USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1867-1870 > Part 61
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 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
time will come, sooner or later, when the sewerage of the city of Worcester will be so utilized as to become not only a source of income to the city, but to make many a field, a garden, and many a neighborhood to blossom like the rose.
WATER.
Intimately connected with our sewerage, is our water. The reservoir dam is so far advanced that it will sustain a height of five feet of water additional to the height of any previous year. The dam, so far as completed, will add about one hun- dred million gallons to the storing capacity of the reservoir. For the ensuing year the water will be about as follows :
At Leicester reservoir, 328,000,000 gallons 30,000,000 ce At Bell Pond reservoir,
Total,
358,000,000 ce
or about sixty-eight million gallons over the amount stored at the commencement of the dry season during the past year. For the various and interesting details relating to the construc- tion of the dam and reservoir, the means by which water has been supplied during the dry season, the views of that officer upon the subject of supplying water to the high points of the city, and generally for all other matters relating to Mill Brook, sewerage, and the water works of the city, I refer you to the report of the city engineer, which I have already named. I feel bound, however, to suggest, that the supply of water now in store is only sufficient for thirty days, and to suggest further that it is advisable for all water-takers to be as prudent as pos- sible in using the water, with the assurance that when the rains of heaven descend, and the reservoirs shall be filled, we may hope again to enjoy the luxury which an abundance of pure water will then guarantee to us.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
It is pleasant to be able to state that I find the fire depart- ment of the city in a satisfactory condition. During the year past the city has suffered less from fire, probably, than any other city of its size in the country. Much anxiety was felt
ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR.
during the dry season, not only on account of the scarcity of water, but also on account of the readiness with which fire would be likely to spread when everything seemed to be . parched with the drought. Even now the condition of the means of extinguishing fire demands continued care and cau- tion. It is inexpressibly to the credit of our people that so few incendiary fires have occurred in this city for a number of years. It argues well for the morals of a community in which this fearful crime is so rarely known. During the past two years, I am informed that there has been only one false alarm of fire.
In this connection, I take the liberty to call to the attention of the City Council the subject of a fire telegraph, or some other means to determine promptly, in case of an alarm the locality of the fire. A simple arrangement by which the dis- trict in which a fire may be in progress, can at once be com- municated to the fire department, will certainly not only be a great convenience, but may be the means of saving the city from a conflagration. I think that I know the people of this city well enough to say in their behalf that they will cheerfully be taxed for any reasonable improvement in this respect, which will tend more effectually to the protection of property, and the safety of human life.
The fire department consists of
Three steam fire engines with 36 men
Five hose companies with
50
Three hook and ladder companies with
40
ce
One hand engine company with
40
Board of engineers,
5
ee
Total,
173 ee
There have been twenty-nine alarms of fire during the year. The estimated amount of property destroyed by fire during the past year, excepting the fire of last week, is $60,070. The total expense of the fire department for the year, including the amount of the pay-roll due January 2, is, as nearly as the amount can now be given, $20,859.65. The amount credited
ee
ce
Drivers of steamers, 2
21
ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR.
to this department for the use of horses by the highway com- missioner, is $1,992.48, which leaves the total expenses of the department $18,867.17.
A new house for one of the steamers, now located in Bige- low's court, is nearly completed on Lagrange street. It will cost about $10,000, of which the sum of $6, 141 has been paid. When this is finished it will tend much to the protection of property in the southerly section of the city. The old engine house at Lincoln Square has been sold for the sum of $800. The fire department was probably never in a more satisfactory condition.
POLICE.
From the best information which can be procured the ad- ministration of the police department has been carried on dur- ing the past year to the' satisfaction of the people. A remark recently made by our late Mayor Blake was very complimen- tary to this department. He stated but a short time before his death, that during the past year he had heard of no complaint on the part of any citizen against any member of the police. Intimately connected as this department is with the peace and good order of the community, it is evident that its moral power must exceed its physical power, and that the good character of our policemen has much to do with the character of the city, whose people it is their business to care for and protect. The days when officers and policemen were considered merely the stern, hard vindicators of public justice have passed away, and our enlightened community demands that those constituting this department of the government, while they are firm and faithful in executing the law, should realize that the ultimate reformation of the offender enters largely into the successful administration of penal jurisprudence. I learn from the city marshal that in his opinion the successful administration of the police department requires that the present number should be increased, and I have no doubt that his suggestions will receive prompt and careful attention. The working of this depart- ment is so fully set forth in the inaugural address for the year 1870 that I commend you to that address and to the more full 4
22
ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR.
and complete report of the city marshal for a more thorough understanding of the affairs of this department.
Total number of arrests during the year, 2,282
Total number of poor persons provided with lodg- ings, 2,504
The resources of the department have been as follows :
Appropriation by the City Council, $24,000 00
Fees on warrants served by the City Marshals, 4,114 60
Witness fees of police officers at municipal court, 1,204 20
Collected for extra duty of officers, 258 92
from overseers of poor for lodgers, 106 33
ee on warrants for use of city team, 949 00
Making total receipts, . $30,722 05
The expenses of the department have been as follows :
Pay-roll of police officers, $25,102 60 Salary of marshals and assistants, 3,849 97
Special police, July 4, 95 00
Special police at regatta, 456 41
Incidental expenses, 780 13
Cost of horse hire for the year, 1,465 00
Making total expenses,
$31,749 II
Deducting amount of earnings, 6,722 05
Net expenses of department have been $25,027 06
Number of officers in the department, including marshal and assistants, is 30.
CHARITIES.
Under this head we may properly consider what has been done for the health and for the poor of this city. It is now as true as ever that "the poor ye have always with you," and it is to the honor of the city that they are provided for with so much care and fidelity. Among the items of interest in the depart- ment of the clerk of the overseers of the poor are the following : No. of persons who have applied for relief, 482
aided,
1,928
23
ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR. 1
No. of persons fully supported,
98
Average number fully supported,
42
Number relieved for the first time,
355
sent out of the state to their homes,
86
репреп sent to the state alms house,
79
of state paupers temporarily relieved,
30I
insane persons provided for,
8
intemperate persons provided for,
98
orders drawn by the clerk for relief,
I018
EXPENSES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Total disbursements by the clerk,
$4,759 22
Salary of clerk,
1,000 00
city physician,
400 00
$6,159 22
Net expenses at the almshouse,
3,676 50
$9,835 72
RESOURSES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation by the City Council,
$11,000 00
Received from other cities and towns,
1,664 54
the commonwealth,
1,150 84
$13,815 38
Deducting from the resources the expenses of the poor de- partment leaves an unexpended balance of $3,979.66.
The average number of boys in the truant department has been 13.
Total expenses of the department,
$2,283 04
Received from labor of boys,
73 00
Net expense for the year,
$2,210 04
Appropriation of the City Council,
3,000 00
Uuexpended balance,
$789 96
The matter of the health of the city is well presented in the report of the city physician. With the exception of the small pox, which has prevailed very extensively, the city has been free from any prevailing epidemic. In no previous year has
1
24
ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR.
the small pox prevailed here to such an alarming extent. At the present there are no cases of the disease known to exist in the city. Much care and labor have been applied to the mat- ter of vaccination, and with such success as to give renewed confidence in its efficacy. The suggestion of the city physi- cian, that the cause of humanity and the best interests of the city demand that some suitable provision should be made for a city hospital, is commended to your thoughtful considera- tion, with the hope that his recommendation may not be dis- regarded.
TAXATION.
The rate of taxation for the year 1870 was $17.40 per $1000. I am free to express the opinion that the assessors have per- formed their duty with unusual skill and fidelity. They are now endeavoring to establish a just and equitable valuation of the property of the tax-payers, and, we have good reason to hope, with such success that the taxes will be more fairly assessed than heretofore. Nothing is more important to the people than a careful and equitable assessment. Much of the reluctance to paying taxes, which is a privilege which no one exactly craves, may be traced to a kind of dim certainty that they are not equitably assessed. Many a person would pay his taxes more cheerfully than he does if he could feel that he was not called upon to contribute to the expense of carrying on the government, more than his just proportion. To remedy any inequality, men are elected who are presumed to be fitted for the office, and who, in a growing city like this, have a deli- cate, difficult and responsible duty to perform. From the best investigation which I have been able to make, I am satisfied that the present board of assessors are pursuing a course which will be of great advantage to the city, and will enable them and their successors in office to make the assessments much more intelligibly and satisfactorily than heretofore.
As an evidence of their care and accuracy during the past year, it appears that although the amount of the abatements in 1869 was $9,558.45, the amount in 1870 was only $1,766.35, leaving a balance in favor of the city, at this date, in the mat-
25
ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR.
ter of abatements, of $7,786.10. These remarks are not made with the design to make any imputation on any other board of assessors, because I believe that they have done their best in the time which has heretofore been allowed to them, but merely to express my satisfaction, that if more than usual care has been taken in this matter during the past year, the result dem- onstrates that the experiment has been successful. Their present labors, in my opinion, will tend greatly to the result which is especially desirable, in a matter which is subject to so much doubt and criticism. I respectfully suggest to the City Council to consider whether it will not be desirable to make the board of assessors a permanent board, to hold through the year, with the idea that they may devote their time profit- ably to the legitimate business of their important office.
SUBURBAN DISTRICTS.
It has often been suggested that a very large amount of money is expended in what is commonly called the centre dis- trict, and that it is done in such a manner as to operate unjustly upon the suburban sections of the city. The test would seem to be this. Is a farm which is situated within the limits of the city of Worcester worth any less in the market than it would be if it was situated a similar distance from the line, and in any one of the adjoining towns? Are the taxes any higher in Worcester than in those towns? If both of these questions are to be answered in the negative, let us ask another ques- tion. Would the farms be worth as much in the suburban sec- tions, if by some conflagration, or otherwise, what is called the centre district should become no more densely populated than any other part of the city, and would not the loss of this mar- ket, daily increasing and coming nearer and nearer to their doors, be a calamity indeed? The truth is our interests are identical ; we stand or fall together. The farmer befriends us by| bringing us his products, and we befriend him by paying a good price for them. To use a common expression, we are all in the same boat; and they make a fearful mistake who attempt to throw their fellow-passengers overboard.
26
ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR.
UNION RAILROAD DEPOT.
At th recent city election, the following proposition was submitted to the voters :
Shall the Board of Mayor and Aldermen take such meas- ures as may be deemed expedient for the removal of the rail- road tracks across the Common, Madison and Mechanic streets, and those intermediate; and if they are unable to effect an amicable arrangement with the railroad companies, shall they be instructed to petition the next legislature for permission to accomplish that desirable object?
The result was 2330 votes in favor, and 480 votes against the proposition. The vote, of course, must be taken as a very decided expression of the people upon the subject, and con- templates action by the city government, in case the wishes of the people are disregarded. To me the improvement of a Union railroad depot, which the vote really contemplates, seems to be so important, and so certain, sooner or later, to be imperatively demanded, and at a much larger outlay than now seems to be necessary, that I must express the earnest hope that the various railroad corporations will take such ac- tion in the premises, that all parties will be satisfied with their action.
Our late mayor had this subject very much in his mind, and his opinions were very clear and decided as to its importance to the city. He had matured a plan, with great labor and skill, which embodied his views upon the subject. His plans and estimates will be at the service of the parties interested, and will be of great value to those who shall have the deli- cate and important duty to bring about satisfactory arrange- ments. I wish to say, once for all, that in my opinion the death of Mr. Blake, at this particular juncture, will only inten- sify and make more earnest the feelings of our people upon a subject in which he took so deep an interest, and to which he was so fully committed. No time seems to be so opportune as the present. The corporations have comparatively small amounts invested in depot buildings in the city, and with one or two exceptions these buildings are a disgrace to the corpor-
27
ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR.
tions and to the city, and will daily grow more old-fashioned and dilapidated, until some common arrangement shall be made.
If the object of a union railroad depot is ever to be consum- mated, this is emphatically the time. I hesitate not to pledge the city government in advance, to a liberal policy towards the corporations which have done so much for the city, and to ex- press the hope that there will be such a spirit manifested on the part of the officers of the corporations, that the desired ob- ject will be accomplished without clashing of feeling or inter- est, and to the abundant satisfaction of all.
ELECTION OF MAYOR.
Doubts having been raised as to the matter of a new election of Mayor by the people, under the peculiar circumstances in which we find ourselves, in order that the matter may be placed beyond all doubt, I recommend that a petition be pre- sented to the legislature now about to convene, asking for immediate additional legislation upon the subject.
GENERAL REMARKS.
I have thus briefly referred to certain matters which I sup- pose may interest those who give their attention to our muni- cipal affairs, and are always interested in the growth and prosperity of the city. Coming into office as I do, after a lapse of twenty years, under circumstances so touching and impressive, with the determination only to hold the office until another shall be elected and qualified, it is natural that I should take a brief review of the last twenty years, and ask what hopes or fears they bring to us of the future of our beloved city.
In the year 1850 I had occasion to use the following lan- guage : "What is to be the extent of our population no one can foresee. We have come to our growth so many times that the prophets have lost their reputation, and we stand where nature and art both combine to make us a great inland city. Year by year the hum of industry grows louder, and the foot- steps of an increasing population are more distinctly heard. Business increases in extent and variety. We hold a ready
28
ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR.
communication with all parts, of the country, and, what is more than all this, and better than all this, we have nothing, and ask for nothing, more honorable than labor, and we believe in the maxim that so long as labor is honorable and the la- borer gets his hire, we are authorized to expect an increase of our numbers." Since those words, which I still heartily endorse, were written, this city has been visited by a most de- structive conflagration, and the country has passed through the horrors of a civil war. That we may see whether or not the last twenty years have made good the promise of their commencement, allow me to read the following statistics, which by the aid of my friend, the city clerk, I have been enabled to procure :
STATISTICS OF THE GROWTH OF WORCESTER.
1865.
1870.
Population of the city.
1850. 17,049
1855. 22,281
1860. 24,973
30.058
41.101
Assessors' valuation.
$11,082,500
$18,058,900
$16,406 900
$18,937,900
$34,018,450
Amount of taxes for city purposes
78,915
116,889
119,100
217,700
534 500
Rate of tax per $1000.
6.90
7.00
8.00
17.00
17.40
Number of polls.
4,783
5,842
6,327
7,851
10,651
Streets and highways.
$8,950
$28,232
$16,532
$18,039
$180,000
School expenses
19,119
29,915
35,370
55,900
105,000
School houses.
12.200
9,813
6,800
15,800
90,000
City debt.
97,000
118,955
102,324
424,418
1,185,718
City debt, January 1, 1871.
$1,900,020.
The figures for 1870, of streets and highways, and of school houses and expenses, are the appropriations for that year, the actual expenditures not being yet reported.
The average rate of taxation in the state for 1870, was $15.44 per $1000. The rate per $1000 in the several cities of the commonwealth, is as follows, averaging $16.34. The rate of Worcester was $17.40 :
Boston,
$15 30 Lowell,
$13 90
Cambridge,
14 00 Lynn, 17 20
Charlestown,
16 00 New Bedford, 15 50
Chelsea,
20 00 Newburyport, 19 60
29
ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR.
Fall River,
$15 30 Salem, $14 50
Haverhill,
24 30 Springfield, 12 CO
Lawrence,
17 20 Taunton, 12 90
The following table, which I have not verified, but in the accuracy of which I have full faith, as it was obtained from a reliable source, shows that the rate of taxation, per capita in Worcester is not only greatly below the average of other cities therein mentioned, but is much less than any of them.
How correctly this table when carefully examined and an- alyzed, will exhibit the comparative rate of taxation in the cities, therein named, I am unable to say. I, however, deem the statement worthy of attention.
The per capita taxation in 1869-70 was, in-
New York City,
25.38
Philadelphia,
13.73
Brooklyn,
19.02
Springfield,
14.58
Worcester,
10.95
Lynn, 13.20
Boston, 34.4I
In other words, it is a fact that in proportion to the number of inhabitants, the taxes of Worcester are lighter than in any of these cities.
SAVINGS BANKS.
No OF DE-
1850. DEPOSITS.
No. OF DE- POSITORS.
DEPOSITS.
W. Co. Ins. for Sav., 7,149
$1, 179,361
13,846
$4,247,151
Mechanics Sav. bank,
5,13I
1,887,968
Five Cent Sav. bank,
4,600
750,000
Peoples Sav. bank,
6,800
2,200,000
Total,
7,149 $1, 179,361 30,377
$9,085,119
BANKS FOR DISCOUNT AND DEPOSIT.
Worcester National bank, Citizens National bank, 5
1850. Capital. $200,000 150,000
1870. Capital. $500,000
150,000
1870.
POSITORS.
30
ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR.
1850. Capital. $100,000
1870. Capital. $350,000
Mechanics National bank,
Quinsigamond National Bank,
100,000
250,000
City National bank,
400,000
Central National Bank,
100,000
300,000
First Nat. bank of Worcester,
300,000
Safe Deposit and Trust Co.,
200,000
Total,
$650,000
$2,400,000
INSURANCE.
Peoples Fire Insurance Co.,
$50,000
$400,000
Bay State Fire Insurance Co.,
104,800
First Nat. Fire Insurance Co.,
100,000
$50,000
$604,800
The premium over and above par, upon the bank stock held in 1870, exceeds the whole bank stock held in 1850, and the premium upon the insurance stock held in 1870 exceeds more than three times the whole insurance stock which was held in 1850.
The state assesses corporations for stocks and deposits owned by residents of the city, upon nearly $3,000,000, and gov- ernment bonds held by our citizens amount probably to sev- eral millions more, which added to the assessors' valuation, will make the total valuation nearly or quite $40,000,000.
Now I hesitate not to say, that for a city situated in the cen- tre of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, away from the marts of trade which draw their sustenance from the ocean which washes their harbors, with no large river, which often seems to have the power to build up cities along its course, with no peculiar facilities which originally gave an impetus to our growth and population, to attain the position which we now hold, in wealth, population, and intellectual and moral culture, is one of the most remarkable events in the history of civilization.
We must remember that Worcester, in population, is the second city in the commonwealth, that her numbers and re-
31
ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR.
sources have increased during the last twenty years with unexampled rapidity, and that to-day she is pronounced by men, whose judgment entitles them to entire respect, as the model city of the world. It may seem like boasting to say this, and yet it is the truth. We have, indeed, a fair soil in a neighborhood where the fields are not especially productive ; we have about water enough to put out our fires and cleanse our fabrics : we have good railroad facilities, but in this re- spect we are not specially blest more than others. What is the true secret of our success? What hidden influence moves this busy people, and marks our hills and valleys with such unmistakable evidences of thrift and prosperity? My answer is, it exists in the cultivated brains and skilled hands of our people. We may be blessed more than some others with cer- tain outward facilities, but the moving power, the main spring of our success, is to be found in the men who have given their rare intellectual abilities to the development of our resources, and who, when they had been successful in accumulating wealth, were willing to invest it at home, and build up here a free, industrious, and happy community, where the sound of free and contented labor is music to our ears, and our eyes are gladdened by the sight of homes independent and happy. Our power is in our men. To this city may be applied, with telling emphasis, the splendid utterances of the poet :
"What constitutes a state ?
Not high raised battlement, or labored mound, Thick wall, or moated gate ; Not cities proud, with spires and turrets crowned, Not bays and broad-armed ports,
Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride, Not stained and spangled courts,
Where low-browed baseness wafts perfume to pride, No! Men, high minded men,- *
* * *
Men who their duties know, But know their rights, and knowing dare maintain. *
*
These constitute a state."
Passing by those who have held municipal office, our pro- fessional men, editors, merchants, and those who may not be
32
ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR.
considered as directly connected with the peculiar pursuits of the city,-although we are free to say that they would not suf- fer in a comparison with those of any other municipality,-let us refer to those who have devoted their skill and energy to the development of the industrial interests of the city, and have made it what it has been so often and so aptly called, "The paradise of mechanics." We have been blest by a class of men of rare mechanical skill and business energy, who have gener- ally been inhabitants of the city, and have been ready to make their investments here. We have had the benefit of a great va- riety of mechanical and manufacturing business, so that a mo- mentary depression of one interest has been hardly perceptible. We have been able to gather here a class of mechanics so skillful and well trained that by their enlightened industry they have enabled our business to overcome the disadvantages un- der which we labor in the matter of freights, and as it has been well expressed by another, "to keep the inside track by means of our skill." Much of our employment has required the exercise of a high order of brain, and its result is seen, not only in the excellence of our productions, but in the fact that almost every list of patents exhibits some Worcester invention. We have had men of the wisdom of forecast, and firmness of nerve which has induced them to furnish shoproom and power for those whose means would not allow them to build up estab- lishments of their own, and the city to-day is one of the busi- est hives of workers which can be found upon the continent. It will continue to grow, so long as we possess this class of men who are willing to devote their rare abilities to make it the home of well paid labor, and the spot where the best work- men and the most intellectual mechanics of the country shall love to congregate.
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.