USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1875 > Part 4
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.
There has been no suspensions of any part of the force during the year, but on the contrary, two extra men have been em- ployed the greater part of the year, and I would recommend that the appropriation for the next year be such as to enable the use of at least sixty men. I am assured by several of our most prominent men, and heaviest tax-payers, that no fault could be found with this arrangement, but that justice and economy demand as much.
In connection herewith, I will state that the earnings of the department during the year just passed, amounts to $6,073.15, viz :
Fees on Warrants served by Assistant Marshals,
$4,566 00
Witness Fees of officers,
1,412 40
Extra Services of Police,
91 75
Received for use of Lock-up,
3 00
Total,
$6,073 15
DRUNKENNESS AND THE LICENSE LAW.
During the year considerable anxiety has been manifested and many discussions had, in relation to the effects of the new license law, and its bearings on the crime of drunkenness.
The following tables will show the number of arrests for each month of the year 1875, the number of arrests for each month for the past three years, and the comparative number of arrests for drunkenness for the same time.
1875.
1874.
1873.
January,
132
145
237
February,
138
153
264
March,
204
191
305
April,
181
175
254
May,
193
199
230
June,
202
194
278
July,
260
195
276
August,
208
283
262
September,
188
237
256
October,
255
263
275
November,
180
182
218
December,-
157
157
193
Total,
2,298
2,374
3,048
49
CITY MARSHAL.
The arrests for drunkenness alone, during this period, are as follows :
1873.
1874.
1875.
January,
115
89
83
February,
136
91
71
March,
160
113
110
April,
130
97
109
May,
139
125
123
June,
130
111
104
July,
150
133
121
August,
127
138
88
September,
106
140
84
October,
149
157
116
November, .
126
119
89
December,
111
107
84
Total,
1,579
1,420
1,182
Thus it will be seen that the arrests for drunkenness in 1875 were two hundred and thirty-eight less than in 1874, while the number of criminals arrested was only sixty-two less; and in 1874 the arrests for drunkenness were only one hundred and fifty-nine less than in 1873, while the number of criminals arrested was seven hundred and sixty-four less than in 1873.
Two of these years were under the Prohibitory law, after it had been in use long enough to be in good working order; the other, under the license law, when it had just become a law, and consequently is not as perfect in its provisions and operations as it may become.
While I profess to be a temperance man, and probably despise the liquor traffic as heartily as any one, I am fully convinced that the only way that the sale and use of intoxicating liquors can be regulated is through the agency of a strict license law, and a strict enforcement of that law.
We are at present laboring under difficulties in regard to its operations, for the following reasons : 1st, The Law in itself is very imperfect ; 2d, So many worthless and irresponsible per- sons engaged in the business under the prohibitory law, per- sons who were willing to come into court about once a month and pay the inevitable "ten dollars and costs," that it must take time to get these weeded out ; and, 3d, I find it next to impossi- ble to get the cases through the various channels in a manner
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.
creditable to the welfare of the city, or in a manner tending to suppress the illegal sale or keeping.
The Hon. Hartley Williams, Judge of the Central District Court, has endeavored to make the law a success, so far as con- fining the sale to parties holding the required license is con- cerned. He has invariably imposed sentences which must stop the business, and could his decisions have been sustained at the Superior Court, much less trouble and fewer cases would have come before us. In punishing offenders of this class, as in all other criminal cases, I believe that even-handed justice should be dealt out. The law is intended to be a terror to evil doers, and its penalties should inflexibly follow its violation. The cer- tainty of punishment has more to do with the prevention of . crime than any other agency, and when open violators of the law know that their sins will be winked at, or their breach be healed by a plaster of "greenbacks," then the flood gates will be found open, and the violation of the laws be a pleasant pastime.
I have yet to learn what object is to be gained, that shall be a lasting good to any community, by trading with crime or crimi- nals ; and certainly, a sentence that is no burden to the offender, is no penalty at all, and is not calculated to bring respect for the law or its officers.
But three of the cases, since this law came into effect, have received the same sentence awarded at our District Court, and those where light fines had been imposed. Several of the cases have been defaulted, and there allowed to rest, and the remainder were settled up by paying from one to three hundred dollars less than the original sentences.
In connection herewith, I would say that the proprietors of the Hotels (with one exception), and the respectable class of liquor dealers generally, have very satisfactorily complied with the requirements of the law, and, apparently, co-operate with the officers in the enforcement of the same. Still, there is much dissatisfaction felt among the radical friends of temper- ance on the one hand, and the radical rum element on the other ; one extreme being satisfied with nothing less than the entire extermination of all intoxicants ; the other being satisfied with
51
CITY MARSHAL.
nothing less than free rum. The good time for either of which, I fear, is a long way ahead; though it should not be for- gotten that there is more zeal and energy displayed by those whose source of profit and political power is endangered, than by those who have principle only at stake.
The search and seizure clause of the old law has been very unwisely left out of the present one, thereby giving a most effectual bar to the officers, in the rigid enforcement of the law. An officer should have the right to search wherever he has good reason to believe that the evil exists, and seizing whatever liquors may be found.
It is not hard to detect the places where the article is kept and sold, even though it be in the privacy of the kitchen or bed-room. Yet, as the law now stands, an officer, in attempting to enforce the same, would become a trespasser, and suffer the consequences.
For this reason, the parties holding licenses, of a certain class, are not as guarded as they would otherwise be were they the only ones that could deal in the article.
Much credit is due the patrolmen for the zeal they have mani- fested in the matter, and the faithful manner in which they have followed to the Courts this class of offenders. I think, as the business now stands, it is as good as could be expected under the experimentings of a new law.
That there is less liquor drank than in former years the facts, as found in the tabular statements of the comparative number of arrests for drunkenness, will demonstrate; and although I am not fully satisfied with the doings of all the parties holding licenses, I look forward to the completion of their first year's engagement, as being their last; and believe that as this branch of business always has been carried on to a greater or lesser extent, that comparatively honest and decent men can be found to take the places of those of whom I complain.
Should the law be continued in force for one or more years, I would recommend that no person be granted a license whose bar-room and kitchen were under the same roof, or to one who has not that respect for the observance of the_ Lord's Day that
52
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.
shall deter him from engaging in his business on that day. This is now done to some extent by unscrupulous parties, who close up their shops, and, through the agency of spotters, make their homes and families a disgrace to the neighborhood in which they live.
I would also recommend that a sufficient number of officers be appointed for this business, to look after all licensed places, and be able to report at any time the exact condition of every place licensed.
It would be much more effectually done than by leaving it for every one.
TRAMPS, OR LODGERS.
The whole number of this class of our annual visitors who have been provided with food and lodgings during the year is 4,225 ; not so large a number as in the two previous years, yet much larger than it should be. And, perhaps, the only way that the deficiency in numbers can be accounted for is by the over- crowded condition of our Houses of Correction and State institutions.
During the session of our last Legislature, a law was passed providing that tramps might be made to work until eleven o'clock in the forenoon of the day following their application for food and lodgings. In this City, it has been found to be entirely impracticable on account of having no business for them. The Street Commissioner would not allow them to be employed upon the highways, claiming that what work he had should be done by the citizens who belong here; and in order to put them at any other employment would require a Police detail to keep them at work, greater than our entire force. Some plan has yet to be devised before we shall be rid of this nuisance, for nuisance it is, when so many stout, able-bodied men prefer to get a living in this manner, rather than follow some honorable calling ! And this much is certain, that three- fourths of the class known as " tramps " are tramps from choice,
53
CITY MARSHAL.
of no particular race or color, but all of one creed, viz., haters of work. They are an army of shiftless vagabonds, who, appa- rently, having heard that the world owes them a living, are going in search of it. They usually hail from Boston, New York, or some other large city, and spend their time in travel- ing between these points. It not unfrequently happens that memorandums are found upon their persons, giving the names of cities and towns where the sympathy of the inhabitants over- come their good judgment, and, consequently, deal with them better than they deserve. These records are probably used in their conventions for the good of the fraternity generally.
As this City has for some time been considering the plan of introducing Water from Lake Quinsigamond, I would suggest that a Tread-Mill, capable of operating a pump of sufficient capacity to supply the City with Water from the Lake, be put in operation, and thus give us the benefit of the Tramp Law ; or, as 19 out of every 20 are able-bodied men under the age of 40 years, why not open a recruiting office and enlist them to fight the Indians ; and, if they won't fight, leave them to their tender care.
I know that there are many who sympathize with this class, as well as criminals, but where there is one deserving the same there are ten who have forfeited all such claims; and, here, I will say that it is easy to draw the dividing line between the two. The simon-pure tramp is he who voluntarily leaves home rather than earn the bread necessary to keep him alive, and the more effectually to hide his identity, changes his name as often as his residence.
It is to be hoped that our incoming Legislature will devise some method of regulating this evil ; for very many of our deserving poor shrink from the thought of these associates, and live on and suffer in silence rather than ask for charity, simply because the authorities are imposed upon by this class of sturdy beggars.
FOOD FOR LODGERS.
Some four years ago, by some arrangement, the entire expense of providing food for lodgers, as well as criminals, was 8
54
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.
transferred from the Pauper account to that of the Police; but why, or by whose authority, I am not able to ascertain. I see no reason why this custom should exist, or the item of expendi- ture for furniture for the Station House, as an appropriation is annually made for these under the head of " Appropriations for the City Hall building"; and, if necessary, I would ask that an order be passed placing these expenses where they properly belong.
THE DOG LAW.
Much uneasiness is manifest in regard to the number of dogs running at large in our streets, and although no harm has been done to persons or property on account of the same, yet the surplus of dogs is a nuisance, and should be abated. On the 8th of July last, His Honor the Mayor, served upon me a war- rant in conformity with the Dog Law, and as a result I have to report sixty-seven dogs killed and buried, and ten prosecutions for keeping unlicensed dogs. It would be a great help to the officers in the discharge of this duty, if the law should be changed so as to correspond with that in Suffolk County. In the City of Boston the dogs are licensed from the office of the Chief of Police, and consequently the number of dogs, their owners, &c., &c., are more readily found than can be the case here. I have been unable to obtain a list of licensed dogs for this, or previous years, and consequently several complaints made against parties for keeping, in violation of the law, have fell through, by finding after the person was in court, that the dog had been licensed in the name of some child or other member of the family.
NEWS-BOYS, ETC.
I would also recommend the licensing of all News-boys, and Boot-blacks, and assigning them places for their business. This practice has been found to be necessary in Boston and
55
CITY MARSHAL.
other places, and is here recommended for the following reasons : That the street corners and entrances to our public buildings can be freed from the annoyance of a crowd of these boys, who, instead of quietly pursuing their avocations, collect in squads, and with their youthful pranks and incessant cries, are anything but pleasant. Again, the licensing of these boys would place them more completely under the control of the Police and Truant officers. The only qualification necessary for the above favor, being that of attending to their business in decency and in order.
MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES.
When we see announced in the papers that the several notices from the offices of the City Treasurer, Water Registrar, City Clerk, &c., have been committed to the hands of the police for distribution, that is usually all that is thought about the matter ; but should we step into those offices and see that those notices were counted by the thousands, a better realization of the mat- ter would be had. Again, but few persons are aware of the care and fidelity with which the most of the officers discharge their duties, working while others are sleeping, and caring for the lives and property of persons who themselves carelessly ex- pose and endanger the same. For instance, during the months of September and October, sixty-four stores were found un locked ; and not unfrequently, valuable goods, displayed as sam- ples during the day, are forgotten by their owners, and are con- veyed to a place of safety by the officers ; and as will be shown by the accompanying statement, that various matters of more or less importance are receiving their constant attention.
No. of Disturbances suppressed, 286
66 Defective streets reported,
44
66 Defective sidewalks reported, 29
66 Defective water pipes reported, 13
Dogs destroyed, 67
Fire alarms given, 15
Fires extinguished without alarm, 5
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.
Value of Goods found exposed and restored,
$946 00
No. of Intoxicated persons sent home,
127
Injured persons cared for,
17
66 Lost children restored to friends,
78
66 Street lights not burning at 9 P. M.,
162
Lights hung in dangerous places,
50
Nuisances reported,
15
Notices served,
17,481
Stores found open,
265
66
Stores found broken open,
3
Teams put up and cared for,
79
Value of stolen property recovered,
$8,599 00
In regard to the recovery of stolen property much credit is due to officer Ezra Churchill, whose sagacity and energy is fast placing him among the best Detective Officers of the day. Not only at home but abroad is his ability recognized, and the City is to be congratulated upon having this man in her Police De- partment.
In conclusion I would say that the force have worked together in a manner that deserves your approbation. No jealousies have at any time arisen, but as one man their aim has been the public good.
His Honor the Mayor has, as in the past, been keenly alive to the welfare of this department, and for his wise counsels and generous support I am under the deepest obligations. To Assistant Marshals Dyson and McFarland, and to Capt. Atkinson, I am under obligations which words cannot express. Their long experience and apt qualifications for their business, have made them invaluable to the city. These, in connection with the rank and file of the department, who have so generously given me their support, and have, in season and out of season, promptly responded to every call, and cheerfully complied with all orders given, has made the business of the year one which I shall be pleased to compare with previous years, and the standing of the force I consider superior to any which I have known. Although it has been a year of uncommon activity in our line, we have experienced no serious outbreaks of violence or disorder, neither have we suffered at the hands of the burglar or assassin,
57
CITY MARSHAL.
but the persons and property of our entire community have been so guarded that the crimes and atrocities, which have filled our papers with sensational articles, and the hearts of many with fear and dread, have been to us only stories to be read.
Hoping and trusting that the general usefulness and import- ance of the Worcester Police Department will continue to be recognized and appreciated, I respectfully submit this, my second annual report of the same.
W. ANSEL WASHBURN,
City Marshal.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Gentlemen of the City Council :-
IN accordance with the requirements of the City Ordinances, we present the Annual Report of this Board, and respectfully call your attention to the growing importance of this Depart- ment of our municipal obligations, in which you will not only observe that the poor are always with us, but that at the present time we have them in increased numbers. This may be accounted for by the general stagnation of business, which makes the only resource of the poor man-his labor-without demand ; and the act of the Legislature, at the session of 1874, being the most important alteration of the settlement laws which has been made for many years, by which nearly all who had been State Paupers were settled on the cities and towns where they at that time had their domicil.
The number so settled in this City, who have made applica- tion and received aid during the past year, is ninety-six families, consisting of three hundred and eighty members, of whom one hundred and eighty-four were males and one hundred and ninety- six females.
The second section of this law, which gives a settlement to any woman of the age of twenty-one years, who resides in any place for five consecutive years, without receiving aid, presents a difficulty
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.
in administration not easily understood by those unacquainted with the Pauper Laws, as a large number of the applicants are so uneducated that it is nearly impossible, where they reside in the cities or large towns, to trace them for that length of time with any degree of certainty, and they themselves are frequently unable to decide within a year or two how long they have lived in any place, being so accustomed to move about.
The act also, to a certain extent, defeats its own object, by depriving many who should be best entitled to them, of its advantages ; as any respectable poor widow or other lone woman who has filled its requirements, by living five or more years in any place, but who has during that time been aided to a small amount, is thereby cut off from gaining a settlement ; while those who have led a vicious, wanton or drunken life, if they have only been able to provide for themselves for the five years, have the full benefit of the law, and are entitled to be supported by the Municipality wherein they reside, while, in the first men- tioned case, if they cannot support themselves, they must be sent away to the State Alms-House ; and as there are no muni- cipal records whereby it can be shown for a certainty how long females have lived in any town, it is likely to be a fruitful source of litigation in many instances between different towns, and make more difficult of adjustment the Pauper Laws of this State, which were far from satisfactory before.
Another law was passed in 1875, by which the annual reports of the Overseers of the Poor of the several cities and towns to the State Board, which have heretofore been made in the month of October; shall hereafter be made on the 31st day of March.
This will reduce the labor of the overseers of all the towns, as their annual town and State reports will then be the same, thereby ensuring greater accuracy ; but the cities where the greater portion of paupers are congregated, will by the same cause have their labors augmented, as they are compelled to divide their reports, one part being for one-half of one year, and the other, half of another year.
The law in relation to vagrants or tramps passed last year, owing to its coming more particularly under the control of the
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. 61
Police Force than of the Poor Department, has not been put in force to any extent in this City, and we have not learned that it has accomplished what was anticipated from it in other places ; but loud complaints have reached us from other towns of the intolerable nuisance and burden which they are compelled to bear from these pests of society, which seem to swarm upon us yearly in larger numbers, and the inquiry still is, " What shall we do with them ? "
The number lodged at our Police Station during the past year has been four thousand, two hundred and ninety-five, at a cost of one hundred dollars for crackers, upon which they have been fed.
The whole number of families who have applied for and received temporary aid during the year is five hundred and sixty-two, comprising nine hundred and twenty-eight males and nine hundred and seventy-four females; or, nineteen hundred and two persons. Of these, two hundred and fifty-four families, consisting of five hundred and two males and five hundred and fifty-five females, or ten hundred and fifty-seven persons, have legal pauper settlements ; and three hundred and eight families, consisting of two hundred and twenty-six males and four hun-' dred and nineteen females, or eight hundred and forty-five persons (or nearly one-half of all the applicants), were State paupers, and consists of those persons who move from place to place continually, and are always in a suffering condition wher- ever they reside, as they are ever on the move, and in trying to better their condition exhaust all their own means and the charity of those places where they for the time being may happen to locate.
The whole number having a legal pauper settlement, who have received full support for the whole or part of the year, is one hundred and eighteen, and is nearly one-quarter more than last year.
The number provided for at the Insane Hospital during the year has been nineteen ; a very expensive burden on the City, which is yearly increasing, and has been largely augmented by the law of 1874.
9
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.
Seventy-two persons and families brought into the State by the various lines of communication with other States, have been returned on the various roads by which they came, in accord- ance with chapter lxxi., sec. 25, of the General Statutes.
Eighty-one State paupers have been sent to the State Alms- House, at Tewksbury, after having been aided here to a greater or less extent ; and we find that the report of the gentlemen who composed the committee who visited that institution last year has, to a large extent, satisfied the minds of those who are sent there from this City that they will be kindly received and fairly treated if they conduct themselves with propriety while there.
Seventy-five heads of families (forty-two males and thirty- three females), having a legal settlement in other cities and towns, but residing here, have been aided, to a greater or less extent, during the year, in accordance with the wishes or expressed instructions of the Overseers of the Poor of the several places where they have their settlements.
In providing for the cases above mentioned, by the Depart- ment for Temporary Aid, at the office of the Clerk of the Board, who acts as their almoner, there have been drawn two thousand and sixty-one orders on various persons for the follow- ing necessaries :-
In Cash allowances $407 13
" Fuel
1,762 83
" Groceries 2,312 45
" Furniture and clothing
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