USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1879 > Part 3
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An attempt was made a few years since, at considerable ex- pense, to relieve the Front street sewer by diverting the sewage through Pleasant street across Main street into Mechanic street. This relief, however, was but partial, as it is found that the Front street sewer, which was built some thirty years ago, is inadequate by reason of its small size and its high grade, to drain the cellars of the new and handsome blocks on that street. The city has already been threatened with suits for damage caused by flooding the cellars of these blocks, and other build- ings, with the back water from the sewer. The trouble can be remedied by lowering the grade of the sewer and increasing its size, at an estimated cost of eight thousand dollars,-a work which I recommend to be done the present year.
The sewage of the Pine Meadow district, Lincoln Brook district, and the South Main Street district, near New Worces- ter, will have to be attended to in the near future.
27
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Our system of sewerage consists now of 37.69 miles of sewers, 957 catch basins. and 1,458 man holes. The number of permits to enter the public sewers to date is 2,402. The total cost up to this time has been $1,574,430.93.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Fire Department consists at present of a Chief Engineer and four Assistant Engineers, forty-two members of steamer companies, thirty members of hook and ladder companies, fifty- nine members of hose companies, and four members of the Babcock Fire Extinguisher company, making a total of one hundred and forty men. The apparatus consists of five steam- ers, four of which are in service and one held in reserve, twelve four-wheeled hose carriages carrying eight thousand feet of hose, three hook and ladder trucks, one of which is held in reserve, and one chemical engine.
Two thousand feet of American jacket hose were purchased last year, which, together with the 14,800 feet of various kinds on hand, make up a reasonably good supply for the present needs of the department. Owing however to the rapid deterio- ration of all kinds of hose it is a matter of economy for the city to purchase a certain amount each year.
The large alarm bell located on Pleasant street has been recently taken down and recast into three smaller ones, very much to the satisfaction of all concerned. One bell striker and four signal boxes have also been lately put up by the depart- .ment. A new house for Hose Company No. 3 was built last year on the corner of Grafton and Providence streets, at an expense of $4,178.52.
While this department has an excellent reputation and is justly held in high esteem by our citizens, I am informed that some changes might be made which would render it still more efficient without increasing its cost. The officers of the various companies, it is believed, should be appointed by the Board of Engineers, with the approval of the Board of Alderman, instead of being elected by the members, as at present. It is also thought that two of the four hand hose carriages could be dis-
.
28
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 34.
pensed with, without detriment to the department, by changing the other two to horse carriages, and having another chemical engine located in the central part of the city to occupy one of the two houses made vacant by the change.
The telephone companies' wires have been so numerously erected of late, and located in such a manner, that they have already become a serious annoyance to this department. They stretch across streets and alleys in the vicinity of some of our most valuable buildings so as to make it almost impossible to raise long ladders and to work the fire apparatus to advantage. These companies should be required to change the location of their wires, and the superintendent of the fire alarm telegraph should be authorized to look after the putting up of all wires and other similar obstructions to the free working of the fire department. The cost of maintaining the department last year was $40.452.81. This sum is exclusive of twelve hundred dollars contributed by the city for the support of the Fire Patrol,-an association which has done excellent service since its organization.
POLICE.
The present police force consists of fifty-two men, regularly appointed, including the Marshal and two Assistant Marshals, and three special policemen, who do full duty and draw full pay, besides numerous other specials who act in a private way without compensation. There are forty different districts or "beats " to cover, none of which should be neglected ; and six of these are of such a character as to make it necessary for two officers to patrol each one of them in company. I am convinced that the force is too small and that it should be increased by the addition of from ten to fifteen men at once. I am also of the opinion that the appointments in this department should be permanent, and that removals should only be made for cause. This opinion has been frequently expressed by my predecessors, but nothing has come of it. I trust that such steps as may be necessary will be taken at once to accomplish this desirable end. Policemen are not unlike other men, and therefore should be above all mere political influences, as otherwise they are liable
29
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
to be governed mainly by what they think to be for their own interest. They should be subject to strict military discipline in order to promote harmony and efficiency in the department. The men composieg the force should be within a certain age, sound in body, possessing intelligence and good character, and able to resist all contaminating influences. Brutality, the ex- hibition of temper, or a vindictive spirit shown towards offend- ers, should be sufficient causes to disqualify men for this position. These officers of the law should bear in mind that they are the servants of the people, and should so conduct themselves that by their simple presence, no less than by their kindness of heart extended even to the degraded and vicious, they may be able to exert a better moral influence than can ever be expected from any exhibition of any mere physical force. The display of clubs and pistols should never be made except under circum- stances of great personal peril.
In organizing the department for the coming year some changes may be found desirable. Questions in regard to the utility and necessity of the mounted police, and other matters pertaining to the cost and efficiency of the force, will call for our careful consideration. The cost of the department last year was $47,357.60.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The appropriation for this department last year was $8,000. To this sum was added the dog money, and the receipts at the library for fines, etc. The total receipts for the year, exclusive of the interest on the Green Library and reading room funds was $11,318.10. Total expenditures, $11,307.91. The sum of $2,200 was expended for the purchase of books. The average amount annually spent for books during the last seven years, is upwards of $4,000. The annual report of the directors, which will soon be laid before you, shows that the use of the library has been very large during the past year, and that those in charge have aimed to raise the character of the books purchased. The use of the reference department has grown from almost no use, nine years ago, to a delivery to students and readers of more than 34,000 volumes last year.
5
30
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 34.
This institution is closly allied to our schools, in spreading knowledge broadcast in the community. The material prosper- ity of our city, as well as its intellectual growth, is advanced by this institution. I bespeak for it your careful consideration and generous support.
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
The department of public grounds has been liberally sup- ported for the past few years, and the commissioners have shown good judgment in improving and beautifying the public parks of the city. The able chairman of this commission has certainly displayed good taste in the discharge of his duties, and deserves much credit for his unselfish devotion to the interests of the public grounds of the city.
The expenditures of this department last year amounted to $4,971.64.
CITY ORDINANCES.
The City Ordinances have not been revised since 1867. As there is much in them that is useless and confusing, they, as well as the City Charter, should be revised and codified, so as to conform to recent statutes -expunging all unnecessary pro- visions, and making the same as simple as possible. A special committee of the last City Council made some progress in this direction, and you will have the benefit of their labors. It may be necessary to ask the Legislature for authority in this matter ; if so, I doubt not it can be easily obtained.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
The Board of Health was established in pursuance of the Statute of 1877, which was duly accepted by a vote of the citi- zens. It consists of the City physician, ex-officio, and two other members. The Board; while it has already done some good, has never received that encouragement and support which it should have had, in order to give the law a fair trial. The State Board of Health, created by the Legislature of 1869, has furnished us,
31
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
annually, much valuable information concerning public hygiene. Local Boards were designed to be auxiliary to the State Board. To prevent disease by instituting the best sanitary conditions among the people, is the object of this and similar boards throughout the country. The eminent Dr. Rush, one of the few men who live in the memory of men after the lapse of a century, once declared that the means of preventing certain pestilential diseases, were as much within the control of human reason and industry, as were those of preventing the evils of lightning and common fire. This opinion, expressed nearly one hundred years ago, has been largely acted upon by scientific men, especially in Massachusetts, during the last ten years.
I urgently recommend that more attention be given in the future to this important subject. I confidently believe that com- petent men can be found who would give a portion of their time and attention to this matter for a very moderate compensation.
After a few years of service on the part of an intelligent and prudent Board of Health, I have no doubt that our people would be convinced of its utility.
-
THE PUBLIC CHARITIES.
Our Charities are said to be judiciously managed, the method and system adopted by the department being calculated to insure the best results from the amount disbursed. I recommend that liberality be exercised in our disbursements, as it is better that many unworthy ones be aided than that any deserving person should suffer. The almshouse and outbuildings are reported to be in good repair.
On account of the many alterations made in the settlement laws, during recent years, there is every reason to believe that the numbers to be cared for by this department will be largely increased in the future. The idiotic, the harmlessly insane, the vicious, and all others, are now crowded together into small and poorly ventilated apartments at the almshouse. A recent visit to this establishment convinced me of the necessity of an addi- tional wing to the main building, in order to be able to classify and give better accommodations to the inmates.
32
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 34.
The whole expense of the pauper department last year was $36,046.39.
SCHOOLS.
Our Common School system has been fostered by the State from its foundation. It is so interwoven with our system of government, and forms so important a factor in it, that the one is dependent upon the other. The very foundation of our Re- public rests upon the idea of general intelligence among the people. Man, as an individual, stands for something under our civilization. Formerly he was accounted as nothing, compared. with the welfare of the State. The theory now is exactly reversed, and the State claims to have the tenderest interest in the welfare of each and every one-the poor and the rich alike. Most people believe that a well stored mind is the pearl of great price, and that the best legacy we can leave our children is a good education.
The School Board is a distinct part of the City Government, elected by and directly answerable to the people like ourselves, and wholly responsible for the judicious expenditure of the largest item of our annual appropriations. It is our duty to understand the exact relation existing between us and this board, and to cheerfully furnish the means necessary to carry on its important work without embarrassment. It is the duty of that board to judge of the necessity of more school accommo- dations, and no school house can be built or materially altered without its approval of the location and plans. While that body, therefore, has well-defined functions, and is, within its appropri- ate sphere, not accountable to the City Council there is no need of the least want of harmony, since all are working for a com- mon end-the good of the city.
During the past year there is every reason to believe that the schools have been economically and successfully conducted. The expenditures of the present year will of necessity be some- what larger on account of the greater number of pupils, the con- sequent increase of the teaching force, and the rise in labor and materials. The number of children of school age has, for the past two or three years, increased by about 400 annually. Last
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
year one school house was built on Grafton street, and the year before one on Winslow street, each of these accommodating about 200 pupils, or one-half the increase for those years respec- tively. For several years previous no new houses were built. One of our first duties will be to consider the propriety of more school accommodations in the vicinity of Oxford street and Edgeworth street, concering which communications from the School Board have been referred to you by the last City Gov- ernment.
The expenditures of this Department last year were $142,070.72, and are classified as follows :
Cost of Instructors. $133,242 34
Repairs of Houses and Furniture. 5,017 66
$138,260 00
The Day Schools cost. .
$135,367 85
And the Evening Schools, and the Free Evening Drawing Schools.
2,892 15
$138,260 00
Permanent Improvement in School Houses, $1,207 79
Rents for extra School Rooms, and Sup't's
Office.
1,630 00
$2,837 79
Premium on Insurance Policies, etc.
972 93
Total, $142,070 72
The whole number of pupils registered in the Day Schools last year was 10,029; in Evening Schools, 811; average num- ber belonging to Day Schools, 7,745; to Evening Schools, 293.
The cost per scholar, reckoned on the average number attending was in Day Schools, $17.47 ; in Evening Schools, $5.03.
The number of teachers employed in Day Schools was 200; number in Evening Schools, 27.
The following table will show the number of pupils in school at the close of each term, Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, from 1873 to 1879, inclusive :
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CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 34.
NUMBER OF PUPILS AT THE CLOSE OF EACH TERM IN THE YEARS 1873-79.
1873 1874 1875 1876 1877
1878 1879
Incr'e '78 to '79
End of Winter Term about Feb. 15
6492
6394
6781 6917 7203 7724
521 Feb,
Spring
66
Apr. 30
6414 6438
6851
6852
7307 7662
355 Apr.
66
Summer
66
June 30 5950 6266 6400
6751 6810
7422 7716
294 June.
Fall
66
Nov. 30 6562 6729 7037 7134 7348 7873 8159
286 Nov.
CITY HOSPITAL.
I think it is not out of place for me to say that the adminis- tration of the City Hospital has been conducted with such efficiency, fidelity and economy, as to have proved satisfactory to the City Government from the first, and to have commanded the constantly increasing approbation of the public at large. The usefulness of the institution is certainly becoming more and more conspicuous from year to year. The Trustees inform us in their annual report, which has already been presented, that the accommodations in the buildings on the Jaques homestead are sufficient for present wants, and would probably meet the requirements of the city for some years to come.
The propriety of making immediate provision for large future wants, by building at once, on the lot at the corner of Queen and Prince streets, which Mr. Jaques gave for that purpose, some time before his death, has been considered by a committee of the City Council, during the past year, and their report will be brought to your notice, among other matters of unfinished business. While it is obvious that larger accommodations are not immediately needed, and that the erection of a hospital building would involve a considerable expenditure, besides re- quiring a somewhat larger annual appropriation for running expenses, it should also be borne in mind that we are now occu- pying the best part of the homestead estate, which will soon have a considerable market value, and that any sale of the Jaques lands makes an addition to the fund whose income goes to the support of the hospital. Hitherto, in my opinion, nothing has been lost by waiting, and the fact that we have not yet built on the lot referred to, can hardly be regarded as indicating any lack of respect for the memory of Mr. Jaques, who, as we all know, wished only to benefit the city. Mr. Jaques, who was a
35
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
trustee of the hospital, was of course deeply interested in the institution, and, in connection with others, was confident that we could not long remain in the Bigelow mansion, which at the time the gift was made, we were occupying for hospital purposes.
In this connection it may be proper to say that it has seemed to many, and especially to the very respectable medical gentle- men serving upon the staff, that it would be much better in a sanitary, as well as in an economical point of view, for the insti- tution to remain, at least for the present, where it is now loca- ted. On the other hand, a large number of our citizens, whose opinions command respect, including my immediate predeces- sor, have thought that the delay in building on the gift lot, should be regarded as the breaking of a solemn contract, made in good faith by the parties interested, and that therefore we were justly chargeable with a want of respect to the memory of one of the city's most unselfish benefactors.
Some ten years ago the late Deacon Ichabod Washburn, in addition to other acts of benevolence, placed a sum of money in the hands of trustees to be used at their discretion, in building a memorial hospital of such special character as they might deem advisable. I am informed that the money has been kept at in- terest and now amounts to a considerable sum, and that the trustees are desirous of utilizing it for the purpose for which it was donated. If the city could make some amicable arrange- ment with the Washburn trustees whereby two distinct hospitals could be built within one enclosure, each caring for different classes of patients, and so connected as to be under one superin- tendent, it would undoubtedly prove advantageous to all con- cerned. To this end I earnestly recommend that a committee be appointed to confer with the Washburn trustees, and, if no arrangement can be made with them, that you consider at the earliest possible time the expediency of erecting, during the present year, an inexpensive hospital building of sufficient capac- ity to accommodate forty or fifty patients of the class for which this important public charity was originally designed.
HOPE CEMETERY.
Hope Cemetery contains about 67 acres of land, and, by its situation and natural features, is peculiarly adapted for the pur-
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CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 34.
poses for which it was designed. The hand of taste has already scattered among the trees enduring memorials of marble and granite, and has produced a landscape of picturesque beauty. No place in the environs of our city possesses stronger attrac- tions to the visitor. To the mourner, especially, it offers seclu- sion, amid the consoling influences of nature. The history of mankind, in all ages, shows that the human heart clings to the grave of its disappointed hopes and wishes. In no place can this truth be more fully realized than in our own beautiful cem- etery, where, amidst the quiet verdure of the fields, and under the cheerful light of heaven we learn to recognize the great law of nature which declares that to die is but to live again.
It is hardly necessary to add that the interests of Hope Cem- etery are judiciously cared for by the commissioners, whose ser- vices have been freely given, without compensation of any kind, except the consciousness of having faithfully administered the important trusts confided to them by the City Council. For information in regard their doings last year, I beg to refer you to their report, which will shortly be laid before you by the commissioners.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, gentlemen, permit me to say, that I have pur- posely avoided wearying you with the figures and details of the several departments of the government, full reports of which will soon be placed before you in print. As to the recommend- ations in some of these reports, I intend at this time to express no opinion whatever, preferring to wait until a greater familiar- ity with the subjects therein considered shall enable me to form a more intelligent judgment than can be possible at the present time.
It remains only for me to add that I shall rely largely upon your generous support and cordial co-operation in everything which pertains to the welfare of our people.
In entering upon the important office to which I have been elected, I am actuated by only one motive-an honorable ambi- tion to win the regard and esteem of our fellow-citizens, and to make my administration fill a not unimportant page in the his- tory of our beloved city.
REPORT
OF THE
AUDITOR.
CITY OF WORCESTER, AUDITOR'S OFFICE, January 5, 1880.
To the Honorable City Council :-
GENTLEMEN .- In conformity with the requirements of Sec- tion 16 of the " Ordinance relating to Finance and establishing Sinking Funds," the undersigned presents herewith his Annual Report of the receipts and expenses of the City of Worcester, exhibiting the same as classified in the several Department Accounts, in connection with the appropriations for the financial year ending November 30, 1879, and showing the balances unexpended at that date, the Liabilities and Cash Assets then existing, and a Schedule of the City Property.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY GRIFFIN,
Auditor.
6
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CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 34.
Receipts.
The receipts for the year ending November 30, 1879, are shown in aggregates, as credited to the following accounts :
No. of Acct.
1. City Hall,
$1,003 85
2. City Hospital, .
4,384 12
3. Collector's Sales, surplus account, 35 15
4. Fire Department, 935 64
5. Free Public Library,
3,318 10
6. Highway Department,
18,708 71
7. Incidental Expenses,
8,585 94
8. Interest,
13,604 93
9. Lighting Streets,
84 77
10. Liquor Licenses,
22,909 00
11. Loans, Funded City,
240,000 00
12. Loans, Funded Sewer,
100,000 00
13. Loans, Temporary,
405,000 00
14.
Pauper Department, City Relief,
3,766 44
15.
Pauper Department, Farm,
3,508 35
16.
Pauper Department, House Offal,
4,313 08
18. Premium on City Bonds,
22,156 00
19. Public Grounds,
7 00
20. Real Estate, Lien Account,
411 72
21. School Department,
404 68
22. School Houses,
88 02
23. Sewer Assessment, Old Account,
105 85
24. Sewer Assessment, New Account,
6,892 54
26.
Sewers, Island Account,
1,749 31
27.
Sewers, Maintenance,
37 62
28.
Sidewalk Assessment, ·
2,459 44
29. Sinking Fund, 1875, General Debt,
108,508 89
30.
Sinking Fund, 1876, Water Loan,
129 01
32.
Sinking Fund, 1878,
589 50
33. Sinking Fund, 1879, ¥ ¥
294 42
34. Sinking Fund, 1879, Island Sewer,
971 11
35. Sinking Fund, 1879, Foster Street,
736 04
36. State Aid,
11,811 68
37. Street Betterment Assessment,
13,140 66
38. Taxes, 1874,
9 88
39. Taxes, 1876,
347 58
40. Taxes, 1877,
123 04
41. Taxes, 1878,
25,890 14
42. Taxes, 1878, Corporation,
29,235 75 6,173 17
43. Taxes, 1878, National Bank, State Acct.,
638,572 32
44. Taxes, 1879,
45. Water Works, Construction, 13,938 64
46. Water Works, Maintenance, 73,149 40
Total Receipts,
$1,795,359 95
17. Police Department,
5,179 48
25. Sewers, Construction,
1,636 11
31. Sinking Fund, 1877, Lynde Brook Damages,
452 87
39
REPORT OF THE AUDITOR.
Expenses.
The claims for the year ending November 30, 1879, as ap- proved and drawn for in the Auditor's office, are shown in aggregates, as charged to the following accounts :-
No. of Acct.
1. Abatements and Discount,
$40,703 48
2. Board of Health,
93 94
3. City Hall,
.
4,741 18
4. City Hospital, ·
8,368 78
5. Collector's Sales, Surplus Account,
66 21
6. Fire Department,
40,452 81
7. Fire Department, Fire Patrol,
1,200 00
9. Free Public Library, Repairing Building,
10. Highway Department,
63,130 07
11. Incidental Expenses,
11,133 21
13. Interest on Sewer Loan,
16,192 00
14. Interest on Water Loan,
22,959 00
15. Lighting Streets,
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