USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1884 > Part 8
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31 38
Total as per item No. 53 of expenses $8,065 38
SCHEDULE OF CITY PROPERTY, REAL AND PERSONAL. Almshouse Department.
70 acres of land . $7,000 00
Buildings
8,000 00
Personal property
3,947 35
$18,947 35
City Hall Department.
City Hall furniture and fixtures . $50,000 00
City seal 25 00
City stamps . 35 00
Reports, statutes, and special laws
300 00
Set of standard weights and meas-
ures
100 00
Record books
200 00
Bookcases, maps, etc. . .
500 00
$51,160 00
Cemetery Department.
Land in Newton Cemetery .
$2,000 00
Tomb in Newton Cemetery .
800 00
$2,800 00
Amount carried forward
$72,907 35
133
Amount brought forward, $72,907 35
City Engineering Department.
Two transits, $150 each . $300 00
Three transits, $100 each
300 00
Two levels, $100 each
200 00
Draughting materials
126 00
Surveying materials
48 00
Tools
12 00
Horse, wagon, etc. .
350 00
$1,336 00
Fire Department.
Steam fire engine No. 1, appara- tus, horses, and furniture $6,000 00
Steam fire-engine No. 2, appara- tus, horses, and furniture 6,000 00
Steam fire-engine No. 3, appara- tus, horses, and furniture 6,000 00
Ilook and ladder, truck, horses, etc. 3,300 00
Hose No. 4, horse, hose, reel, etc., Newtonville . 1,200 00
Hose No. 5, horse, hose, reel, etc., Auburndale 1,200 00
Hose No. 6, horse, hose, reel, etc., Lower Falls . 1,500 00
Hose No. 7, hose-carriage, horse, hose, etc., Upper Falls 1,500 00
Fire-alarm telegraph, including . team, etc. 20,000 00
Amount carried forward
$46,700 00
$95,743 35
134
Amount brought forward, $120,943 35
Fire and Highway Department Buildings.
Steam fire-engine house, stables, and
land, Ward 7 . $13,000 00
Steam fire-engine house, stables, and land, Ward 3 ·
. 19,000 00
Steam fire-engine house, stables, and land, Ward 6 19,000 00
Hook and ladder and hose No. 4
house, stables, and land . .
17,500 00
Hose station No. 5, stables and land, Auburndale ·
5,200 00
· Hose station No. 6, stables and land, Lower Falls 6,900 00
Hose station No. 7, stables and
land, Upper Falls
5,500 00
$86,100 00
Free Library Department.
Newton Free Library, building and
land
. $42,000 00
Books
. 10,000 00
$52,000 00
Gravel and Gravel Lands.
Land on Jewett Street, Ward 1 . $2,000 00
Land on California Street, Ward 1, 6,600 00
Land on Crafts Street, Ward 2 500 00
Land on Chapel Street, Ward 2 100 00
Land on Watertown St., Ward 2,
1,000 00
Land on Faxon Street, Ward 2 200 00
Land on Faxon Street, Ward 2 200 00
Amounts carried forward, . $10,600 00 $259,043 35
135
Amounts brought forward, · $10,600 00 $259,043 35
Land on Auburndale Avenue,
Ward 3 . 1,200 00
Land on Pine Street, Ward 3 .
2,000 00
Land on Pine Street, Ward 3
250 00
Land on Pine Street, Ward 3
550 00
Land on Bourne Street, Ward 4
9,000 00
Gravel on Washington Street, Ward 4 .
1,000 00
Gravel on Washington Street,
Ward 4 . 1,400 00
Gravel on Elliot Street, Ward 5 500 00
Gravel on Parker Street, Ward 5 . 250 00
Land east of Oak Street, Ward 5 . 1,200 00
Land on Willow and Centre Streets, Ward 6 500 00
Land on Florence Street, Ward 5 400 00
Land on Florence Street, Ward 5 . 1,500 00
Land on Beacon Street, Ward 6 200 00
Land on Homer Street, Ward 6
4,000 00
$34,550 00
Highway Department.
1 steam road roller $6,000 00
22 cart horses, $225 4,950 00
3 horses $100 300 00
2 horses for superintendent of sts., 375 00
26 double and single carts 2,600 00
43 harnesses . 850 00
4 double sleds, $200 800 00
2 stone crushers and houses . 4,600 00
Amounts carried forward, . $20,475 00 $293,593 35
136
Amounts brought forward, $20,475 00 $293,593 35
2 stone wagons, wagon, carriage, and sleigh 525 00 · Tools, chains, derricks, blankets, etc., 1,800 00
1 road-scraper
150 00
22,950
Lighting Department.
For 1,233 posts, lanterns, burners, etc., $10 12,330 00
Police Department.
Station-house, building and land, North Village $4,000 00
Furniture and bedding . 50 00
Lock-up, furniture and bedding, Ward 1 . . 1,050 00
Lock-up, furniture and bedding, Ward 6 . 1,575 00
Two carriages, sleigh and harness 200 00
Horse, saddle, bridle, and harness 200 00
15 pairs handcuffs, $3.75
56 25
30 clubs, $1.50
45 00
6 lanterns, $2.50
15 00
18 badges
112 00
18 parade clubs and belts, $3.50 63 00
Blankets
50 00
Record books 50 00
Furniture in station at City Hall .
75 00
7,541 25
Amount carried forward,
$336,414 60
137
Amount brought forward $336,414 .60
School Department.
High School buildings, furniture and land . $57,000 00
Mason schoolhouse, furniture and
land
49,100 00
Hyde schoolhouse, furniture and land 24,000 00
Prospect schoolhouse, furniture and land
31,000 00
Prospect schoolhouse No. 2, furni- ture and land 7,500 00
Oak Hill schoolhouse, furniture and land 12,000 00
Hamilton schoolhouse, furniture and land 28,000 00
Williams schoolhouse,furniture and land 10,000 00
Williams new schoolhouse and land
35,000 00
Pierce schoolhouse, furniture and land 32,000 00
Davis schoolhouse, furniture and land
13,000 00
Franklin schoolhouse, furniture and land 15,000 00
Claflin schoolhouse, furniture and land
35,000 00,
Adams schoolhouse, furniture and. land · Bigelow schoolhouse, furniture and
22,0,00 00,
Amounts carried forward, $412,600 00 $336,414 60
138
Amounts brought forward $412,600 00 $336,414 60
land 42,000 00
Underwood schoolhouse, furniture and land 24,000 00
Lincoln schoolhouse, furniture and land 5,500 00
Jackson schoolhouse, furniture and land
15,000 00
Elliott schoolhouse, furniture and land 19,000 00
Rice schoolhouse and land
20,000 00
New schoolhouse and land, West Newton 15,000 00
School apparatus
5,000 00
516,100 00
Water Department.
Building for pipe-fittings, etc., stable and land,
3,500 00
3 horses, wagons, harness, etc. 500 00
$856,514 60 For cost of water-works, see water-construction account.
Table Showing the Number of Polls, Real and Personal Estate of the City, Amount of Tax, Rate per Cent. Appropriations, etc., for Twenty-Four Years.
A.D.
POLLS.
REAL ESTATE.
PERSONAL.
TOTAL.
CITY, STATE, AND COUNTY TAX.
RATE.
APPROPRIATIONS. HOUSES.
1861 .
2,056
$5,644,285 00
$1,955,835 00
$7,600,120 00
$57,804 88
67 20
$47,500 00
1,530
1862 .
1,989
5,476,805 00
2,495,821 00
7,922,620 00
56,599 17
6 60
35,000 00
1,374
1863 .
1,911
5,504,367 00
2,988,195 00
8,492,562 00
64,968 65
, 20
40,000 00
1,300
1864 .
2,046
5,637,755 00
2,309,021 00
7,946,776 00
78,000 55
9 50
52,500 00
1,421
1865 .
2,118
5,756,185 00
3,390,075 00
9,146,260 00
113,991 12
12 00
60,000 00
1,13%
1866 .
2,297
6,394,835 00
4,560,724 00
10,955,559 00
114,149 59
10 00
$5,000 00
1,491
1867
2,438
7,227,285 00
4,905,127 00
12,222,412 00
153,990 88
12 20
95,000 00
1,552
1868 .
2,736
9,104,567 00
5,366,602 00
14,441,169 00
193,208 88
13 00
160,000 00
1,671
1869 .
2,937
10,288,610 00
5,634,266 00
15,922,876 00
188,990 46
11 50
150,000 00
1,526
1870 .
3,055
11,407,070 00
6,330,922 00
17,737,992 00
222,514 71
12 20
185,000 00
2,077
1871 .
3,199
12,770,420 00
6,615,593 00
19,386,013 00
223,521 32
11 20
185,000 00
2.220
- 1872 .
3,420
15,792,950 00
8,463,904 00
24.256,854 00
334,314 87
13 50
291,050 00
2,392
1873 .
3,659
18.446,275 00
7 537,775 00
25,984,050 00
384,089 84
14 50
333,300 00
2,523
1874 .
3,917
20,032,800 00
8,048,645 00
28,081,4:5 00
372,893 53
13 00
320,000 00
2,65%
1875 .
4,089
21,073,495 00
7,882,374 00
28,955,869 00
399,085 46
13 50
351,000 00
2,876
1876 .
4,334
21,128,120 00
7,072,845 00
28,200,965 00
392,201 13
13 60
350,004 99
3,004
1877 .
4,045
20,007,025 00
6,627,488 00
26,634,513 00
370,319 38
13 60
402,200 00
3,057
1878 .
3,882
18,604,105 00
6,408,825 00
25,042,930 00
352,942 43
13 80
375,400 00
3.150
1879
4,010
17,456,655 00
6,330,697 00
23,787,352 00
326,959 64
13 40
367,50 00
3,178
1880 .
4,132
17,718,270 00
7,481,830 00
25,200,100 00
361,139 40
14 00
355,525 00
3,214
1881 .
4,336
18,238,510 00
8,169,763 00
26,408,273 00
379,434 18
14 00
416,505 (0)
3,257
1882
4,502
18,930,485 00
7,405,233 00
26,335.718 00
353,633 00
14 20
423,930 00
3,310
1883
4,661
19,794,805 00
7,329,283 00
27,124,088 00
427,033 59
15 40
4×5.120 00
3,3≤1
1884
4,804
20,467,295 00
7,347,266 00
27,814,561 00
410,137 68
14 10
475,306 >>
3.468
-
139
140
TABLE ·
Showing Amount Paid for Support of Poor out of ' Almshouse from 1851 to 1884 inclusive. .
1851
$138 56
1868
. $1,464 53
1852
104 94
1869
. 2,019 28
1853
45 70
1870
2,197 41
1854
38 10
1871
3,713 39
1855
73.63
1872
2,884 79
1856
135 49
1873 .
3,066 59
1857
204 96
1874 ‹
3,895 51
1858
387.61
1875
5,553 79
1859
358 25
1876
9,336 14
1860
500 81
1877
. 10,259 57
1861
757 .14
1878
8,284 10 .
1862
781 50
1879
. 8,246 42
1863
632 27
1880
.
6,455 80
1864
605 02
1881
6,808 75 .
1865
870 77
1882.
. 7,933 57
1866
643 72
1883
8,016 14
1867
1,268 08
1884 -
7,076 86
SALARIES OF CITY OFFICERS, 1885.
Mayor
$1,000 00
City clerk
2,000 00
City treasurer and collector
2,700 00
Assistant treasurer and deputy collector
1,200 00
City auditor
2,000 00
City solicitor
1,000 00
Chairman of assessors
1,200 00
Two assessors, each
750 00 '
Assistant assessors, each per day
4 00
City messenger
1,100 00
Clerk of Common Council
200 00
Sealer of weights and measures
75. 00 v
.
·
.
.
141
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
Superintendent of streets, two horses and car-
riage furnished . $1,500 00
City engineer 2,100 00
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Chief of department, team furnished $1,500 00
Assistant chief and Superintendent of Fire
Alarm Telegraph, team furnished 950 00
Three engineers of steamers, each 950 00
Four drivers of steamers, and Hook and Lad- der Co., each 750 00
One driver of hose-carriage No. 4
600 00
Eight foremen of steamers, and Hook and Lad- der, and Hose Co., each 110 00
Eight assistant foremen, and clerks of steamers, and Hook and Ladder, and Hose Co., each, 105 00
Forty-eight hosemen and laddermen, each .
100 00
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
. )
City marshal, team furnished $1,500 00
Sergeant of police, $3.00 per day
Twelve policemen, each
1,000 00
Two policemen
900 00
Two policemen
750 00
First year of service
750 00
Second year of service
825 00
Third year of service 900 00
Fourth and subsequent years
1,000 00
142
POOR DEPARTMENT.
Seven overseers of poor, each $50 00
City almoner and clerk of board
700 00
Warden of almshouse
600 00
WATER DEPARTMENT.
Water registrar . $1,800 00
Superintendent of water-works, team furnished, 1,500 00
Inspector of meters and fixtures 1,050 00
Engineer at pumping station, with house-rent . 1,200 00
Fireman and watchman, pumping station with
house-rent
600 00
SCHOOLS.
Superintendent
. $2,700 00
One teacher .
. 2,800 00
Six teachers at $1,900
11,400 00
One teacher
2,000 00
Two teachers at $1700
3,400 00
One teacher
1.600 00
Two teachers at $1,500
3,000 00
One teacher
800 00
Five teachers at $1,000
5,000 00
Two teachers at $900
1,800 00
Fifteen teachers at $750
11,250 00
Thirty-nine teachers at $600
23,400 00
Nine teachers at $5,50
4.950 00
Six teachers at $500 .
3,000 00
Two teachers at $450
900 00
One teacher
300 00
One teacher
400 00
Secretary of School Committee .
300 00
143
Janitors.
One janitor
$650 00
One janitor
696 00
One janitor
540 00
Two janitors, each
480 00
Three janitors, each .
360 00
Two janitors, each
252 00
One janitor
300 00
Two janitors at $240
480 00
One janitor
200 00
Two janitors at $96
192 00
Library.
Librarian
$1,000 00
Assistant librarian
600 00
Three assistants, each $400
1,200 00
Janitor
800 00
STATISTICS COMPILED BY THE CITY CLERK FROM
A
. .
THE RECORDS OF HIS OFFICE. ...
The business which occupies the attention of the City Council is partially shown by the papers which are considered in one or both branches, and come into the hands of the City Clerk for record and filing. The number of these papers for 1884 is as follows :
Appointments
19
Communications -
49
Messages
6
Orders
358
Petitions 1 -
272
Remonstrances .
3
1
Reports of Committees
220
Reports of Departments
15
Total .
942
Papers brought over from City Government of 1883, 60
Aggregate . 1,002
BIRTHS REGISTERED IN 1884.
AGGREGATE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
January
3
.
1
4
1
1
3
1
1
2
2
3
1
1
12
10
22
February
1
·
2
3
6
5
3
4
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
18
17
35
March
·
·
2
3
1
3
2
2
2
6
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
15
13
28
May .
2
15
19
34
June
3
3
2
5
1
4
6
1
1
22
5
1
1
24
19
43
July .
3
3
5
3
1
5
6
1
6
3
5
3
1
-
.
·
1
·
1
1
1
2
3
4
2
1
3
4
1
1
17
16
33
November
.
1
7
3
2
5
3
3
2
2
1
3
16
19
35
December
.
Totals
.
· -
22
18
46
35
26
31
51
23
24
27
21
36
11
10
201
180
381
Aggregate .
40
81
57
74
51
57
21
381
-
13
18
31
3
2
4
1
1
4
- 1
1
1
12
6
18
2
2
2
2
1
-
15
11
26
April
·
·
1
4
1
7
3
4
4
2
·
.
22
16
38
August
2
1
6
4
2
3
8
-
1
5
2
22
16
38
September
2
6
3
5
1
October
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
TOTAL.
WARDS.
1
2
2
.
-
1
-
145
146
Birthplace of Parents of above.
FATHERS.
MOTHERS.
United States
212
211
Canada
50
56
Germany
8
8
Sweden .
2
4
Scotland.
3
2
Denmark
1
1
Russia
1
1
Italy
1
1
India .
1
-
France
1
West Indies
1
-
Switzerland
1
Unknown
.
1
2
Total
381
381
American .
212
211
Foreign
168
168
Unknown
1
2
Ireland
79
79
England .
19
15
Turkey
Holland .
1
147
MARRIAGES REGISTERED, 1884.
1883, December
1
1884, August
11
1884, January
16
66 September
22
66
February
15
٠، October
29
66 March
2
66 November
24
66
May
S
66
June
24
Total .
182
66
July
11
Birthplace of above Contracting Parties.
GROOM.
BRIDE.
United States
Canada
24
42
Ireland
30
28
England
5
7
Scotland .
3
1
China
1
-
Germany
1
-
Totals .
182
182
American
118
10-
Foreign
64
78
April
10
66 December
9
118
104
148
DEATHS REGISTERED IN 1884. Statement showing Causes of Death in each Month.
JANUARY.
FEBRUARY
MARCH.
APRIL.
MAY.
JUNE.
JULY.
AUGUST.
SEPTEMBER.
OCTOBER.
NOVEMBER.
DECEMBER.
TOTAL.
!
-
Accidental
1
1
2
Alcoholism
Anæmia
1
Apoplexy
3
3
1
1
2
1
3
14
Asthma
1
1
2
4
Atelactasis Pulmo- num
1
Bowels, disease of
2
1
3
Brain disease
1
3
1
5
Bronchitis
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
3
Carcinoma Mammæ .
1
Carcinoma Ventricu- lar
1
1
2
Cholera Infantum
1
6
6
1
14
Cholera Morbus
2
2
Colloid disease in ab- domen .
1
1
Consumption
5
2
3
3
2
5
5
5
5
3
2
2
42
Contusion, (fracture of head) .
1
1
Convulsions
1
1
1
1
Deectition
1
1
Diabetes
1
1
2
Diarrhea .
1
1
3
Drowning
2
1
1
1
1
1
Epilepsy
1
1
2
Epethelioma of upper jaw
1
1
Erysipelas, (malig- nant
1
1
2
Fever, billious
1
1
Fever, congestive (at Savannah, Ga.)
1
1
Fever, gastric . .
1
1
Fever puerpural
1
1
2
Fever, scarlet
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
11
Fever, typhoid
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
9
Fistula .
1
Gangrene, dry
1
1
1
1
2
Gangrene, senile Gastritis
1
1
2
1
1
4
2
Diphtheria
2
1
1
6
Dysentery
1
2
4
Bright's disease
1
1
7
Cancer .
1
1
8 1
2
Croup, (membranous) Debility
.
1
2
1
1 1
1
149
DEATHS REGISTERED IN 1884. Statement Showing Causes of Death in each Month, (Concluded.)
JANUARY.
FEBRUARY.
MARCH.
APRIL.
MAY.
JUNE.
JULY.
AUGUST.
SEPTEMBER.
OCTOBER.
NOVEMBER.
DECEMBER.
TOTAL.
Heart disease Heart, malformation of
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
14
Hepatitis
1
1
Hydrocephalus
1
1
Inanition .
1
1
2
Indigestion
1
1
Intussusception colon
of
1
1
Jaundice
1
1
Laryngitis
1
1
Liver, cancer of
1
1
Liver, cirrhosis of .
1
1
Liver, congestion of .
1
1
Lymphoma sarcoma.
1
1
Marasmus.
1
1
Measles
1
1
Melancholia
1
1
1
1|
1
1
2
2
2
13
Miscarriage
1
Myo carditis .
1
1
Neglect .
1
1
Nephritis, chronic
1
1
Neuralgia
1
Old age .
12
1
1
Pertussis
1
Pharyngitis
1
1
Pleurisy
1
Pneumonia
4
4
1
2
2
3
23
Premature birth
2
1
Protracted labor
2
Puerpural Mania
1
1
Railroad accident .
1
1
Rheumatism .
1
1
1
1
Septicemia
1
1
2
Still born
1
1
17 1
3
1
8
Stomach, carcinomaof
1
Stomach, ulcer of .
1
1
Tumor
1
1
Unknown
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
-
-
Total deaths in each month .
21
23
31
22
21
18
26
26
30
125
23
27
293
1
2
1
3
1 1
15
Paralysis
4
Peritonitis
1
1
Meningitis
.2
1
181
Seirrhus of breast .
Vomiting of preg .
Whooping cough
1
1
STATEMENT OF DEATHS BY MONTHS IN EACH WARD.
AGGREGATE.
WARDS.
1
2
3
4
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
MALE.
FEMALE.
January ·
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
3
4
1
4
1
2
12
11
21
February
·
.
3
2
4
5
2
4
2
2
3
3
1
15
16
31
March .
3
I
-
3
3
1
1
1
4
1
3
1
-
1
14
00 0 00
18
May .
3
4
2
1
1
3
2
2
1
2
3
2
1
10
17
27
June
1
3
2
2
4
4
2
1
1
2
3
1
4
1
1
13
13
26
1
3
4
2
4
1
1
3
1
14
16
30
3
3
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
00
00
16
24
November
.
-
2
1
3
co
14
co
6
1
-
1
2
4
1
3
December
.
Totals
·
30
or
21
28
00
27
23
23
19
14
26
24
00
17
145
148
293
Aggregate .
45
49
45
46
33
50
-
I
·
1
2
1
1
1
1
3
2
-
-
.
·
-
.
-
-
1
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
July .
5
5
1
2
1
10
23
September
5
4
·
I
3
2
1
2
2
October
.
2
1
3
5
2
3
1
27
1
25
293
5
6
7
TOTAL.
10
11
21
3
I
22
12
21
April
2
10
August
-
2
13
1
150
151
Birthplace of Parents of above deceased persons.
FATHERS.
MOTHERS.
United States
138
142
Canada
18
23
Germany
4
1
Scotland
2
1
Switzerland
1
1
Italy
1
1
India
1
Spain .
1
Unknown .
20
16
Totals
293
293
American .
138
142
Foreign
135
135
Unknown .
20
16
293
293
Ireland
94
93
England
13
15
152
FEES. Collected.
Assignment of wages $25 25
Assignment of wages, discharged 25
Assignment of account 75
Assignment of personal property 25
Attachments 50
Bills of sale
2 75
Licenses, auctioneer .
16 00
Licenses, junk .
24 00
Licenses, marriage
84 50
Mortgages
71 55
Mortgages, assignment of . 25
Mortgages, discharged
6 75
Mortgages, transferred ·
25
Woman certificate of business on
own account
25
Total
$233 30
Dogs Licensed.
836 males at $2
. 1,672 00
82 females at $5 410 00 ·
$2,082 00
Total collections · .
$2,315 30
By amount, sundry fees paid monthly to city treasurer 233 30
Dec. 1, Retained from amount re- ceived from dog licenses, and paid to city treasurer, 918 licen- ses, at 20c. 183 60
Dec. 1, Paid County treasurer balance for dogs' licenses . 1,898 40
$2,315 30
153
Dogs are distributed in the various Wards as follows: -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
To'ls.
Males . Females .
93
141 15
125 12
116 5
109 14
170 13
82 9
82
107
156
137
121
123
183
91
918
Enrolled Militia.
Wards,
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
344
479
301
310
479
565
267
Total, 2745.
Registered Voters. (From List used at City Election, Dec. 2.)
Wards,
1
2
3
4'
5
6
7
425
584
526
477
458
506
409
.
Total, 3385.
836
14
CITY OF NEWTON.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
The Overseers of the Poor,
TOGETHER WITH
The Report of the Agent of the Board of Health,
For the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1884.
EW
AND
UNION
FOUNDE
TY 1873)
763(
18.A CI
N
TU
NEWTON : PRESS OF THE NEWTON JOURNAL. 1885.
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
To the City Council of the City of Newton the Board of Overseers of the Poor respectfully submits its Annual Report.
The Board of Overseers of the Poor have not yet found a way to meet, the demands of humanity and the statutes except by giving fuel food and clothing to those who are des- titute and suffering from cold and hunger.
This necessity is forced upon us without reference to the question whether these conditions of want have come through misfortune, or immorality and intemperance.
In some, cases the wants of applicants have been met with a feeling of satisfaction on the part of the Board, while in others only as a necessity and with the feeling that it is a wrong inflicted upon the community. Especially is this so when cases of distress are brought to us by intemperance as a direct or indirect cause.
There have been no new general features of the work and as a whole, the past has been a favorable year in the operations of the Board. Like the previous, it has been a year of general business prosperity for the laboring classes and consequently calls for aid have not been as necessary or frequent as would otherwise have been.
Estimates for expense of the Poor department cannot be made in advance with any degree of certainty as the causes that bring poverty and want are so fluctuating.
4
The fact that so few changes have been made in the membership of the Board has been favorable to the success- ful working of the business of the Department. Not all are aware of the importance of the knowledge which comes through experience to the successful management of the somewhat peculiar work which devolves upon the Board.
The whole number of families receiving partial support out of almshouse during any part of the year was 138. The whole number of persons 384. Of these there were males, 150; females, 234. Under 16 years of age, 206. Having settlement in Newton, 250. Having settlement in other cities and towns, 70. Having no settlement, 64.
Persons wholly supported out of almshouse during any part of the year are as follows : -
State Reform School 2 ·
Northampton Lunatic Hospital 1 ·
Asylum for Chronic Insane, Worcester
.
2
Worcester Lunatic Hospital
. 5
Danvers Lunatic Hospital · . 2
Taunton Lunatic Hospital
. 1
Remaining at present in Insane Hospitals
·
8
The number in Insane Hospitals has been smaller than usual and the amount of expense in this always expensive item has been correspondingly less. The number cared for during a part or all of the year 1883 in Insane Hospitals .was 15 at a cost of $2155.11. The number in 1884 was 11 at a. cost of $1662.60. This item, wholly beyond the control of the Board is more likely to be increased than to remain at. present figures. Only a small number are or can be cared for at the almshouse, who would otherwise be in the Insane Hospital, as the arrangements there will only admit those who are generally quiet and harmless.
5
The amount appropriated by the City Council for poor out of almshouse was . $8,000 00
The amount expended for the same was as follows : -
Cash payments .
$630 15
Groceries ·
.
·
1,696 12
Fuel .
912 49
Clothing
14 30
Board
232 50
Medical attendance
179 90
Medicine
30 78
Burials
135 00
Feeding tramps and travellers
104 45
Support of insane
1662 60
Paid other cities and towns ·
266 29
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
162 28
Salary of Clerk and Almoner
700 00
Salaries of Overseers
350 00
Total expenditures .
$7,076 86
Receipts from the State, other cities and towns,
and friends of the relieved . 1,102 20
Net cost of poor out of almshouse 5,974 66
Affairs at the almshouse have moved on in a satisfactory manner under the efficient management of the Warden and Matron, Mr. and Mrs. Moody. The general health of the inmates has been good and the percentage of deaths low for a company the most of whom are advanced in life, and many feeble when admitted. Four have died during the year, their respective agés being 59, 65, 93 and 96.
The conditions at the almshouse, with life made in all respects comfortable, care for the future dismissed, taking an interest in work when able, seem favorable to life being pro- longed to its natural limits.
.
6
The house has had light inside repairs and painting, in- cluding painting of the walls of kitchen and dining-room and is in satisfactory condition within. The outside of all the buildings will soon require painting for neatness of appear- ance and preservation.
By a slight expense, in connecting two brick walls in the cellar, a large and cool storage room for fruit and vegetables has been secured.
The barn has been crowded and at times there has been inconvenience in handling hay and other crops. An exten- sion of thirty feet has been thought desirable and has been under contemplation, but in view of changes that may be caused by the near vicinity of the Newton Circuit Rail Road, all thought of extension of these buildings has for the present been abandoned.
Good crops have been secured on the farm the past sea- son, but the low price of such produce as has been sold has told unfavorably in almshouse receipts. The condition of the land has been improved for farm purposes.
Two roadways across the farm that have been used by the public and by private citizens, to the detriment of the interests of the farm have been closed, and parties who have used these roads are now required to use those belonging to their own premises. This is no hardship to them and is of importance to the interests of the farm and is right.
The work of excavating and filling on the track of the Newton Circuit Rail Road has been in progress during the fall and winter months. This track runs below the brow of the hill, back of and near the farm buildings .. The Rail Road Company are to furnish two road crossings on the farm, either two bridges or one bridge and one grade crossing.
i al. :
7
The roadway across the two sections of the farm given by the City Council to the Rail Road Company is eighty feet in width and the amount of land included is about five and one-half acres.
This road will not interfere so seriously with the inter- 1 ests of the almshouse and farm as to make a removal neces- sary until such time as the interests of the city and conven- ience of citizens may require. This time may not be distant as there is not in the vicinity of Boston a locality possessing finer elements and conditions for a suburban village than the section adjacent to Beacon Street and in the vicinity of the almshouse.
This section consists of a high and dry table land nearly one hundred feet higher than the Rail Road track at Newton station ; with adjacent valley lands lower, and elevations higher than the table, with extensive views from the high- lands, and beautiful ones from the table into and across the valley of Charles River.
Newton water mains are laid through Beacon Street and it would seem to require only such opportunities as will be presented on the opening of the circuit road to bring a desir- able class of citizens here to make for themselves permanent homes.
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