USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1848/49-1855 > Part 24
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7, John C. Jaques,
4, Newell Philbrick,
8, Henry Goulding.
SEXTONS. Danforth B. Comins, George Sessions, Thomas Magennis.
PUBLIC WEIGHERS. John H. Knight,- Washington Square. Elisha Broad,-Lincoln Square. Frederic Cutting,-New Worcester. MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK. George Geer, Frederic Cutting, Albert Gould, John H. Knight.
SURVEYORS OF LUMBER, SHINGLES AND CLAPBOARDS. Walter R. Bigelow, Moses T. Breck.
FENCE VIEWERS. Jonathan Lyon, Benj. Flagg, Benj. Walker, Jonas Hartshorn, and Walter Bigelow, Jr.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. George Geer.
FIELD DRIVER. Benj. F. Stowell.
6, Edward Southwick,
107
POUND KEEPER. James Campbell.
CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. Frederick Warren.
WATCHMEN.
Arvin Thompson, James McFarland, Stephen Shumway, Ebenezer Lund, Joseph Chapman.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. Chief Engineer, Erastus N. Holmes. Clerk, Sewell Thayer. Assistant Engineers, Joel Wilder, Sewell Thayer, Loring Coes, Alzirus Brown, Tilly Raymond, Samuel A. Porter.
HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY. Foreman, Elbridge G. Watkins. Clerk, John F. Watkins.
HOSE COMPANY NO. 1. Foreman, Charles Forbes, Clerk, Ethan R. Cheney. HOSE COMPANY NO. 2.
Foreman, Joel Hammond. Clerk, George Woodbury,
WASHINGTON ENGINE COMPANY NO. 1. Foreman, Silas J. Brimhall Clerk, John Willoughby.
RAPID ENGINE COMPANY NO. 2. Foreman, Levi W. Towle. Clerk, Charles Hersey. NIAGARA ENGINE COMPANY No. 3. Foreman, Perry Wilbur. Clerk, W. D. Andrews.
TORRENT ENGINE COMPANY No. 4. Foreman, B. E. Hutchinson. Clerk, E. P. Winter.
WARD OFFICERS .- Ward 1.
Warden, Erastus N. Holmes. Clerk, Lysander Chandler. Inspectors of Elections, Josiah Rice, Chandler Needham, R. O. Forbush.
Ward 2.
Warden, Benjamin Walker, Clerk, Geo. H. Estabrook. Inspectors of Elections, Wm. G. Maynard, Geo. W. Bentley, Charles W. Engley.
108
Ward 3.
Warden, Martin Luther. Clerk, James H. Bancroft. Inspectors of Elections, Marcus V. B. Jones, Geo. R. Peckham, Wm. M. Lamb. Ward 4.
Warden, Charles Warren. Clerk, Calvin L. Prouty. Inspectors of Elections, Lewis Sturtevant, L. D. Towne, Edwin Moody. Ward 5.
Warden, E. G. Watkins, Clerk, John F. Watkins. Inspectors of Elections, Nathan B. Ellis, E. P. Clarke, Caleb Cutting. Ward 6. Warden, Edwin Draper. Clerk, Maro Kendall. Inspectors of Elections, Albert Huntingdon, Jas. A. Whipple, Elbridge Aldrich.
Ward 7.
Warden, E. B. Stoddard. Clerk, Thomas Earle. Inspectors of Elections, S. P. Russell, Erastus Tucker, Zebina E. Berry. Ward 8. Warden, John Boyden. Clerk, John A. Dana.
Inspectors of Elections, George Hobbs, Charles W. Oliver, Geo. A. Cham- berlain.
352 05443 W922c 1852
City Document, Ho. 7.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF
HON. JOHN S. C. KNOWLTON,
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WORCESTER,
JANUARY 3, 1853:
WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE SEVERAL CITY OFFICERS,
FOR THE
MUNICIPAL YEAR ENDING JAN. 3, 1853;
CESTEI
OWN
JUNE
FEBY.29.1848
14.17
WORCESTER: PRINTED BY HENRY J. HOWLAND, 199 Main Street, rear of Union Block.
CONTENTS.
The Mayor's Inaugural Address, - -
- 5
Report of the School Committee, -
-
-
13
List of School Teachers with their Salaries, - 40
Report of the City Treasurer,
-
43
Accounts of Receipts and Expenditures,
47
Real Estate owned by the City,
-
-
-
-
74
Personal Property owned by the City,
-
- 75
Amount of City Debt, - 78
Report of the Overseers of the Poor,
-
-
-
-
79
Report of the Committee on Highways, -
-
-
- 84
Report of the Chief Engineer,
-
87
Report of the Water Commissioners,
-
-
91
Government and Officers of the City of Worcester,
-
96
Members of the City Council from 1848 to 1853, -
-
103
-
ADDRESS OF HON. J. S. C. KNOWLTON,
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WORCESTER, AT THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 3, 1853.
Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen, and of the Common Council.
It is less than a week since I received notice of my elec- tion to the office whose duties I now assume. I have not, therefore, had opportunity to acquaint myself with the present condition or prospective wants of the city, in matters that come directly under the legislative action and executive care of the City Government. But, by recur- rence to the official documents of former years, made by the able men who were our predecessors, much important information may be obtained, relative to the condition of the city, and the action of the several departments of its government.
I encounter, also, another embarrassment, at this time, in the fact, that the municipal and financial year of the government terminate together, so that the reports of the officers of the last year cannot be made up in season to furnish, at this time, the ample information they will con- tain, of what has been done by those who have immedi-
2
6
ately preceded us. As soon as they shall be presented, they will be laid before you for your consideration. In the mean time, all statements that might be made by me, relative to the debts of the city-the receipts and disburse- ments of the treasury-the outlays and contemplated im- provements upon the streets, highways, and bridges-the men and machinery in the fire department-the city aque- duct-the public schools-the alms house and pauper department, would be but an unsatisfactory approximation to the truth. These subjects will engage your attention, as members of the City Council, during the year that is before us.
In regard to the City Debt, I should but reiterate the, advice given by each of my predecessors, if I were to say -and with emphasis too-that it ought never to be aug- mented beyond its present amount ; and that there should be a vigilant anxiety and a constant effort, for its reduc- tion. The recommendation of my predecessor, at the open- ing of the last year, to fund such portions of the city debt, not already funded, as it is not contemplated to pay immediately, is one which commends itself to your con- sideration as a wise measure of finance, and of economy, in the saving of interest that in all probability would be made thereby. The credit of a city like Worcester, whose valuation is more than a hundred times greater than its debt-sustained as it is by the intelligence and integrity, the energy and thrift of its population, the profits of whose industry are not drawn away by absentee capital- ists, but are retained at home as yearly contributions to their resources-the credit of such a municipal body must ever be such as to command loans of money at the lowest rates of interest.
The people, of all classes, are always sensitive upon the
7
subject of Taxation, and ever watchful of the disposition that is made of the contributions they make to the public expenditures. The assessment of taxes, upon the polls and estates of the citizens, is a delicate as well as difficult service ; and provision should therefore be made for their apportionment, with deliberation, and a thoughtful regard to the principle of equal and exact justice to every indi- vidual. The burden of supporting government, it should be remembered, falls in a large proportion upon the indus- try of the people. While capital is indispensable to the successful operations of industry, it is industry, mainly, in the shops and stores, upon lands and buildings, and wher- ever labor is performed, that furnishes to capital the means of paying the taxes imposed upon it. It is, undoubtedly, a conviction of this truth, that renders capitalists, general- ly, so ready to pay, with willingness, the taxes imposed upon their property. In view of the sensitiveness of the people upon this matter of taxes, they who are charged with the duty of appropriating the people's money, should feel a personal responsibility for every item of public ex- penditure,-to see that it is made only in strict conformity with law, and for purposes of unavoidable necessity. Such purposes are few in number, and are not readily mistaken in character, if the appropriations of the public money are limited, as they should be, to those objects for which municipal corporations are established, and for which the power of taxation. was conferred upon them.
Of the necessary expenditures, those for Streets, Roads, and Bridges, are among the largest. Without intending to cast any reflection upon any class of citizens, it is natu- ral to suppose that projects may be urged upon the atten- tion of the City Government, under the pretence of ad- vancing the public welfare, where the motive is nothing
8
higher than to give increased value to real estate, to en- hance the rents of buildings, or to bring into market un- saleable house-lots. However desirable such improve- ments may be for the individuals interested, they cannot rightfully be brought within the purpose for which the city is subjected to taxation. There should therefore be an untiring discrimination to distinguish those projects of improvement that are mainly for private benefit from those that are demanded by the public welfare.
In a city embracing so large a territory as Worcester, it ought not to be expected that the streets shall receive as high a finish as in cities whose territory is far more limit- ed than ours, and whose population is more dense. Still, where new streets, or modifications of old ones, are de- manded for the accommodation of the body of the people, the City Government should not shrink from the expendi- ture. It is believed that much money may be saved, where improvements are contemplated, if pains are taken to have all matters in controversy adjusted, if possible, with the parties in interest, before the improvements are commenced. The report of the Committee on streets and highways, when presented, will advise you of what has been done the last year, and of some things which it will be necessary to do in the year before us.
The Fire Department should receive the unceasing at- tention of the City Government. It is now in a condition of great efficiency; and so far as the action of the City Government is concerned, nothing should be allowed to depress its spirit, or impair its force. This attention should be the more readily given, because the department is com- posed largely of young men who have not yet come to possess large amounts of property to be protected from fire. It is therefore in the nature of a volunteer service
9
which they render, though partially compensated, and should not be treated with indifference, or any seeming want of appreciation.
Facts have shown that the Aqueduct is of immense value to the city, and the suggestion 'cannot be regarded as an improper one, that provision ought to be made, from time to time, for its gradual but judicious extension into those parts of the city that are thickly settled, and are not sup- plied with water for the extinguishment of fires. With- out the aqueduct, other provision would have to be made for supplying water. But none could be made at so rea- sonable a rate, and be at the same time so effective as the aqueduct.
The Public Schools, I doubt not, will receive from the City Council-as well as from the Committee to which their care is confided-that attention which their impor- tance demands. The expenditures on their behalf have hitherto been liberal ; but it is apparent from the gradual growth of the city, year after year, that the appropriations for the support of the schools, cannot be reduced; and probably must be enlarged. The schools have always been among our most cherished institutions, and the peo- ple will cheerfully bear the burden, whatever it be, of ju- 'dicious appropriations for their maintenance and improve- ment. The remark may seem superfluous, that as the schools are sustained by taxes upon all classes of the people, in all sections of the city, they ought therefore, in all their grades, from the lowest to the highest, to be equally open to the children of all classes. If there be, in the organization of any school, anything that is exclu- sive in its character, justice cannot be done to the body of the people until that exclusiveness is removed, and the benefits of such school made accessible to the children of
10
all classes of the people. The " suburban districts " (so called) have claims founded in justice, for a fair propor- tion of the school money, and those claims should not be disregarded.
I understand that it has been proposed to establish the office of commissioner of public schools. While I doubt not that the proposition is sustained by many considerations of its utility, I am bound in frankness to express my con- viction that the measure is one of doubtful expediency. Its tendency, in my view, must be to weaken that respon- sibility, and diminish that personal interest, which the peo- ple themselves should at all times feel in the management of the schools. It would, therefore, be with great reluc- tance that I should give my assent to any measure whose tendency would be to impair, in the least degree, the im- portance and the responsibility of school committees, cho- sen by the people from among themselves, as the proper agents in the supervision of the public schools.
I recommend that liberal appropriations be made for the Relief or Support of the Poor, that the necessitous may receive the aid and attention, in health and sickness, which their unfortunate condition requires. At the same time I can but suggest, that precaution should be taken, in this, as in all other cases of disbursements of the public mon- ey, that the charity of the city be faithfully applied to the ·
purposes intended.
The Legislature has provided for a change in the mode of supporting State paupers, but as the system cannot go into operation the present year, the usual provisions før the maintenance and relief of the poor will probably be required.
Intimately connected with the subject of pauperism, is the adoption, by the city government, of every measure
11
practicable, to diminish its amount and prevent its occur- rence. The cases are not unfrequent where people as vir- tuous as any in the community, are compelled by misfor- tune to seek the public beneficence. More frequently, perhaps, pauperism is the consequence of vice, misconduct, or crime .- Whatever can be done by legislative or execu- tive action, the city government should do, honestly and without fear, impartially and without favor. The laws of the state, and the ordinances of the city, while they re- main unrepealed, are expressive of the will of the people, and are to be regarded as such by all to whom their exe- cution is confided. Executive officers, under the oaths they take, are not the judges of the constitutionality of the laws, or the legality of ordinances ; and are not at liberty to execute such as they approve, and refuse or neglect to execute such as they dislike. The public officer has no alternative but to perform his whole duty under the laws, however unpleasant that duty may be, or resign and give place to another with different views of duty.
There are, however, some circumstances which the peo- ple should not lose sight of in passing their judgment upon those who are entrusted with the execution of the laws. The position of a police officer is one of delicacy as well as responsibility. While he aims to do his whole duty, he must be ever cautious that he does no more than his duty. It is the nature of crime to seek concealment ; and there may be often a suspicion of crime where no ev- idence of its existence can be obtained. It will not do for the law to strike in the dark for a victim, for the rights of the innocent are too sacred to be crushed by a mere suspi- cion. The officer must be satisfied that there is reasona -. ble ground for a prosecution, before he wields the almost withering power of arrest. But, being satisfied, he must
12
discharge his duty with promptness and fidelity. The con- sequences are not for him to consider.
The position in which I am placed by the suffrages of my fellow citizens, is one which I have not sought, and have never desired to occupy. It would have been agree- able to me if they had conferred it upon some individual of larger experience. But having assumed its obligations, I shall endeavor to perform its duties with a single eye to the welfare of the city; believing, gentlemen of the City Council, that I shall have your co-operation in all such acts as are in conformity with justice and right.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To the Inhabitants of the City of Worcester :
The Board of School Committee, elected for the year 1852, now present to their constituents, a statement of the Schools of which they have had the charge. They give the condition of each School in the language of the Visi ting Committees respectively.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
The Summer St. North Primary School was kept by Miss Muzzy as principal, and Miss Taylor as assistant, until the close of the summer term, with entire satisfaction to the Committee. At the commencement of the fall term, Miss Muzzy, in consequence of ill health, was obliged to resign, and Miss Taylor was elected principal, and Miss Chenery assistant. The yearly examination, was of the most interesting character. The regularity and order, to- gether with the promptness and interest manifested by both scholars and teacher, sufficiently convinced the Com- mittee, that Miss Taylor is fully qualified for the position she occupies. WM. M. LAMB.
3
14
The Pine St. Primary School, taught by Misses Newton and Bannister, has been very successfully taught the past year. The order and regularity of the school have been greatly improved, and the interest manifested by the schol- ars, together with their progress, is highly commendable to Misses Newton and Banister, on whose part have been evinced both perseverance and energy.
WM. M. LAMB.
The Summer St. South Primary School, under the direc- tion of Miss Mary A. Slater as principal, and Miss Sarah Eaton as assistant, with an average attendance of about 90 scholars, has fully sustained its former good reputation. The school is under excellent discipline, and has invaria- bly been found in good order. The recitations and other exercises have been highly satisfactory to the Committee. The closing examination reflected great credit upon both teachers and scholars, and the Committee do not hesitate to rank it among the best schools of that grade in the city.
P. HOLMES.
The Front St. East Primary School, taught by Miss Sa- rah W. Clements, assisted by Miss Thayer, has been more than full. Some have been sent from this to other schools. The school is well conducted, and is really a model school.
O. P. GILBERT.
The Front St. West Primary School has been in suc- cessful operation the past year, under the direction of the same teachers as had the charge of it the year previous,- Miss Martha E. Burr as principal, and Miss Lucy E. Dra- per as assistant. The general appearance of the school has been such, at the monthly visits of the Committee, as to merit their entire approbation. The fault of irregulari- ty on the part of some of the pupils, which was mention-
· 15
ed in the report of last year, still remains uncorrected, and is a great detriment to the progress of the school. The closing examination was very. satisfactory to the Commit- tee, and highly creditable to both teachers and scholars, and would not suffer in comparison with that of any other school of the same grade in the city. J. C. NEWTON.
The Pleasant St. North Primary School has been under the instruction of Miss Almira Shumway the past year. The order of the school has been good, and the instruction faithful. The Committee were highly pleased with the appearance of the school at the examination, and were satisfied that Miss Shumway had been faithful in the dis- charge of her duties. C. DANA.
The Pleasant St. South Primary School has been unusu- ally prosperous during the year, The faithful principal, Miss Lydia Wilmarth, has continued to sustain her former good reputation as a successful teacher. She was assisted, until the first of October, by Miss A. Maria Dunbar, since which time, Miss Mary A. Lawrence, who is well qualified to teach, has been the assistant. The average attendance has been remarkably good, and the closing examination was entirely satisfactory. A. HUTCHINSON.
Ash St. West Primary School. There has been no change of teachers in this school, the past year. The large number of children, of so tender an age, attend- ing the school, imposes an arduous and difficult task upon the teachers. But Mrs. M. P. Gates, and her assistant, Miss C. C. Mathews, perform it with admirable success and apparent pleasure. The attendance and discipline, and the progress in the different branches taught, reflect great credit on both teachers and children. P. CRANDALL.
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The Ash Street East Primary School has had an aver- age attendance of eighty-seven pupils during the whole of the present school year. Your Committee are satisfied with the progress it has made, and feel very confident, that under the tuition of the present teachers, Miss Parkhurst, and Miss Sarah Smith, there need be no apprehension of its failing to keep pace with the other schools of its grade. THO'S MAGENNIS, BENJ. P. RICE.
The Main Street Primary School, has been taught the past year by Miss Abby Pratt, assisted by Miss Jenks.
Through the experience and fidelity of the teachers, this school has been highly successful, and the Committee point to this as a model school of the grade.
J. H. BROOKS.
Thomas St. Boys Secondary School. This School has been taught, during the year, by Miss Harriet M. Walker, and is in an excellent condition .- Miss W. has had the charge of this School for some years past; but, owing to sundry causes connected with the school, her rare qualifications as a teacher have never so fully and satisfactorily developed themselves, as during the past year. The school has been characterised by its good order, and proficiency. The an- nual examination, appeared, not as the result of prepara- tion for show, but of strict discipline and close applica- tion ; and it indicated to the minds of those present, that Miss W. was admirably fitted for the situation of teacher.
The class for promotion, especially, exhibited superior scholarship .- The rapidity, clearness, and precision, with which the most difficult problems in Colburn's Arithmetic were performed, would have done credit to much older heads .- The recitations in Geography were prompt .- The
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sentiment in reading was duly regarded, while the correct spelling and familiarity of the scholars with the analysis of words and the proper sounds of the letters evinced, that this most important part of an early education had been pursued with a patient and successful perseverance.
The change manifest in this school from what it was a few years since, was remarked by friends to be the most surprising, and, we trust, with the same teacher and aus- pices, will continue to improve. C. E. PRATT.
Ash St. Secondary School. There has been a change of one assistant teacher in this school, the past year .- Miss Helen M. Williams has taken the place of Miss Ellen Stone, who resigned. Miss C. N. Follett as principal and Miss S. Earle as assistant, still retain their places as teach- ers. Miss Follett, aided by her assistants, has sustained her well known, and well earned reputation, in the gov- ernment of the school. There are several boys in this school, strongly inclined to insubordination, which has ren- dered the maintenance of discipline a difficult task. With these exceptions, the scholars are disposed to be orderly, and submissive. The attendance has not been altogether what it should be, an evil, evidently, too common in the schools of our city. The improvement of all the classes, in all the studies, attended to, in the school, has been marked and observable. The school, as a whole, is worthy of high commendation. P. CRANDALL.
Summer St. Secondary School. This school has been under the care and direction of Harriet L. Whittemore as principal, assisted by Sophronia P. Clark and Caroline Hewett, during the past year. A few cases of insubordi- nation occurred among the boys of this school, in the ear- ly part of the year, which required the interference of the
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Committee, but were subdued without disturbing the har- mony of the school. The progress of the school has been somewhat retarded by the irregularity of attendance, on the part of some of the scholars, and the almost constant truancy of others. The teachers and Committee have la- bored assiduously throughout the year to correct these evils, and, in some cases where they could have the co-op- eration of parents, their labors have been crowned with partial success. With the exception of these annoyances, the school has enjoyed a season of progress and prosperi- ty. While the government has been kindly but firmly administered, the mental and physical energies of the teachers appear to have been devoted to educate and im- prove the minds of the scholars. The school, at each of the monthly visits of the Committee, gave renewed evi- dence of advancement, and of being under an excellent system of training and teaching. The discipline, and gen- eral deportment of the school, have at all times been high- ly creditable to both teachers and pupils. The feeling of mutual confidence, kindness, and respect, which has always manifested itself between the teachers and pupils, is worthy of special commendation, as it has been attended with marked and gratifying results in the progress of the school. On no occasion has the school appeared to better advantage than it did at its closing examination. The va- rious exercises were interspersed with singing, and were all rendered with the utmost precision and promptness. The selections for reading were most admirably performed, showing most conclusively, that reading had not been taught by accident, but by system ; and that the reader had been learned not only to spell and pronounce correctly, but to appreciate and express the sentiment. The recitations in geography, arithmetic, spelling, and declamation, were all
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