USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1848/49-1855 > Part 2
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2 .- Joseph Walker, Jr. 6 .- Willard Brown,
3 .- Henry Prentiss, 7 .- Nath'l R. Parkhurst,
4 .- Richard P. Noyes, 8 -John Hammond.
MEASURERS OF WOOD, BARK, &C. Silas Dinsmore, No. 68 Main St. David Gleason, City Hall. Samuel C. White, Washington Square.
R 352. 07443 W9220 v. 1-10 1848149-1855
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ADDRESS
OF
HON. LEVI LINCOLN,
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WORCESTER,
ON TAKING LEAVE OF THE OFFICE, AND OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
CITY OF WORCESTER,
In Board of Aldermen, March 29, 1849.
Resolved,-That the thanks of the Aldermen be tendered to the Hon. Levi Lin- coln, Mayor of the City of Worcester, for the courteous, able and impartial manner in which he has presided over the deliberations of this Board, the past Municipal year.
Resolved,-That Hon. Levi Lincoln, Mayor of the City of Worcester, has the confidence, approbation and thanks of this Board, for the faithful, prompt and effi- cient manner in which he has discharged the various and onerous duties incumbent. on him as Mayor of the City for the past Municipal year.
On the passage of the foregoing votes, the Mayor addressed the Aldermen as follows :
Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen :
The present being the last meeting of the Board for business, previous to its dissolution, it cannot be but proper, that I should ad- dress to you one word of parting remembrance. With the com- mencement of another week, the duties, the labors, and the respon- sibilities which have bound us together in interesting association, will have passed into other hands. So far as relates to myself, per- sonally, as with some of you, this was a predetermined and desired event. I accepted the office with which I have been honored, but to participate with you in the onerous, and what I then foresaw, would be the thankless, if not wholly unappreciated service of putting into operation the new form given to our Municipal Gov- ernment ; and with the declared purpose, under any probable cir- cumstances, of retiring at the end of the term for which I was then chosen. I have since hoped, indeed, that the ability, the faithfulness, the highly beneficial, if not necessary experience of
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. my honored associates here, or at least, of some of them, might have been secured to the management of the great interests of the city, with which they had become familiar, and to the advance- ment of which, they had so largely contributed. But it has been otherwise ordered by those who have a right to direct, and with another day, all of this Board, not one excepted, are relieved to- gether. Full well I know, that, last of all, to either of you, from considerations personal to himself, will this be found occasion for complaining or regret. The labors of a year, assiduously and faith- fully, and on your part, gratuitously, devoted to the promotion of the highest and truest interests of the city, in the successful or- ganization of the City Government-in the establishment of just and wise Ordinances as rules for its administration, and in the cre- ation and direction of a system of Executive Police, under which scarce a single instance of public tumult, or violent outrage, in our heterogeneous population, has occurred within the year, will carry with them reflections, which, to minds conscious of rectitude in the performance of duty, will be more precious sources of satisfaction than any outward testimonials of popular approval. However it may now seem to some, the day will yet come, when, in the re- cords of our young municipality, will be seen the memorials of that patient attention, firm judgment, vigilant foresight, and liberal spir- it, which have laid deep, and lasting the solid foundations of the future prosperity of this City .- And I take not even the humblest share of this credit to myself.
In the review of the past Municipal year, there is much cause for congratulation. The most favorable anticipations which were formed of the City organization have been fully realized. Not only has the new Government been put into operation without an expression of dissatisfaction, but its administration has been carried forward, noislessly, with unpretending claims to submission, in qui- et, and with general contentment. It might, indeed, have been expected, that in the sensible change from the lax regulations, and remote and slight supervision of town authority, well suited as this is to places of small population, and of simple and similar pursuits and interests among the citizens, and of habits and manners in harmony with old and familiar institutions and associations ; to the
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more strict and rigorous restraints and exactions of city control, of- ten directly brought into collision with assumed rights, and long indulged privileges, and tolerated abuses, there would have been sometimes manifested a spirit of disaffection, if not of resistance, on the part of the wilful and the selfish. But happily, and most highly to the credit of our population, the ordinances of the city have been cheerfully obeyed, and the authority of its officers, at all times, respected and sustained.
Within the year, the labors of the City Council, and especially of the members of this Board, in and out of session, have been al- most incessant. By the Clerk's Records it appears, that the Alder- men have held no less than eighty-four regular meetings, besides several occasional and special ones ; and in this Board have all the elaborate and detailed reports been prepared, and most of the numerous ordinances been drafted and matured to their final adop- tion. Many and diversified have been the objects of out-door at- tention. The convenient, elegant and appropriate arrangements of the City Hall, now so creditable to the character of the city, and so indispensable to the accommodation of its officers and the transaction of the public business, called for no little time and care. The new road to Grafton, under a contract by the late Board of Selectmen, has been completed to the acceptance of the County Commissioners-and more than one hundred miles of High- way been supervised and kept in repair, and new City Streets been established. Eligible lots have been advantageously purchased, as sites for new School-Houses, in Quinsigamond Village, and south of the Western Railroad in the Centre District, and plans and es- timates for the erection of suitable structures thereon, and on the lot on Salem street, owned by the City, are prepared for the con- sideration, and placed at the disposal of the new City Govern- ment.
The faithfulness and the vigilance of the School Committee have been manifested, through the year, in the supervision of the Schools ; and the interests of good learning, and the blessings of literary, moral, and religious instruction have been nourished, pro- moted, and diffused through the influence of the teachers, and of those excellent and devoted men of the Committee, who have long
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given of their time, and experience, and learning, such priceless contributions to this best of all public service.
In the office of public Charities, the Overseers of the Poor have performed their accustomed and appropriate duties. The Poor- House establishment has been managed with economy and success, and has been blessed with uncommon exemption from loathsome pestilence and mortal disease. The Physician reports but five deaths to have occurred during the year.
Our excellent Fire Department has been directed with its usual vigorous efficiency, and with some additional accommodations and apparatus, which it has received, is in a most highly satisfactory condition. Through the protecting and beneficent care of a mer- ciful Providence, there have been but few fires and inconsiderable loss of property within the year.
The financial interests of the City have received special and anxious regard. A thorough system of accountability has been introduced, all disbursements strictly regulated, and no expendi- tures permitted without and beyond the appropriations. The in- debtedness and uncertain liabilities of the old Town Government have been ascertained, and the aggregate amount of ninety-eight thousand dollars (inclusive of the anticipated interest on the instal- ments of the aqueduct debt, as these are made payable,) found greater by nearly thirty thousand dollars than was assumed by me at the commencement of the year, has been so provided for, as to look to its final liquidation, by stated annual appropriations of tax- es to its payment. The sum of nine thousand dollars has already, within the year, been applied, by the present City Government, to that object. In this connection, I cannot forbear, again, to express my earnest conviction of the essential duty and true policy, of avoiding an unnecessary accumulation of municipal indebtedness. A heavy debt, by a corporation, as by an individual, represses enter- prize, and discourages a spirit of improvement. A reasonable ap- prehension of the burden of taxation to its payment weighs much in the consideration of men of property elsewhere, who might oth- erwise desire to become inhabitants of the City, and thus lessens the ability to provide for objects and accomplish purposes of great- er good in future enjoyment. The rule, it seems to me, should be
to charge every improvement of present utility, as immediately and directly as possible, upon those who receive its benefit. In a growing and thriving community, like that in which we live, each year will bring with it subjects of new interest. The accommoda- tions for increased population must be enlarged-new wants will be discovered, and the progress of society, higher motives, and wider influences, will make still greater, and successively greater, exactions. It is more just, and far more manly, to make liberal contributions ourselves to objects, the attainment of which a present, and it may be, somewhat selfish interest suggests, than to devolve upon others, liabilities, which may deny to them the ability of sup- plying- their own future peculiar occasions.
I have ventured upon these brief remarks, from the considera- tion, that the present City Government have, already, entered into engagements for paving part of Main street, and for introducing gas lights into the City, the current year ; and that it will, doubt- less, also, be found advisable to construct, without delay, the school houses which have been proposed. In these works of abiding val- ue, with some others of minor importance, as the new stone bridge on the road to Millbury, and the fencing of the Common, expendi- tures of unusual occurrence and amount, must be provided for, and it will not be reasonable to expect that these can be accom- plished without increased taxation. The wisdom and prudent fore- cast of those who come after us, will doubtless see to it, that these causes of new expense are not permitted to add, too largely, or for too long a period, to the already great amount of our accumulated debt. It is with much pleasure I feel authorized to assure you, that, notwithstanding some unlooked-for charges in the accounts of the past year, it will be found that, with us, the expenditures have been kept within the aggregate sum of the appropriations.
And now, Gentlemen, in leaving these seats to our successors, we leave to them, also, the fruits of our labors and of our experi- ence, whatever may be their value. We leave to them a new form of organized municipal Government, in all its departments in successful operation, with a system of rules and ordinances, un- questionably somewhat imperfect and requiring modification and amendment, yet the basis of all necessary legislation for the admin-
8
istration of the affairs of the City. We leave them our best hopes and our truest good wishes for the performance of their official du- ties with satisfaction to their own minds, and to the approval of their constituents, and the lasting benefit and prosperity of our be- loved City. They assume high trusts, and heavy responsibilities. The peace and happiness of thousands of citizens, and the securi- ty and enjoyment of millions of property, will, in a greater or less degree, be affected by the manner in which these responsibilities shall be met, and these trusts discharged.
Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen :
The vote by which you have just now been pleased to express your approbation of my discharge of the duties of the Chair, and your sense of my fidelity in the office of Mayor, is received by me with the deepest sensibility. I feel it to have been a high honor, in this place of my nativity, to have been permitted to sustain the office of its first City Magistrate. I shall cherish the recollection of my association with you, in duty and in service, as a personal satisfaction, no less gratefully to be appreciated. For your forbear- ance, for your kind indulgence, for your able and generous co-op- eration in all things, I cordially thank you. How delightful in the retrospect, will be the ever fresh remembrance of our counsels and labors here, in the service of our fellow-citizens. We have met in frequent and earnest consultation, and passed upon important mat- ters of public concernment, with hardly more than in one or two instances a divided vote, and without one single note of discordance through the entire year. On retiring from the scene of your emi- nent usefulness, the warmest feelings of my heart-respect, es- teem, and thankfulness, will accompany you. Though separated, hereafter, in the pathways of duty, we shall, I trust, be bound to- gether in social interests, and by that sentiment of mutual regard, which shall constitute a chord of sympathy in the happiness of each other.
FINAL REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
City of amorcester.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN, MARCH 29, 1849.
The Joint Standing Committee on Finance, to whom have been referred various matters relative to the financial affairs of the City, submit their final
REPORT.
The state and condition of the financial affairs of the city, at the time they were entrusted to your Committee, were as follows :
The Treasury was empty, and a debt outstanding against the city of $99,677. By the charter, the city was to assume all the liabilities of the Town of Worcester, the Centre School District, and the Aqueduct Corporation. These liabilities were ascertained, after laborious examination, to amount to the sum above stated. The city debt has principally accumulated within the last five years, by the construction of the aqueduct, and the erection of school- houses.
The Committee ascertained that since the year 1843, there had been no settlement with the Treasurers and Collectors of the town of Worcester-Centre School District-or Aqueduct Corporation. Yet there had been committed to them to collect the sum' of $161,882,42. The progress which has been made in the settle-
2
10
ment is fully detailed in a very elaborate and minute report of the Committee on Finance, on file with the City Clerk.
The Committee were fully aware that there was a general impres- sion prevailing among the citizens, that the taxes under the City Government would be much higher, than under the Town Govern- ment. The Committee felt great confidence in the belief, that if ordinances were adopted, by which all persons having anything to do with the money of the City, should be held to a strict account- ability, and that the Mayor and others having charge of the expen- ditures, should look to such expenditures, with all the vigilance, they would were they expending their own money, that there would be a saving, far exceeding the excess paid the city officers.
Acting on this principle, the Committee reported a more liberal sum for Education, and for nearly all the ordinary expenses. They also reported for extraordinary expenses, $14,400,-all sal- aries of officers being included in ordinary expenses ;- believing that all the ordinary expenses of the city could be paid without increasing the taxes on the dollar, and pay $14,400 extraordinary expenses,-$9000 of which sum being applied to the liquidation of the city debt.
The result, has shown that the Committee were right in their views on this subject.
In 1847, the Tax on $1000, was $6,01 1-2.
In 1848, the Tax on $1000, was $5,34.
So that it appears that the tax payer who was liable to the Cen- tre School District tax, and the Aqueduct tax, in 1847, the last year of the Town, paid 67 1-2 cents more on $1000, than he did in the first year of the City.
In 1847, the town raised towards liquidating the town debt, the sum of $8500.
In 1848, the city raised for the same purpose, $ 9000.
In 1847 the town debt was not diminished, but the money raised for that purpose was consumed for ordinary purposes.
The first year under the city administration is the only year, for the last six years, that the public debt has not been rapidly in- creasing.
The Committee have felt great confidence in believing, after ex-
11
amining into the future wants of the city and its resources, that the whole city debt may be liquidated in the next eight years, and still a system of improvements may annually be adopted and carried into execution, which will be highly creditable to the city, and add much to its beauty, besides contributing to the comfort and happi- ness of its citizens.
The Committee feel that under no circumstances, whatever, ought the city debt to be permitted to increase, but every coming year, something should to be done to lessen it.
It will be seen that the city government, the past year, have ap- plied $ 9000 towards its liquidation, and have paid of extraordina- ry expenditures over $6000-for repairs on City Hall, and new roads, &c.
All the ordinary expenses,-support of schools, Fire Depart- ment, support of poor, lighting streets, salaries of officers, &c., will be paid in full, and a large balance will be left in the treasury to- wards the expenses of another year ; so that a large sum will be left to the next city government for improvements, after they have provi- ded for all ordinary expenses, and made a liberal grant for the li- quidation of the city debt, without increasing the taxes on the dollar or borrowing money for posterity to pay.
The Committee would further report, that for much of the float- ing debt against the city, in consequence of the great pressure in the money market, the city have been called on for payment. In all cases these calls have been met, and the money has been borrowed where it can remain as long as may be desired, at a rate of six per cent annually.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
ISAAC DAVIS, Chairman.
REPORT
OF THE
CITY TREASURER.
CITY OF WORCESTER, In Board of Aldermen, MARCH 30, 1849.
Ordered, that the City Treasurer prepare and cause to be published for the use of the inhabitants, a particular account of the receipts and expenditures, and a schedule of City property, and of the City debts. Attest, C. A. HAMILTON, City Clerk.
The City Treasurer, in compliance with the foregoing order, respect- fully submits the following account of the Receipts and Expenditures of the City, for the year ending March 31st, 1849, with the particular sources from which the 'revenue has been received, and the appropria- tions and objects for which the same has been expended.
RECEIPTS.
CITY AQUEDUCT.
From the Water Commissioners for 1847, $137,90 $137,90
CITY HALL.
From sundry associations and persons, 371,50
Joseph Converse, 1 year's rent of Store in basement, - - 100,00
Newton & Thompson, rent from Oct. 22d, 1848, to Apr. 1st, 1849, (Store in basement,) 41,23
512,73
COUNTY OF WORCESTER.
For work and material on the New Grafton road, 88,00 88,00
COMMONWEALTH.
For City's proportion of School Fund, 463,68
" Military 180,00
" Pauper 753,98
" Am't charged in Treasurer and Collector's Report for 1848, for Standard of Weights, Measures and Balances, 150,00 1547,66
14
Amount brought forward,
$2,286,29 -
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
Balance due the City on ac't of sale and purchase of School House Lots, belonging to the late " Centre School District," as per Report, 648,74 648,74
INTEREST,
On sums due the City,
297,90
297,90
LOANS.
Note given Ebenezer Mower,
2000,00
66 Solon S. Hastings,
1500,00
66
Mary C. White,
1000,00
66
John W. Lincoln,
1400,00
66
66
66
500,00
66
E. G. Partridge,
500,00
Judith Roberts,
- 600,00
66 County of Worcester,
2500,00
66
John Boynton,
6333,00
66
66 David Whitcomb,
3000,33
19,333,33
LICENSES.
From Pedlars,
28,00
For Exhibitions,
246,00
Auctioneers,
8,00
For Dog Licenses,
397,00
679,00
POLICE COURT.
From Wm. N. Green, Justice of Police Court.
61,60
61,60
SUMMONS.
For am't of 701 Summons on Tax Bills, paid after Sept. 30, 1848, - 140,20
140,20
JOHN SHEA,
Note due for Land on Green Street,
20,00
Interest on same,
1,63
$21,63
TAXES.
From John Rice, for Taxes assessed in 1844, 1845 and 1846,
. 680,61
66 66 1847, 535,04
66
1848, 46,661,79
47,877,44
Total,
$71,346,13
15
EXPENDITURES.
ABATEMENTS, (on Taxes after Payment.)
Paid E. L. Barnard,
43,93
H. H. Chamberlin,
1,01
60 Martin H. Bancroft,
1,41
Adm'r J. D. Johnson's Estate,
15,05
Jas. S. M. Davis,
6,53
Benj. Barber,
3,01
66 Nathan Ainsworth,
2,51
Robert Prentice,
3,52
66
David Sibley,
4,02
Benj. C. Cross,
1,51
C. Foster & Co.
10,04
Amos Brown's Estate,
17,07
Benjm. H. Goodale,
2,51
Newell Moore, (N. R.)
-
1,51
Enoch Merrill,
3,53
John Simmons,
7,53
Leonard Brigham,
5,02
Henry Taft,
2,51
Pitt Holmes, -
2,94
James A. Whipple,
5,02
Harriet Hooker,
3,52
James R. Pierce,
3,01
Chancey B. Sweetser,
1,76
Wm. A. Draper,
15,05
John F. Pond,
1,41
Hartley Williams,
3,74
Luther G. Shepherd,
4,02
Edward Chappell, (N. R.)
1,50
66
H. F. Bishop,
- 0,76
Wm. Dickinson,
11,05
O. F. Harris,
1,01
Jona. Nelson,
2,51
Cyrus Bliss,
2,27
Artemas Barnes,
5,02
Amos F. Knight, (N. R.)
1,01
Jeremiah Dermody, “
1,50
S. S. Barnes,
8,01
66 Samuel Putnam,
6,03
66
Richard W. Adams,
2,51
66 John F. Gleason,
7,99
$223,86
16
Amount brought forward,
$223,86
CONTINGENT FUND.
Paid A. H. Wilder, Recording Deeds and Exam- ining Records, $2,83
" C. W. Angier, care of City Hall, &c. 25,75
66 Leonard's Express, ,37
Tucker & Ruggles, Stationery, Blank Books, &c. 63,12
John W. Lincoln, Cash paid for Material and Labor on Grafton Road, 88,00 Archibald Duncan, rep'ing roof City Hall, 103,25
David Gleason, Cash paid sundry bills for Wood, Coal, &c. 32,35
F. W. Paine, Assessors' Postage Bill, 2,89
Wm. M. Brewer, Lamps, Fluid, &c. 9,63
Wm. Curby, Carpenter's Work, 7,45
Wm. E. Drury, damage sustained by defect in Highway, 15,00
D. Davenport, survey of Summer and South- bridge Streets, and Plan of the same, also, Plan of Main Street, 97,50
Samuel Smith, assistance to County Com'rs, 53,33 Moies & Flagg, vacating Store under City Hall, 38,00
66
S. H. Perry, distributing Summons, 9,00
66 Rufus Rice, 10,00
Wm. A. Howland, 5,00
66 Geo. B. Coleman, 6,50
E. W. Bartlett,
10,00
66 C. B. Long, 66 and assist-
ance in preparing Voters' Lists, 28,75
Horace Ayres, Burning Fluid, 23,67
F. P. Oliver, Lamp Glasses,
Barbour & Chaffin, Oil for City Hall, 3,63
92,60
Noyes & Kimball, Furniture,
5,75
66 Dr. J. V. C. Smith, Vaccine Matter, 5,12
Highway tax, due town of Boylston, ,28
66 E. N. Tucker, Stationery, 33,54
Wm. N. Green, office room for Police Court, 50,00
66 H. L. Whiting, aqueduct at the Alms House, 84,86 Dr. John Green, armory rent for Worcester Guards, 11,41
A. J. Brown & Co., Crockery for City Hall, 10,13
Wor. Co. Mutual Fire Ins. Co., Insurance on City Buildings, 58,86
S. A. Greenwood, Trucking, 2,00
66 Wm. G. Maynard, labor in P. M. and S. W. Burying Grounds, Repairs and Rent of Hearse House, 32,75
$1023,32
17
Amounts brought forward, $1023,32 $223,86
Paid A. W. Lewis, Salary as Watchman to Jan.
1st, 1849, - 68,75
Meals furnished persons in
his charge, 13,70
" Joseph Flagg, damage sustained by defect in bridge, 45,00
Samuel Putnam & Co., enlarging Tomb at P. M. Burying Ground, 81,00
" Anthony Chase, Auditing Justice Police Court's Report, 6,00
66 Charles W. Hartshorn, ditto. 6,00
Brewer & Wright, Burning Fluid &c., 24,62 -
A. Tolman & Co., repairs of Hearse &c. 14,67
Parley Goddard, for fence, (Thomas St. school house lot,) 11,41 - Edward Livermore, blank books & stationery, 35,07 Martin Goodwin, sawing wood, 12,96
66
C. Foster & Fox, Hardware, 29,72
J. S. Woodworth, repairs in City Hall, 32,51
Eben. Hemmenway, washing Ward Rooms, 1,00 Samuel Putnam, stone monuments for streets, 17,92
.6 Jas. Estabrook, Cash paid for placing Mon- uments, 10,00
Buffum & Earle, Coal for City Hall, 58,25
E. M. Holman, Plan of Bridge, 25,00 -
Julius S. Clark, Printing, 3,50
66 J. M. Earle,
80,00
J. S. C. Knowlton, 66
68,25
Henry J. Howland, - 50,00
Lincoln & Hickcox,
101,22
S. V. R. Hickcox, 75,15
66
John W. Lincoln, Cash paid for digging trench at City Hall, 28,25
Wm. Allen, binding plan, relocation of Main Street, 1,50
George Jones, Cash paid for Office Furniture, 35,00 66 66 " Killing Dogs, 27,00
66 " Office Rent, 30,00
66 66 for serving notices, 23,92
Joseph Lovell, jr. Mason Work, 5,63
J. S. Woodworth, Carpenter's Work, 4,00
John Boyden, copying Transfers of Real Estate, 15,00
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