USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1883 > Part 20
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The only result of this order was, as before stated, to keep them in the street. An Ordinance should be made adapted to the case and so regulate them, that unless they occupied their stands when not actually engaged in transporting persons or . property, it should result in a permanent revocation of their license.
Until such a remedy is at hand, I would recommend the licensing of a limited number of the latter, and only such numbers of the former as have convenient stands at their own stables. Our system of telephones, messengers, &c., is now so perfect, that when once established, the inconvenience would not be thought of.
314
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
The next thing to this in point of discomfort and danger to public travel and business is
HITCHING POSTS.
That these are necessary in country villages, and in fact in some of our own streets, is true, but that they should longer be tolerated in our business streets, I do not believe.
Many persons who have had them placed for their own private use, have had them removed, principally because they were never able to get to them themselves, as economical travelers find them cheaper than stables. If any one wants occular proof of this assertion, let them look any day during business hours, or church service, at those placed around the City Hall building, or the Main street mall of the common.
LICENSE LAW.
Since the last annual report to your honorable body, there has been made by this department,
Search and seizure complaints,
199
Keeping liquor,
97
Selling Sunday,
10
Common nuisance,
7
Selling to minors,
7
Maintaining screens on licensed premises,
7
Selling to be drunk on premises,
2
Selling before 6 o'clock a. m.,
1
Total, 330
Petitioned for revocation of license,
12
Licenses revoked in Board of Aldermen,
2
Licenses revoked by conviction in Court,
4
A large number of liquor cases are now pending before the Court.
The prospect is that no revocation will result during the year for which they were granted. I am still of the opinion that the present law is the best that Massachusetts has had, to regulate the keeping and sale of liquors.
It is only to those who hold their pet Idol of temperance so close to their own eyes that they can see nothing else that it appears otherwise.
315
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
The law is not to blame for the shortcomings of those to whom its enforcement is entrusted and should not be held responsible. No class of offenders are brought before the courts, that are so carefully guarded, or ably defended, as violators of this law, and no offences, which the strict construction of the law so often shields, as this same class.
I can see no reason why officers, after having worked up these cases, should not be sustained by all authorities, as well as any other criminal business. Three-fourths of all crimes for which arrests are made, are directly chargeable to this one thing, liquor, and in addition to that, it is the cause of more per- jury, than any other offence ever known.
Some excuse can usually be found, for allowing occasionally a case to be placed upon file, or in other words, giving the offend- er his liberty during good behavior, but to allow a large per cent. of any cases, and especially liquor cases, to be thus dealt with, does not inspire any respect for the law or officers. Perhaps some may say that this class of cases are too trivial to waste the time of the Court, etc. Then why was the law thus framed ? Why were not those trifles left out of its provisions ? And why blame the law or officers because they are so trivial ? If it is a crime to sell liquor, by the quantity without a license, it is a crime to sell a quart, or even a glass under the same circumstances. If it is a crime to get a minor drunk upon licensed premises, it is no less a crime to sell him one glass of that which intoxicates. Yet when these cases are brought into Court, all the eloquence that the "Bar " can procure is brought to condemn the officer, and condole the offender. If these cases are trivial and should not be tried, then the quicker these provisions are stricken out the better, and provide that the volume of business done shall regu- late the prosecutions.
An officer in taking the stand to testify in an ordinary liquor case, goes there knowing that all the suspicions ever levelled at any mortal are to be directed to him, and it is not to be wondered at that many of them shrink from too much prominence in this business. When the detective service is called upon in police business generally, it is not deemed dishonorable to use any and
ยท
316
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
all means in their power to fasten guilt where it belongs, and bring the parties to justice with the least possible delay. Under these circumstances, the officers are recognized as such ; but the minute war is waged upon illegal rum-selling, gambling and kindred evils, that minute, officers become " spotters," " inform- ers," "peelers," and their social degradation is sure and rapid. I contend that officers that have the moral courage to enforce the laws as they find them, without fear or favor, are to be com- mended.
In granting licenses, I do not believe that a license of the 1st, 2d or 3d class should be given to carry on business under the same roof with a residence, neither do I approve of granting them to every one who can raise the sum charged for the same. Sec. 8 of chap. 100 of the Public Statutes provides that " the Mayor and Aldermen may at any time refuse to issue a license to a person whom they deem unfit to receive the same."
I approve of granting licenses to respectable and responsible men only, and then holding those men strictly responsible for the fulfillment of the provisions of the same. The idea of granting 60 or more grocers, or 4th class liquor licenses in a city like ours, I think is working evil in many ways, principally by destroying the meaning, as well as the effect, of the law.
I see no reason why the civil part of their contract should not be attended too, as well as the criminal. Why "Bonds " are required or given, I have yet to see the need.
In connection with liquor business, I was called upon early last spring by an order from the Board of Aldermen, for a report, of which the following is a copy :-
"IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
March 19, 1883.
"Whereas certain charges have been publicly made in the press and otherwise, that certain members of the Police Department, have during the month of February last been off duty, and away from the City for some considerable time, engaged with private parties or public cor- porations in a service which reflects little if any credit upon the City of Worcester, so far as these parties in their official capacity represent the City, and that the parties so engaged have been paid personally for their services so rendered, and, whereas : the pay-roll of the Police
317
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
Department for the month of February, as audited by the City Auditor, shows that these same parties were paid for 28 days service out of the City Treasury, the parties themselves receipting for the same ; therefore, Ordered ! that the City Marshal be, and he is hereby requested to report to this Board, whether any members of the Police Department were off duty during the month of February last, or away from the City, and if any who they were, how long they were gone, and the causes therefor ; and also if any members of the Police Department have been paid out of the City Treasury for days service when they were not in the City, during the month of February last.
And if any of the Patrolmen of the Police Department were out of the City, during any part of the month of February or March, and engaged elsewhere, and if so, by what authority were they thus away ? "
" CITY MARSHAL'S OFFICE.
Worcester, Mass., Apr. 2, 1883.
In obedience to the foregoing order, I herewith present the following
SPECIAL REPORT :
Chap. 28, Sec. 11, of the Public Statutes of Massachusetts, reads as follows, viz. :-
'The Mayor of any city may furnish Police Officers to serve the Authorities of any other place, upon the Requisition of the Mayor and Aldermen, or Selectmen thereof: And while in the discharge of such duty, such Police Officers shall have the authority of Constables and Police Officers within the limits of such place, except as to the service of civil process: And the city so furnishing said officers shall be entitled to receive from such place, the amount of money paid to them by said city for their services during said term, including the necessary traveling expenses incurred by them in the discharge of such duty.'
On the ninth day of February last, His Honor Mayor Hildreth, placed in my hands a Requisition, of which the following is a copy :
" To the Mayor of the City of Worcester, In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The undersigned, Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Springfield, in said Commonwealth, hereby respectfully request you to furnish one Police Officer, to serve the Authorities of said Springfield in accordance with the provisions of Chap. 28, Sec. 11, of the Public Statutes."
SPRINGFIELD, MASS., February 8, 1883.
Signed by
The Mayor, and a Majority
Of the Board of Aldermen.
L. S.
318
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
In compliance with this requisition, Officer E. T. Robinson was detailed to report to the City Marshal of Springfield, on the evening of Feb. 15th. On the 21st of the same month, the Marshal asked for the service of another man, for a few days, and Officer O. A. Johnson responded to the call, on the evening of the 23d, and returned to Worcester on the 27th following, and Officer Robinson on the 2d day of March.
These officers were not dropped from the pay-roll, as the Statutes provide that the city shall be entitled to receive from the city employ- ing them, the amount of money paid them by the City. Their traveling, and all necessary expenses, while serving in Springfield, were paid by the Authorities there, so we have no record of them.
The officers reported upon their return to Worcester, that they should be summoned to appear in Court at Springfield, at no distant date, consequently no bill for their services has been rendered to the City of Springfield, but will be on the completion of their duties there.
The amount due the City for their services will be paid to the City Treasurer when received, the same as any other for extra services performed by the Police Department.
Respectfully submitted.
W. ANSEL WASHBURN, City Marshal."
It remains for me to add, that the Officers attended the Court in obedience to their summons, but through the courtesy of Col. Hamilton, the City Marshal, the cases were all ready for them, so that they returned to duty without loss of time.
Subsequently the City Treasurer received a check in full for their services, for time spent in Springfield.
DRUNKENNESS.
This crime in all its forms and previous convictions, numbers 2,230 during the year.
It is a crime, about which more has been said than any other known in the criminal catalogue. Lectures have been given, sermons preached, and all the eloquence of modern times has been directed to and against this evil. Everything in form of argument has been exhausted, and even facts and figures, show- ing the terrible results of this practice have apparently ceased to intimidate the common drunkard or occasional tippler.
319
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
Of late the Legislature has been to blame for a large per cent. of the drunkenness in Massachusetts. Two or three years ago, any man, woman or child that wished, could get drunk for one dollar ($1), and the number that availed themselves of this grand privi- lege the records will show. One year's experience with this farce satisfied the tax-payers, and the next session of the General Court so amended this law as to add " the cost of the Court," so that to-day, for the same luxury, a fine of $1 and costs is the ex- tent of punishment.
So long as this ridiculous law is allowed to remain, so long will the crime of drunkenness continue to increase, license or no license.
I have during the past year made more complaints for second and third offences, and also for common drunkenness, than ever before, in order that some punishment adequate to the offence might be obtained.
I am aware that very many good people are going to the ex- tremes in condoning the offence, and wasting a vast amount of sympathy on the offenders, who they seem to think are not sin- ners, but terribly sinned against, and who, when the habit is such as to class them as common drunkards, should be conveyed to some hospitable institution (not correctional), that is system- atically provided with trained nurses, skilful physicians, luxurious apartments and diet, and there cared for tenderly and impor- tuned to give up and wean themselves from this evil ; a scourge which they are in no way responsible for.
I cannot become a convert to any such doctrine. I have but little sympathy for the inebriate, any way ; and none whatever for the habitual drunkard, and wife-whipper.
They are an army of good-for-nothings, and merit the con- sideration of such.
I am not in accord with the present system of fining them, for that usually afflicts other portions of the family that do not de- serve it, and should not be punished.
Could they be imprisoned at hard labor, for a good sensible term, and compelled to work, not only for themselves, but to support those dependent upon them, I think the effect would be
320
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
a decided improvement npon the dollar plan. Perhaps if they could be taken to Delaware for punishment it would be better still. Anything but encouraging drunkenness.
THE POLICE WAGON
or ambulance is well adapted for the business for which it was originally built, that is, to transport prisoners, but for the pur- poses of carrying sick and wounded it cannot be commended. One thing is pretty sure, if the patient survives the trip, or lives to get to the hospital or home, the chances are that he will speedily recover. The fault is not with the wagon, as that must of a necessity be so constructed as to carry heavy loads, but the stretcher, or bed made for hospital purposes, should be at once replaced by something better.
This wagon has been called into use fifty-eight times during the year, for the purpose of removing sick and injured people, and not occasionally when snow was so deep as to prevent its use. I approve of its general use when parties are hurt while traveling, or taken sick away from home, but why this depart- ment should be obliged to bear the expense of the hospital or poor departments, or why it should be used for private removals without compensation, I cannot understand.
I should therefore recommend that when the same is ordered to remove a person from house to hospital, or any private pur- poses, a fee of say $2 should be charged, and when ordered by either of the above departments, the same credits should be given.
For the want of use for the horses belonging to this depart- ment, I have dispensed with the smaller horse, letting him out for his keeping since October 13th. The teams are in good con- dition, excepting the light wagon which will have to be exten- sively repaired or replaced with a new one the coming year.
AN ORDINANCE
by which the pay of officers should be graded, is a matter that demands attention, and especially where police changes are as frequent as here.
321
RETORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
That time and talents in that direction, aided by experience are necessary to the making of a good officer no one can deny, and when this much is admitted, does it not show the inconsistency of paying each and every new comer into this department the same rate per day as is paid to older, and men that have proved themselves capable of filling the positions.
During the year it has been our misfortune to lose by death an old and esteemed comrade. Albert N. Bonn died May 2d, after a protracted illness, although incapacitated for any duty but a few days. Mr. Bonn had been connected with the force for quite a number of years, and was a general favorite in the Department, as also the public with whom he came in contact. His funeral was attended by the entire force, and a general attendance of several organizations with which he was connected.
Officer John H. Riley resigned his position Sept. 7th to engage in other business, and these two vacancies (which were at once filled) are all the changes that have been made during the year.
No suspensions have taken place, and the entire force have conducted themselves in a manner to win commendation from all who have watched them through the year.
There has been but one occasion where the good name of the Department has been called into question, and that partook so strongly of a personal nature that its effect was not noticeable. The good order of the City has been at all times maintained, and losses by thieves and robbers never less.
The amount of stolen property recovered (principally by Inspectors O'Day and Colby), has amounted to but $3,500.00, and more than three-fourths of this amount has been stolen in other places and recovered here.
With the exception of an assault upon J. L. Amsden, on the 28th of July last, through which he was relieved of a watch and chain, and the burglarious entrance of the residences of Hon. Geo. S. Barton, J. H. Walker, Esq., and Mr. Legg, all of which were entered on the night of Aug. 28th, and about $50 worth of silver ware carried away, the entire loss has been trifling. An old and highly respectable farmer living some distance from the City Hall, fell in with a trio of "Bunco Men" who were making
322
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
a professional call in this City, and in his zeal to add to his fortune, found himself $800 short in a very short space of time. Those men after finding out that they were known, and not wishing to be arrested if ever caught in Massachusetts again, returned the larger part of their ill-gotten gains to the loser, thereby making him too happy to think of prosecutions.
While we congratulate ourselves upon this state of affairs, this year, I do not think it is safe to have the patrol so far apart, or covering so much territory. Were it not for advertising our own weakness, I would here submit a list of the beats, and how covered.
In reviewing the past year, I feel that I have much to be grateful for. The continuous confidence of His Honor Mayor Hildreth, and his unqualified support, has made my duties comparatively pleasant.
To Assistant Marshal Taylor too much credit cannot be given. He has proven himself an efficient, energetic and capable officer, and the City can be congratulated in having him in his present position. The same can be said of Assistant-Marshal Atkinson, who has for so many years been connected with this Department. He is so well known to you that any words of mine would be superfluous.
To the rank and file of the Department belongs the credit of our success. Their perfect harmony has resulted in a record which we leave with satisfaction, inviting honest criticism, and in the administration of which, I have the honor to subscribe myself,
Your obedient servant.
W. ANSEL WASHBURN, City Marshal.
WORCESTER SCHOOLS.
ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY OF WORCESTER,
OCTOBER, 1883.
SAMUEL E. HILDRETH, President. ALBERT P. MARBLE, Sup't and Sec'y. 464 MAIN STREET.
Members whose term expires January, 1886.
Members whose term expires January, 1885.
GEO. F. THOMPSON,
EDWIN H. HILL,
AUSTIN P. CRISTY, CHARLES M. LAMSON, FORREST E. BARKER,
JOHN J. CASEY, EUGENE M. MORIARTY, DENIS SCANNELL,
JOHN J. MCCOY,
JOHN B. COSGROVE,
RICHARD O'FLYNN,
GEORGE C. REIDY, ALZIRUS BROWN,
HENRY S. KNIGHT, EMERSON WARNER,
HENRY L. PARKER,
EDWARD B. GLASGOW. GEORGE SWAN.
Members whose term expires January, 1884. GEORGE W. PHILLIPS,
JEREMIAH MURPHY, THOMAS J. CONATY, GEORGE H. BALL, KATE C. TAFT, RUFUS WOODWARD.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
ON SCHOOL-HOUSES .- Messrs. Brown, Murphy, Cosgrove, Reidy and Hill. ON BOOKS AND APPARATUS .- Messrs. Warner, Phillips, Scannell, Parker and O'Flynn.
ON TEACHERS .- Superintendent ex-officio, and Messrs. Conaty, Lamson, Swan, Warner and Barker.
ON APPOINTMENTS. - Superintendent ex-officio, Mrs. Taft, and Messrs. McCoy, Glasgow, Casey and Ball.
ON FINANCE .- The Mayor ex-officio, Messrs. Woodward, Moriarty, Cristy, Thompson and Knight.
The Committee of Visitation shall exercise a general supervision over the schools to which they are severally assigned, and shall visit them not less than once in four weeks, and report their condition at the monthly meeting of the Board .- [Rules, Chap. 3, Sec. 6.
325
SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
Though each school is assigned to a special committee, yet every member of the Board shall consider it his duty to watch over and visit all the public schools of the city, as his convenience will permit .- Sec. 7.
VISITING COMMITTEES.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Messrs. Warner, Conaty, Lamson, Swan, Glasgow, Woodward, McCoy and Ball.
TEACHERS.
Alfred S. Roe, Principal.
A. Carey Field,
Mary P. Jefts, Alice Goddard,
William F. Abbot,
Jennie I. Ware, Nellie M. White,
Joseph H. Perry,
Rachel L. Moore, Annie L. Fifield,
Charles S. Chapin,
Mary L. Bridgman, Florence Snow,
Mary E. Whipple.
The ROMAN NUMERALS designate the ROOMS to which members of commit- tees are specially assigned, and the GRADES according to the course of study.
BELMONT STREET.
COMMITTEE.
TEACHERS.
GRADE.
Lamson,
Arthur G. Lewis, Principal,
IX
Lamson,
Emma C. Mcclellan, Assistant,
Lamson,
Mary H. Warren,
VIII
Lamson,
Sarah L. Phillips,
VII
Lamson,
Tirzah S. Nichols,
VI
Moriarty,
Owen H. Conlin,
VI
Moriarty,
Jennie L. Dearborn,
V
Moriarty,
Esther G. Chenery,
V
Moriarty,
Carrie P. Townsend,
IV
Moriarty,
Mattie A. Collins,
IV
Hill,
Carrie A. Smith,
III
Hill,
Mary A. Sanborn,
III
Hill,
Elizabeth N. Robinson,
II
Hill,
Anna M. Waite,
II
Hill,
Lilla F. Upton,
I
Hill,
Hattie B. Andrews,
I
DIX STREET.
COMMITTEE.
TEACHERS.
GRADE.
Warner,
William H. Bartlett, Principal,
IX
Warner,
Clara Manly, Assistant,
Warner,
Effie F. Kinne,
VIII
Warner,
Mattie Howe,
VII
Warner,
Minnie W. Sherman,
VI
Cosgrove,
Martha P. Valentine,
IV
Cosgrove,
(Esther B. Smith,)
III
Cristy,
Martha D. Adams,
II
Cristy,
Alice E. Johnson,
II-I
Cristy,
Harriet Lightbourn,
I
Cosgrove,
Susie W. Forbes,
Alice W. Giddings,
326
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
WINSLOW STREET.
COMMITTEE.
TEACHERS.
GRADE. IX
Hill,
J. Chauncey Lyford, Principal,
Hill,
Ella K. Morgan, Assistant,
VIII
Hill,
Sarah Brigham,
VII
Ball,
Lucy Lewisson,
VI
Ball,
Josephine A. Hunt,
V
Ball,
Ella E. Goddard,
IV
Mrs. Taft,
Emma S. Peirce,
IV-III
Mrs. Taft,
Ida M. McCambridge,
III
Mrs. Taft,
Effie L. Bennett,
II-I
Mrs. Taft,
A. Calista Hale,
I
WOODLAND STREET.
COMMITTEE.
TEACHERS.
GRADE.
Mrs. Taft,
(Edward I. Comins), Principal,
IX
Mrs. Taft,
Alice E. Meriam, Assistant,
VIII
Mrs. Taft,
Mary M. Lawton,
VII
Mrs. Taft,
Jennie L. Higgins,
VI
Parker,
Carrie R. Clements,
VI
Parker,
Martha T. Wyman,
V
Parker,
Eva E. Stone,
V
Parker,
Sarah J. Melanefy,
IV
M. Rosalie Goddard,
IV
Casey,
Carrie F. Meriam,
III
Casey,
Maggie A. Flaherty,
II
Casey,
Emma Buckley,
II-I
Casey,
Mary E. Proctor,
I
Casey,
Mary E. Horgan,
I
WASHINGTON STREET.
TEACHERS.
GRADE.
Swan,
Charles T. Haynes, Principal,
IX
Swan,
Ida L. Gaskill, Assistant,
Swan,
M. Louise Rice, Assistant,
IX
LEDGE STREET.
COMMITTEE.
TEACHERS.
GRADE.
McCoy,
Charles C. Woodman, Principal,
IX
McCoy,
Margaret M. Geary, Assistant,
VIII
McCoy,
Maria P. Cole,
VII
McCoy,
Kate A. McCarthy,
VI
Swan,
Mary J. Packard,
VI
Swan,
Alice G. McMahon,
V
Swan,
Frances M. Athy,
V-IV
Mary E. D. King,
IV
Thompson, Thompson,
Fanny A. Williams,
III
Parker,
Carrie E. Howe,
II
Parker,
Mary B. Dudley,
I
Parker,
Hannah M. Kickham,
I
Mrs. Taft,
Ann S. Dunton,
Parker,
Casey,
Maggie I. Melanefy,
III
McCoy,
Emma L. Cowles,
COMMITTEE.
Joseph Jackson,
Hill,
Amy E. Hopson,
SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
327
THOMAS STREET.
COMMITTEE.
TEACHERS.
GRADE.
Cristy,
Harriet G. Waite, Principal,
VIII-VII
Cristy,
Mary E. Houghton, Assistant,
Cristy,
Abbie C. Souther,
VII
Cristy,
Belle H. Tucker,
VI
Cristy,
Anna P. Smith,
VI-V
Scannell,
Mary E. Fitzgerald,
V
Scannell,
Lucia N. Jennison,
IV
Scannell,
(Eudora A. Dearborn,)
IV
Scannell,
Esther E. Travis.
Scannell,
Ella A. Casey,
III
Scannell,
Rosa I. Seavey,
III
Glasgow,
Addie E. Sprague,
II
Glasgow,
Mary E. Barnard,
II-I
Glasgow,
Jennie C. Clough,
I
EDGEWORTH STREET.
COMMITTEE.
TEACHERS.
GRADE.
Brown,
Ella E. Roper, Principal,
VIII-VII
Brown,
Anna T. Cavanough,
VI
Brown,
Jennie E. Maloney,
IV
Brown,
Julia E. Greenwood,
IV
Thompson,
Hattie G. Gates,
III
Thompson,
Fransess D. Martin,
II
Thompson,
Anna H. Newton,
I
Thompson,
Selma P. Ahlstrom,
I
COMMITTEE.
TEACHERS.
GRADE.
Phillips,
Nellie C. Thomas, Principal,
VIII
Phillips,
Kate A. Meade,
VII
Phillips,
Ella M. McFarland,
VI
O'Flynn,
Mary L. Norcross,
IV-III
O'Flynn,
Mary E. McCormick,
II
O'Flynn,
Alphonsine T. L'Esperance,
I
OXFORD STREET.
COMMITTEE.
TEACHERS.
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