USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1886 > Part 2
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LIGHTING STREETS.
There are now 112 electric lights, 650 gas lights, and 1449 gasoline lights in the lighting system of the city. The electric lights are furnished by the Worcester Elec- tric Light Company for 60 cents each per night, from darkness till daylight. The contract expires April 1st, 1887.
The gas is furnished by the Worcester Gas Com- pany. The question of price is at the present time unsettled, the contract having expired in the middle of the past year. Efforts have been made by the Joint Standing Committee on Lighting Streets to have a price fixed, but as yet they have not been successful.
Mr. Patrick Ronayne has the contract for lighting and extinguishing the gas lights. The price paid is 2 cents per light each night. Mr. Ronayne also has the
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
contract for furnishing and running the gasoline lights for 5 7-8 cents per light each night. Both these contracts expire March 1st, 1887.
The rapid advancement in the science of electric light- ing indicates a continual decrease in the running expenses of a plant, and the city should and probably will take advantage of this fact, and secure more lights for street purposes at a less cost. It seems to me that the time is not far off when all our streets will be lighted by electricity. There is nothing so conducive to a well governed city as plenty of light, and surely Worcester is to-day looked upon as one of the best lighted cities in the country. The Joint Standing Committee on Lighting Streets ask for an appropriation of $65,000 for the present year.
SCHOOLS.
No interest of an intelligent community is of more importance than the proper education of the children, be- cause upon them at no distant day the responsibilities of citizenship will rest. If they are trained to be intel- ligent, honest, and industrious, we can well leave the cares of the future in their hands. A large part of this training belongs to the parents. No public action in providing schools can relieve fathers and mothers of the duty of rearing their children in habits of morality, fru- gality and self reliance. The work can never be thor- oughly done by public institutions, no matter how ex- cellent may be their methods. The very excellence of 3
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
any school may be an evil, if parents rely wholly upon such for the training of their children.
The public schools are believed to be in excellent con- dition. There is connected with them a corps of 276 well trained and faithful teachers. The school-houses are comfortable and well supplied with books and appa- ratus. Year by year improvements are made in the methods of heating, ventilating and in the kind of school furniture. If something is done each year in these directions, we shall keep abreast with the times and avoid any single large outlay.
The entire management of the schools is vested in a school committee, the members of which have no other duties; but the appropriations are made by the City Council. I recommend the same liberality in this de- partment that has been noticeable in years past and al- ways approved by the general public. There is no disposition on the part of the School Committee to in- cur unnecessary expense, although the growth of the city demands larger appropriations each year.
The school census for 1886 is 13,795, an increase of 513 over 1885. The number of pupils registered is 13,813, an increase of 932. The average number be- longing to the schools is 11,180, an increase of 422, while the largest number in attendance at any one time was 11,039, an increase of 901. In the High School there are 695 pupils and 18 teachers.
The appropriation for 1886 including the revenue was $230,681.90.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
EXPENDITURES.
For instruction, .
$186,200 82
Care of School-houses, rents and ordinary
repairs, ...
34,240 11
Permanent repairs, . 2,292 20
Evening Schools,.
3,947 28
Total,
$226,680 41
Balance for Sinking Fund, $4,001 49
The estimates for the ensuing year are as follows :-
For instruction, . $193,850 00
Care of School-houses, rents, and ordinary repairs, .... 36,150 00
Permanent repairs, . 2,500 00
Evening Schools, . 4,500 00
Total,
$237,000 00
For the present year the committee has called for a new .School-house at Jamesville at a cost of $3,000.00; and one at Adams Square at a cost of $12,000.00.
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
This institution has performed industriously and effectively the work laid out for it to do. The Circulating Department has been open 307 days, the Green Library room 359 days, and the lower reading room 365 days. The number of books given out for use at home or in the Library building is 201,815, which is 5,783 less than during the preceding year. The Librarian accounts for this decrease in the Circulating Department by the fact that there are fewer persons unemployed than in 1885.
The increase in the number of volumes has been 2,968, making the total number of books in the Library
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
66,909. There are also on file 150 papers, besides 124 magazines and reviews. The Librarian strongly urges the necessity of increasing the capacity of the Library, and justly affirms that the building is even now insuffi- cient for the proper disposition of Library work. This is a matter which ought to have particular and imme- diate attention.
The amount of $16,041.52, exclusive of the income from trust funds, was spent last year. The sum was supplied principally from the appropriation of $12,000 and the dog fund, which is $900 more for the present year. This year $13,549 are asked for ordinary expenses, and $1,485 for extraordinary outlays. The purposes for which the sums of money are desired are set forth carefully in the application of the Board of Directors of the Library, and they are worthy of appre- ciative consideration on the part of the City Govern- ment.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Fire Department has performed its work effi- ciently during the past year, and has in all respects maintained the good reputation it has long since earned, as may be seen from the very complimentary endorse- ment given it by the authorized representatives of the New England Insurance Exchange. The department has, during the past year, been increased by the addi- tion of two new companies, one at South Worcester and the other on Woodland Street; also by the addition of a Hays Truck at the Prescott Street House.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
The change in the character of buildings in the centre of the city necessitates constant modifications in the apparatus of the Fire Department, and the Board of Engineers unite with the Committee on Fire Depart- ment in recommending the immediate purchase of another Hays Truck. This would demand the erection of another engine-house, which could also be occupied by Hose No. 5. In some sections of the city there is a very perceptible lack of hydrants. Such a deficiency as this ought by all means to be carefully looked to.
Those well acquainted with the workings of the Fire Department heartily approve of the new ordinance and recommend the establishment of new fire limits and new building regulations. There is also a pressing call for an increase of the permanent force in the centre of the city. The addition of two new companies will increase the year's expenses $4,300. All the subjects which I have mentioned are worthy of thought and con- sideration.
The committee asks for an appropriation of $60,000.
PARKS-COMMISSION.
Last July the city formally assumed all the rights that the First Parish may be found to possess in any portion of the Common. The exact value of these rights, upon which it was found impossible to agree, will soon be determined by process of law. The exclu- sive ownership of that tract of land will enable the city,
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
whenever the erection of a new municipal building can no longer be deferred, to avail itself without delay of a convenient and suitable site.
The work upon Elm Park has been mainly that of perfecting its already improved condition. Upon Lake Park, as I was privileged to witness at the dedication of "Forest Nook," assiduous labor begins to show what may be done to develop the latent beauties of that extensive territory. A report has been submitted by the Parks-Commission, advising the acquirement of several specified parcels of land in various sections of the city, to be kept and enjoyed as parks and play-grounds. A petition to the General Court for the cession of a tract owned by the Commonwealth has been authorized by your immediate predecessors. The last City Council also sanctioned the taking of a tract of about eight and one-half acres, lying north of Crystal Street. This acquisition was commended to that body by considera- tions of material interest to the whole community.
I do not understand that the Parks-Commission expected the wholesale or even the immediate adoption of their plan, but they offered it in response to petitions, as affording a choice between many eligible pieces of land, that were either suggested or else commended themselves. I ask your earnest consideration of this sub- ject, persuaded as I am that it is one of vital importance to our permanent welfare.
The Parks-Commission ask for the appropriation of $8,000 for the present year.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
CITY ALMSHOUSE DEPARTMENT.
The annual inspection of the City Almshouse and Farm, held on October 31st, 1886, showed everything within and about the premises to be in its usual satisfac- tory condition, and evincing the same signs of good management that has characterized it for years past.
The annual appraisal gives the following as the pres- ent valuation :-
Total value of buildings,
$68,500 00
66
" land, ...
13,500 00
" Real Estate,.
$82,000 00
Farm stock, tools, vehicles, etc.,.
$13,501 73
Furniture, household utensils, etc.,.
13,958 21
Scavenger department,
11,424 01
Telephone line,.
450 00
Total valuation 1886, 66
$121,333 95
1885,
109,417 15
Difference in favor of 1886,
$ 11,916 80
The Overseers of the Poor recommend that the attic of the west wing be finished; that the walls of the one- story part of the north wing be carried up to the full height of the rest of the building, thus giving rooms much needed for the proper management and care of the insane at a comparatively small cost. The Over- ยท seers also urge the necessity of continuing the city water pipes from their present terminus at Adams Square to the Almshouse. They maintain that the $70,000 worth of buildings at the Farm demand a larger water supply than can now be had.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
During the past year a much needed addition has been made to the horse stable at an expense of upwards of two thousand dollars. One hundred and eighty-six persons have been supported at the Almshouse this past year. Of these there are one hundred and fifteen now remaining.
The entire cost of the enlargement of the horse stables, completion and furnishing of the addition made last year was $26,248.88.
The total receipts of the Farm, Scavenger depart-
ment, and Truant School were,. $7,847 03
Making the net cost, $18,401 85
CITY RELIEF DEPARTMENT.
The total number of families that have been aided during the past year is 717, comprising 2,167 persons, whose needs have been investigated and provided for as follows :-
For Fuel,
$1,324 70
Groceries,
1,984 80
Clothing, 67 00
66 Medicinces, attendance and nursing,.
224 63
66 Burials, .
535 00
66 Transportation,
452 12
Insane Hospital bills,.
4,191 75
State Reformatory bills,.
490 73
Cash allowances, .
104 69
66 Aid to Worcester poor in other towns,
608 44
185 28
Stationery, postage, and printing, . Miscellaneous expenses, .
429 49
Total,
$10,598 63
The salaries of the city physician and the clerk of the
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Board are also charged to the City Relief Department, and are as follows :-
City Physician,. $ 1,200 00
Clerk of the Board,.
1,200 00
Disbursements,
10,598 63
$12 998 63
The resources have been as follows :-
Appropriation by City Council,
$13,000 00
Received in reinbursements from State, other cities and towns, and individuals, 3,228 84
Total receipts,
$16,228 84
expenditures,
12,998 63
Unexpended balance, Nov. 30th, 1886, $3,230 21
CITY SCAVENGER DEPARTMENT.
This department has now been so long established that nothing need be said in its defence as a sanitary necessity. As the collection limits are becoming larger each year, some greater facilities ought to be provided for making collections.
The resources for the past year have been :-
Appropriations by City Council, $ 8,000 00
Receipts from the Department,. 5,891 25
Total,
$13,891 25
Total expenditures,
12,236 01
Unexpended balance, $1,655 24
The number of commitments to the Truant School during the year has been 29, making 362 since its founding in 1863.
Sixteen out of the 42 members, who have belonged to
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
the school for some part of the year, remain at the present time. The average number belonging for the year has been 14. The expense has averaged $212.31 each.
The cost of maintenance of this department has been as follows :-
Teaching,
$ 300 00
Board, ..
2,505 43
Clothing, etc.,
166 91
Total,
$2,972 34
Appropriation,
$3,100 00
Expenditures,
2,972 34
Unexpended balance,
$127 66
CITY HOSPITAL.
The City Hospital is doing a work that appeals to the respect of our citizens and to the sympathies of the philanthropic. Indeed, the institution has no cause to complain, since it has already received many substantial gifts. The report of the Trustees calls attention to the new buildings erected by the generosity of Stephen Salisbury, Esq., and Mrs. Sarah Gill. These wards have now been in use for eight months. The munifi- cent bequest of the late Helen C. Knowles has now become available, and will doubtless be used during the current year. The will of Mrs. Knowles provides that her gift be used for the construction, etc., of a Lying-in Hospital which, up to the present time, has never been provided in this city. While this bequest adds an important department to the Hospital it does not increase its accommodations for the general run of city
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
patients, and I am informed that there is an imperative demand for such room. It is likely that further pro- vision will soon become necessary. The growth of the city naturally increases the work at the Hospital, and during the last year the number of patients admitted has been 15 per cent. over those of the preceding year.
The appropriations last year amounted to $10,500.00, of which the sum of $1,400.00 was turned in, as a balance, to the Sinking Fund. This year the Trustees ask for $10,000.00, which, in view of naturally increased expenses, is fairly a proper allowance.
HOPE CEMETERY.
This is the only cemetery under the control of the city. Its territory is principally taken up by remains removed from old burial-grounds and by free burials. In each of the last seven years there has been an average of 95 per cent. free burials. Three hundred and eighty- eight burials were made in the year ending November 30th, 1886, and during the same time one hundred and thirteen lots were sold for $5,369.00. Since the open- ing of the Cemetery twenty-six hundred and twenty lots have been sold for $68,640.00. Individual proprie- tors have expended nearly as much more in the care and ornamentation of their property.
A new tomb, in three sections, has been built with the appropriation of $5,000.00 granted for the purpose. The cost of Hope Cemetery to the city has been small and but a trifling per cent. of the sums received from the sales of old burial-grounds. The prospective needs
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
of the city demand the purchase of adjoining lands, so that the increasing calls for lots can be met. I recom- mend to the City Council the early consideration of this matter.
POLICE.
The growth of the city has been so marked that the police force is manifestly too small. This department now numbers 80 men. It contains one marshal; two assistant-marshals; one captain; two sergeants; two detectives; four office men, one day and night each at station; and sixty-eight men for day and night service.
During the past year the Police have been over- worked, and in many cases it has caused considerable annoyance in the successful management of criminal business. The number of extra days' work performed by officers has been 1,199, which is more than at first appears, when the usual hours of duty are considered. The number of officers summoned to court has been 3,743, and in addition the police have served some 2,913 warrants.
There are a number of districts in the city where there is absolutely no police protection after midnight, and there are many more where the beat of a single officer is long enough for the services of three men. Such a state of affairs is no longer prudent, and an increase in the force is absolutely necessary. It would, of course, be folly to mention here the weak places referred to, but information will be given to you at the proper place and time.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
A careful investigation into the needs of the Police Department shows that twenty new men should be added, including seventeen men for day and night service, two court officers and a clerk. I therefore recommend the increase of the Police as above, and also call attention to the need of introducing the Police Telegraph and Telephone System.
In view of the moral questions continually arising in the community there is probably no business department of the city's affairs, which can so mark an administra- tion for good or bad as that of the Police. Unless an officer is well disposed and in working sympathy with those over him and the Mayor in office, his services are worse than useless on the force, since he is more than liable to help screen vices which, without his interfer- ence, would give evidence of their own existence. It is not to be expected that every policeman is to be of the same political opinion as the Mayor who appoints him, but it may be expected and demanded that officers on duty shall not enter into the active work of politics. In so doing and especially in plotting against the suc- cess of their superiors they become "Offensive Parti- sans," and in my opinion should be dealt with accord- ingly, in order that we may have a force of men who will not owe their position to the temporary influence of party leaders.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
The work of this board has on the whole been steady, and is marked by progressive steps in several direc-
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
tions. The sanitary condition of the city has been excel- lent during the past year, and notwithstanding the large increase in population the number of deaths has been less than during the preceding year. Our death-rate for 1885 was 17.38, while the average for the whole State was 18.55.
Every case of contagious disease is now reported to the Board by the attending physician. The Superin- tendent of Schools is notified, the house is inspected at once, and if found to be in bad condition from a sanitary point of view, the owner is required to put it in good order. The Board has begun the disinfection of houses where deaths have occurred from contagious disease, and also at the request of the tenent where such have not resulted fatally.
The operation of the new law regulating plumbing has been fairly successful, and it can be said without fear of contradiction, that the plumbing done in the past year is better than formerly. There is, however, a broad field for operation in this line, and the Board can yet find ample opportunity for improvement.
THE LIQUOR LAW.
Last year the voters of Worcester decided by a large majority that no licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors should be granted, and it therefore became our imperative duty to suppress, as far as possible, the traffic in intoxicants. That duty I have endeavored to perform fearlessly, and in entire good faith, and there
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
has been no reason to believe that the police have been inefficient. They certainly have not to my knowledge. This policy I shall unhesitatingly continue until the expiration of the year, since any failure to so do would result in the free and unrestricted sale of liquor,-a state of things which no right minded man would counten- ance for a moment.
This year by a majority equally decisive our citizens have voted for license, and we are bound to carry out their wishes with the same energy that we have mani- fested when the popular verdict was otherwise. I pro- pose, therefore, as far as is possible, to rigidly and impartially enforce the license law, and I shall expect your hearty co-operation in so doing. I do not inter- pret the recent vote of our citizens as a verdict in favor of unrestricted and unregulated licenses, but rather as an expression of the popular will in favor of a wise, just, and discriminating exercise of the power given to cities and towns under the law of regulating, instead of prohibiting the traffic in intoxicating liquors. With this view in mind, I shall favor granting licenses to such a limited number of persons as the wants of the people may seem to require, at the same time giving particular attention to the character of the applicants, and demanding such fees for licenses and such securi- ties for the proper conduct of business under them as shall tend to secure the enforcement of the law, and confine the sales of liquor to the persons licensed for the purpose. To secure this end I recommend the appointment of a special committee of the Board of
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
Aldermen, whose duty it shall be to carefully and personally investigate the claims of all applicants for common victualler's license, and to report thereon to the whole Board. By these means we shall be able to assume intelligently the direct responsibility in this matter, a condition which the people can justly demand of us.
It would be idle for me in connection with this to enlarge upon the evils of intemperance, for they are fully understood and appreciated; therefore, in taking leave of this subject I shall only ask the support of all good citizens in our efforts to so regulate the sale of intoxicants as to prevent the increase of pauperism and crime, which would inevitably follow a lax and feeble enforcement of the law.
CONCLUSION.
Gentlemen of the City Council :-
The work of the year is before us and we shall have to meet it with a spirit of energy, if we wish to accomplish it. We are particularly fortunate in having our departments in charge of most capable and trustworthy men, and we may be sure that our instructions will be carried out in a most conscientious manner.
I have had recently many inquiries as to a contemplated improvement through private munificence that will be of great interest and importance to the city. I am authorized to assure the citizens of Worcester that a plan is well matured in the direction indicated, and that it will soon be publicly announced.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
I am certain that there is no lack of ability in the City Council as at present constituted, and it is with feelings of great pleasure and confidence that I ask your sincere co-opera- tion and allegiance in the transaction of the business entrusted to us by our expectant and honored fellow-citizens.
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REPORT OF THE CITY TREASURER.
OFFICE OF THE CITY TREASURER, WORCESTER, MASS., January 3, 1887.
To the Honorable City Council :-
The undersigned herewith presents his account of Receipts and Payments, in the Treasury Department, for the financial year ending on Tuesday, November 30, 1886.
Cash balance, Dec. 1, 1885 . $354,038 00
Receipts during the year . 1,923,282 23
Total
$2,277,320 23
Payments during the year 1,770,586 79
Cash in Treasury, Nov. 30, 1886 $506,733 44
Deduct Mayor's draft for November bills 70,696 69
Leaving a balance, per Auditor's report, of . . $436,036 75
The several amounts received and credited, according to the books of this department, appear in the accompanying account current.
Respectfully submitted,
WM. S. BARTON, City Treasurer.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
Dr. CITY OF WORCESTER, in account current, from Dec. 1, 1885,
To authorized payments, charged to sundry accounts, as follows :- No. of Acc't.
1. Abatements $2,283 97
2. Board of Health 2,232 30
3. City Hall . 10,274 06
4. City Hospital 14,885 09
5. City Hospital, Jaques Fund 7,395 07
6. City Hospital, Tenney Fund . 250 00
7. Collector's Sales, Surplus Account 35 48
8. District Court Building and Police Station 7,765 05
9. Fire Department 69,957 24
10. Fire Department, Fire Patrol . 1,200 00
11. Free Public Library . 15,719 98
12. Highway Department 104,612 52
13. Incidental Expenses . 29,488 05
14. Interest 113,480 51
15. Interest on Funded Sewer Loans 30,500 00
16. Interest on Funded Water Loans 31,818 00
17. Lighting Streets 54,086 63
18. Liquor Licenses . 10 00
19. Loans, Funded Water 78,000 00
20. Loans, Temporary
250,000 00
21. Parks-Commission
7,503 90
22. Pauper Department, City Relief
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