USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1848/49-1855 > Part 29
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April 3,
July 10,
14, Catholic College, nearly all of the building was destroyed.
18, Burning of clothing on Franklin street.
Aug. 16, Burning of brush at Quinsigamond.
66 · 19, False alarm.
Sept. 17, Burning of Freight Car at Western Depot.
Oct. 21, Fire on Fulton street, damage trifling.
Nov. 22, County House, damage trifling to the build- ing, but 4 men were smothered to death.
66 24, Fire on School st., damage trifling.
Dec. 22, False alarm.
30, " 66
On account of the increase of our City, I would recom- mend the addition of another Engine to the Department, to be located in the vicinity of Col. James Estabrook's.
All of which is most respectfully submitted, ERASTUS N. HOLMES, Chief Engineer of the Worcester Fire Department.
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
Early in September, we started the force Pumps for the purpose of supplying the Reservoir with water during the operation of taking up the culvert leading from the Pond to the Reservoir. The Pumps were not as large as we should have wished ; they throwed but 30 gallons per minute, and operated to our satisfaction, and were run some 40 days in succession, (Sundays excepted), and in two instances, were run through the night ; and afterwards, a few days at a time. The water proving hard, we used as little of it as was consistent with keeping a supply for fires. In order to work to advantage on the culvert, we drew down the water in the Pond about 2 feet, which draft has not been fully made up, the water being now some 12 inches lower than at a corresponding time last year. By the use of 5 thousand of brick, and some 13 casks of ce- ment, we think we have constructed a Dam and Pentstocks with which our gates are connected, that are as nearly tight as it is practicable to make them. On taking up the culvert, it was found to be very defective and unfitted for the purpose for which it was constructed. We also found that a considerable portion of the 4 inch pipe which we took up, was filled so as to diminish its capacity nearly one-half. This fact was communicated to the City Council,
92
and a suggestion made of the importance of having a much larger pipe in its place, up to the summit of the line. An order was passed directing a larger pipe to be put in, and appropriating $500 for the expense, which sum has been received and paid. The communication for the water from the Pond to the Reservoir, is now much better than it ever was before, and with some slight improvements will we think, be fully equal to convey to the Reservoir all the water the Pond will afford.
Our present number of water takers is 79, an increase of 11, since our last Report. We have furnished the Worcester and Nashua Rail Road Co., for several years with water for their Engine House, and they have just completed arrangements and are supplying themselves by pumping from a Spring under their Engine House. Con- sequently the quantity which they took, near 4000 gallons daily, is to be disposed of to others.
The Aqueduct is in good condition, save the ordinary decay of the materials of which it is constructed. Some of the first Hydrant boxes which were put in 7 years ago, will want to be renewed the coming season, and some of the Hydrants exchanged for longer ones.
The items of Expenditures for the past year have been as follows :
Putting in Lead Pipe from Pond, to take water to Samuel Putnam according to award of referees, - Putting up Pumps and laying Pipe from spring, Paid for labor,
97,24
Shafting, Hangers, Pullies, &c. - - 126,50
· 68,07
Stop cock cover, Elbows, Pipe and Sleeve,
15,09
Lining boxes, Hose Screw and Cap,
4,50
Extra crank for Pump,
- 12,50
Belting 41,43-358 lbs. Lead 16,12
- 57,55
Making hoops for Hydrant boxes, Sharping Picks &c. Charcoal 1,75, 6 Pick handles, 1,00, - -
284,21
37,52
- 2,75
93
1 Ladle 75, 1 Hoe 58, - -
-
-
-
-
1,33
Paid for labor,
-
-
-
-
- 4,97
Lowering Pipe on Green Street,
57,12
Rent of Spring one year,
50,00
Be. ween Pond and Reservoir, taking up Culvert &c. Paid for labor. - -
- 391,00
678 feet 8 inch Pipe,
- 678,00
Taper piece, Sleeve, Castings for Gates, &c. &c.
24.96
812 3 lbs Lead,
36,82
Fitting Gates, Bolts &c.
-
-
- 15,09
South Boston Iron Co. for Branch-pipe,
-
6,61
Geo. Hobbs for Brick, -
-
-
-
-
22,63
James Campbell for Sand, -
-
-
-
-
4,50
D. S. Burgess for laying Brick,
-
-
-
- 28,89
1238,50
$1861,09
There has been received for water rents to this day, $1311,81, add to that sum $500 received from the City Treasurer, makes $1811,81; we have paid out $1811,24; leaving in our hands fifty seven cents. There remains due for water from 5 takers, $59,50, besides the amount due from the County, for use of water at the County House, and we are still waiting for the Metre to measure the amount used. The aqueduct is indebted the following sums:
Balance to Wm. A. Wheeler,
-
-
-
123,92
Charles A. Wheeler, - - -
-
- 60,68
George Hobbs, - - -
- 30,00
John Gates for rent of Spring one year,
50,00
264,60
And to Mr. S. W. Osgood for his services since Jan. 1, 1853.
Accompanying this, is an account of the disbursements for the past year. Had the writer of this Report known
13
- 87,45
Trucki. g,
134,02
-
30,00
Draper & Clark for Cement,
94
of the existence of ordinance No. 61, in season to have complied with the requisitions of the same, he would have done so, but it came to his knowledge too late to do it.
The foregoing is respectfully submitted, by
H. W. MİLLER, Water CHARLES WHITE, Commissioners.
Worcester, March 28, 1853.
Memorandum of articles on hand belonging to the Aqueduct.
2 Long Hydrants ; 1 Short Hydrant, 2d hand ; 77 pieces of 4 inch Pipe, 2d hand ; 28 pieces do do without bead, 2d hand ; 2 branches 4, 4, 4 ; 2 elbows, 4 inch ; about 500 feet of 4 inch Pipe, laying in the ground which was used for the Pump from Merrifield's shop, to the Spring on Union St.
1 Force Pump, Frame and extra crank for Pump, 4 Pullies,-2 Hangers, -and 1 Shaft. About 115 feet of Belting, 6 and 63 inches wide.
All the above articles have been used except th: 2 Long Hydrants. 5 Picks, 3 Shovels, 1 Hoe, 6 Tampers, 1 Stone hammer, 2 Hand ham- mers, Chisels and sets, 2 Takle Blocks, the Rope is worn out.
95
Dr. The Worcester Aqueduct in Acct. with Henry W. Miller.
1852.
July 9, Paid John Gates for plank, &c. -
4,39
Aug. 5, Lowell Machine Shop for extra crank for pump, 12 00
Freight and trucking of do. -
50
Oct. 5, 60 John Gates for joist, &c. -
2,04
Nov. 1, South Boston Iron Co. for 8 inch branch,
6,61
Freight and trucking of do. - -
,38
James Campbell for sand, - -
-
-
-
4,50
Luther Slater for packing-yarn, -
-
- 4,91
1853.
Jan. 3, William A. Wheeler on acct.
- 500,00
Charles A. Wheeler, “ "
-
- 60,00
Feb. 24, 66 T. K. Earle & Co. for Bolting,
Chase and Nourse for trucking,
-
Mar. 17, Wm. T. Merrifield for room and power for pumping, For trucking at different times, For six pick handles, - - -
4,97
For charcoal, -
-
-
1,75
For labor at sundry times, -
- 436,82
Mr. Osgood for services to Jan. 1, 1853,
- 292,25
66 H. W. Miller for lead, lead pipe, labor, &c. &c.,
87,54
66 Int. on money borrowed in anticipation of water rents,
11,70
21, “ Wm. A. Wheeler, on acct. - 40,00
. D. S. Burgess for laying brick, &c. -
- 28,89
28, “ Draper & Clark, for cement, &c. - 22,63
Water Commissioners for one year's services, 125,00
1811,24
Cash on hand to balance,
,57
Cr.
1853.
Jan. 3, By Cash received of City Treasurer, 500,00
By Cash received for water rents, 1,311,81-$1,811,81
1853.
March 28, By Cash on hand brought forward, - -
- ,57
Errors excepted,
H. W. MILLER.
Worcester, March 28, 1853.
-
- 41,18
21,88
100,00
-
1,00
-
-
$1811,81
GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS OF THE
CITY OF WORCESTER, 1853.
MAYOR.
J. S. C. KNOWLTON.
ALDERMEN.
Ward 1 .- WILLIAM A. WILLIAMS.
" 2 .- EDWARD EARLE.
" 3 .- GILL VALENTINE.
" 4 .- SAMUEL D. HARDING.
5 .- PHINEAS CRANDALL.
" 6 .- MOSES D. PHILLIPS.
" 7 .- CHARLES WHITE.
8 .- BENJAMIN FLAGG.
COMMON COUNCIL.
Wm. N. Green, President. Lewis A. Maynard, Clerk. Ward 1. Henry Earl, R O. Forbush, Samuel A. Porter.
Ward 5. E. P. Clarke, G. McFarland, H Murray.
Ward 2. Chas. Washburn, Ward 6. M. S. Ballord, James H. Wall, Levi Barker.
Geo. W. Rugg, Timothy Bancroft.
Ward 3. Wm. N. Green, Ward 7. S. B. Dennis, J. A. Hunt, S. H. Colton.
Gerry Valentine, Sam'l. T. Field.
Ward 4. J. S. Woodworth, L. D. Towne, Pliny Holbrook.
Ward 8. Jos. Walker, Wm. M. Bickford, R. P. Angier.
CITY CLERK AND CLERK OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN. CHARLES A. HAMILTON.
97
CITY MESSENGER. DAVID GLEASON.
PAGE TO COMMON COUNCIL. JAMES H. WALL, JR.
. STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
On Public Buildings, the Mayor, Aldermen Earle. Harding, and Flagg. On Bills in the Second Reading, Aldermen Williams and Crandall.
On Enrolled Bills, Aldermen Flagg and Valentine.
On Elections, Aldermen Williams and White.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
On Bills in the Second Reading, Messrs. Washburn, Hunt, and McFarland.
On Enrolled Bills, Messrs. Earl, Barker, and Porter.
On Elections and Returns, Messrs. Murray, Bancroft, and Forbush.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES.
On Finance, Aldermen White and Phillips ; Common Councilmen Col- ton, Barker, and Bickford.
On Accounts, Aldermen Phillips and Earle ; Common Councilmen Wall, Angier, and Ballord.
On Water, Aldermen Earle and Harding ; Common Councilmen Walk- er, Ballord, and Dennis.
On the Fire Department, Aldermen Harding and White ; Common Councilmen Earl, Woodworth and Forbush.
On Lighting Streets, Aldermen Valentine and Harding; Common Councilmen Angier, Clark, and Holbrook.
On Shade Trees and Public Grounds, Aldermen Harding and Phillips ; Common Councilmen Bickford, Washburn, and McFarland.
On Education, the Mayor and Alderman Crandall ; the President of the Common Council, and Councilmen Washburn and Colton.
On Health, the Mayor, and Aldermen White and Crandall ;- The Pres- ident of the Common Council, and Councilmen Walker, Porter and Wall.
On Printing, Aldermen Flagg and Valentine ; Common Councilmen Valentine, Colton and Field.
CITY SOLICITOR. WILLIAM A. WILLIAMS.
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR. GEORGE W. WHEELER.
98
CITY PHYSICIAN. GEORGE M. NICHOLS.
CITY MARSHAL. ALVAN ALLEN.
ASST. MARSHAL. FREDERIC WARREN.
· CONSTABLES. Alvan Allen,
Jonathan Day,
Frederic Warren,
David Gleason,
Elbridge G. Watkins,
Jeremiah Kane, Asa D. Whittemore.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
At Large-George Bushnell, S. B. Swaim, N. T. Bent, C. E. Pratt, Geo. W. Bentley, Geo. A Dresser, S. Sweetser, W. W. Rice. Ward 1, Wm. A. Williams, C. M. Brooks.
2, John H. Brooks, David Higgins. 3, Franklin Hall, John W. Wetherell.
4, John F. Burbank, Levi Pierce.
" 5, Benj. F. Stowell, Thos. Magennis,
6, John C. Newton, Samuel Banister.
" 7, Moses Spooner, John M. Earle.
8, Wm. S. Lincoln, John A. Dana.
VISITING COMMITTEES.
High School,
Messrs. Sweetser, Bushnell, Swaim, J. A. Dana, and Wetherell. Thomas Street Grammar School,
Mr. Metcalf's Department, Miss Stone's Room, Miss Wheeler's Room,
Messrs. Bent and Dresser.
Williams and Lincoln. Rice and Earle.
Thomas Street Secondary,
Thomas Street Primary, (Miss Carey's)
Front Street Grammar,
Burbank and Newton.
Front Street East Primary,
Bushnell and Earle.
Front Street West Primary, Ash Street Secondary,
J. A. Dana and Stowell. Sweetser and Dresser.
Ash Street East Primary,
Magennis & C. M. Brooks.
Ash Street West Primary,
Newton and Pierce.
Pleasant Street Secondary, 66 Pratt and Bentley.
66 Higgins and Hall.
66 Bushnell and Spooner.
99
Pleasant Street South Primary, Pleasant Street North Primary, Main Street Primary;
Summer Street Secondary,
Swaim and Burbank.
Summer Street South Primary,
Magennis and Pierce.
Summer Street North Primary,
J. H. Brooks and Lincoln.
Pine Street Primary,
W. W. Rice & Banister:
Pine Street African,
66 Bushnell and Swaim.
Young Men's School;
Burbank and Magennis.
Evening Schools,
66 Burbank and Newton.
SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.
Tatnick,
Messrs. Swaim and Lincoln,
Parkhurst,
J. A. Dana and Pratt.
Leesville,
Wetherell and Hall.
New Worcester,
Rice and Earle.
South Worcester,
60
Pratt and Bentley.
Quinsigamond,
Williams and Bentley.
Blithewood (Munroe,)
Burbank and Banister.
Pond,
C. M. Brooks and Spooner.
Adams Square,
J. H. Brooks and C. M. Brooks.
Burncoat Plain,
Higgins and Bentley.
Northville,
J. H. Brooks and Hall.
Chamberlain's,
Bent and Dresser.
Reed's,
66 Dresser and Bent.
Providence Street,
Stowell and Lincoln.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
On Books and Apparatus,
Messrs. Burbank, Bushnell, Dana, Higgins, and Wetherell: On School Houses,
Messrs. Dresser, Newton, Lincoln, Spooner, and J. H. Brooks. On Examination of Teachers,
Messrs. Sweetser, Williams, Bent, Rice, and Pratt. On Estimates,
Messrs. Earle, Bentley, Pierce, Banister, and Magennis. Prudential Committee for the Centre District, George A. Dresser. Secretary, C. M. Brooks, office, 218 Main Street.
ASSESSORS. Putman W. Taft, Samuel Smith, Joseph Lovell, Jr.
Messrs. J. A. Dana and Pierce.
Hall and Spooner.
Dresser and Banister.
100
ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
Ward 1, D. B. Comins, Ward 2, Ozias Hudson,
3, Nathan T. Bemis,
4, Alvan Allen,
" 5, Gilman Scott,
" 6, Chas. S. Childs.
7, David W. Cook, 8, D. S. Messinger.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The Mayor (ex-officio) Chairman. Edward Southwick, Clerk.
Ward 1, Nathan Muzzy, Ward 2, Benj. Walker,
" 3, Chas. Bowen, 4, Calvin L. Prouty,
" 5, Patrick O'Rourke, " 6, Edward Southwick,
" 7, John C. Jaques, 8, John Hammond.
UNDERTAKERS. George Sessions, Horace Mirick, Thomas Magennis.
PUBLIC WEIGHERS.
Elisha Broad, Lincoln Square, John H. Knights, Washington Square, Charles A. Lincoln, Southbridge st. John F. Sutton, New Worcester.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK. George Geer, John F. Sutton, John H. Knights, Charles C. Houghton.'
SURVEYORS OF LUMBER, SHINGLES AND CLAPBOARDS. Walter R. Bigelow, Moses T. Breck. FENCE VIEWERS. Jonathan Lyon, Benj. Flagg, Jonas Hartshorn, Walter Bigelow, Jr.
FIELD DRIVER. Benj. F. Stowell.
POUND KEEPER. James Campbell.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS, MEASURES, &C. George Geer.
AQUEDUCT COMMISSIONERS. Joseph Pratt, Joseph Lovell, Jr.
COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS. Timothy S. Bliss.
CAPTAIN OF WATCH. Frederic Warren.
101
WATCHMEN.
Joseph Chapman, Ebenezer Lund, James McFarland, Stephen Shumway,
Arvin Thompson.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. Chief Engineer, Erastus N. Holmes, Assistant to the Chief, Tilly Raymond. Clerk, Alzirus Brown. Engineers, George E. Wyman, Benjamin E. Hutchinson, Loring Coes, Josiah Coburn.
HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY.
Foreman, E. G. Watkins. 2d Foreman, F. J. Watkins: Clerk, John F. Watkins.
HOSE COMPANY No. 1.
Foreman, Charles Forbes. 2d Foreman, Israel Howe. Clerk, Hiram Rice.
HOSE COMPANY NO. 2.
Foreman, Henry E. Clapp, 2d Foreman, John P. Dresser. Clerk, Geo. F. Stickney.
WASHINGTON ENGINE COMPANY, No 1.
Foreman, G. A. Armsby. 2d Foreman, Chas. Butman. 3d Foreman, A. G. Woodward. Clerk, John Willoughby.
RAPID ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 2.
Foreman, Charles Hersey. 2d Foreman, C. G. Barnard. 3d Foreman, A. M. Barrows. Clerk, G. A. Jenks.
NIAGARA ENGINE COMPANY, No. 3.
Foreman, L. R. Hudson. 2d Foreman, J. S. Parker. 3d Foreman, Homer Sawtell. Clerk, C. E. Briggs.
TORRENT ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 4.
Foreman, Jona. Rice. 2d Foreman, A. A. Barber. 3d Foreman, Wm. Allen. Clerk, G. S. Parker. Sub Clerk, J. E. Stearns. Treasurer, William Allen.
14
102
WARD OFFICERS .- Ward 1. Warden, Freeman Upham, Clerk, Jas. H. Bancroft. Inspectors, Josiah Rice, Alonzo Whitcomb, Wm. Curby.
Ward 2.
Warden, Wm. G. Maynard, Clerk, Geo. H. Estabrook, Inspectors, Ozias Hudson, H. N. Sawtell, Thos. Smith.
Ward 3.
Warden, Daniel Harrington. Clerk, Chas. E. Staples. Inspectors, Jas. F. Estey, Edwin T. Marble, Geo. R. Spurr.
Ward 4.
Warden, Chas. Warren. Clerk, W. W. Rice.
Inspectors, Lewis Sturtevant, Geo. W. Barker, J. S. Clark.
Ward 5.
Warden, Lindel Freeman, Clerk, Chas. B. Carpenter. Inspectors, Nathan B. Ellis, Wm. S. Childs, John Whitney.
Ward 6.
Warden, Albert Huntington, Clerk, Edwin Gleason. Inspectors, J. W. Allen, J. P. Blood, Geo. N. Harrington.
Ward 7.
Warden, Samuel P. Russell, Clerk, Sanford J. Hall. Inspectors, Asa Walker, E. H. Simmons, Amory Carter.
Ward 8.
Warden, John Boyden, Clerk, Horace Hobbs. Inspectors, Henry Goulding, Geo. A. Chamberlain, Chas. A. Harrington.
103
Members of the City Council from 1848 to 1853.
1848-9. Mayor. Levi Lincoln. Aldermen. Parley Goddard, Benj. F. Thomas, John W. Lincoln, James S Woodworth,
William B. Fox, James Estabrook, Isaac Davis,
Stephen Salisbury. City Clerk. Charles A. Hamilton.
Common Council. President. Thomas Chamberlain. Ward 1. Freeman Upham, John Sutton, Samuel B. Scott. Ward 2.
Horace Chenery,
Edward Lamb, Calvin Brigham. Ward 3. Benj. F. Heywood, Charles Bowen, John Gates. Ward 4.
Alvan Allen,
Darius Rice,
Stephen Bartlett. Ward 5.
Isaac Goddard,
Josiah G. Perry, Benj. F. Stowell, Ward 6.
Edwin Draper,
Adolphus Morse,
Nathaniel Brooks. Ward 7. Alexander H. Bulloch, Albert Curtis, Daniel Goddard. Ward 8. William T. Merrifield, Calvin Foster, Thomas Chamberlain. Clerk William A. Smith.
1849-50.
Mayor. Henry Chapin.
Aldermen. William A. Wheeler,
Warren Lazell,
William A Draper,
Charles G. Prentiss, Austin G. Fitch, Charles White, Peter C. Bacon,
Benjamin Flagg. City Clerk. Charles A. Hamilton.
Common Council. President. Jonas M. Miles. Ward 1.
Freeman Upham,
Luther White,
Nathan Muzzy. Ward 2.
John H. Brooks,
Thomas H. Rice,
Charles Washburn. Ward 3.
Wm. Dickinson,
Leonard W. Sturtevant,
Daniel Harrington. Ward 4.
Alvan Allen,
Darius Rice,
Joseph Pratt. Ward 5.
Benj. Goddard 3d,
Isaac Goddard, David Woodward, Ward 6. Adolphus Morse, Edwin Draper, John F. Gleason. Ward 7. Alexander De Witt, Erastus Tucker, James M. Fitch. Ward 8. Albert Tolman, Wm. G. Moore, Jonas M. Miles. Clerk. William A Smith.
1850-51.
Mayor. Henry Chapin.
Aldermen. Geo. W. Russell, Warren Lazell,
William Dickinson,
Joseph Pratt,
David Woodward, Charles White,
Anthony Chase, Jonas M. Miles.
City Clerk. Charles A. Hamilton.
Common Council, President. Charles Washburn. Ward 1.
Nathan Muzzy,
Joseph Lewis,
Freeman Upham." Ward 2.
Charles Washburn, Lee Sprague, John H. Brooks. Ward 3.
Daniel Harrington, Leonard W. Sturtevant, f Henry Prentiss. Ward 4. Calvin Newton, John P. Southgate, Calvin L. Prouty. Ward 5. Henry J. Howland, Wm. H. Harris, Daniel S. Burgess. Ward 6. Adolphus Morse, John F. Gleason, Jos. D. Brigham. Ward 7. Erastus Tucker, Benj. Goddard, 3d, Albert Brown. Ward 8. Albert Tolman, Henry H. Chamberlin, William Workman,} Clerk. Wm. A. Smith.
*Declined, G. W. Wilder elc'td. +
66 Franklin Hall, - #Resigned, Thos. Drew Jr. "
104
1851. Mayor. Peter C. Bacon. Aldermen. George W. Russell, Ichabod Washburn, Daniel Harrington, Joseph Pratt, David Woodward, Adolphus Morse, John M. Earle, Jonas M. Miles.
City Clerk. Charles A. Hamilton. Common Council. President.
Charles Washburn. Ward 1. Nathan Muzzy,
Joseph Lewis,
Alexander Thayer, Ward 2.
Charles Washburn,
Lee Sprague,
Benjamin B. Otis. Ward 3. Adam Dawson,
Wm. B. Maxwell, Gill Valentine. Ward 4. Calvin Newton,
John P. Southgate, John F. Burbank. Ward 5. Daniel S. Burgess,
Henry S. Washburn,
Brigham Goss. Ward 6. John F. Gleason,
Joseph D. Brigham,
Peregrine B. Gilbert. Ward 7. Erastus Tucker,
Nathan Ainsworth,
Samuel H. Colton. Ward 8. Albert Tolman,
Henry H. Chamberlin, Jonas Hartshorn.
Clerk. William A. Smith.
*Resig'd, Chas. White, clec'td.
1852. Mayor. Peter C. Bacon.
Aldermen Freeman Upham, Edward Lamb,
Henry Prentiss,
Calvin Newton,
David Woodward,
John F. Gleason,
Isaac Davis, William Dickinson.º City Clerk.
Charles A. Hamilton.
Common Council. President.
John F. Burbank. Ward 1. Alexander Thayer,
Henry Earle,
Samuel A. Porter. Ward 2.
George W. Rugg,
John B. Pratt,
Charles Davis.t Ward 3.
Gill Valentine, Charles Bowen,
Gerry Valentine. Ward 4.
John F. Burbank,
Samuel D. Harding.
Moses Spooner. Ward 5.
David D. Stowell,
Henry Murray,
Brigham Goss.Į Ward 6.
James H. Wall,
Marshal S. Ballord,
Levi Barker. Ward 7.
Timothy S. Stone,
Samuel H. Colton, David W. Cook. Ward 8. Wm. M. Bickford,
Roswell P. Angier, Joseph Walker, Jr. Clerk. Warren Adams.
*Resigned. tdecl'd, Benj. Walker, elec'td. " Pan. S. Burgess,
1853. Mayor. J. S. C. Knowlton. Aldermen. William A. Williams, Edward Earle, Gill Valentine,
Samuel D. Harding, Phineas Crandall,
Moses D. Phillips,
Charles White, Benjamin Flagg. City Clerk. Charles A. Hamilton.
Common Council. President. Wm. N. Greene. Ward 1.
Henry Earle, R. O. Forbush, Samuel A. Porter, Ward 2.
Chas. Washburn, Geo. W. Rugg, Timothy Bancroft, Ward 3. Wm. N. Green, Gerry Valentine, Samuel T. Field. Ward 4.
J. S. Woodworth, L. D. Towne, Pliny Holbrook. Ward 5.
E. P. Clarke, G. McFarland, H. Murray. Ward 6. M. S. Ballord, James H. Wall, Levi Barker. Ward 7.
S. B. Dennis, J. A. Hunt, S. H. Colton. Ward 8. Joseph Walker, Wm. M. Bickford, R. P. Angier. Clerk, Lewis A. Maynard.
R . 352.074+3 W9220 1853
City Document, Ho. 8.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. JOHN S. C. KNOWLTON,
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WORCESTER, JANUARY 2, 1854;
WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
. SEVERAL CITY OFFICERS,
FOR THE
MUNICIPAL YEAR ENDING JAN. 2, 1854.
CE
OWN
JUNE
FEBY.29.1848
14
.17
WORCESTER : PRINTED BY CHAS. HAMILTON, PALLADIUM OFFICE.
١
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
The Mayor's Inaugural Address, - -
5
Report of the City Treasurer, - - 23
Accounts of Receipts and Expenditures, - 27 .
Real Estate owned by the City, -
-
49
Personal Property owned by the City, - - - 50
Amount of City Debt, - - - 53
Report of the School Committee,
-
-
1
55
List of School Teachers with their Salaries, and Visiting Committees, - - - - - 85
Report of the Overseers of the Poor, - - 87
Report of the Commissioner of Highways, - 90
Report of the Chief Engineer, - -
- - 92
Report of the Aqueduct Commissioners,
-
-
98
Government and Officers of the City of Worcester, -
102
Members of the City Council from 1848 to 1853, -
109
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ADDRESS OF HON. J. S. C. KNOWLTON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WORCESTER,
AT THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT,
JANUARY 2, 1854.
Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen,
and of the Common Council :
WE now enter upon a year of official responsibility and duty. While each one of us maintains his personal independence, it should be our aim to be united, as far as possible, in purpose and in action. Theoretically the city government is a unit ; but in the development of its principles it has been found convenient, as well as useful, to make a distribution of its powers and duties. It is a representative government ; and each of its branches has its appropriate functions. Those of the common council are strictly legislative ; those of the aldermen are mixed, both legislative and executive ; and those of the mayor, entirely executive, with the single exception of the casting vote which he is required to give in case of a tie in the board of aldermen. Much of the harmony and efficiency of the government depends upon the adherence of each of the branches to its appropri- ate sphere of action ; neither assuming the powers of the other, nor claiming authority to perform its duties. The charter is our guide. It prescribes the duties we are under the most solemn obligations to perform for the common benefit of the whole city.
Gentlemen of the city council : in the performance of the duties assigned you by the people you have been chosen to represent, many
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subjects will occupy your attention during the year upon which you now enter. Among these are the care and improvement of the roads and bridges ; the protection of private and public property from loss by fire ; the sustaining of the public schools ; the distribution of the public charities to the poor ; and the guardianship of the public order. To these important subjects, your earnest attention is invited during the whole term of your official existence. Censure you may perhaps receive, do what you may ; but aim to do right, and you can always receive it with equanimity, let who may award it.
The largest draft that is made upon the city treasury is for high- ways and bridges. Our territory is large, and our roads numerous and every year increasing. The appropriation the last year for repairing and improving the streets, for paving and setting curb- stones, for sewers and drains, and for completing the bank-wall in front of the county buildings, was $24,000. It has been expended mainly by the commissioner of highways ; and after a constant watching of his work, and almost daily consultations with him, al- though some may not have understood the reasons for all his move- ments, I am bound in frankness to say, that I believe that officer has labored early and late with a single reference to the welfare of the city-with an earnest desire to accomplish the most work with the least expenditure of money ; and in this he has been quite success- ful. So much has been done, and so done as to command public approval, that it is my conviction that the ordinance providing for such an officer was a most judicious enactment, and ought to be re- tained in force, with such amendments as experience may determine to be necessary. Such is the demand for expenditures upon the streets, that it is difficult so to arrange the expenditures as to con- form to the limits of the appropriation. For this reason, and for the further reason that some extraordinary work has had to be performed, the extent of which could not be well ascertained, the expenditures in this department considerably overrun the appropriation. The heaviest item of this expenditure was the paving of the north and south ends of Main street and the remaining part of Front street west of the canal bridge, with block and cobble stones. To such an ex- tent have the pavements been carried, that I am not now aware of the necessity of laying any more at present, except in some inconsidera-
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