 00
H. C. Thompson,
60 00
Isaac Alger,
80 00
G. N. Crandall, 60 00
A. H. Tucker,
32 00
Horton & Bicknell,
35 00
J. R. Bronson, 40 00
H. F. Payton, 10 50
$559 50
BURIALS.
D. H. Smith, $85 00
$85 00
INSANE AND OTHER HOSPITALS.
Taunton Insane Hospital,
$765 82
Worcester Insane Asylum,
338 93
Medfield Insane Asylum,
184 46
Mass. School for the Feeble Minded,
169 45
Hospital Cottages for Children,
169 45
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
78 00
Mass. Hospital for Epileptics,
41 79
Westborough Insane Asylum,
124 82
$1,872 72
88
ANNUAL REPORT.
CITIES AND TOWNS.
City of Boston,
$121 09
Fall River,
86 10
Brockton, 96 25
Taunton,
45 96
Lowell,
32 00
New Bedford,
3 50
Town of Hyde Park,
22 65
Stoughton,
37 94
$445 49
SALARIES OF OVERSEERS.
E. R. Read, chairman,
$75 00
George B. Fittz, visitor, 200 00
Wm. H. Goff, clerk, 100 00
$375 00
SALARY OF SUPERINTENDENT ALMSHOUSE.
Frank E. Luther, $400 00
$400 00
OFFICE EXPENSES.
A. G. Tillson, rent, $9 00
Attleborough Loan and Savings As-
sociation, rent, 56 25
S. Hobbs & Co., books, 8 09
Sun Publishing Co., books, etc.,
22 50
Geo. B. Fittz, 90
E. R. Read, 1 60
$98 34
PHYSICIANS.
J. W. Battershall,
$243 00
C. S. Holden,
38 50
H. H. Amsder, 18 50
$300 00
89
ANNUAL REPORT.
TRANSPORTATION OF PAUPERS.
E. R. Read, Geo. B. Fittz,
$29 92
18 70
Pike & Shaw,
1 50
$50 12
MISCELLANEOUS AID TO PAUPERS.
E. R. Read,
$9 15
Geo. B. Fittz,
8 25
I. G. Simpson, 4 00
S. R. Briggs, 75
Mrs. L. V. G. Mackie,
5 00
I. M. Inman,
1 00
E. W. Eddy,
2 00
Joseph Minner,
11 50
Mrs. LeValley,
21 50
$63 15
GRAIN AND SUPPLIES, ALMSHOUSE.
E. A. Briggs & Co., grain,
$51 54
Seneca Cole, provisions,
162 76
Hebron store, groceries, 225 71
G. H. Snell, 33 15
$473 16
INSURANCE ON BUILDINGS.
A. G. Tillson,
$67 20
HI. E. Carpenter,
36 00
$103 20
Balance unexpended,
7 92
$6,116 50
Examined January 19th, 1900, and found correct.
BENJAMIN F. LINDSEY, ) F. L. LEBARON, Auditors.
FREDERICK G. MASON.
90
ANNUAL REPORT.
ALMSHOUSE ACCOUNTS.
DR.
To hay, stock, farming tools, house-
hold furniture, etc., appraised January 1, 1899, $2,134 80
Cash on hand January 1, 1899, $148 35
Cash paid by superintendent in ad- dition to cash on hand, 2,062 74
Cash paid by Town Treasurer on vouchers, 976 36
$3,187 45
$5,322 25
CR.
By appraisal of personal property January 1, 1900, $2,029 95
Receipts in cash by superintendent, $2,211 07
Cash and milk bill on hand Jan. 1, 1900, Expense of supporting almshouse,
186 56
894 67
$3,292 30
$5,322 25
Number of inmates at the alms-
house December 31, 1899, 4.
Average weekly number, 5 1-7.
Average weekly cost per inmate, $3.10.
The following persons have been supported the whole or a part of the year at the almshouse :
DAYS.
Lewis Newell,
AGE. 69
365
Now at almshouse.
Seth Claflin,
78
365
Edmond Claflin,
60
365
66 66
Baruey Nolan,
58
365
Away.
91
ANNUAL REPORT.
Tommie Quinn,
11
273
66
George Taylor,
-
14
Davis Northup,
59
145
Now at almshouse.
EXPENDITURES IN DETAIL OF MAINTAINING THE ALMSHOUSE.
Cash paid for grain,
$739 44
Milk,
410 94
Labor on farm,
232 00
Labor in house,
82 85
Cows,
325 0)
Coal,
40 59
Blacksmithing,
124 60
Provisions and groceries,
474 71
Clothing, shoes, etc.,
31 19
Pigs and poultry,
38 00
Lumber and repairs,
21 73
Seeds and plants,
23 60
Fertilizer,
32 30
Insurance of buildings,
103 20
Salary of superintendent,
400 00
$3,178 71
Cash in hands of superintendent
January 1, 1899, 1
$148 35
Cash received for milk,
1,705 45
Eggs,
72 04
Pork,
4 68
Berries,
23 99
Poultry,
36 03
C'alves,
2 00
Vegetables,
11 81
Cows,
127 00
Work and stone,
71 00
92
ANNUAL REPORT.
Received from Town Treasurer, 976 36
$3,178 71
Due from cities and towns,
$619 62
individuals,
106 36
6. State,
107 00
$832 98
The following persons having legal settlements in Town have been aided as follows :
Mrs. Annie Barrian,
$96 00
Joseph Ducett,
3 00
Annie Gregory,
70 50
Sophie LeForrest,
30 00
Mrs. Wm. Clegg,
52 00
John Crehan,
27 87
Joseph Martin,
28 25
Mrs. Wm. Pagington,
203 00
John W. Pierce,
79 00
Geo. W. Wilson,
17 65
Paul Gilman,
48 50
Edward Macdonald,
52 25
Mrs. Mary Dunn,
47 02
Joseph Barrett,
80 00
Celia Eddy,
79 50
Mrs. Elizabeth Hathaway,
69 00
Mrs. Isaac Lord,
39 15
Geo. H. Monroe,
78 00
Jillson family,
60 00
Mrs. Lucy Fields,
90 50
Ann Joyce,
7 00
Mrs. Mary McCann,
96 90
Mrs. Emeline Williams,
9 00
M. J. Foley,
4 00
Mrs. Win. Hilkins,
2 00
Mrs. Minnie Guild,
42 00
93
ANNUAL REPORT.
Mrs. O'Brien, 2 00
Frank Guild, 4 00
T. Roderick, 4 00
Martin Donnelly,
6 75
Michael Reagan,
2 00
Henry Wendell,
1 00
Hennesey boy,
1 00
Mrs. Lannergan, 10 50
Mrs. Wm. Shallcross, 5 00
Aid has been rendered the following persons who have a settlement in Attleborough, but reside in other places :
Catherine Mallory, Boston,
$31 52
Kydia L. Godfrey,
47 14
Bridget O Nell, Fall River,
86 10
An Murphy, Lowell,
32 00
Hugh Conroy, Stoughton,
37 94
Win. Neary, New Bedford,
47 14
Emma Bowers, Taunton, 45 69
Mrs. Catherine Miller, Brockton, 96 25
Aid has been rendered the following persons, 40 per cent. of which is repaid by North Attleborough :
Jane Short,
$41 79
S. A. Hatten, 35 65
Mrs. Charles Burnes,
7 00
Mary Murry, 42 43
Aid rendered, but which is returned by Cities and Towns :
John Cornell, Norton, $26 00
Mrs. Ann McIntyre, Everett, 40 00
Mrs. Henry Kirby, Foxboro,
108 00
Jane Dalton, Somerville, 104 00
Mrs. M. Davis, Rehoboth, 8 00
Aid rendered, one-third of which is returned by Foxboro : Mrs. F. H Guild, $113 55
94
ANNUAL REPORT.
Cost of inmates at State institutions :
Margaret J. Freeman.
$169 45
Rachel Birch. 169 45
Theodore F. Martin.
169 45
J. Briggs.
38 46
Cloie A. Briggs.
130 84
Charles E. Bailey.
169 46
Wm. A. Spier.
169 46
Charles E. Linkletter.
4 18
Jane Short.
41 79
Lydia Lubey.
169 46
Wm. W. Dalton.
169 48
Frederick A. Ray.
122 42
C. A. Guild.
183 78
James Keenan.
19 04
Ruth C. Monroe.
146 00
The board of Ruth C. Monroe is returned to the Town.
ELIJAH R. READ. Overseers
GEO. B. FITTZ, of the
WM. H. GOFF. .
Poor.
REPORTS
OF THE
Sealer of Weights and Measures and Inspector of Kerosene Oil.
In rounding out the century, and closing the twenty-eighth year of service as Sealer of Weights and Measures, during that time there has been great improvement in the seals used. If the purchaser does not receive full weight it is not the fault of the scales, but of the man using them. There has been numerous complaints of the dishonesty of a class of hucksters that come into town from the adjoining State. They will sell a few cents less per peck potatoes, then beat the cus- tomer double the amount in the measure. Under the present laws there is no redress, for all the law requires is that the measure be rounded. The measure is rounded. If it is but a little more than full it is rounded; when it has all on it that will not fall off there will be a difference from one to six pounds between those measures, according to the size of the measure. There are two remedies for the evil-one is not to purchase anything from the hucksters, another is to purchase your potatoes from the dealer that sells by weight, and will give you fifteen pounds to the peck; then, if you find that he is not giving you full weight, you can bring him into court and have him fined for his dishonesty.
96
ANNUAL REPORT.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF KEROSENE OIL.
All the dealers in kerosene oil, with only one exception, have for the year past sold but one grade of oil that has been the Standard Oil Company's 150 fire test. There has been the usual complaint of the oil not burning so clear since cold weather. Observation has taught me that the same oil that in warm weather will burn free and clear give a good light if put in cold storage, at zero temperature. will burn with a dull, red light, so that I believe that the cause is climatic, and uot in the quality of the oil. The Standard Oil Co. has main- tained the same quality of oil during the year as in the past.
The exception was a dealer that purchased an inferior oil, off in color, 20° poorer than that sold by the other dealers, and sent it out to his customers who. rather than to inake red skins out of their children by the smoke therefrom, changed their base of supplies.
L. M. STANLEY,
Sealer of Weights and Measures and Inspector of Kerosene Oil.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Trustees and Librarian of the Public Library.
The Trustees of the Public Library are pleased to report to the Town a year of increased usefulness for the Library. Begun as the result of generous contributions from a large number of our townspeople, supported for several years from the same generous source, it was finally adopted by the voters of the Town and made a special department, the very first year of the new Town's existence. It has since then been sustained by an appropriation of money made at each annual town meet- ing until it has become a veritable treasure house of the people.
The young are there, entertained and benefitted, the student is supplied with profitable information, and a powerfu influence for good is exerted upon every home in the commu- nity.
Such good work, appreciated perhaps most fully by the Trustees, is worthy of more generous recognition on the part of the voters, than it has of late received.
For a new home for the Library, now so greatly needed, we must needs look to the same source from which sprang its
98
ANNUAL REPORT.
existence, the generous co-operation of the people; but for its maintenance, we must depend on the free and generous support of the voters at the annual town meeting.
The growth and usefulness of the Library has increased many fold, but the annual appropriation has for several years remained stationery. The Trustees, appreciating the necessity for a larger income, have endeavored to supplement the appro- priation during the past year by giving a course of high-class lectures for the benefit of the Library. In this they were suc- cessful, nearly fifty dollars being added to the treasury. One enthusiastic and generous member of the board has arranged for another course to be given, offering the profits to the Library.
While this work of giving high-class lectures is supple- mentary to the true Library work, yet the Trustees feel that the Town should willingly supply the needed funds for the maintenance and growth of the Library, and an earnest appeal is made for an appropriation amounting to $2,000, at the next annual meeting of the Town.
The manner of the expenditure of last years' appropria- tion is given with this report.
We ask for a careful reading of the Report of the Librarian, appended.
Respectfully suubmitted,
E. S. HORTON, President,
C. H. WHEELER,
Trustees
L. J. LAMB,
M. E. ROWE,
of
A. F. WALCH, ALICE M. WALES,
Public
ELIZABETH T. WILMARTH,
Library.
IRENE T. HILL,
C. S. HOLDEN, Secretary,
99
ANNUAL REPORT.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Annual Appropriation,
$1,800 00
EXPENDITURES.
Salaries,
$817 33
Rent,
336 00
Books,
228 43
Binding Books,
118 44
Gas,
81 41
Magazines,
62 85
Newspapers,
32 75
Supplies,
40 65
Repairs,
45 89
Insurance,
25 00
Printing,
11 25
$1,800 00
Examined Jan. 25th, 1900, and found correct.
BENJAMIN F. LINDSEY, )
F. L. LEBARON, Auditors.
FREDERICK G. MASON,
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN.
To the Honorable Board of Trustees of the Attleborough Free Public Library :
I have the honor to present the following report for the year ending December 31st, 1899 :
NUMBER OF VOLUMES IN THE LIBRARY.
Philosophy,
51
Religion,
277
Sociology,
150
Language, 10
100
ANNUAL REPORT.
Science, 182
Useful Arts,
90
Fine Arts.
78
Literature.
510
Travels,
343
Biography.
506
History.
358
Fiction.
2.603
General Works.
50
Magazines (bound) .
321
Public Documents,
519
Total.
6.026
ADDITIONS OF 1899.
Philosophy,
1
Religion.
5
Sociology.
14
Science.
12
Useful Arts.
3
Fine Arts.
5
Literature.
33
History.
20
Travels.
38
Biography,
13
Fiction.
114
Bound Magazines.
41
Public Documents,
36
Total. 335
Books unfit for further use.
30
Cards sent for books overdue.
177
New patrons,
392
Whole number of patrons.
2.600
Books lost or unaccounted for at present, 3
101
ANNUAL REPORT.
Books rebound,
365
Magazines bound,
41
Total Sunday attendance,
1,241
Average "
31
CIRCULATION.
Periodicals (unbound),
518
Philosophy,
91
Religion,
117
Sociology,
144
Language,
3
Science,
323
Useful Arts,
106
Fine Arts,
166
Literature,
811
History,
522
Travels,
908
Biography,
640
Fiction,
22,914
Total,
27,263
Books issued on school cards, 7,097
NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS.
Daily papers-New York Tribune, Boston Journal, Post, Herald, Transcript, Attleborough Daily Sun, and Evening Chronicle.
Weeklies - Great Round World, Harper's Weekly, Harper's Bazar, Outlook, Scientific American and supplement, Woman's Journal, Youth's Companion.
Monthlies-Arena, Atlantic Monthly, Bookman, Century, Cosmopolitan, Cumulative Index, Delineator, Forum, Harper, Ladies' Home Journal, McClure, Munsey, New England, North American Review, Popular Astronomy, Popular Science Monthly, Review of Reviews, St. Nicholas, Wilson's Photo- graphic Monthly.
102
ANNUAL REPORT.
For gifts we are indebted to the Secretary of the Com- monwealth, Total Abstinence Society, Interstate Commerce Commission, Public Library Commission, John J. Lyttle, Mr. Albert Robbins, Major E. S. Horton, Rev. Mr. Blake, Mr. J. O. Tiffany, Walter G. Chace, Miss Elizabeth Wilmarth.
This year, for the first time, we are able to give an ac- curate report of the condition of the Library. Perhaps the best way to ascertain our weak points will be to compare the figures representing the various classes with those which represent the circulation of the same. For example. the Library contains 343 volumes upon travel and description. The circulation of that class for the year 1899 was 908, nearly three times the number in the Library.
On science the Library has 182 volumes, and the circula- tion was 323. In useful and fine arts the proportion of the number of volumes to the circulation is much the same. That these classes need reinforcing is self-evident. The only way to reduce the large percentage of fiction circulated is to provide the most interesting works on travel, science and cur- rent topics of the day. In circulation travel comes next to fiction, but in number of volumes it constitutes a small part of the Library.
NEW BOOKS.
Some valuable additions have been made to the reference department. Among the most important are: History of Modern Painting, Riverside Natural History. and the Messages of the Presidents. Of book for circulation Stoddard's lectures have taken the lead in popularity, and although they have been in the Library some months, it is seldom that they re- main upon the shelves over night. Oom Paul's People, White Man's Africa, Liquid Air and Book of Inventions are in constant demand.
In purchasing books for the coming year we would sug- gest that more attention be given to the class of "useful
103
ANNUAL REPORT.
arts." There is an increasing call for books of this nature, and we have little with which to supply the demand. In a community like this some few books upon designing would be much appreciated. Mr. J. O. Tiffany has given to the Library a number of volumes of standard literature edited for young readers, and especially adapted for school reading. We hope in this way to stimulate a love for good reading among the children.
EXHIBITION OF PICTURES.
The Woman's Education Society of Boston loaned the Library a collection of pictures illustrating the Spanish- American war. The pictures were mostly wood cuts, mounted on heavy cardboard, and numbered so that they might be hung in order.
When arranged they presented a pictorial history of the war, from the blowing up of the Maine to the signing of the peace protocol. We were unfortunate in having the pictures at a time when the schools were not in session, still they at- tracted considerable notice. We hope that in the near future our Library may become a member of the Library Art Club, and give our patrons the opportunity of enjoying some fine photographs.
LECTURES.
In November a course of lectures on Shakespeare was given for the benefit of the Library. The lecturer was Henry Austin Clapp of Boston. Although the lectures were not so well patronized as we had hoped they would be, we cleared $45 for the Library.
READING ROOM.
Of the reading room there is nothing new to say. The tables are well patronized, and often there is not a vacant chair. At such times it is not easy to make one's way about the room, and the need of more space is only too apparent.
The room has been open on Sunday, except through July and August. Since fall the patronage has increased per-
.
104
ANNUAL REPORT.
ceptibly. The patrons are chiefly young men and boys.
Some new shelves have been added, which has relieved the crowded condition of the cases.
THE A. L. A. CONFERENCE.
Of the A. L. A. Conference at Atlanta, I quote briefly from the official report :
" The meeting of the American Library Association at Atlanta was a unique one. It was held in the midst of a sec- tion where the scope and purpose of the work is not very clearly understood, but where there is a sincere appreciation of the objects toward which the association is striving. It was a revelation to both hosts and visitors to find on the one hand that knowledge could be effective, because systematically disseminated among the people, and on the other to find so quick an appreciation of the ideas advanced among a people who have not been particularly progressive in Library move- ments."
Considering the time of year, and the long distances some had to travel, the attendance was exceedingly good. The hospitality of Southern people was all that tradition had painted it ; and many a pleasant memory will long remain in the minds of those fortunate enough to have enjoyed it at the Atlanta meeting of the A. L. A. There was a long and inter- esting discussion of the part to be taken by Public Library Trustees in the development of future Library work. It was decided to make a special effort to induce a larger attendance of Trustees at the Montreal meeting this year.
In closing this report, we desire to thank the Board for continued confidence and co-operation in the work.
Respectfully submitted,
LETITIA S. ALLEN, Librarian.
REPORT
OF THE
Board of Park Commissioners for 1899.
The Park Commissioners beg leave to report that they have attended to their duties by holding one business meeting during the year and as no other special , work appeared, it was voted that we recommend to the citizens of Attleborough the necessity of being prepared to soon consider the needs of a park system, for it is apparent that the population of the Town is increasing so rapidly that a public park will soon be- come not only useful, but necessary.
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