USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1867-1870 > Part 72
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41
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
sary to make it. Still, little progress in such an undertaking could be made with the force at present here.
Should this be the case a subject catalogue could be begun at once. When it is said that an additional assistant would be needed to make it prudent for us to begin to prepare this now, it is meant that this additional help would be needed whichever of the two systems we might conclude to adopt -- the Dictionary or the Mixed.
What recommendations, then, would the Library Commit- tee make in regard to cataloguing ?
It would recommend, first of all, that our present card cata- logue be brought up to date, and made a complete catalogue of authors and titles.
Then, that the principal articles published in the best of the periodicals on our shelves since the issue of Poole's Index, be catalogued by author and title in their alphabetical places in the present catalogue.
Finally, that so much time as can be had be spent in im- proving our catalogue by inserting therein lists of books on such subjects as are most likely to interest the users of this library.
This last recommendation, it will be noticed, does not, if carried out, convert our catalogue into a catalogue of subjects. In such a catalogue, every book in the library would be found under one, two, or several heads. But there is no reason why such work as is done here, should not be done with reference to the introduction of a catalogue of subjects. The books that we find time to catalogue, should be catalogued just as if we were making a complete catalogue, and then when we do un- dertake such a one much of the work will be found already done.
The committee also recommends to the Board to keep up, as hitherto, in book form, the catalogue of authors and abbre- viated titles. It will be important to do so until the card catalogue is brought up to date. This first catalogue was originally made as the only one for the use of the patrons of the library ; it being supposed that the librarian and his 6
42
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON THE
assistants would be the only ones allowed to refer to the cards. It is now, however, intended to allow the public to use the card catalogue ; and it remains to be seen whether this will not be enough for all uses. It may be useful to keep up a second catalogue as a basis for a printed one. Its originators had in view its usefulness in this respect. At any rate it is thought best not to discontinue work upon it, at present, as the labor involved in keeping it up to date is slight.
The committee thinks that a printed catalogue would be useful, and recognizes it as a fact of experience, that man- uscript catalogues fall into almost entire disuse, when printed ones are provided. Still it is confident that such a catalogue is not imperatively needed in a library for consultation, like the Green Library. While it would be very convenient for citizens to have copies in their houses, if they can come to the library, the number who would wish to use a card catalogue at the same time is so small compared with the number who wish simultaneously to use a catalogue of the circulating department, that, while a printed catalogue is a necessity in the latter department, the needs of users of the former are nearly as well met by a good manuscript catalogue.
So much for catalogues in the Reference Department of the library. A few words are necessary regarding the wants of the Circulating Department.
It may seem to you, gentlemen, that too much space has been occupied in this report in the discussion of systems of cataloguing. It was thought, however, that it would please you to know that recommendations for action here had only been made after, careful consideration of the whole subject.
For the Committee on the Library, SAMUEL S. GREEN, Secretary.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON READING ROOM.
Hon. Stephen Salisbury, Chairman of Board of Directors Frec Public Library :
The Committee on the Reading Room have to report a re- newed assurance of the great value of this charity to the people of Worcester. The privileges which it affords are appreciated and enjoyed by an ever increasing number of visitors, chiefly earnest, thoughtful people. Not only are the daily and weekly newspapers in constant use, both by regular and occasional visitors, but the magazines and scientific peri- odicals are also carefully read ; and these last, with the facili- ties furnished by the Green Library, especially in the consul- tation department, constitute a school of instruction of immense benefit to its numerous attendants.
During the past year we have added to the Reading Room the Harvard Advocate, the College Courant, the Literary World, the (American) Artizan, the Bureau, and the Journal of Speculative Philosophy, by subscription, and the Index by gift. We have been in the regular receipt of certain peri- odicals, by gift, from Hon. W. W. Rice, E. L. Davis, Samuel Ayers, Mrs. M. H. Morse, Miss S. F. Earle, B. G. Howes, Z. Baker, and the publishers of the Worcester Spy, Gazette, and Palladium, the Fitchburg Reveille, the Universalist, the Revolution, and of several publishers' circulars, to all of whom we renew our thanks.
The care of the Reading Room, specially assigned to Miss Sarah F. Earle, one of the assistant librarians, has been very acceptable to the public and to the Committee. The long needed improvement in the system of heating the room is duly appreciated by the visitors.
For the Committee,
CHARLES. A. CHASE.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON THE BUILDING.
To the Hon. Stephen Salisbury, President of the Board of Directors of the Free Public Library.
The Building Committee submit the following report for 1870 :
The City Council very generously and wisely appropriated Two Thousand Dollars for the purpose of more properly heating the Library Building.
They also appropriated "the Dog Fund," amounting to Nineteen Hundred and Thirty-one Dollars and Five Cents, for the purpose of re-arranging the steps and stone-work in front of the building.
The committee contracted for putting in steam heating apparatus at the sum of Eighteen Hundred and Fifty Dollars. Mason work amounting to One Hundred and Eighty-six Dollars and Twenty-one Cents was required to be done. So that the appropriation has been more than exhausted.
The Stone work was contracted to be done for Nineteen Hundred Dollars. We have also expended One Hundred and Sixty-three Dollars and Twenty-one Cents in altering the portico.
The building has been thereby very much improved and the citizens seem to be pleased with the changes.
We have also expended about Three Hundred Dollars in repairing the roof and in painting the outside of the building.
The end of the year finds us with the building in thorough repair, and in a much better condition inside and out than it has ever been.
16
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON THE BUILDING.
We do not anticipate that any great amount will need to be expended in repairs for the coming year.
A new gas light will soon be placed under the portico and an iron fence will be placed on the steps.
Respectfully E. B. STODDARD, Chairman.
REPORT
OF THE
TREASURER OF READING ROOM FUND.
NATHANIEL PAINE, TREASURER, in account with
THE FREE PUBLIC READING ROOM.
DR.
To cash from H. A. Marsh, Treasurer. 1869. $517 41
Interest on City Bonds, 300 00
United States Bonds, 189 42
from Library Committee for Books, 30 19
Total receipts, $1.037,02
CR.
By cash paid for subscriptions to newspapers and periodicals,
$845 42
Balance of cash on hand, Dec. 28. 1870, 191 60
$1,037 02
INVESTED FUND.
City of Worcester Bonds,
$5000 00
United States Bonds, 5650 00
Total of Fund,
$10.650 00
Respectfully submitted,
NATHANIEL PAINE,
Treasurer.
The above amount is found to be correct, and the securities of the investments are in possession of the Treasurer.
S. SALISBURY, One of the Committee of Finance.
January 24, 1871.
REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE.
To Hon. Stephen Salisbury, President of the Board of Di- rectors of the Free Public Library of Worcester :
The Finance Committee submit the following report of the Receipts and Expenditures on account of the Free Public Li- brary for the year 1870.
Balance of former appropriation in the Treasury,
Jan. 1. 1870, $2,739 79
City appropriation for 1870,
For General purposes,
$6,000 00
. Steam apparatus.
2,000 00
" Rearranging steps (Dog Fund), 1,931 05
$9,931 05
$12,670 84
Bills approved and payments thereon, viz : Bills for books and printing of Catalogue,
2,040 77
" printing (exclusive of Catalogue), 85 02
·· binding,
424 12
" painting and carpenter work-furniture and small repairs,
549 85
gas (including lighting of school rooms), 638 57
.. fuel.
302 47
15 00
.. water.
incidental expenses. 72 21
salaries and care of building, 2,569 40
stone work on steps-in part, 900 00
$7,597 41 $5,073 43
Balance in City Treasury, Jan. 1, 1871,
The following bills will be required to be paid from the above balance, viz :
7
50
REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Bill for steam work and gas fixtures, estimated. $1.900 00
66 mason work, 186 21
66 carpenter work, 163 21
steps-balance-estimated. 1.100 00
painting, 150 00
8,499 42
Showing the actual balance, over all liabilities.
of about $1.574 01
with which to commence the year.
For the Committee. E. B. STODDARD, Chairman.
THE GREEN LIBRARY FUND.
The Finance Committee of the Free Public Library submit the fol- owing report of the Green Library. Fund, Jan. 1. 1871 :
STATEMENT OF THE FUND. JANUARY 1. 1870.
Notes secured by mortgage, $21.148 50
Bank stocks (at value taken from Executors.) 6.952 00
Worcester City Notes, 3.277 81
--- $31.378 31
STATEMENT OF THE FUND JANUARY 1. 1871.
Notes secured by mortgage, $19,748 50
Bank stocks (stated at par value,) 6.200 00
Worcester City Notes, 6,536 19
$32.484 69
Legacy of John Green, $550.85, received during the year 1870, and added to the Fund.
INCOME FOR 1870.
Interest on mortgage notes, $1.221 23
Dividends on Bank stocks, 640 00
Interest on City Notes. 360 88
$2.222 11
¿ of Income to be deducted,
$555 53
Amount taken from Bank stocks, changing them from market value to par value in fund, 752 00
1,307 53
Balance of Income appropriated for purchase of Books. $914 58
BOOK ACCOUNT.
Balance of cash January 1, 1870. appropriated. but not expended, $1,678 62
₹ of Income for 1870-less $752 appropriated to reduce Bank stock to par, $914 58
2,593 20
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Gentlemen of the City Council:
The Overseers of the Poor herewith respecfully submit their Annual Report.
Which upon examination will show an increase in the num- bers they have been called upon to provide for during the present as compared with the previous year, and which is ac- counted for by the continued high prices of the necessaries of life and the want of employment by many of the large num- ber of laborers who have been attracted thither by the public works of the city, who having been unable to procure it have left their families here in a destitute condition for us to provide for, and gone themselves to other places.
The prevalence of the small pox in our city for a great part of the year has also caused much suffering and destitution amongst a class of our citizens who might and probably would under ordinary circumstances have supported themselves, the fear of contagion compelling the public generally to avoid them, and preventing them from obtaining employment where- with to maintain their families, not only while they were actual- ly sick but for a long time after the danger of the contagion had passed.
There has also been a large increase in the number of cases of sickness generally, and many causalties to persons who from the want of a suitable Hospital in an accessible location have had their sufferings largely increased, as also has been the expense of providing properly for their necessities.
Intemperance has also been the cause of much of this in- crease, as the number of those who have been provided for who were confirmed inebriates has been nearly twice as many as it was last year, and of the four new cases of lunacy fully
4
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
supported during the year three have been made so by delir- um tremens.
The abolishing of the naturalization clause in the require- ments of a legal settlement, as also the change in the military settlement law made by the last General Court, by shifting the burden of support of many who were formerly state paupers on to the cities and towns has already shown its anticipated re- sults. Eighty-six persons have been provided with transporta- tion under the law of the commonwealth compelling the par- ties bringing paupers into the state to carry them out again ; this is more than double the number of last year, and although the greatest vigilance has been exercised in this matter in order not to do an injustice to our railroad companies, who have never yet refused to comply with these obligations to us in such cases, two women representing themselves as having been deserted by their husbands, and entirely destitute and desirous of reaching their homes, had been sent forward, but while at the station it was discovered they had near four hundred dol- lars concealed in their baggage, and their free pass was taken from them, but still persistent, they then went to the superin- tendent of the road with the same pitiful tale, that had provided the first one from us and obtained from him another free pass, with which they left the city for Canada ; seventy- nine persons having no settlement have been sent to the State Alms House at Monson. This number is slightly in excess of those sent last year and is reported by the superintendent there to be more than from all the other towns in the vicinity, and which is probably true, as it frequently occurs that they are sent here from other places as a more convenient way of dis- posing of them, and consequently have to obtain their permit from Worcester and get their transpotation there at our ex- pense.
Three hundred and one other persons and families, also State paupers, composed mostly of the families of travelling laborers temporarily out of employment, have received assist- ance or support for a part of the year. These, also, are in excess of the numbers of a similar class assisted during the previous year.
5
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Four hundred and eighty-two families have applied for and received aid and partial support during the year.
Three hundred and fifty-five persons have received aid fo. the first time during the year, one hundred of whom had a settlement in this city; twenty-six of which were military settlements, and is double the number of the same class of settlements assisted the last year.
Three hundred and two were residents of this city ; eight were insane, one of which has died in the hospital, and two were idiotic.
Two thousand five hundred and four persons have been provided with food and lodging at the station, which is about 20 per cent. in excess of 1869. The comfortable quarters provided for them there probably inducing them to avail themselves of them as often as deemed safe.
In providing for the cases above enumerated there have been drawn at the Clerk's Office for food, fuel, clothing, medicines and other articles, one thousand and eighteen orders on various persons, and there has been disbursed for weekly allowances in various sums to different persons,
In Cash Allowances,
$ 202 00
For Groceries,
1,111 05
" Furniture and Clothing.
184 24
" Medicine, Attendance and Nursing, 746 57
" Transportation of Paupers, 203 01
" Burials,
369 00
" Insane Hospital bills,
804 38
" Reform and Nautical School bills, 681 31
" Aid to Paupers in other towns,
306 08
" Stamps, Blanks, Books and Stationery, 80 77
" Miscellaneous Expenses,
70 81
Total,
$4,759.22
Salary of Clerk,
$1,000 00
" City Physician, 400 00
Total of City Department, $6,159.22
The Alms House and City Hospital, still under the care of our efficient superintendent and matron Mr. and Mrs. John Farwell, have recently been inspected by the Board, and
1
6
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
several members of the present and past City Governments, all of whom testified to the satisfaction they experienced on the occasion in many complimentary remarks on the general appearance of the entire establishment.
The number of inmates, sixty-three, has been larger during the present than any previous year ; but as they have generally remained for shorter periods the average for the entire year has been about the same as last year, but there are more inmates now than there has been during the winter for several years past.
The crops raised on the farm the present year, although on account of the drouth during the summer, not realizing the ex- pectations of the superintendent who had planted a larger amount of land than usual, have, on the whole, been good, and the crops of hay and corn have been much superior to those on other farms in the vicinity.
A fire in the wood lot during the month of August, probably caused by some careless sportsman, consumed about two acres of wood and timber, and damaged the estate to the amount of nearly two hundred dollars, and would probably have been much more serious but for the timely and vigorous exertions of the inmates and neighbors in quelling the same.
The total expenditure for maintenance is
$6,629 54 Receipts from sales and Board of Truant School, 3,752 00
Making the net expenses
$2,876 55
Salary of Superintendent and Matron,
800 00
Total expense of Alms House department,
$3,676 50
66 " City Department,
6,159 22
Total expenditure,
$9,835 72
And the resources have been :
Appropriation by the City Council,
$11,000 00
Receipts from other cities and towns, 66 the Commonwealth,
1,664 54
1,150 84
Total receipts,
$13,815 38
" expenditures,
9,835 72
Leaving an unexpended balance,
$3,979 56
7
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The farm has been visited by the entire Board, and an In- ventory and Appraisal just taken which is as follows :-
96 acres of cleared land,
$7,680 00
100 acres of wood and sprout land,
7,500 00
26 acres near the Harlow place,
1,040 00
50 acres in the Davidson pasture,
1,280 00
All the Farm buildings,
21,000 00
Making total value of Real Estate,
$38,500 00
Farm, stock, tools, and produce,
7,747 25
Appurtenances of Truant School,
393 00
Furniture and household articles,
4,253 82
And the total valuation,
$50,894 07
The valuation of 1869 was
50,813 61
Difference in favor of 1870 of
$80 46
The accounts of the Truant School have, as heretofore, been kept separate from those of the Alms House ; the usual charge of two and a half dollars a week being made to that account for the teacher and each boy's board, and five cents an hour being credited for the labor of the boys. The average number during the year has been thirteen, and the expenses for the year-
For Board,
$1,476 89
" Instruction and supervision,
420 00
" Clothing and other expenses,
386 15
Total,
$2,283 04
Received for boys' labor,
73 00
Net expense,
$2,210 04
Appropriation, 3,000 00
Leaving an unexpended balance of $789 96
An appraisal of the property belonging to the school was made
December 17th, and amounted to $393 00
And in 1869 it was
371 00
Difference in favor of 1870 of
22 09
8
CITY RELIEF DEPARTMENT.
Clerk's Monthly Disbursements.
drawn.
No. of Orders
Allowances.
Cash
Fuel.
Cost of
Groceries.
Clothing.
Furniture and
and Nursing.
cal attendance,
Medicine. Medi-
of Paupers.
Burials.
Bills.
Bills.
Reform and
Books. &c.
Expenses.
Miscellaneous
Towns.
Paid other
January,
119
22 00 153 50
154 45
7 50
44 10
5 00
31 00
53 05 175 00
10 50
19 76 101 00
February,
133
20 00 151 60
137 00
40 05
34 05
1 00
109 85
March,
116
20 00 147 00
117 00
35 60
17 19
24 58
21 00
46 70 152 05
April,
66
20 00: 42 00
92 00
58 14
61 45
18 70
34 00
11 30
May,
60
20 00
24 00
77 00
52 45
6 90
19 00
174 18
108 28
17 50
19 05
26 23
June,
66
20 00
12 50
52 10
2 50
41 07
28 50
94 00
July,
64
20 00
10 00
58 00
35 05
13 83
20 00
50 60
38 64
10 00
August,
53
12 00
14 00
46 50
16 25
14 15
50 00
57 50
6 50
9 00
September,
58
12 00
9 00
83 00
37 00 147 91
9 48
37 00
54 15
5 00
60 00
October,
60
12 00
18 00
56 00
23 25 118 65
15 07
42 00
23 50
144 55
10 00
November,
102
12 00
116 00
113 00
12 75
94 80
21 00
344 70
43 50
16 97
12 00
December,
121
12 00
97 75
125 00
7 50
78 60
32 80
19 29
12 00
$1018
202 00 795 35 1111 05 184 24
1746 57 |203 01
369 00
804 38
1681 31
80 77
70 81 (306 08
Transportation
Cost of
Insane Hospital
Nautical School
Postages, Blank
Cost of
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
9
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
ALMS HOUSE.
Monthly Accounts.
Paupers.
No. of
Total Ex- pend'r's.
Total Receipts.
Receipts above Expend's.
Net Ex- penses.
January,
29
$227 70
227 70
1 94
February,
28
324 65
836 38
511 73
March,
32
677 64
189 58
488 06
April,
27
618 28
544 68
73 60
May,
23
613 71
254 11
539 60
June,
23
321 29
160 11
161 18
July,
23
406 37
130 37
276 00
August,
31
971 15
123 10
848 05
September,
26
522 88
665 50
142 62
October,
29
525 45
178 07
347 38
November,
29
610 25
231 19
379 06
December,
30
810 17
215 20
594 97
$6629 54
3752 99
513 67
3850 52
TRUANT SCHOOL.
Monthly Accounts.
Scholars.
No. of
Cost of Board.
Other Expenses.
Value of Labor.
Teaching and Super- vision.
January,
12
$128 57
26 52
2 50
February,
14
124 07
18 47
5 00
March,
13
139 50
15 60
2 50
100 00
April,
15
135 00
4 08
10 00
May,
14
145 60
36 25
10 00
June,
13
113 14
123 00
10 00
100 00
July,
10
109 64
10 98
11 00
August,
10
109 60
3 00
6 00
September,
11
106 07
7 20
7 00
120 00
October,
12
83 82
13 04
3 00
November,
14
132 94
104 00
3 00
December,
14
149 46
24 01
3 00
100 00
$1476 89|
386 15
73 00
420 00
2
10
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The services of the City Physician, owing to the preval- ence of the small-pox and other sickness previously men- tioned, have been in constant requisition, and he has prob- ably been called for much oftener than heretofore, and the calls have been both promptly and cheerfully responded to, and he has had remarkable success in his treatment, not only in several very difficult cases but in his practice amongst the poor generally, a full report of which may be expected from himself.
With the present year also ends the term of service of one .of our number who has faithfully served this Board in the responsible position of Chairman of the Committee on the Farm.
To his thorough knowledge of its necessities, and the liberal and systematic manner in which his duties have been performed are due a large share of its past success and present promising condition.
The unsparing hand of death has this year, for the first time since the present organization, entered our ranks and removed from our members one who has served as our presiding officer for the past five years. By this sad event the Board has lost one of its most efficient members, and the poor a constant and faithful friend.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. GALE, Clerk.
JAMES B. BLAKE, JAMES M. DRENNAN, ALBERT P. MARBLE, GEORGE W. GALE, JOHN C. NEWTON, DAVID F. PARKER, CHARLES G. REED, C. B. HADWEN, WALTER HENRY,
Overseers of the Poor for 1870.
BY-LAWS OF THE BOARD OF
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR,
OF THE
CITY OF WORCESTER. 1871.
1
٠
BY-LAWS.
SECTION 1. The mayor shall be Chairman, and as such shall exer- cise the rights and perform the duties of the presiding officer of the Board, governed by parlimentary law ; and in his absence the Board shall appoint a chairman pro-tem. For transaction of business, five members shall constitute a quorum.
SEC. 2. At the first meeting of the Board in January, when the new members take their seats, and before the transaction of any other business, they shall be qualified, according to law ; by taking the oath of office, which shall be administered by the chairman. The Board shall then choose a Clerk as prescribed by the City Ordinance, who shall perform such duties as shall be prescribed by said City Ordinances and the rules of this Board ; he shall keep a full and im- partial record of all meetings of this Board, and full accounts of all ex- penditures of the department, and an intelligible record of all persons aided, either temporarily or permanently, recording all facts in con- nection with each case that may come to his knowledge by reasonable inquiry and investigation, and reporting all new cases at the next succeeding meeting.
SEC. 3. There shall be appointed at this first meeting of the Board by the chair, four standing committees, of three members each ; one on the Farm, one on Relief, and one on Truant School.
SEC. 4. The Finance Committee shall examine all bills, and if found correct, shall audit the same.
SEC. 5. The committee on the Farm shall have charge of the farm and the inmates of the Institution. Under the direction of the Board they shall make, advise, or order all purchases and supplies for the same, and examine and approve all bills contracted therefor. They shall visit the institution monthly, and make to the Board at each monthly meeting a report of the condition of the same.
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