Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1875, Part 2

Author: Worcester (Mass.)
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: The City
Number of Pages: 490


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1875 > Part 2


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CONCLUSION.


In conclusion, I desire to acknowledge my obliga- tions to the members of the City Government of 1875, for their generous support and co-operation in the transaction of public business ; and also for their honest and candid consideration of such measures as I have thought proper to propose or advocate in behalf of the city. I have had occasion to exercise the veto power but twice during the year, and in each case was sustained by a unanimous vote. I only ask that the new government may succeed as well as the old ; that its energies may be devoted to the welfare of Worcester, irrespective of all other considerations. I shall expect the unqualified support of every mem- ber of the City Council so long as I act honorably


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22


CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.


and justly towards the people of Worcester, whose interests I am bound to serve.


I shall not fail to support and carry into effect, so far as my authority as chief magistrate will permit, whatever you lawfully and conscientiously direct. The City needs our best efforts, our candid judgment, our impartial action. Let us meet the requirements that duty suggests, united as one man, for the good of all.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE COMMISSION OF


PUBLIC GROUNDS.


To The Honorable CITY COUNCIL.


The COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS, conforming to the require- ments of Section 21 of the Charter of the City, has the honor to submit the following "Report of their Acts and doings, of the condition of the Public Grounds and Shade Trees thereon, and on said Streets and Highways, and an account of receipts and expenditures for the same," during the past financial year.


The Receipts and Expenditures were as follows :


COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS


In account with


CITY OF WORCESTER.


Dr.


Unexpended in 1874, (brought forward),


$ 56 00


Appropriation,


4,000 00


Revenue :


Circus (Howe & Cushing),


100 00


Circus (Murray's),


100 00


Stephen Harrington (Sale of old Logs),


3 00


Loan of Roller,


75


Grass on Elm Park,


35 00


Earth from Common, (M. McGrath),


24 00


To Credit of Elm Park,


241 40


$4,560 15


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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.


Per Contra, Cr.


Paid Account of James Draper, Shrubs, Trees, &c.


$241 40


Highway Department, old acct. of Dec. 22, 1874,


7 00


Jan.


2, Steven Rowe, labor, Henry Forney, labor, 24 00


Charles Hamilton, printing,


2 25


5, David Rowe, labor,


34 30


Feb.


3, Steven Rowe, labor and tools,


44 49


66


Kinnicutt & Co., tools,


9 00


William A. Hill, work,


1 50


1 50


M'ch 2, Steven Rowe, labor and paid for team,


36 74


3, Henry Forney,


33 00


April 3, Steven Rowe,


41 98


Charles Hamilton, printing Annual Report, Michael McGrath, use of team,


5 00


May


6, John Barnes, labor and manure, James Downey, manure and hauling,


10 75


A. B. Lovell, cement and sand,


3 45


William Lee, labor and team,


3 00


Benj. C. Jaques, labor, stock, and loam,


91 24


David Rowe and help, labor,


49 00


66 C. F. Henry, manure and hauling,


41 25


June 4, Michael McGrath, earth and teaming,


39 49


John Dempsey, labor,


15 75


Benj. C. Jaques, labor and stock, for tree guards. 43 34


45 50


66


Kinnicutt & Co., lawn mower, &c. &c.,


27 77


66


John D. Lovell, tools &c.,


10 17


Wor. Water Works, cement,


1 85


John S. Clark & Son, lime,


1 50


Highway Department, carting scrapings,


183 00


F. C. Thayer, trees,


10 00


John D. Baldwin & Co., advertising,


3 50


David Rowe, labor,


52 00


July


6, Highway Department, scrapings and labor on Boynton Street, 43 40


72 71


66


John Barnes, carting, 7 00


Steven Rowe, labor,


42 00


Downey Bros., loam, 57 00


66 Water Works Department, labor on Common, 4 20


Fred'k H. Hammond, labor on Elm Park,


35 30


John D. Baldwin & Co., advertising,


75


66 Wellington Keith, labor as per pay roll,


61 50


Chas. H. Doe & Co., advertising, "mischief," Henry Forney, labor,


37 00


42 59


30 50


Steven Rowe, labor,


43 75


Steven Rowe,


Benj. C. Jaques, iron, wood, stock and labor,


39 38


25


PUBLIC GROUNDS.


July 6, James Draper, shrubs and trees,


153 70


Engineer's Department, ¿ mo.


25 00


David Rowe, labor, 48 00


66 John D. Lovell,


5 26


W. W. Cook, shrubs,


12 00


Aug. 4, Wellington Keith, labor as per pay roll,


22 50


66 Mason & Lincoln, iron, 12 60


66


Samuel F. Shattuck, pruning,


9 60


Gas Light Co., re-location of lamps on Common,


20 20


66 Kinnicutt & Co., tools and sharpening lawn mower,


4 28


66


Geo. T. Sutton, labor and materials, (pumps), 18 50


66 David Rowe and assistant, labor, 63 75


42 00


66


5, J. S. Clark & Son, cement,


1 63


“ 6, Hugh MeLaughlin, beach-stones, freight, and paving 678.13 lin. yds. of gutter,


736 40


Geo. Percy Daniels, To mos. eng.


10 00


66


G. H. Palmer, & mo. eng.


10 00


66


O. B. Hadwen, trees and setting,


166 00


66


16, C. A. Colby, cleansing monument,


15 00


66 24, M. R. Edwards, manure and teaming,


86 00


Sept. 3, Charles H. Perry, pruning,


6, Steven Rowe, labor,


42 87


66 Michael McGrath, labor and teams,


34 62


Kinnicutt & Co.,


1 00


66 Fred'k H. Hammond, labor and teams,


54 90


Samuel F. Shattuck, pruning trees,


6 00


Downey Bros., labor and teams,


28 75


Benj. C. Jaques, stock and labor,


^4 50


David Rowe, labor,


46 50


Oct.


4, Samuel F. Shattuck, pruning, David Rowe, labor,


42 00


Fred. H. Hammond, labor and teams,


15 30


66 Michael McGrath, labor and teams,


141 87


66


Steven Rowe, labor,


45 50


66 James Draper, trees, &c., &c.,


97 00


66


8, Percy Daniels, eng. grades around Monument, ¿ mo. 20 83


27, John Doyle, loam,


77 00


Nov. 5, Steven Rowe, labor,


66


David Rowe, labor,


45 50


Downey Bros., manure and hauling,


40 50


66 Samuel F. Shattuck, pruning,


4 50


John D. Lovell, barrow,


2 75


66 Kinnicutt & Co., tarred rope,


1 13


66 Michael McGrath, labor and teams,


88 50


66


John D. Lovell, seed and tools,


28 45


34 35


5, John Dempsey, labor,


5 26


43 75


27 84


66 Steven Rowe, labor,


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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.


Dec. 3, Edw. R. Fiske, paper and printing, 9 50 John B. O'Leary, repairs of tools, 1 95


J. B. Brooks, manure and hauling, 24 37


66 C. F. Henry, manure and hauling,


41 25


O. B. Hadwen, trees and setting, Steven Rowe, labor,


42 00


Downey Bros., loam and teaming,


42 00


Michael McGrath, labor and teaming,


110 25


Geo. T. Sutton, work on pumps,


5 00


4, J. & J. A. Rice, shovels,


5 20


66 N. M. Hardy, manure and hauling,


16 00


David Rowe, labor,


49 50


$4,506 43


Dr.


4,560 15


Balance,


$ 53 72


Mindful of the present tendency to economy in theory if not practice, the COMMISSION will strive for unwonted brevity. Individual labor and the public patience will be saved thereby, not to enlarge upon the charge for printing.


The work of grading around the Soldiers' Monument, neces- sarily left incomplete in 1874, was resumed at the earliest possible moment. An open esplanade commended itself as the most feasible mode of disposing of the space : having in view the absolute need of accommodating the vast number of pedes- trians, who cannot afford to be impeded; and the tender curiosity of those who love to approach closely and scan the names so durably recorded. Anxious that the work should be permanent, a deep excavation was effected, which was subsequently filled up with that waste material from the Washburn Iron Works, for the gratuitous use of which so many of our citizens have continual cause to be grateful. Listening however to a well-meant sug- gestion, the COMMISSION went further and fared worse. An offer of marble dust or grit was accepted, which, hauled and spread in profusion upon the more important walks, answered the purpose for a time most admirably. But with the advent of frost and thaw the " soil " upon the Common ceased to be longer " free : " attaching and adhering with more than the fabled closeness of Pallida Mors to the defunct African. The rottenness of the Win- ter at this present time of writing, imposes upon the COMMISSION


27 00


27


PUBLIC GROUNDS.


an unexpected, but none the less imperative, task. Robbing Peter to pay Paul, they have conveyed frequent and large loads of gravel from Elm Park, by the use of which it is believed that the worst nuisance of mud has been effectually suppressed. Yet the suggestion is made to the Honorable Council whether the main walks, across and along the Common, are not in such inces- sant and universal use as to justify the employment of some durable material for their pavement. Such the Commission do not consider concrete, which would be objectionable also because of its baneful effect upon the Shade-Trees. Good brick has every advantage. It should be understood, however, that no estimate has been submitted for pavements; and that an appro- priation for that especial purpose would be required, should the suggestion approve itself to the Honorable Council.


Opportunity was seized, in the progress of grading around the monument, to widen the more important paths. The gutters were also enlarged and supplied with outlets of increased capacity. When the Railway-tracks are taken up, after the 1st day of June, it will be possible to finish all surface work now contemplated. Those Tracks were availed of however to trans- port over them, swiftly and cheaply, the amount of Beach-Stone that it was supposed would be wanted hereafter. These will be used to construct gutters along each side of the broad mall that should replace the railways. Such a mall will be a municipal convenience, should a possible economy conclude to locate the City Hall of the future,-whose construction is an inevitable if remote necesssity, within the quadrilateral space between Front, Main, and Park Streets, which is now encumbered and not con- spicuously adorned by the present Hall and the Meeting House of the First Parish. Ceasing to be unclean would not interfere with the land remaining Common. Perhaps the ridiculous title of Central Park might be officially altered, as it was long since suffered to fall into disuse ; and, with an almost precise similarity of situation, we might, like our fellow-citizens of Philadelphia, possess a Centennial Hall fronting upon Centennial Square.


In course of excavation around the Monument, it was dis- covered that its foundation had been imperfectly constructed ; and was such as no competent builder would esteem sufficient for


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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.


a decent dwelling-house. This fact, obvious to all passers-by, was communicated to the Honorable Council in a note that is copied in this connection, because of harsh language vented upon the Chairman of this Commission by some whose vigilant dis- charge of duty, in the outset, would have saved trouble and expense :-


" COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS, June 28, 1875.


To the Honorable City Council :


The undersigned would respectfully invite the attention of the Honorable Council to the character and condition of the foundation of the Soldiers' Monument, as disclosed by the excavations which have been commenced for the purpose of grading and improving the grounds circumjacent.


In many instances the stones have no bearing upon each other; were never bound or tied together; but appear, when laid down, to have been hastily covered up by a screen of coal-ashes which have not tenacity to retain themselves or aught else. The ultimate safety of the Monument appears to require that some remedy for this state of things should be applied immediately.


Probably no more propitious time could be found than the present, when the foundations will be uncovered, with all their imperfections and deficiencies.


Very Respectfully,


EDWARD W. LINCOLN, Chairman."


No reflection upon any one was intended, and none was made. The coat fitted however and was voluntarily assumed. The pro- priety of the appeal was amply vindicated by the prompt action of the Honorable Council, through which an effectual and permanent remedy has been applied.


Errors in the inscription upon the Tablets of the Monument were discovered long since ; and an order was passed by the City Council to have them remedied. This has not yet been done. If the corrections are to be made, it is very desirable that they should be completed before the pavement around the Monument is laid down, in the Spring.


A serious imperfection in the coil of rope held by the Sailor, . upon the S. W. angle, is rendering itself disagreeably conspicu- ous by its effect upon the hewn-stone beneath. The following


29


PUBLIC GROUNDS.


note from a gentleman entirely competent to give an opinion in the premises, is herewith presented for your more thorough com- prehension.


" WORCESTER, January 3d, 1876.


Edward W. Lincoln, Esq.,


Sir :


You ask for the cause and remedy of the stain on the Soldiers' Monument, near the figure of the Sailor. It is evidently being constantly produced by the decomposition and corroding of substances composing the core around which the coil of the heaving-line in the Sailor's hand was cast. This result was perhaps expected by those who furnished the figure, for it will be seen that they drilled a small hole through the bronze metal at the lowest point of the coil.


It might have been avoided by removing the core when cast; and can be stopped by sawing a small section out of one side of the coil and removing the decomposing matter. And the piece can be brazed, or soldered and chased in again firmly; and, if taken from the right place the joints cannot be seen from the ground. Unless this is done, the rust will probably con- tinue as long as the core lasts.


Yours &c.,


B. H. KINNEY."


A single other reference to the Monument and the subject will be dismissed. Viewed fundamentally, the pile itself is an achieve- ment, if not a success. Yet the critical eye beholds its apex with scarcely the satisfaction imagined by Webster when, in a fine frenzy, he contemplated the sun lingering and playing upon that summit on Bunker Hill. Regarded a posteriori, as it is most seen, the position of the bronze Goddess appears most unfortunate; the whole figure being dwarfed and the head seeming hunched into the shoulders. Her reversion, or rather torsion, which is perfectly feasible; forcing her to confront the North Star, and leaving the sparrows on the mound at the South to study that most singular aspect which now bewilders Washington Square ; would undoubtedly commend itself to public approval.


A general illumination of the City was recently indulged in. It is suggested whether the Treasury is too poor to defray the cost of repairing the old or procuring a new Flag-Staff. Other eminent men may succeed the late Vice-President, in mortuary procession. Besides, in the exuberance of our patriotism, on this


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30


CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.


Centennial Year of the Republic, should we not feel some slight degree of mortification, if unable to hoist the Federal Banner upon the Twenty-Second of February, or the Fourth of July.


In its Report for the year 1874, this COMMISSION suggested, in the following language, that :


" Salem Square should not longer be tolerated as a public eye- sore. A decent regard should be had for simple appearance and some consideration manifested for the very respectable Religious Societies which have there planted their Houses of Worship. Has not the time come to stop the Wood and Hay,-matters of indispensable necessity but yet susceptible of regulation,-upon the outskirts of the City ; at Lincoln and Webster Squares for instance where facilities for measuring and weighing already exist. Then, a sufficient street being left open, the remainder of the Square could be restored to the COMMON, from which it was needlessly wrested ; and the Eastern boundary completed as well as defined by a continuation of the new Ornamental Kerb. A speedy decision of this matter, which cannot be postponed much longer at any rate, would materially facilitate the labor imposed upon this COMMISSION of putting in good order the ground adjacent to the Soldiers' Monument."


The opinion thus expressed has been confirmed by longer reflection. Section 1, chap. 45, of the City Ordinances, provides that the " Mayor and Aldermen shall appoint a suitable place or places in the Streets and Squares of the City of Worcester as a stand or stands for the measurement, weight, and sale of Hay, Straw, Wood, Bark, and Charcoal ;" &c., &c. Waiving the question why such provision should thus be made more than for cloth, or cattle ; the inquiry arises whether Salem Square is now, if it ever was, a " suitable place "? It was certainly ab- stracted from the COMMON. Why not restore it and continue the Ornamental Kerb, along its Eastern boundary, from Park Street to the corner of Front ?


The Urinals, erected upon the COMMON by this COMMISSION, have not been decently used by a portion of the people for whose relief they were designed, and, being converted into a nuisance, will doubtless have to be removed. Yet it seems a pity ; not merely because their cost was considerable, but on account of the notorious fact that they inadequately meet a


31


PUBLIC GROUNDS.


necessity, of which no false delicacy should preclude the con- sideration ; and for which public policy and decency absolutely demand a remedy. It might almost be said, without ex- aggeration, that the need of a Public Hospital was not more imperative.


Once again :- durable Foot-Paths should be constructed, if slowly yet surely. Two-thirds of our population cross upon them at all hours of the day and night. Why intercept them in their hurried course, with a seemingly-endless pathway of mud ? Compelling thein either to violate the rules of this COMMISSION by trampling over the lawns; or the Commandments, by the use of all kinds of naughty language ?


Then, when the Eastern side of the COMMON has been com- pleted, by the inclosure of a portion of Salem Square within the extended Kerb ; when the Brazen Image confronts Ursa Major ; when the Jet d' Eau, heretofore advised, has been constructed in the suitable position already assigned ; we may feel that the best has been accomplished that was possible upon so limited an area.


The acknowledgments of the COMMISSION are due to the accomplished City Engineer, C. H. M. Blake ; as to his Assistant, Gen. Percy Daniels, for much cordial co-operation, and for many valuable and wise suggestions.


The Shade Trees of the City are in their ordinary good con- dition. Some veterans were necessarily felled upon Main Street ; whence it is anticipated that the removal of all will, sooner or later, be demanded by the real or supposed exigencies of Trade. Yet, in the judgment of this COMMISSION, that will be found a mistaken advantage which, for the sake of glaring light admits torrid heat. It may not be the case in Worcester ; but, almost universally, the shady side of a street is sought for purposes of fashionable traffic. By this is meant the side that is the most sheltered in the afternoons of Summer; when protection from the fervid rays of the sun is not to be despised, even by those engaged in the merchandise of Ice. The fashionable, by which is intended the Dry Goods, traffic, always has given direction to the business of a City ; and it will doubtless continue to do so. The noble Elms that are still suffered to adorn our principal


32


CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 80.


thoroughfare ; our sole thoroughfare until PARK AVENUE Was substantially opened ; may be ruthlessly sacrificed. But the pre- diction is ventured, that Owners and Tenants alike will rue the facility with which they solicited, or consented, to such wanton- ness. This COMMISSION would agree to plant, or replant, the whole length of Main Street with thrifty Elms, engaging that they should live, but for the fatuity, (to call it nothing worse), which has suffered coal-cellars and other similar encroachments to be made by abutters upon the Public Easement. For as the community would have a right to fill the location with Elevated Tramways, in the Heavens above, within the limits of its location, be that four or six rods wide; so, by parity of logic and law, it cannot be excluded from occupying the earth beneath with Gas or Water-pipes, and Sewers. Individuals, however, have always the advantage of the body-politic in a knowledge of what they want and in the determination to possess it at all risks. Another obstacle to the planting of this thoroughfare is, that no more upon Main Street than elsewhere, would owners of estates, or others, pay the slightest heed to that Municipal Ordi- nance which prohibits "the fastening of Animals to any Orna- mental or Shade Tree, or to any fence or other thing erected for the protection of such Tree."


It is true that complaint against offenders might be made by this COMMISSION, if it knew them. But then the COMMISSION scrupulously refrains from encroaching upon the functions of other Departments, of whom it might perchance be required by Ordinance " to prosecute all offenders with promptness and effect and use all lawful and proper means to secure convictions ;" also " to enforce and carry into effect all laws and city ordinances, and to be vigilant to detect and punish any breach thereof."


It has been the aim of the COMMISSION, during the past year, to set out none but good, merchantable trees. The discouragement at seeing their trunks gnawed by horses, within a day or two of planting, may be imagined if not shared.


All vegetable growth must be fostered by stimulating the latent forces of the earth. Manure is not requisite to the Shade


33


PUBLIC GROUNDS.


as to the Fruit tree. As long ago as A. D., 1870, this COMMIS- SION, in its Report, remarked that :


"The entire bulk of Manure from the city stables is now delivered upon the Poor-Farm, being hauled some two (2) miles or more beyond the Common which is starving for lack of it. If the collection of offal were so systematized, as to be rendered available for the support of a Piggery upon that Farm, as it should be, an existing evil would be converted into a source of profit. Sufficient Pork would be gained for the supply of that meagre table, so strenuously insisted upon by the City Fathers, at their annual Dinner : and a portion of the manure from the city-stables might be spared, to stay the complete impoverish- ment of the Public Grounds."


Time has made the evil more apparent by intensifying it. From that date to this, not a pound of civic manure has been applied to the PUBLIC GROUNDS,-simply because it was unattain- able. Yet this COMMISSION has been compelled to hunt up that supply, from private stables, which should have been theirs by sheer right because the municipality was in possession of it. It is not believed that the city gains anything, in the long run, by smart attempts of one Department to make profit out of another. During the past season, a stock of coarse grass was cut upon the COMMON, and ELM PARK, that had no especial market value. It was presented to the Water Commissioner, at his request, reliev- ing that officer from the necessity of purchasing its equivalent in bulk for purposes of packing. A paper debit and credit might have cut a figure, perhaps, but at what actual gain to the City ?


The Charter provides that the COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS


" Shall lay out said Public Grounds, or such part thereof as they shall from time to time judge proper; and it shall be the duty of said Commissioners, from time to time, as appropriations shall be made therefor by the City Council, to cause all necessary paths and avenues to be constructed therein, and to cause said Public Grounds to be planted and embellished with trees, as they shall think proper "; &c., &c.


The task of reclaiming ELM PARK, too long deferred in years past, by those who consider it their whole duty to let a large and valuable property lie waste, because its improvement will not work itself out ; or, in other words, that the City gains by burying its talent in a napkin ; was commenced, in earnest, in February,


34


CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.


A. D., 1873, when, under a vote of the HONORABLE COUNCIL, the sum of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) was authorized to be expended in affording labor to the unemployed and destitute. During that period of substantial relief to the poor, and of mate- rial aid to this COMMISSION, one of the sheets of Ornamental Water, or Pools, contemplated by this COMMISSION, was excavated. A vast amount of material was supplied, in this way, for filling low places ; the very excavation more than answering the expecta- tions of the most sanguine as a means of drainage. It has presented attractions as a sheet of water, to the multitudes who have commenced to throng the PARK, on Holidays and pleasant evenings ; while to their children, of which the West Side is not entirely destitute if fecund to the verge of timidity, the naviga- tion of miniature ships in Summer; and the exhilaration of skating, conveniently and safely, as now; are ample compensation.


Its complete success, as an ornament or a means of youthful enjoyment, has prompted the COMMISSION to the early comple- tion of their original design. They work slowly, because the nature of the soil exacts it, and for the additional reason that they respect and share in the popular demand for economy. But the excavation of this second Pool, of different form and dimensions, should ensure that thorough drainage of the Southern section of the PARK, which could be achieved so well in no other way, if at all. The dirt derived therefrom will go far to perfect that grad- ual slope from the AVENUE which the eye requires for its satisfaction. There are, of course, minor details of plan and accomplishment : as, however they are fully complete within the conception of the COMMISSION, while their elaboration has not even been attempted, a specification of particulars would be worse than idle.




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