USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1889-1890 > Part 6
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Voted, That Article 4 be laid on the table.
Article 5 taken up.
Voted, That the School Committee be requested to put water into such schoolhouses as they shall deem expedient.
Voted, That the Selectmen are hereby instructed to have water placed in the Town House.
Article 6 taken up.
4
103
Voted, That the subject matter of Article 6 be referred to the Water Commissioners, with full powers to make such extensions of the water pipes as they may deem necessary ; provided, that the same can be done without prejudice, or in any way affecting the legal rights of the town in proceedings now pending before commissioners for settlement of matters between the town and the Braintree Water Supply Company.
Voted, To adjourn.
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
NORFOLK, ss. To either of the constables of the town of Braintree, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in Braintree, on Wednesday, the sixteenth day of October, 1889, at seven and one half o'clock in the evening, to act on the following articles, namely :
ART. 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To hear the report of the committee chosen by the town to take into consideration the matter of lighting the streets of the town; and take such action thereon as may be deemed necessary.
You are to give notice of this meeting by posting true and at- tested copies of this warrant in not less than nine public places in this town, seven days, at least, before the time of said meet- ing ; and by publishing once in the Braintree Observer.
Hereof fail not, but make return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk before the time of said meet- ing.
Given under our hands at Braintree, this eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty- nine.
ANSEL O. CLARK, R. ALLEN GAGE,
Selectmen of Braintree.
104
NORFOLK, ss.
BRAINTREE, October 9, 1889.
Pursuant to the within warrant, I have notified the inhabitants of the town of Braintree herein described, to meet at the time and place, and for the purposes within mentioned, by posting up attested copies of this warrant in more than nine public places in said town of Braintree, seven days before the time set for said meeting; and I have likewise caused the said warrant to be pub- lished in the Braintree Observer once before the time set for said meeting.
HORACE FAXON, Constable of Braintree.
A TRUE COPY. Attest :
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, October 16, 1889.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant, the meeting was called to order, and the warrant read by the Town Clerk.
A ballot was then taken, with the use of the check-list, and Asa French was declared elected Moderator, and sworn by the Town Clerk.
ART. 2. The committee on lighting the town made the fol- lowing report, namely :
Your committee in June last made a partial report upon the subject matter referred to them, at which time the town took no definite action, other than to refer the matter back to us, with instructions to make a more extended investigation. Since that time we have given the subject much thought and attention, and have consulted with parties actually engaged in the business of electric and gas lighting, and also with individuals and the authorities of other towns which have adopted one or the other of the various systems in vogue. We are confirmed in the opinion we then expressed, that it is for the best interest of the town that at an early date it should take steps to secure the lighting of our streets and public buildings by electricity ; and while by law, towns are authorized to establish plants for their own purposes, they are prohibited from selling or furnishing light or power to the people, either for business purposes or for private houses, which is an important element in the revenue to be derived in connection with the establishment of an electric plant. We
105
therefore are decidedly of the opinion that for the town to attempt to do the work without this right would be much more costly and expensive than to contract with some established company now formed, or to be formed, securing, as we said before, the best system at the lowest price; the whole matter to be decided by competition.
At the present time there are two methods, or systems, one known as the arc light, and the other comprising a series of lights, or the incandescent system. Most of the towns in Massachusetts where contracts have been made have adopted the arc system; but your committee believe that the series of lights of the incandescent system has great merit, and some advantages, and can be furnished at no greater price than the cost of the arc light, and prove more satisfac- tory to our people. There is but one town, so far as we can learn, that has established its own plant, and that is the town of Danvers; and as, under the law, it had no authority to supply its citizens with light or power, the expense was so great that the town petitioned the last Legislature for authority so to do; but the Legislature not only refused to assist, but also refused to pass a general law con- ferring that right upon all the towns and cities.
So far as towns have entered into contracts with established com- panies, the cost to each shows a very wide margin, caused principally by the extent of territory to be covered, and the number of miles of wire and poles required. Some months ago certain citizens of Braintree petitioned the Selectmen for a franchise to establish and operate an electric plant in this town, they having in view, as we are assured, the organization of a company comprising such of our citi- zens from the different sections of the town as were willing to invest their capital in such an enterprise, and also to secure this right to our own town's people, rather than allow it to go into outside hands. No hearing was given by the Selectmen until a company, formed and organized under the general laws, obtained a charter from the State. This company, comprising gentlemen resident in other towns, made application to the Selectmen for a franchise. A hearing was had, at which time, by concurrence of all parties, the matter was deferred for action until this committee reported at a town meeting called for the purpose.
We believe it for the best interest of the town, present and future, that this right should be given to our own citizens, if they are willing to invest their money, and give such guarantees as the town may require that they will establish an adequate and proper system, and our people supplied with good light and power, and on as reasonable terms and conditions as enjoyed by other towns; giving reasonable, but satisfactory, bonds to protect the town from any and all liability
106
to persons and property. We believe in a general and comprehen- sive system, embracing the whole town, and that the granting of private rights, involving the use of our public streets, is detrimental and injurious to the best interests of the people as a whole, because the granting of such privileges seriously interfere with a systematic system for street lighting, embracing all parts of the town, and will ultimately involve the town in a largely increased expense, by com- pelling it to establish and maintain an independent plant for that purpose.
As the result of our investigation, based on the results in other towns, we are of the opinion that contracts can be made, securing a comprehensive system of street lighting, embracing the principal streets of the three villages, at a cost of about $3,000 annually. Such a contract, while it will be advantageous for the town in its corporate capacity, will also enable our citizens and business estab- lishments to have both power and light on reasonable terms. And we recommend that the Selectmen be authorized and empowered to ascertain upon what terms contracts can be made embracing the streets to be covered, and report at some future meeting. And we further recommend that the town grant a franchise to responsible parties to engage in the work.
JAMES T. STEVENS, L. O. CROCKER, E. WATSON ARNOLD, Committee.
Voted, That the above report be accepted.
Voted, That it is the sense of this meeting that a franchise for an electric light company be granted by the Selectmen to any organization owned by citizens of Braintree ; provided, the Selectmen shall receive satisfactory assurance from said peti- tioners that the work will be prosecuted and completed at the earliest practicable date, and upon such terms and conditions as they deem necessary to protect the public interests ; provided, that if such franchise is granted, it shall be on the express condition that such franchise shall not be sold or assigned to any other company or organization without the assent of the citizens of the town.
Voted, To adjourn.
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
107
NORFOLK, ss. To either of the constables of the town of Braintree, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, qualified to vote in elections, to meet at the Town Hall in said Braintree, on Tuesday, the fifth day of November, 1889, at seven o'clock in the forenoon, to bring in their votes to the Selectmen for a Governor of the Commonwealth, Lieutenant- Governor, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Treasurer and Re- ceiver General, Auditor, Attorney General of the Common- wealth, Councillor for the second Councillor District, Sheriff for the County of Norfolk, one County Commissioner, two Special Commissioners, three Commissioners of Insolvency, District At- torney for the South-eastern District, County Treasurer to fill existing vacancy for unexpired term, Senator for the first Nor- folk Senatorial District, one Representative to the General Court for District No. Six of the County of Norfolk ; all on one ballot.
The polls will be open at seven o'clock A. M., and will be kept open until two o'clock P. M.
You are directed to serve this warrant by posting up attested copies thereof in nine public places in this town, seven days, at least, before the time of said meeting; and by publishing once in the Braintree Observer.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Selectmen before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands at Braintree, this twenty-fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine.
ANSEL O. CLARK, NATHANIEL F. HUNT, R. ALLEN GAGE,
Selectmen of Braintree.
1
108
NORFOLK, ss.
BRAINTREE, October 26, 1889.
Pursuant to the within warrant, I have notified the inhabitants of the town of Braintree herein described, to meet at the time and place, and for the purposes within mentioned, by posting up attested copies of this warrant in more than nine public places, seven days before the time set for said meeting in said town of Braintree ; and I have likewise caused the said warrant to be published in the Braintree Observer once before the time set for said meeting.
HORACE FAXON, Constable of Braintree.
A TRUE COPY.
Attest :
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, November 5, 1889.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant, the meeting was called to order and the warrant read by Ansel O. Clark, chair- man of the Board of Selectmen, who presided at the meeting.
Andrew J. Bates and J. Franklin Bates having been appointed Inspectors, and Charles C. Mellen and John V. Scollard Deputy Inspectors by the Selectmen, were sworn by the Town Clerk.
The Town Clerk delivered to the presiding officer the first set of ballots, and received his receipt for the same.
The cards of instruction and specimen ballots were posted ac- cording to law.
The Clerk of the Board of Registrars furnished the presiding officer with a list of the qualified voters for the use of the Select- men, and a duplicate copy for the use of the ballot clerks.
The polls were declared open at 10 minutes past 7 o'clock A. M. Voted, That the polls be closed at two o'clock P. M .; and at that time the polls were declared closed.
The ballot box was opened twice during the balloting by the unanimous consent of the officers.
At the close of the balloting, the presiding officer announced that 621 names had been checked by the ballot clerks, and that 621 names had been checked by the Selectmen.
At the close of the counting of the ballots he also announced
109
621 ballots were deposited, that they were all cancelled, and that they were for the following persons, namely :
GOVERNOR.
John Q. A. Brackett, of Arlington, Republican, 308
William E. Russell, of Cambridge, Democratic, 265 . .
John Blackmer, of Springfield, Prohibition, 22 ·
26 Blanks, ·
Total,
621
.
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.
William H. Haile, of Springfield, Republican, 320 John W. Corcoran, of Clinton, Democratic, 234
Benjamin F. Sturtevant, of Boston, Prohibition, 24
Blanks 43
Total,
621
SECRETARY.
Henry B. Peirce, of Abington, Republican, .
318
William N. Osgood, of Boston, Democratic, 227
· George D. Crittenden, of Buckland, Prohibition, 17
Blanks, 59
Total,
621
TREASURER AND RECEIVER GENERAL.
George A .. Marden, of Lowell, Republican, 318
Edwin L. Munn, of Holyoke, Democratic, 225
Frederick L. Wing, of Ashburnham, Prohibition, 18
Blanks, 60
Total,
621
AUDITOR.
Charles R. Ladd, of Springfield, Republican, . 318
William D. T. Trefry, of Marblehead, Democratic, 226
William H. Gleason, of Boston, Prohibition, 22.
Blanks,
.
55
Total,
. 621
110
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
Andrew J. Waterman, of Pittsfield, Republican, 309
Elisha B. Maynard, of Springfield, Democratic, 231
Allen Coffin, of Nantucket, Prohibition, 19
Blanks,
62
Total,
621
COUNCILLOR, SECOND DISTRICT.
Arthur W. Tufts, of Boston, Republican, . 304
George O. Wentworth, of Stoughton, Democratic, 230
William H. Phillips, of Taunton, Prohibition, . 21 .
Blanks,
66
Total,
621
DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SOUTH-EASTERN DISTRICT.
Charles W. Sumner, of Brockton, Republican, 284
Harvey H. Pratt, of Abington, Democratic, ·
.
256
Blanks, .
81
Total,
621
SHERIFF.
Augustus B. Endicott, of Dedham, Democratic-Citizen, 340
J. Walter Bradlee, of Milton, Republican, 241 ·
Hubbard M. Bullock, of Franklin, Prohibition, 4 ·
Blanks, 36 .
Total,
. 621
COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
John Q. A. Lothrop, of Cohasset, Republican, Edgar H. Bowers, of Needham, Democratic, 221
319
Joshua B. Hanners, of Walpole, Prohibition, Blanks,
14
.
67
Total,
. 621
.
111
SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS.
George L. Wentworth, of Weymouth, Republican, 289
Everett L. Eaton, of Needham, Republican, 270
Albert E. Avery, of Braintree, Democratic, 246
Bartholomew Doody, of Canton, Democratic, 198
Wilbur F. Martin, of Randolph, Prohibition, 20
James Warren Clark, of Millis, Prohibition,
18
COMMISSIONERS OF INSOLVENCY.
Robert W. Carpenter, of Foxborough, Republican, 299
George W. Wiggin, of Franklin, Republican, 298
Emery Grover, of Needham, Republican, . 288 .
John W. McAnarney, of Quincy, Democratic, 214 .
Henry E. Ruggles, of Franklin, Democratic, 211
George R. R. Rivers, of Milton, Democratic,
210
COUNTY TREASURER.
Charles H. Smith, of Dedham, Democratic-Republican, . 463
Alva Morrison, of Braintree,
1
J. F. Bates,
.
1
James McSweeney,
1
Blanks,
155
Total,
621
SENATOR, FIRST NORFOLK DISTRICT.
Willard F. Gleason, of Holbrook, Republican, . 293
William Everett, of Quincy, Democratic, . 269
Merritt P. Alderman, of Hyde Park, Prohibition, 10
Blanks, 49
Total,
621
REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT, SIXTH NORFOLK DISTRICT.
Ansel O. Clark, of Braintree, Democratic, 384
Abram C. Holbrook, of Holbrook, Republican, . 208 ·
Blanks,
.
29
Total,
. 621
112
The returns were then signed and sealed; the ballots sealed according to law, and delivered to the Town Clerk; the check- list sealed and delivered to the Selectmen.
The check-list used by the ballot clerks was sealed and de- livered to the Selectmen, and the unused ballots sealed and delivered to the Town Clerk.
Voted, At 37 minutes past nine o'clock P. M., that this meeting be now dissolved, having been in continuous session 14 hours and 37 minutes.
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
To the Town Clerk of the Town of Braintree :
We, the undersigned, legal voters of the town of Braintree, re- spectfully represent that we have reason to believe that the re- turns of the Selectmen of said town are erroneous, in the return of the vote cast for District Attorney for the South-eastern Dis- trict, in said town, at the election held on Tuesday, November 5, 1889. Wherefore, we pray that this statement may be transmit- ted to the Selectmen, and a recount of the votes cast for the can- didates for said office be had, according to the provisions of Chap- ter 262 of the Acts of 1886.
ALBERT E. AVERY, AUG. A. RANDALL, EDWARD AVERY, CRANMORE N. WALLACE, EDWARD SHAY,
C. G. ANDERSON,
F. G. CROSBY,
H. H. THAYER,
E. A. WILDE, J. R. CARMICHAEL.
Filed in the office of the Clerk of the town of Braintree, this eleventh day of November, 1889, at 3 hours 43 minutes P. M.
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
113
To the Town Clerk of the Town of Braintree :
We, the undersigned, legal voters of the town of Braintree, re- spectfully represent that we have reason to believe that the re- turns of the election officers of said town are erroneous, in the return of the vote cast for Senator for the First Norfolk Senato- rial District, in said town, at the election held on Tuesday, November 5, 1889, in the following respects :
First, That the votes so cast have not been accurately counted.
Second, That certain votes have not been counted on account of alleged defective marking.
Wherefore, we pray that this statement may be transmitted to the Selectmen of said town of Braintree, and a recount of the votes cast for the candidates for said office be had, according to the provisions of Chapter 262 of the acts of the year 1886.
ALBERT E. AVERY, CRANMORE N. WALLACE, ALVERDO MASON,
IBRAHIM MORRISON,
N. E. HOLLIS, EDWARD AVERY,
AUG. A. RANDALL,
EDWARD SHAY,
C. G. ANDERSON,
F. G. CROSBY,
H. H. THAYER,
E. A. WILD.
Filed in the office of the Clerk of the town of Braintree, this eleventh day of November, 1889, at 3 hours 43 minutes P. M.
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
114
BRAINTREE, November 11, 1889, at 4 h. 9 min. P. M. I hereby transmit the within petition to the Selectmen of Braintree.
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
A TRUE COPY.
Attest:
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
A meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Town House on Tuesday, November 12, 1889, at 6.30 o'clock P. M., for the pur- pose of recounting the votes for District Attorney and Senator, in accordance with the above petition.
Samuel A. Bates, Town Clerk, was appointed to assist in re- counting the votes, and sworn to the faithful performance of his duties.
Hon. F. A. Hobart appeared as counsel for Charles W. Sum- ner, and Willard F. Gleason and A. E. Avery, Esq., for Harvey H. Pratt and William Everett.
After recounting the votes for District Attorney for the South- eastern District, it was found that,
Charles W. Sumner, of Brockton, had 284
Harvey H. Pratt, of Abington, had 256 ·
Blanks,
75
Defective,
6
Total,
-
621
Of the defective ballots, Sumner had 6, and Pratt 2.
After recounting the votes for Senator for the First Norfolk District, it was found that,
Willard F. Gleason, of Holbrook, had 293 ·
William Everett, of Quincy, had 269 .
Merritt P. Alderman, of Hyde Park, had
10
Blanks,
41
Defective.
8
Total,
+
. 621
·
.
·
.
115
Of the defective ballots, Gleason had 6, and Everett 2.
The Board decided that the defective ballots be counted as blanks.
The meeting of the Board was then dissolved.
ANSEL O. CLARK, NATHANIEL F. HUNT, R. ALLEN GAGE, Selectmen of Braintree.
A TRUE COPY.
Attest :
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, November 15, 1889.
The Town Clerks of Braintree and Holbrook met at the Town House in this town, and opened the returns for Representative to the General Court for District No. 6, County of Norfolk, and found that,
Ansel O. Clark, of Braintree, had .
611 Abram C. Holbrook, of Holbrook, had 407
. Blanks,
61
Total,
· 1,079
Ansel O. Clark, of Braintree, was declared elected; and the necessary certificates were signed and delivered to Edwin L. Curtis, Constable of Braintree.
Voted, To adjourn sine die.
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, December 10, 1889.
I hereby certify that I have destroyed the ballots cast on No- vember 5, 1889, without examination of the same, or permitting others so to do.
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
116
NORFOLK, ss. To either of the constables of the town of GREETING :
Braintree,
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town 'of Braintree, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in Braintree, on Wednesday, the 29th day of January, 1890, at 7} o'clock in the evening, to act on the following articles, namely :
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To see what action the town will take upon the following resolution : Resolved, That inasmuch as the town has expressed its desire to own and control its own system of water- works, we, the citizens of Braintree, in town meeting assembled, do hereby instruct the Board of Selectmen to request the Special Commissioners appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court, acting as arbiters between the town and the Braintree Water Supply Company, to resume hearing the evidence in the case, and see that the town is represented at the hearing by the counsel, and to use every endeavor so that the intention of the town may be carried out.
ART. 3. To appoint any committee, hear the report of any committee, and act thereon.
You are to give notice of this meeting by posting true and attested copies of this warrant in not less than nine public places in, this town, seven days, at least, before the time of said meet- ing; and by publishing once in the Braintree Observer.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands at Braintree, this twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety.
ANSEL O. CLARK, NATHANIEL F. HUNT, R. ALLEN GAGE,
Selectmen of Braintree.
117
NORFOLK, ss.
BRAINTREE, January 22, 1890.
Pursuant to the within warrant, I have notified the inhabitants of the town of Braintree herein described, to meet at the time and place, and for the purposes within mentioned, by posting up attested copies of this warrant at more than nine public places in said town of Braintree, seven days, at least, before the time set for said meeting; and I have likewise caused the said wår- rant to be published in the Braintree Observer once before the time set for said meeting.
HORACE FAXON, Constable of Braintree.
A TRUE COPY.
Attest :
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, January 29, 1890.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant, the meeting was called to order, and the warrant read by the Town Clerk.
A ballot being taken, with the use of the check-list, Francis A. Hobart was declared elected for Moderator, and sworn by the Town Clerk.
ART. 2. Moved that the article be accepted and adopted.
Moved, That the following substitute be adopted, namely : Whereas, the town has expressed its desire and purpose to own and control its own system of water works, and suit is now · pending between the town and the Braintree Water Supply Company before Commissioners appointed by the Supreme Judi- cial Court to determine the price to be paid for the 'rights, fran- chise and property of said company; and whereas, it appears that there has been unnecessary expense, and unwarrantable delay in determining the matter ;
Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting, that all matters in dispute should be speedily settled, not only to stop legal ex- penses, consistent with equity and justice, but that the town may be enabled to secure possession of the works, operate and manage the same and make such extensions of the system of pipes as may be required by the necessities of the people; and
118
in view of the recent action of the mill owners in disposing of water rights and privileges, we favor such additional legislation as may be necessary to confirm to the town any and all rights which may have been acquired by said Water Company, by pur- chase or otherwise, so that the town may be fully protected, and may have the full enjoyment and benefits of an efficient water supply for domestic, manufacturing and fire purposes.
The Moderator decided that the substitute is in order.
Voted, To substitute the last for the original motion. Yeas, 40; Nays, 22.
Voted, To adopt the substitute above recited.
Voted, That the adoption of the above resolutions shall not be considered as prejudicial to the interests of the town in the matter now pending between the town and the Braintree Water Supply Company.
Voted, That the Town Clerk shall furnish the Special Com- missioners with a certified copy of the above action of the town.
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