USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1856-1861 > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
We have now 57 schools, of which 54 are perma- nent. These are instructed by 75 teachers, of whom 68 are females.
The $35,000 expended during the past year may be divided, by estimation, as follows :
For salaries of Teachers and Superin-
tendent, - - - $26,043 39
For fuel, about - - -
- 2,000 00
For care of school houses, about 650 00
For books for teachers and indigent pupils, 800 00
For furnishing new school houses and re-
pairing damage from explosion on
Pleasant street, -
1,500 00
$30,993 39
This leaves a balance of about $4000 expended for repairs and miscellaneous expenses. The school- house property of this city is worth more than $140,000. Although it must cost a large sum to keep that amount of property, consisting chiefly of buildings, in repair and supplied with stoves, fur- naces and other articles of necessary use, yet I am
1
11
fully convinced that a saving of from $1000 to $2000 can be effected in this last item. Heretofore, prudential and other committees have expended money very much at their pleasure, but by the adop- tion of a rule by the School Board, establishing a finance committee, which must approve of every item of expenditure before incurred, I think that a little retrenchment in this department might be effected.
While we regard with pleasure and with favor the private schools and seminaries which are located on the pleasant hills about us in almost every direction, attracting to the privileges and culture of our city the children of strangers, we should raise the stand- ard of our public schools so high above these, that our own citizens should find in them for their chil- dren no superior attractions. This superiority should be attained in every respect, whether tending to physical, moral or intellectual development. In- struction in some practical studies, as book-keeping and commercial arithmetic, now regarded somewhat as specialties, should be made common and thorough. Penmanship, now likely soon to be ranked among the lost arts, among the more liberally educated classes, should be restored to its proper position, and I shall recommend to the proper department that a competent teacher be employed, who shall devote all his time to giving instruction in that branch, in our public schools.
12
Our public schools ought also to be carefully con- ducted in such a manner as to excite no mutual ani- mosities and répulsions between the native born and those who have come from foreign lands to share in the privileges and blessings of this. Those who have thus come, necessarily bring with them preju- dices and opinions, in some respects differing from those to which natives of Massachusetts were born, but they have entered into and become an integral part of the community. The next generation, at farthest, will pull down any division walls which the present may build, and it is better therefore, for all good citizens to aid in the process of assimilation and absorption, than by any unwise and partial measures, to defer its completion.
Our public schools should be preserved impartially free to all children, of whatever rank or denomina- tion. Within their sacred walls should never enter any discrimination of caste, or creed, or color.
Again, our public schools should be adapted to the wants of Worcester, and of no other city differ- ing from Worcester, in the character of its popula- tion or their pursuits. If Worcester is a city of scholars, and a majority, or a large portion even, of its children are destined for a college course, or lives devoted to literature, then, in her public schools, a chief prominence should be given to classical studies. They should stand at the apex of the pyramid, the culminating point of effort and attraction.
13
If, on the contrary, Worcester is a city of practical business men, and its children are to enter, at an early age, upon the duties of life, as tradesmen, as farmers, or as mechanics, then the same prominence should be given to that class of studies which will best fit them for these duties.
The scholars in attendance upon our public schools in the month of October last, were distributed as follows :
In the Primary Schools, - 57 per cent. of all.
In the Secondary Schools, - 20 per cent. of all.
In the Grammar Schools, - 18 per cent. of all.
In the High School, less than 6 per cent. of all.
This disproportion between the attendance upon our schools of the lowest and the highest grades, is produced somewhat by the increase of population, but this is not sufficient to account for the discrep- ancy. I submit that there is somewhere a hidden defect, which should be sought out and removed. I do not think that children should be kept too long in the lowest schools, or that when there, they should be constantly subjected to a dull routine, as inflexi- bly monotonous as the drill of a martinet. More variety, more spirit should be introduced. The High School, the head of the system, should be the model for all the rest. Everything within its walls should be instinct with life, harmony and order. The prin- ciple of propriety and adaptation, to which I have
14
before alluded, should be carefully obeyed in the arrangement of the studies. The department which graduates five scholars annually, should be made subordinate, to a proper extent, to that which grad- uates fifty. Let our citizens once be convinced that their children can be better educated in our public schools than anywhere else,-that they will there be taught, not ornamental altogether, but practical studies,-and they will forfeit their present character for thrift and good sense, if they do not send them there in preference to expensive private schools, and keep them there for a longer term than at present.
Our present excellent and efficient Superintendent of Schools, (Rev. J. D. E. Jones,) I am happy to know, concurs with me in these views. His indefatigable labors are already producing gratifying results. Be- tween him and the School Board of last year, existed a pleasant harmony of opinion and effort, which I cannot doubt will continue during the present year.
The views which I have here expressed have been long entertained by me, and were written previous to the recent sudden action of the School Board in relation to the High School, which was as entirely unanticipated by me as its results are regretted.
HOPE CEMETERY
Has continued during the past year under the same excellent management and supervision as heretofore.
15
The receipts from 56 lots sold have been $690, which has been carried to the fund accruing from the sale of lots, the appropriation of $400 having more than covered all expenses. It may come before you for consideration during the year, how long the city shall claim the proceeds of lots in remuneration for its past outlay.
It may be decided to be the wisest policy, hence- forth, to allow these proceeds to be expended, under proper restrictions, in improving and beautifying this spot, destined to be the last resting place of so many of our citizens.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I should do injustice to the men who compose this department, did I not here repeat the general voice of the community, that it was never in a more efficient condition than at the present time. The number of fires during the year has been very small, and the value of property destroyed previous to the last fire, in the manufactory of the Messrs. Earle, was less than $900. The appropriation for the last year was $8000. The expenditures have been $8500, includ- ing $500 expended for new hose.
In common with many other citizens, I have had an opportunity within a few days of witnessing the operation of a steam fire engine. So convincing to
16
my mind was the exhibition of its power and effi- ciency, that I have no hesitation in recommending to you to consider, at an early day, the propriety of pur- chasing one for the use of the city. Although our firemen, while animated by their present spirit, would drown a small fire before the steam engine would be ready to work, yet there can be no doubt that it would prove an invaluable auxiliary in case of the recurrence of any large conflagration, like several by which our city has been visited during the last ten years. The statistics of insurance indicate the fear- ful uniformity with which these recur, and it is therefore the part of wisdom for us to be guarded in season against them. I am not sufficiently informed, but you will be able to ascertain, regarding the prob- ability of farther speedy improvement in the manu- facture of these steam engines, or of a reduction of the high price at which they are now held. The expense of running the engine after purchase, might be met by disbanding one of the present fire com- panies, which would then be superfluous.
THE AQUEDUCT.
The receipts for water during the past year have been about $2200, and the various expenditures of the Commissioner have been about $4300, including about $3700 for laying new pipe. It would seem
17
desirable to spend at least an equal sum the present year, in prosecuting the laying of pipe, with a double view, of extending the accommodations of water, and of completing a circle by which a greater quan- tity of water may be obtained in case of fire.
I am aware that the supply of water furnished by the city is not equal to the demand. In some sec- tions of the city, there can be no doubt that the water is impure, and of an inferior quality. Still it does not seem to me that the want is so pressing as to justify the immense expense which would be attendant upon bringing water into the city by any of the ways as yet contemplated.
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
The appropriation for this department, the last year, was $12,000. This, added to $1929 20 saved from the year before, gave the Commissioner an available fund of $13,929 20. The actual expendi- ture has been about $15,000, including $2000 paid for the lot of land purchased for the accommodation of the city barn, which was charged to this depart- ment.
I am informed by the Commissioner, that he has set during the year 1318 feet of new curb, has reset 957 feet of old, and has laid 2327 yards of cobble paving, being much more than in the preceding year.
3
18
We have already about 200 miles of road to keep in repair, and there are constantly new demands for out- lay, as must be the case in every thriving city. The building of a new bridge over the Blackstone, near Quinsigamond village, cannot be much longer delayed. The floating bridge over Long Pond, requires essen- tial repairs. Taking these facts into account, I do not see that we can expect to diminish the expendi- ture of this department the coming year.
DEPARTMENT OF THE POOR.
It is pleasant to know that the department charged with dispensing the charities of the city is satisfacto- rily and efficiently administered. Its management during the past year has been eminently thrifty and judicious. A strip of land, originally belonging to the farm, has just been repurchased at an expense of $1000. This has been charged to the department, which, even including this, has barely exceeded its appropriation of $8000. There are now but 19 pau- pers supported at the Almshouse. A large item of expenditure in this department has been, and always must be, for those who receive occasional aid at their own places of abode. It is proper and economical that those who are partially able to provide for them- selves by their own efforts, and the kindness of their
19
friends and the benevolent, should be assisted in this way rather than transferred to the Almshouse.
Often assistance is bestowed upon those who have not, by residence, strictly acquired a right to the same from our hands. I believe this to be good policy, so long as the health and habits of the recip- ient justify the belief that the assistance will be but temporarily required. When it is otherwise, the city should be relieved of the expense by a transfer to the State Almshouse. The matter can safely be left to the discretion of the Board of Overseers of the Poor, so long as they act in the same judicious manner as during the past year.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The number of arrests made by the Police during the year has been 913, being 17 less than for 1858. The whole number of complaints has been 511; of these 255, one less than a majority of the whole number, were for drunkenness. The appropriation for this department was $5000, and its earnings for the year have been about $2300. The expenditures have been about $7600, thus slightly exceeding the appropriation and the earnings.
In my opinion, the appropriation for this depart- ment should be liberal, and any inclination unduly
20
to increase its earnings by unnecessary arrests and complaints, should be discouraged.
That Police is, by no means, necessarily the most efficient, which makes the largest number of arrests. Upon reference to the above statistics, it is evident to all what has been the cause of a majority of the arrests during the year. It has not been different in any preceding year. Could the Police be successful in suppressing. that cause, existing in violation of law, and deservedly reprobated by all good citizens, they would do better service to the city, than by arresting hundreds of its miserable victims. It is the duty of the Police not only to be vigilant in pre- serving the peace and property of the city, but also to be zealous in detecting and arresting all violations of law. They should be aggressive against all crime, -seeking it out and boldly advancing against it in the name of the law, whose officers they are, and whose violation can never be countenanced by any who would preserve the reputation of good and order- loving citizens. What else can be expected in that city, whose Police are incompetent or disinclined to detect and arrest the violation of the laws, than that it will become a resort for the lawless and the vicious; that it will suffer in its peace and order at home, and in its good name abroad.
Our fellow citizens have a right to hold us respon- sible that no such result shall be experienced here.
21
ve a right to expect that the laws will be enf and good order maintained during our term of oe. To insure this result, so far as lies in my power, I shall endeavor to secure the services of men in the Police department, whose names will command the respect and confidence of all good citizens, while they will be a terror to all evil doers. I shall en- deavor to impress upon the minds of all connected with the department, a sense of personal responsi- bility for the detection and the prevention of crime, and when there is evidence that that responsibility is forgotten by any one, I shall ask the concurrence of the aldermen in his immediate discharge.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
On the 26th of last November, Dr. John Green addressed a note to Hon. A. H. Bullock, Mayor of the city, expressing his desire to present to the city his valuable library, then in the possession of the Lyceum and Library Association, " upon such terms as would insure its usefulness, safety and perma- nency."
On the same day the Directors of the Lyceum and Library Association adopted resolutions recommend- ing the transfer of their Library to the city, should Dr. Green's proposition be accepted. The generous
3º
22
offer of Dr. Green and the action of the Dir of the Lyceum and Library Association were n the subject of a communication from Mayor Burak to the City Council, setting forth at length, in a much abler manner than I can do, the advantages which would result from an acceptance of the propositions, and the consequent establishment of a Free Public Library.
Proper resolutions of acknowledgment were adopt- ed by the City Council, and the different communi- cations were referred to the joint standing Committee on Education, to report what action was advisable. This Committee, upon conference with Dr. Green, received from him a written communication, embod- ying his proposition and the terms and conditions with which it was attended.
One of those conditions was, that the management of the Library should be vested in twelve Directors, to be chosen by the City Council for stated terms, from the citizens of Worcester, and another the pro- vision, by the city, of a building suitable for the reception of the Library.
The report of the Committee, recommending the acceptance of the proposition, with the limitations and conditions, was accepted by the City Council, and a deed of gift of the Library subsequently exe- cuted by Dr. Green and accepted by the city.
At the last meeting of the City Council for 1859,
23
they chose the Directors, under whose management and supervision the Library is to pass. A lot of land on Elm street has been purchased by the city of Hon. Emory Washburn, for the location of the building, so that it only remains for us to provide for and superintend, in conjunction with the Directors, the erection of that building.
Had not our predecessors generously assumed the responsibility and labor of consummating these pre- liminary arrangements, and of prosecuting thus far this great enterprise, I have no doubt that you would have done so with equal cheerfulness and alacrity. I recommend, gentlemen, that you proceed to perform what remains to be done, to redeem the plighted faith of the city, and that you do it in a spirit respon- sive to that enlarged munificence which has suggested and set in operation an enterprise so conducive to the welfare of the city. I will not enter more into detail as to the advantages to be anticipated from the establishment of a free public library, or of the par- ticulars relating to the libraries given to the city, as they have been so fully and ably enumerated in the communication of my predecessor, and the report of the committee to the last City Council, and are al- ready familiar to you, nor have I now any other re- commendation to offer in regard to the proposed library building, than that the work be done promptly and well.
24
Gentlemen of the City Council :
We are now ready to proceed in the discharge of our duties. May a spirit of harmony and a desire to promote the public weal preside over our deliber- ations, and may our action in all respects be prompt, efficient and judicious. By accepting the positions of trust to which we have been respectively elected, we have pledged to our fellow citizens our best efforts in their service.
Let us so discharge our duties as to redeem this pledge, that at the close of our term of office we may retire with the plaudits of our consciences, and the approval of our fellow citizens.
REPORT
OF THE
CITY TREASURER.
CITY OF WORCESTER, TREASURER'S OFFICE, JANUARY 23, 1860.
To the Honorable City Council :
GENTLEMEN : The Treasurer has now the honor, and would respectfully lay before you his tenth Annual Report of the
Receipts and Expenditures, Appropriations raised by tax, Abatements and Discounts, Taxes uncollected, &c.,
from January 3, 1859, to January 2, 1860.
The Cash account accompanying the same, will exhibit the Cash transactions for the same space of time.
Cash on hand January 3, 1859,
12,103 86
received from all sources,
171,743 05
$183,846 91
Cash paid out for all Departments, 178,556 76
" balance January 2, 1860,
5,290 15
$183,846 91
All of which is respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. WHEELER, City Treasurer.
26
Dr CITY OF WORCESTER, in account current from January 3, 1859,
Balance of Military account, Jan. 3, 1859,
- 856 36
Paid Abatements on taxes, after payment, - 507 08
Aqueduct, -
4,443 85
City Scales,
28 95
" Common, (new,)
59 40
Contingent Expenses,
5,681 13
" 'Dog Fund,
216 50
Engine,
1,095 00 -
Engine House,
- 3,879 97
Fire Department, - 9,632 51
Free Public Library,
5,044 50 -
Fuel, Lights, Printing &c., -
- 1,437 22
Highways and Bridges, repairs of, 13,933 16
66
land, 2,000 00-15,933 16
Hope Cemetery,
357 54
Interest,
- 4,646 02
Lighting Streets,
3,003 57
Loans, borrowed in anticipation of taxes,
34,800 00
reduction of City Debt, -
104 85
66 Military, pay of members 1859,
969 00
Paupers, support of, - - 9,077 22
66 purchase of land, - 975 00-10,052 22
3,458 56
66 Police, pay of and contingencies, pay of Watchmen,
- 4,440 22-7,898 78
Salaries of Officers,
-
3,600 00
Schools, -
- 35,370 98
" School house, (Northville,)
· 2,586 10
66 (Tatnuck,) - 4,217 76
50 00
Shade Trees and Public grounds, 258 90
" Summons, 70 25
- 17,010 52
Tax, State for 1859, - 5,601 00
6 per ct. discount on $114,168 91 for prompt paym't, 6,850 12
Taxes of 1858 abated by the Assessors, 104 75
" 1859
-
2,417 75
66 " 1855 & 1856 uncollected,
254 13
66 " 1857 & 1858 66
- 2,972 86
1859,
- 3,703 44
Bills Receivable,
- 2,675 50
Cash,
- 5,290 15
$203,681 82 City of Worcester, January 23, 1860.
6 Sewers,
Tax, County for 1859,
27
to January 2, 1860, with GEORGE W. WHEELER, City Treasurer, Cz.
Balances Jan. 3, 1859,
Abatements,
4,135 84
Contingent Expenses,
8,683 11
Highways and Bridges,
1,929 20
Hope Cemetery, (lot account,)
3,739 50
«
301 80
Paupers,
50 48
School House, (Northville,)
1,500 00-20,339 93
Rec'd from Aqueduct, -
- 2,355 27
City Hall Building,
1,006 75
66
Common, (new,)
18 00
66
Commonwealth,
Militia Bounty, 946 50
Pauper account,
-
112 50
Rent of Armories,
300 00
School Fund,
856 38- 2,215 38
66
Contingent Expenses,
7,980 46
66
Dog Fund, -
-
1,153 00
66
66 Fire Department, - -
90 00
$6
Highways and Bridges,
962 19
66
Hope Cemetery, lots sold in 1859, 695 00
32 22
66
" Lighting Streets,
4 75
66
Loans, borrowed in anticipation of taxes, 34,800 00
66
Paupers,
1,333 42
Police,
2,608 17
Schools, .
23 84
66
66 School House, (Northville,) 48 00
66 Sewers, ʻ 360 09
Shade Trees and Public Grounds, 15 00
66 Summons on taxes, (694)
138 80
Appropriations, raised by tax, 1859,
for City purposes, - 100,000 00
for County tax, - 17,010 52
for State tax,
5,601 00
for Overlayings,
3,776 49
Taxed under law of 1852, 9 00-126,397 01
$203,681 82
Errors and Omissions excepted.
GEO. W. WHEELER, City Treasurer.
66 Interest,
Licenses,
-
768 00
City Scales, fees for weighing, - 336 54
28
Dr.
Cash Account from January 3, 1859, to January 2, 1860.
To Balance January 3, 1859,
12,103 86
" Received from Aqueduct,
-
2,355 27
Bills Receivable,
277 30
66
¥
City Hall Building,
1,006 75
City Scales,
336 54
66
Common, (new,)
18 00
Commonwealth,
2,215 38
66
Contingent Expenses,
5,380 46
66
Dog Fund,
1,153 00
Fire Department,
90 00
66
Highways and Bridges,
962 19
66
Hope Cemetery, lot account,
695 00
Interest,
4 92
66
Licenses, -
768 00
66
Lighting Streets,
4 75
Loans,
34,800 00
Paupers,
1,333 42
65
Schools, -
23 84
66
School House, (Northville,)
48 00
Sewers,
360 09
66
Shade Trees and Public Grounds,
15 00
Summons, - -
138 80
Taxes, 1855 and 1856,
57 40
Taxes, 1857,
1,993 28
Taxes, 1858,
1,671 79
Taxes, 1859,
113,425 70
$183,846 91
5,290 15 Balance January 2, 1860, -
City of Worcester, January 23, 1860.
Police,
2,608 17
29
Cash Account from January 3, 1859, to January 2, 1860.
Cr.
By Amount paid Abatements,
507 08
66
"
Aqueduct, -
4,443 85
66
City Scales, -
-
28 95
66
66
Common, (new,) -
59 40
66
66
Contingent Expenses,
5,681 13
Dog Fund, -
216 50
66
Engine,
1,095 00
66
66
Engine House,
3,879 97
66 66
66 Fire Department, -
9,632 51
66
Free Public Library,
5,044 50
66
Fuel, Lights, Printing, &c.,
1,437 22
Highways and Bridges,
15,933 16
66
Hope Cemetery, -
357 54
Interest,
4,646 02
Lighting Streets, -
3,003 57
66
66
66
Military, -
969 00
66
66
Paupers,
10,052 22
66
Police and Watch,
7,898 78
66
66
66 Salaries,
3,600 00
"
66
66 Schools,
35,370 98
66
66
School House, (Tatnuck,)
4,217 76
66
Sewers,
50 00
66
66
66 Shade Trees and Public Grounds,
258 90
70 25
66
66
Tax, County for 1859, - 17,010 52
66
66
Tax, State for 1859,
5,601 00
Balance, -
5,290 15
$183,846 91
Errors and omissions excepted.
66
Summons,
School House, (Northville,) -
2,586 10
-
66
-
34,904 85
Loans,
-
GEORGE W. WHEELER, City Treasurer ..
4
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 23, 1860.
Accepted and referred to the Auditor. Sent down for concur- rence.
SAMUEL SMITH, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 23, 1860. Concurred.
WM. A. SMITH, Clerk.
CITY OF WORCESTER, AUDITOR'S OFFICE, Feb. 2, 1860.
To the Honorable City Council:
The Auditor, to whom was referred the within report of Geo. W. Wheeler, Esq., City Treasurer, has examined the same, and finds it correctly cast, and to agree with the books, and sustained by proper vouchers.
All the papers and vouchers are properly filed and well arranged in the office, and the books balanced to Jan. 2, 1860.
The books are kept in a neat and systematic manner, and everything appertaining to the office bears evidence that the Treasurer has faithfully discharged the duties of the office.
All of which is respectfully submitted. GILL VALENTINE, Auditor.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Feb. 6, 1860. Accepted and sent down for concurrence.
SAMUEL SMITH, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Feb. 6, 1860 Concurred. WM. . A SMITH, Clerk.
TREASURER'S ACCOUNT
-- OF --
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
CITY OF WORCESTER,
In Board of Aldermen, January 23, 1860.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.