USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1877 > Part 29
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"The Norwich & Worcester Railroad workmen began the removal of their disused tracks, yesterday, with the intention of having the Highway Commissioner put Mechanic, Front and Park Streets in order afterwards, but suspended the work on notification from him that the work in putting the streets in safe and passable condition must be done by them or at their expense."
The COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS could ride no such high horse. They desired, and would be content with anything, but that the Common should be restored to its original condi- tion. The log of the Ark appears to have been lost beyond recovery. In its default, the memory of the oldest inhabitant was vainly racked, yielding no trace of aught but that Indian file through the slough wherefrom the
" We won't go home 'till Morning,"
of some heavily freighted reveller from Worthington's, might well blend time and tune with the hoarser
De Profundis Clamavi
of Lyman Beecher's Forty Days Revival.
The COMMISSION could do nothing, meanwhile, but become passive and somewhat tired spectators of the quarrel about the prospective Foster Street and its possible construction. Had it not been for the. Opinion of the Solicitor, in former years, that Burial Grounds are not Public Grounds in the especial sense of the trust committed to them, they might even have been induced to swell the already crowded array of senior wranglers. For it was a serious puzzle to them how they should "cause shade and ornamental trees to be planted " along that sheer cut which was so summarily ordered ; where, with
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PUBLIC GROUNDS.
the bodies of the "rude fore-fathers of the hamlet" hustled to either side, a retaining wall of skeletons might serve, like the grim monitor at Egyptian festivals, to point a moral or a warn- ing. Their hallucination, if such it was, may perhaps be pardoned, that greater impatience was manifested to accelerate action, by mandamus, where real or fancied private interests were to be subserved, than to urge, or even encourage an effort by the City Government, to regain for the People their impre- scriptible Right to the uninterrupted transit and enjoyment of their Public Grounds. It is as true now, as ever, that what is everybody's business becomes that of nobody. And scarcely any one cared to exert himself (ready as he might be to grumble), to recover the rights that had been incautiously yielded, or relaxed, in one of those impulses of thriftless gener- osity which sometimes run away with the better judgment of a Town Meeting.
The Summer wore away and Autumn had nearly expired, without a change in the situation. But relief came from an unexpected quarter. The heap of refuse brick, and of rubbish accumulated against need, grew daily more unpleasantly con- spicuous to the occupants of handsome counting-rooms, in the newer warehouses upon Front Street; some of whom were in an official position to give effect to their disgust. So that, upon the 12th day of November, decisive action was at last authorized :
CITY OF WORCESTER,
In City Council, Nov. 12, 1877.
ORDERED :- That the Highway Commissioner and Commissioner on Public Grounds, under the direction of the Committee on Highways, be instructed at once to remove from the Common, also from Mechanic, Front and Park Streets, the Railroad track now remaining there, and deposit the same in the yard of the City Stables, or dispose of them as they may think proper, and to grade up and put in safe and suitable con- dition the location of said road. The expense attending such removal of tracks to be charged to the R. R. Corporation owning said tracks.
Approved Nov. 13, 1877.
CHARLES B. PRATT, Mayor.
The COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS, not being subject to "instruction " from the City Council; nor required by the Charter to act "under the direction of the Committee on High-
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CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
ways," concluded that the execution of this order might very properly be left with the Commissioner of Highways, whose energetic action and ready command of suitable appliances could be thoroughly trusted. The COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS gave its counsel and aid, when asked. In what manner those Tracks were "disposed of " need not be explained here. The Highway Commissioner has a peculiar way of find- ing use for things, e. g .: those crystals, of which, on this 26th of January, a new harvest impends, that must gratify him the more that he has relinquished the ice-business.
The ground being cleared from encumbrance, a lack of means was the sole obstacle to its improvement. And, upon a sugges- tion from the Chairman of this COMMISSION, the necessary provision was made :
In City Council, Nov. 26, 1877.
ORDERED :- That the Commissioner (sic) of Shade Trees and Public Grounds be, and he is hereby authorized to cause the Railroad Track-bed on the Common to be graded ; (estimated expense three hundred dollars [$300); and this amount charged to appropriation for Shade Trees and Public Grounds, and the Auditor is authorized to transfer this amount from Incidental Expenses to the above Department.
Approved Nov. 27, 1877.
CHARLES B. PRATT Mayor.
The ready co-operation of the Highway Department, with its trained teams and labor, enabled the COMMISSION to anticipate the Winter, now imminent. The piles of material, gathered from every possible source for two years past, in expectation of this use for them, were rapidly moved and leveled. It would have better pleased the Chairman of this COMMISSION, could more time have been spared for the job, in order that the broken bricks and stone might be assorted and deposited in a separate course at the bottom. Yet it is believed that the whole mass will pack together solidly; and if not, as now constituted, that it can be made to bind by a moderate application of brains.
This Commission was never in the habit of proclaiming its plans far in advance of their achievement. It may not be out of place here to state that its design, for the improvement of so much of the Common as was covered by the R. R. Location, was early formed ; and that all the work hitherto accomplished,
415
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
whether of grading or drainage, will easily harmonize with that design. With a reasonable appropriation by the City Council, the paving-stones heretofore provided, can be utilized in the completion and construction of all necessary gutters; and such walks as were unavoidably left unfinished, may be completed in accordance with the actual condition of the ground. When that task shall be finished, it must depend upon the Executive Department of the City Government, what appearance the Common shall preserve. The community in general are as reluctant as this COMMISSION must naturally be, to see new and needless paths grooved into ruts, by careless or rude persons who will not pay heed to a reasonable requirement. The Charter authorizes the COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS "to make all necessary by-laws and regulations in the execution of their trust, not inconsistent with this Act and the laws of the Commonwealth, as they shall deem expedient." But of what avail are "by-laws and regulations " without power to give them effect? If no more, the Police indeed might enforce the bare prohibition which forbids aught that tends to " disfigure " the Public Grounds. Should not the Police voluntarily incline to do this, the Mayor and Aldermen may well apply a gentle con- straint to accelerate and strengthen such infirmity of purpose.
A statement of this Special Account of the COMMISSION is herewith submitted:
COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS.
In Special Account with the City of Worcester. Dr.
To Appropriation for grading R. R. Locations on the Common, $300 00 -
Per Contra, Cr.
Paid Account of Highway Department, viz :
463 hours Foremen, at 30,
$13 95
408 hours men at 15,
61 20
90 hours teams at 50, .
45 00
$120 15
J. & J. A. Rice, tools,
$12 50
Steven Rowe, labor,
13 90
David Rowe, labor, .
13 57
Michael McGrath, labor,
10 13
Michael Kennedy, labor,
10 13
60 23
$180 38
Unexpended to Sinking Fund,
$119 62
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CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
The suggestion that the Kerb-Stone, which now confines the southern line of the Common, upon Park Street, should be con- tinued until it has been made to surround the whole territory, is earnestly renewed. The work can be done as slowly and economically as shall accord with the financial policy of the City, for the time being. When done, it would be the most thorough and suitable fence ; and the only one that a correct taste would sanction. As heretofore advised, it should be suffered to enclose all of Salem Square that is not absolutely required for streets, there being no more reason why the City should furnish wood- yards than gratuitous space for the storage and sale of lumber, stone or brick. Besides which, the ground actually belongs to the Common.
The COMMISSION also repeat their recommendation of former years, that the Common should be ornamented with a Fountain, or Jet d' Eau. A suitable location was long since designated by permanent metes and bounds, which only awaits the appro- priation of sufficient means to be utilized. The cost of such a fountain need not be so very large as to oppress the tax-payers, At most, it could not exceed the sum "covered into " the treas- ury from that subscription of citizens for a soldiers' monument; to which the claim of the city was never so apparent, as to ex- empt it from a doubt that it might have been applied to a pur- pose more in consonance with the object of its contribution. For the present, the COMMISSION are content to keep the idea of a Fountain before the people. With characteristic patience, they can defer its realization until the demand for it becomes too imperative to be denied.
When all that is within their power shall be accomplished ; when the broad mall that is proposed shall be gravelled and rolled hard, and the other walks are conformed to it, according to the original design, the COMMISSION can but await the action of the People as represented in the City Council. The restric- tion of Salem Square within narrower limits; the continuation of the new and ornamental Kerb-Stone in lieu of a fence ; and the erection of a Fountain or Jet d' Eau; each and all have passed beyond the range of suggestion, and reduce themselves simply to subjects for adequate and timely appropriation. The
417
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
duty of the Commission is discharged when it has recommended such improvements of the Public Grounds as seem to them ad- visable. Their faith is not adequate to move or remove moun- tains :- how much less, then, the Auditor and City Treasurer. No sop from them will appease and cajole the vigilant Cerberi who gnash their teeth over the public money. "Ask and it shall be given!" saith the Scripture: State what you need! writes the Auditor, and verily your appropriation shall be reduced. The COMMISSION do not complain ; they merely wish that the whole people would understand that they are no more capable than others of compelling one dollar to do the work of two. The present members of the COMMISSION would be glad to finish some of their cherished plans within their terms of office. If unable, because their means are inadequate, the task must be left for their more competent and fortunate successors.
As elsewhere alluded to somewhat sharply, the COMMISSION cannot enforce the protection of the Public Grounds, although there is no end to the Rules that they are authorized to frame and adopt. It is not their fault that a needless and unsightly path-way has been worn across the lawn from Portland Street; nor that man, woman and child are suffered to trample at will between Main Street and the late R. R. Location. In the lan- guage of a former Report, which anticipated the removal of the Railway-tracks by a twelve-month, and to whose forcible ex- pression nothing requires to be added ;- when this work shall be completed,-finishing the surface of the Common,-as now bounded, the COMMISSION will leave the protection of this PUB- LIC GROUND substantially in the hands of the People. It is their property -to make or mar. If they desire a bright, green lawn; whose fresh neatness shall be complimented by strangers, as it is a pleasure to themselves; they must not only keep off the grass, personally, but see to it that the restriction is enforced upon others. This COMMISSION cannot be running constantly to the Police Office, each time a blockhead feels like manifest- ing his independence by open transgression of a reasonable rule. It is no part of their duty ; and not even their large salary would compensate them for its voluntary assumption. One prediction, however, may be ventured :- that the Civil Service Reform will
38
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CITY DOCUMENT .- NO 32.
soon fall into contempt and desuetude, which defines Reform as Retention-in-Office, and Civil Service as cool indifference to the petty comforts and minor pleasures of the people.
Injuries to the Shade and Ornamental Trees of the city, along its Streets and throughout the Public Grounds, have been fre- quent and wanton. Upon the 3d day of May, the attention of the Chairman was called to the fact that Nineteen (19) thrifty young trees, upon the North line of Shrewsbury Street, were seriously mutilated. They had been planted but the day previ- ous. Some Yankee by birth, or adoption (the backs of the " Vandals" are raw from their burdens of misrepresentation, and they are not suspected), had put his jack-knife to its worst use and pared off the bark, in many instances, as high up as it could be reached.
Between the 5th and 6th days of May, but one or two days after the above outrage, every other trunk in a continuous row of White Ash trees upon the Northern line of Elm Park, and designed to afford shade to Highland Street, were cut partially through and then snapped off short.
Believing it to be about time for something to be done, or at least attempted, to remedy this state of affairs, the Chairman of the COMMISSION addressed a note to Alderman Dickinson, in- quiring whether planting should be stopped or malicious mis- chief repressed. The response of that gentleman, who has ever cherished a kindly feeling for the aims and efforts of this COM- MISSION, will be found in the following Order, introduced by him and passed unanimously by the City Council :-
CITY OF WORCESTER.
In City Council, May 7, 1877.
ORDERED :- That the Mayor be and he hereby is authorized, in behalf of the City, to offer a reward of Fifty Dollars ($50) to any party or parties who shall furnish the evidence which shall lead to the conviction of any person or persons who shall wilfully mutilate or destroy any shade-tree planted by the City or individuals upon any of the Public Streets or Grounds thereof.
May 9, 1877. Approved.
CHAS. B. PRATT, Mayor.
Which all meant well enough, but was scarcely more compre- hensive than that Municipal Ordinance whereof the prohibition,-
»
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PUBLIC GROUNDS.
No person shall dig up, cut down, climb, break, peel, cut, deface, injure or destroy, any ornamental or shade tree, shrub or vine, growing and being in any of the streets or highways, or on any of the Public Lands of said City, without the consent of the Commissioners of Public Grounds first obtained therefor in writing,
might appear to concern the City Marshal and his Assistants, it being their sworn duty
"to enforce and carry into effect all laws and City Ordinances, and to be vigilant to detect and punish any breach thereof."
For such service is a Police-force created and paid : and, were there good and sufficient reason why their duties should be dis- charged vicariously, assuredly none can be alleged to show that their substitutes should be furnished by the COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS.
Upon the 28th day of August, ult., Seventeen (17) stout and thrifty White Ash and Maple trees, that had been planted early in Spring along the Northerly line of Shrewsbury Street, were found to have been incised and thereafter snapped short off. Upon the 31st of October the mutilation was discovered of Weymouth or White Pines, which were set out for a wind- break to Park Avenue; and of fine specimens of the Spira Aurea (golden Spiræa), that had grown into sightly ornaments of Elm Park. Upon the 30th of December, young Maples were observed, on Vernon Street, where it was evident from their condition when seen, that some tramp had less use for his time than for his jack-knife. All these cases of injury came within the personal notice of the Chairman: he has not had the heart to ask his associates what they have witnessed, in addition.
Scarcely a day passes that some member of the Police-force does not see horses fastened to street-trees or their guards, in open violation of the Ordinance. Oftener still can trees be found, upon their regular beats, whose freshly gnawed bark indicates how easily the offending animal might be detected, and his owner held to his direct responsibility. It is not too much to assert that nearly all of the visible damage to the shade-trees along our streets might be prevented by the exercise of a good deal less than that vigilance which, on Dec. 30th ult., accord- ing to the newspapers, "arrested a boy on the Common in a beastly state of intoxication." It must be admitted, however,
:
1
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CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
that the boy could make no resistance : and besides, being a boy, was not yet possessed of a vote.
Perhaps a few words of admonition from the teachers in our Public Schools might tend to the better security of the property of the City in its ornamental and shade-trees. That intrusive and incessant supervision which takes heed to the ways of the obvious and devious truant; curbing his pugilism and veneering his deportment, may well include the Public Grounds within its strained jurisdiction. Wanton or heedless mischief could supply a subject for admonition, and the mutilation or destruction of shrub or tree be made the ready occasion for compulsory leaning over a chair. Persistence in forbidden practices, or continuous breach of the regulations of this COMMISSION, might require a more strenuous application of the rule-r (?) of right. Nowhere than in the old philosophy of the schools was it a sounder axiom that, as the twig is bent, the tree inclines.
Both shade and ornamental trees (if shrubs may be thereby intended,) have been planted, during the past year, in unusual number. Nearly seven hundred trees were set out under the express direction of the COMMISSION along our avenues and streets : and at least one hundred more must have been given out to individuals, for the same purpose, from the growing nursery at the S. W. corner of Elm Park. Of which nursery it may be pertinent in this connection to remark, that it needs to be thinned ; and that the COMMISSION will gladly furnish young elms and maples, in the coming Spring, to applicants desirous of planting them along the public streets. -
In pursuance of the policy that has governed the COMMISSION for some years past; and which is better approved the more it is followed ; certain Streets were selected and trees were then planted by their sides, in continuous rows, as far as was in any way practicable. Somewhat farther, in Shrewsbury Street, some have thought, who did not fully comprehend the plan or hopes of the COMMISSION. It was no part of their original design to plant along the causeway. Nevertheless, when their instructions were exceeded, the trees, there set out, served a most useful purpose. For public attention was forcibly directed to the extreme narrowness of a most important Street; upon
421
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
which the Commonwealth has made an immense investment ; and whereof the use, whether for business or pleasure, large at present, can scarcely be overestimated for the future. The subsequent widening of that road-bed is ample compensation for the slight cost of a few trees; or would be, had that widening been the cause of their destruction. But "strait and narrow as the way," it was not the loaded team that crashed against them : but the hand of man which was lifted in their despite. Their appearance was gladly hailed by the sturdy wagoners who toil under the July sun, across that torrid waste of road; and to whom came grateful visions of pleasant shade in a not remote future. It will not have been the fault of this COMMISSION that those anticipations are disappointed. And while it may not be expedient, at once, to replace the trees which were destroyed, nor perhaps until there can be some reasonable assurance that their substitutes will be secure from malicious injury, yet the intention of the COMMISSION to adorn and shade Shrewsbury Street with a thrifty and vigorous row of trees must be finally achieved. The credit of the City demands that this should be done : for a more forlorn landscape than the present could scarcely be offered to the view of the Governor of the Common- wealth, as he makes his annual visit of inspection to the Hospital for those Insane, who are not chronic.
Work in ELM PARK was resumed, as soon as possible, in the early Spring of 1877. Excavation of the dirt, whence desired, was rendered comparatively easy by the inconsiderable depth to which frost had penetrated in the preceding Winter. The channel designed to connect the Oval Pool, at the North; with the Diamond Pool that will ultimately constitute the central link of the liquid chain, was cleared out at first. A passage was thus opened for the escape of the water that had accumulated from melting snows; and which, from lack of an outlet, was effectually dammed back. The diminution of this flood exposed the dykes of peat which were retained to aid in the original formation of the Diamond Pool; and the task of remov- ing them was at once commenced. It became quickly evident that more satisfactory progress could be made, were the water drawn off entirely : and the gate of the Flume was accordingly
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CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
raised to effect this object. That the beds of the Pools were not wholly drained is owing, as much as to anything, to the fact that water will not run up hill : in a fatuous attempt to ignore, or subvert which Law of Nature, the Park sewer was originally planned by the engineering of former and flush days. The level was, however, so far reduced as to permit the almost complete removal of those dykes: a process that the wind and waves will doubtless substantially finish. Could the bottom have been wholly exposed, the COMMISSION would have felt strongly impelled to cover it throughout with a foot in thickness of gravel, from one of those beds that lie in such tempting prox- imity. There are various reasons why it is desirable that this should be done. Chief among which may be accounted the shoaling of the water by raising the bottom of the Pool with a material that will solidify as it is deposited, aiding in clarifica- tion also; and the relief of the average parental mind from anxiety, by convincing it that the feet of the budding skater or sailor shall no longer mire inextricably. Three (3) feet is about the depth that the COMMISSION desire and have planned to maintain, and wherefrom they trust that there shall not be variance whether in flood or drought. The Pools will thus preserve that peculiar loveliness of sheets of Ornamental Water which is due to the evenness of their banks, and the sparkling limpidity that is never suffered to stagnate into foulness. The danger to boys and girls, who wish to skate when the ice will bear, is but slight at the worst; but there need be none. We cannot afford to measure the security of our children by the few inches that their altitude may chance to surpass the risks of accident. A majority of the COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS have done their duty, as heads of families, as the tables of the census will show ; and without going back upon the minority, they are willing to be persuaded that there may be excuse (although they cannot conceive what,) for individual dereliction in such a palpable duty to the community. But none of them,- Benedicts or bachelors,-would consent to set a trap to diminish the population ; or tolerate any snares or devices in the Public Grounds, which would check their obvious tendency, as hitherto developed, to promote its increase.
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PUBLIC GROUNDS.
The bed of the Oval Pool is so thickly sown with stone that it would bear up a loaded team. If need urges, or occasion should offer in the extreme drought of an arid Summer, the COMMISSION will not longer delay to give effect to their inclina- tion ; and, while confirming the texture of the bottom of the Diamond Pool, simultaneously remove every pretext for the slightest apprehension.
The construction of a Bridge was inevitable when the channel between the Pools had been fully opened. In anticipation of this need for them, cedar trees of adequate girth and length were engaged, during the season of easy sledding; and they were delivered, in due proportions, as wanted. The bridge, slightly changed from a rustic design in an English Horticul- tural Magazine, fairly fulfills its proper requirements. It was not calculated for swing or trapeze, and is confessedly a failure in those respects. Its appearance, although answering the expectations of the COMMISSION, seems to disappoint others who busy themselves in stripping off the coat of bark which the COMMISSION were at so much pains to procure unbruised. Such malignants will doubtless be suited with the glare of Venetian red that must succeed the neutral tint of nature. Similar ill fortune follows the cedar posts, by the employment of which it was hoped to exclude animals from invasion of the Foot Paths. Misuse of the jacknife is inveterate. The COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS applied, years since, for a grant of the Marriage-Fees that would ordinarily pass into the general treasury. But they never desired that any such concession to their needs or importunity should be supplemented with a supply of peeled rods, however useful they may have been found by the Hebrew Patriarch .*
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