USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Town annual report of Quincy 1882 > Part 5
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420 00
Balance in Treasury,
I 13
631 63
GENERAL ACCOUNT.
Amount to the credit of the Sinking Fund,
$6,550 13
INVESTED AS FOLLOWS : -
Note secured by mortgage,
$6000 00
Deposited in Quincy Savings Bank,
549 00
Cash in Treasury,
I 13
6,550 13
HORACE B. SPEAR, Treasurer.
The above statement by the Treasurer shows the condition of the Fund on February 1, 1882.
C. F. ADAMS, JR., ABNER B. PACKARD, R. F. CLAFLIN, Commissioners of the Sinking Fund. (100)
MOUNT WOLLASTON CEMETERY.
The Board of Managers of the Mount Wollaston Cemetery submit their eighth annual report.
The sum of $170 has been received for seventeen lots sold the past year.
The sum of $971.75 has been charged for labor on lots, in- cluding the amount charged for grading the lots sold, of which sum $843.25 has been collected, leaving $128.50 due.
The sum of $100 has been added to the "Repair Fund," which now amounts to $875, the income of which will pay for " perpetual care " for the ten lots designated by the depositors of the money.
To complete improvements now in progress on the grounds for purchase of and setting out trees, and for improvements and enlargements contemplated, the Board of Managers respectfully request an appropriation of $ 1000.
FINANCIAL.
Balance of cash account, Feb. 1, 1881, $653 71
Appropriation for 1881, 1000 00
Collected for lots sold,
170 00
labor on lots,
843 25
" non-residents' assessments,
87 00
" hay sold, 55 00
"
" income of "Repair Fund,"
46 50
of " Woodward Fund " one-half ex-
pense, repairing fence, 16 00
Amount carried forward,
$2,881 46
(101)
" single graves,
10 00
IO2
Amount brought forward, $2,881,46
Collected for unpaid bills of 1878,
3 00
1879, 20 00
1880, 130 25
$3,034 71
Expended as appears by the Selectmen's account,
2,490 93
Balance to new account,
$543 78
Due from owners of lots for labor,-
1873 to 1878 inclusive,
$257 50
1879,
50 75
1880,
75 25
1881,
128 50
Total, $512 00
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM A. HODGES, Chairman,
GEORGE L. GILL, Secretary.
THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library ask leave to offer their second annual report ; being the eleventh report of the whole series since the Library was established.
During the year 1881 the Library was open 305 days, and the whole number of books borrowed from it was 52,609, being an increase of about 2,000 over the preceding year. The num- ber of books borrowed in each of the last seven years has been as follows : -
1876,
42,968
1877,
45,637
1878,
46,662
1879,
50,466
1 880,
50,644
1881.
52,609
The number of names registered is 5,170, an increase of 440 over the number registered a year ago. The total expenses of the Library proper have been $2,563.57, as will be seen in the detailed statement presented in the Treasurer's report. The total expenses of the Library in each of the last five years have been as follows : -
1877,
$3,060 50
1878,
2,840 59
1879,
2,678 21
1880,
2,718 45
1881,
2,653 57
During the same five years the division of reading matter under the different heads has been as follows : --
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104
18SI.
1880.
1879.
IS78
1877.
Fiction,
vols.
24,051
24,255
23,909
22,241
24,546
Juvenile Fiction,
66
10,873
11,164
12,812
12,264
10,04I
Periodicals,
66
7,537
5,457
5,048
4,154
3,786
History,
66
2,187
2,323
2,153
1,722
1,778
General Literature,
66
1,820
1,517
1,205
1,385
1,237
Biography,
66
1,595
1,758
1,697
1,175
1,365
Travels,
66
1,578
1,446
1,454
1,296
1,160
Arts and Sciences,
66
1,529
1,483
1,197
1,286
1,145
Poetry,
66
884
827
574
608
555
Religious,
66
345
280
286
250
158
Medic'l and Educat'l "
210
I34
I31
93
68
The extremely encouraging increase year by year in the demand, as shown in this table, for books of the more solid and instructive character should not escape notice. The entire growth in circulation, since 1877, has been in works other than those of Fiction. In 1877 the volumes of Fiction borrowed were 34,587 ; they were 34,924 in 1881. Between the same periods the in- crease in demand for books relating to History has been 25 per cent. ; of those of General Literature, 50 per cent. ; while the demand for Religious and Educational works, though still small, has doubled and trebled. The circulation of the works included between History and Educational in the division of the above list has, in fact, since 1877 increased 36 per cent. ; while that of Fiction has stood still. This increase in the circulation of works of the more solid class has also been regular and steady, seeming to indicate an improvement of tone on the part of those making use of the Library. That is, a generation is now coming for- ward in the town which has grown up with the Library, and consequently knows better how to avail itself of its contents.
Thirteen copies of the catalogue and seven of the supplement were sold during the year. The amount received from this source was $ 12.05, and has been credited to the catalogue fund, which now amounts to $340.55. During the year two lists of books for the use of the children in the public schools were printed under the direction of the trustees, and their cost will be charged to this fund. One of these lists contained works in juvenile fiction ; the other, biographies, histories and books of a more instructive character. All the works included in
105
these lists, some 500 in number, were selected by the trustees, to whose charge the work was more particularly entrusted with the utmost care, as being such as they would put in the hands of their own children. The lists thus prepared were then given to the teachers of the schools for gratuitous circulation among their scholars.
It is now three years since the last supplement to the cata- logue was published. A new one is needed to make accessible the recent additions to the Library. This the trustees propose to prepare as soon as the removal to the Crane Hall is effected, so that any changes found necessary in numbering and shelving can be introduced. The second supplement will, therefore, probably be printed next autumn. The money in the Cata- logue Fund will more than suffice to pay for it.
There are no bills whatever outstanding and unpaid against the Library ; and but one, of about $50, against the Catalogue Fund.
At the time the last report of the trustees was submitted, it was supposed that the Crane Hall would be completed, and the Library removed to it, before the close of the year 1881. It has, however, only been completed while this report is in pre- paration, and is not yet ready for transfer to the trustees. That transfer will, however, probably take place before the annual town meeting. The delay has been due to causes with which the trustees had little disposition to find fault. In fact, they pre- sume it is well known to the town that when the Crane Hall is completed, it will far exceed in size, cost, and elaboration of finish, ornament and furniture anything which the representatives of Mr. Crane's family ever promised or led the town to expect. Their design grew on their hands. Under these circumstances it was not for the trustees to criticise delay, or to hurry matters. On the contrary, each new delay indicated a development of the original design. Finally, as the work went on, and the excel- lence of the finish became apparent, the trustees lost no oppor- tunity to encourage delay, rather than to urge haste. The walls of the building are of stone and brick. Its interior is sheathed or laid with closely set and quite elaborate wood-work. It seemed of the utmost importance in work of this character that
106
ample time for seasoning should be allowed. The walls should have had ample time in which to dry before the wood-work was put in. When the corner stone of the edifice was laid, on the 22d of February last, the foundations of the building only were above the ground. In the succeeding eleven months the whole superstructure has been completed. The trustees would will- ingly have seen the work delayed for another season, and think it would have proved good policy in the end had it been so delayed. Mrs. Crane and her two sons, however, thought otherwise. They considered themselves under a certain obligation as to the time within which the building was promised to be ready, and, under the circumstances, the trustees could only indicate their entire satisfaction with any course pursued. It may not be improper to say that, when completed according to the present plans, the cost of the building will be between two and three times what the town had been originally led to believe it might expect.
While the legal transfer to the trustees will probably be made before the Ist of March, the formal transfer and dedication of the building will be deferred until May. The trustees under- stand that it would be agreeable to Mrs. Crane and her sons if if this were made a part of the Decoration Day proceedings. A motion to that effect will accordingly be brought before the town at the coming March meeting.
The town at its last annual meeting appropriated a sum of $500, in addition to the regular Library appropriation, to meet the exceptional expenses incident to removal. This sum, as appears in the Treasurer's report, is now intact in the hands of the trustees. As to what the regular and ordinary expenses of the Library will be during the first year of the occupation of the new building, the trustees have no means of reliable esti- mate. The rent of the edifice now occupied will have to be paid for the entire year ending May 31st next, the whole pay- ment coming out of the appropriation for the coming year. For a considerable portion of the year both buildings will have to be maintained. Under these circumstances, desiring to be on the safe side, the trustees would ask for an appropriation of $2,500 to meet the regular and ordinary expenses of the coming year.
IO7
The receipts and expenditures of the past year are set forth in detail in the accompanying report of the Treasurer.
By order of the Trustees.
C. F. ADAMS, JR., Chairman.
ACCOUNT OF TREASURER OF THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR 1881-2.
Balance in Treasury Feb. 1, 1881, Cata-
logue Fund,
$232 60
Dog Tax Fund,
628 04
Library Fund,
77 45
$938 09
Cash of Town Treasurer, as per appro-
priation,
$2,000 00
for moving,
500 00
2,500 00
from Dog Tax Fund for 1881,
697 08
Sale of Merchandise,
4 90
" Catalogues,
$11 40
Fines collected,
96 55
107 95
$4,248 02
Disbursements.
For Books,
$565 73
Services,
I,III 60
Printing,
86 37
Binding,
60 00
Gas,
106 25
Fuel,
130 96
Postage,
.6 74
Expressage,
27 45
Amount carried forward,
$ 18,302 30
108
Amount brought forward,
$2,833 43
Insurance,
55 00
Rent,
450 00
Street sprinkling,
18 00
Ice,
12 00
Sundries,
23 47
Balance Catalogue Fund,
$340 55
Moving
500 00
Library,
753 90
1,594 45
$4,248 02
HENRY BARKER, Treas.
CATALOGUE FUND.
Balance Feb. 1, 1881, as above stated, $232 60
Proceeds of Catalogues and Fines,
107 95
$340 55
CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORT.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF QUINCY :
Gentlemen,- In accordance with the usual custom, I herewith submit a brief report of the condition of the Quincy Fire De- partment :
The Department is at present under the control of a Chief and four Assistant Engineers ; viz : -
John W. Hall, Chief.
Patrick F. Lacy.
Thomas H. McDonnell.
Joseph W. Hayden. Joseph M. Glover, Clerk.
The number of men now on the rolls of the Department is as follows : -
Tiger Engine Co., No. 2, 50
Granite
3, 50
Vulture
4, 50
Hook and Ladder 66 66
I,
25
W. M. French Hose 66
I, 20
L. W. Lovell (chemical) "
66
I, 20
J. Q. Adams
66 66
2, 25
Blakc Steam Pump,
2
Total,
242
The rolling stock and other apparatus of the Department, also the personal property in the several houses, remains sub- stantially the same as at the last report.
The buildings of the Department are all in good repair, and have been painted during the last summer.
Two reservoirs have been constructed during the past season, one on Washington street, near Mill street, the other on Phipps
(109)
IIO
street, at the foot of Mount Pleasant, at an expense of $175 each.
In compliance with the provisions of Section IV. of the Town By-laws, I have the honor to report that the Board of Engineers recommend an appropriation of $4,800 for the ensu- ing year.
By a vote of the Board of Engineers I am instructed to cause to be inserted in the warrant for the Annual Meeting the follow- ing articles : "To see if the Town will purchase a Hook and Ladder Truck, to take the place of the one now located on Canal street." " To see if the Town will extend the pipes from the steam pump to a point near the Tiger Engine-house on School street, and to a point near the junction of Adams and Hancock streets ; also from the pump through Cottage avenue and Foster streets to a point near the residence of Washington M. French, Esq., on Washington street." " To see if the Town will purchase one or more Steam Fire Engines, the location thereof to be decided upon by the town." "To see if the Town will construct, or cause to be constructed, a telegraphic fire alarm."
Accompanying this report is a list of fires and alarms which have occurred in Town for the year ending Feb. 1, 1882, for which I am indebted to Joseph M. Glover, the efficient Clerk of the Board of Engineers.
My thanks are due your Honorable Board for the courtesy shown on all occasions ; also to my associates on the Board of Engineers, for their support and assistance ; and to the officers and members of the several companies composing the Depart- ment, for the prompt and able manner in which they have re- sponded when called upon.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. HALL, Chief Engineer Quincy Fire Department.
III
FIRES AND ALARMS IN THE TOWN FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEB. 1, 1882.
1881.
March 5 .- A slight fire in the bake-house owned by Henry H. Faxon, and occupied by Wm. A. Hodges, on Hancock street. Loss, $20. Cause, accidental ; no alarm. Received from insurance, $6.
March 16 .- An unoccupied dwelling-house off South street, at the Neck, owned by the heirs of T. J. Nightin- gale ; totally destroyed. Loss. $100; insurance, $400. Received from insurance, $325. Cause, in- cendiary. Tiger, No. 2; Granite, No. 3 ; Vulture, No. 4; Hook and Ladder, No. 1; W. M. French Hose, No. 1; and Chemical Engine No. I, of the Department, present.
April
24 .- Fire in the woods at Quincy Neck. Vulture No. 4 called out to stop it.
May 29 .- A false alarm at about 10 1-2 P.M. called out the entire Department. The alarm came from Brain- tree.
June 6 .- An alarm from Hingham about 9.30 P.M., to which Engine Companies Nos. 2, 3 and 4, Hook and Ladder, No. I, W. M. French Hose, No. I, and Chemical No. 2, responded.
July 4 .- The stable of A. W. Russell, on Hancock street, slightly damaged by fire. Loss, $12; insurance, $600 ; received from insurance. $10. Supposed caused by fire-crackers. No alarm.
July 13 .- The shop owned by William Panton and occupied by W. N. Crocker on Hancock Street, on fire. Loss, $6; insurance, none ; cause, incendiary. The Tiger, No. 2 ; Vulture, No. 4; Hook and Ladder, No. 1 ; and W. M. French Hose, No. I, present.
Aug.
II .- House and shed owned by John Callahan on Wil- lard street partly destroyed. Loss, $200; insur- ance, $400. Received from insurance, $133. En- gines Nos. 2, 3 and 4, Hook and Ladder, No. I, responded. Accidental.
II2
Sept.
I .- Barn on Common street, owned by Bartholomew Riordan, together with three cows and three tons of hay, burnt. Loss, $1,026; insurance, $1,500; received from insurance, $1,026. Supposed to be the work of an incendiary. Granite, No. 3, the only part of the Department present. No alarm in any part of the Town but the west.
Oct.
22 .- Hay-stack in the rear of Atlantic Depot, at North Quincy, owned by W. Mahony, partly burned. Loss, $10. J. Q. Adams Chemical, No. 2, re- sponded. The fire supposed to be the work of an incendiary.
13 .- Shed in rear of J. P. Quincy's house on Hancock
Dec. £ street, partly burnt. Loss trifling. Supposed to be set by tramps.
1882.
Jan. 4 .- Saloon on Furnace avenue, owned by John Flah- erty, and occupied by T. McGovering, entirely destroyed. Loss, $200 ; insurance, $150 ; received from insurance, $150. Supposed to be the work of an incendiary. Engine No. 3 alone responded.
Jan. 13 .- Alarm from E. Milton, entire Department except Chemical, No. I, responded.
Jan. Jan.
22 .- Chimney at Atlantic. Chemical, No. 2, responded. 23 .- Dwelling-house owned by David Whittemore, on Grand View avenue, entirely destroyed. Loss, $19,000 ; insurance, $15,000. Caused by a defec- tive flue in rear chimney. Entire Department re- sponded.
REPORT OF THE MANAGERS OF ADAMS ACADEMY.
The Managers of Adams Academy, in presenting their an- nual report, congratulate their fellow-townsmen upon the good work that has been done during the past year. Considering the limited means at its disposal, they are satisfied that no endowed school in the country can show to equal advantage. This is of course largely owing to the generous devotedness of the Master, who has been willing to make many personal sacrifices for the welfare of the institution in his charge.
The exceptional severity of the winter of 1880-81, which caused a large expenditure for heating the building, left only $600 available for scholarships. This defrayed the expenses of eight pupils from the Town of Quincy. A fee of $75 was promptly paid by the parents of five others. , One gentleman choosing to pay the full fee of $100, the balance of $25 was added to the income available for our boys.
The Managers cannot better show the condition of the school than by inserting a liberal extract from the report which Mr. Everett has made to their Board.
" Previous to the closing exercises of the school, two of the graduating class were admitted to Amherst College. Immedi- ately after it, the mass of the boys, thirteen in all, applied at Harvard College, and were admitted with very gratifying suc- cess. Five entered without conditions, three of them very bril- liantly. Of these Arthur Keith, of Quincy, is truly a pupil of the school, having been through our four years' course with un- broken honor. Shortly after another of the graduating class was admitted to Williams College. Still another, who had been suspended for insubordination, was allowed to return and re- ceive the honorable dismissal of the school in September. He was admitted to Harvard College with two conditions.
(113)
(8 Q)
114
" A large contingent from the second class tried the prelimi- nary examinations, and with very gratifying success, much be- yond recent experience. Two of these, WILLIAM SAMUEL PINK- HAM and ARTHUR CURTIS SPRAGUE of Wollaston, have reflected unbroken credit on the town and school from their entrance.
" The close of the school year left us regretting the loss of Mr. : Josiah Quincy, Jr., our esteemed associate and fellow-citizen. He has connected himself with the Cambridge Law School, carrying with him the entire respect of all our members for his intelligence, kindness and fidelity. His place is filled by Mr. William Henry Schaefer, a teacher of much experience and acuteness, formerly at St. Mark's School, Southboro'.
"At the beginning of the year two points were noticeable as to the new scholars. First, the average of them was much younger than it has been since the discontinuance of the preparatory de- partment. 'This is decidedly as we wish it. Old boys, who come for a year or two, by way of finishing the course of other institutions are not nearly so desirable, either for scholarship or discipline, as younger ones, who can receive our entire training. One application this year from a youth who had entered prema- turely at Williams College, and been dropped after one term's residence, I at once declined. After tasting college liberty, it would be very strange if any young man became suitable for school discipline.
" Secondly, our Quincy contingent was smaller this year than for some time back. I have never received any but the kindest criticism from my fellow-citizens : but I have been led to think that some of them doubt the 'usefulness' of our course, and partake the periodical scare about 'its taking a great while to get to college,' and ' what good will Greek do a boy?' I have indeed had it suggested that we should substitute bookkeeping for Greek ; that is, a branch purely mechanical, involving no lit- erary, historical or scientific principle beyond simple arithmetic, which can be learned in a few months, and will perforce be untaught in any real business establishment, for an acquaintance with the most musical, precise, and copious of languages, reflect- ing the thoughts of the most brilliant people that ever lived, the inventors of art, science, eloquence and free institutions.
115
" Our course is an enlargement and expansion of that desired by our founder. It is based on the requirements of Harvard College. It combines history and language, ancient and mod- ern, with science, pure and practical. Those who carry it through will not be fitted for any special trade or profession, nor taught to make a fortune ; but they will learn how to spend one generously when they have made it, and how to rest their interests on higher things if they never make it.
" I have also had some suggestions, most tenderly made, that our boys are worked too hard. I earnestly hope not. If any boy obviously is so, I am entirely ready and glad to have him slacken till he is recruited. But I would respectfully suggest that many boys come to us who have not been worked hard enough,- who have not had habits of reasonably strict applica- tion inculcated, and have become too dependent on their teach- ers for the conduct of their mental processes.
" I believe no boy, who is willing to work, who is willing to at- tend, and who is willing to care for something outside the pres- ent hour and the immediate spot, can fail to pay his own way through our school, and to leave it with a mind keener, broader, deeper, and better fitted for any walk of life,- and that with no sacrifice of amusement or health."
The Managers would call attention to a volume of School Sermons, just issued from the press. They show that Dr. Ev- erett's concern for his pupils extends to higher interests than their scholarship. The services at which these discourses have been given are held at the boarding-house every Sunday even- ing at half-past seven o'clock. Parents, or other citizens, who may feel an interest in attending them, are cordially invited to do so.
CHAS. F. ADAMS, JOSIAH P. QUINCY, EDWARD NORTON, PETER BUTLER, L. W. ANDERSON, C. H. PORTER,
Managerş.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE FOR PROTECTION FROM FIRE.
THE Committee to whom was referred articles Nos. 11, 12 and 17 of Town the Warrant of 1881, submit the following report :
At a meeting of the committee, a series of questions was sent to the Chief Engineers of towns and cities which answered to the following conditions : (1) Of relatively same population. (2) Of relatively same valuation. Thirty-five towns and cities were sent to for information.
The answers were quite the same. The towns and cities generally having a Steam Fire Engine with horses, either sta- tioned in the House or used for Highway purposes, but never allowed to go more than a given distance from the Engine House in the day-time, and at night always in the House ready for duty. Other towns have made arrangements with Livery Stables or Expressmen who have agreed to keep a pair of horses in their stables, and, in case of fire, go to engine house, hitch on to the engine and then proceed to the fire.
There are five or six towns which keep men on duty at all hours of the day and night, horses always in the house, harnesses of the most approved pattern, and known as swing harnesses, in use.
In addition there is in various towns a system of water supply for domestic and fire use.
Where there is this valuable assistance to the Fire Depart- ment, Hose Carriages are the only means used in addition to the Steamer.
In the outlying districts, Hand or Chemical Engines are sta- tioned in towns without water supply.
It was also found that the means usually relied on for giving alarms in case of fire were whistles, gongs and bells.
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117
Your Committee are convinced that no town which is desirous of protecting its inhabitants when fires occur, can consider their department at all efficient unless a good Steam Fire Engine is a part of the same, and we believe that the town should purchase one and locate the same at some convenient place, having due reference to all the conditions of territory and population.
The Committee of 1876 were unanimous in recommending the purchase of an engine, and this committee reiterate their conclusion and believe that the lapse of 6 years has only added to the need of the same.
The problem of extinguishing fire, so far as it relates to the centre of the town, has undergone material change since that report was made.
Iron pipes have been laid in the main street for nearly a mile, served by a stationary engine, and which when called upon has done most excellent duty.
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