USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashua > History of the city of Nashua, N.H. > Part 105
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The mayoralty candidates at the election in 1885 were Thomas Sands, who received fifty-six votes; Cornelius V. Dearborn, 1,073; James H. Tolles, 1, 115; 1886, John H. Goodale, 95; Frank D. Cook, 1,226; Tolles, 1,400; 1887, James M. Fletcher, fifty-nine; Cook, 1,312; Tolles, 1,321 ; recount, Fletcher, 59; Cook, 1,313; Tolles, 1,322. Mayor Tolles served three terms, 1886, 1887. 1888, and is the only chief executive of the city accorded this honor. He believed that if Nashua were to become a metropolitan city the work of development that had been steadily going forward since the days of Mayors Otterson and Sargent should be continued, and to that end bent all his energies. His first care, as considered in his inaugural address, was in the matter of finance. He clearly and forcibly argued that inasmuch as the law compelled the city to add $7,062 annually to the sinking fund provided to liquidate the bonds given in connection with the Nashua & Rochester and Wilton rail- roads transaction there was no necessity for holding in reserve the total amount realized by his predecessor by the sale of the stock of the former. Accumulated interest and the amount required to be annually added would swell the total far beyond the requirements of the city in 1892, when the bonds became due for which the sinking fund was created. Moreover the payment to the city from the city of the amount of coupons on bonds redeemed but not yet matured was a method of doing business that should be abandoned. In fine he recommended that all money not required to meet the city obligations at maturity of bonds in 1892 be applied in payment of all the then outstanding script, notes and bonds due prior to that date. The bonds held by the trustees of the sinking fund amounted to $61,500, and a resolution was recommended and passed authorizing their cancellation, and ordering them filed with the matured debt of the city; also another resolution authorizing the discontinuance of the annual appropriation of the $7,062 to be added to the sinking fund. Many of the opponents of this new order of things looked upon the proposition as rank heresy and threatened his impeachment if the scheme was carried out. Mayor Tolles, however, were not alone in his views. Ex-Mayor Edward Spalding and several other of the leading financiers said he was right, and with this backing, and in the determined spirit of a positive man, he made an issue in the city council, which was politically arrayed against him, and, after a protracted struggle in which there was little
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or no exhibition of temper, carried his point, thus committing both political parties to the proposition and silencing those who had threatened impeachment. The policy thus adopted proved a relief of about $50,000, during the period of this administration, which the people would have been obliged to liquidate by direct tax.
Having opened the way to a continuance of the improvements begun and contemplated, the authorized appropriation for an electric fire alarm was made. He was, nevertheless, confronted by perplexing conditions. The amount ($6,000) was insufficient for the undertaking, citizens were angry because of the erection of unsightly poles and the necessary trimming of shade trees, and not a few were distressed in mind because of what they were pleased to mention as an unnecessary outlay. Mayor Tolles dodged the grumblers as best he could and gave his attention to the business in hand. He found that the New England Telegraph and Telephone company was seeking the right of way in the city, and, although it was a hard bargain for the concern, he made a contract by which it became bound, in consideration of right of way, to furnish and maintain poles, cross-arms, and pins upon which the city should have perpetual right for fire alarm wires. The result was the completion of the system at a slight cost above the appropriation and a large annual saving. Mayor Tolles con- tinued the work on the mammoth sewer-introducing for the first time in Nashua an excavating machine that saved hundreds of dollars-and completed it during his last administration at a total cost, including Mayor Spalding's expenditures, of about $50,000.
Another appreciable improvement was in connection with the cemeteries. He recommended and secured the appointment of superintendents and during his first year reset a large number of fallen gravestones, cleared out unsightly undergrowth, graded paths, and, during the following years, erected needed chapels at Woodlawn and Edgewood.
In May, 1886, the subject of electric lights for the public streets was introduced in the board of aldermen, and immediately it became evident that there was to be a formidable opposition to the measure. Mayor Tolles, being a stockholder and officer in the Nashua Electric Light company, was now between two fires, his own and the city's interests. He stated as much and pledged that if it were deemed advisable to light the city with electricity the contracts should be as reasonable as in other cities or the award be made to the lowest bidder, the Nashua Gas Light company being the local competitor of the company he represented. The discussions that followed were long and tedious, resolution after resolution failed of passage, experts were called, public hearings were given in which the Gas company participated, and the subject held in abeyance for months. Finally the Electric company put up several lamps on trial and sustained the same at its own expense for a number of months, and Feb. 27, 1887, a two years' contract was made for one hundred and eight arc lights at $7,000 a year. Opposition then ceased and surely few if any citizens would now vote to return to the old method of lighting.
Still another improvement and unquestionably one of the best in the past quarter of a century was on Canal street. The street was narrow between Chandler street and the bridge, and during the greater part of the year a slough through which it was difficult for heavily loaded teams to pass. The Jackson company offered to give land from the yards in front of its blocks upon the condition that the city set back the fence and rebuild the sidewalk. Considering that the street must be paved if the improvement were to be made, the undertaking was one of great moment. Mayor Tolles and his board carefully considered the proposition and studied the needs of the future. It was wisely determined that it should be accepted even at the risk of increasing the public debt, and to this decision is due the fact that the street is now one of the most attractive in the city. Like all other improvements it had the opposition of those who are always in sorrow over public expenditures. It was made, however, without additional debt. Mayor Tolles cut down and graded Concord street from between Hall's avenue and Stark street to the hill beyond-thus bringing into the market house lots on the streets on either side and inducing people to build dwelling houses that have added materially to the taxable property of the locality-and enlarged (nearly to completion) the county record building. He sold the city's practically worthless gravel pit on Granite street and house lots on Sargent's avenue for about $5,000; added a fraction more than ten acres of land to the Edgewood cemetery for $1,600; re-numbered all the houses in the city, put a flag-staff upon the City Hall building and purchased a flag (the first owned by the city, and which the local newspapers had been demanding for years) and introduced the weather signal service.
IHISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
In 1887 Independence Day was celebrated as never before in town or city history. Col. William H. D. Cochrane was the chief marshal and the procession included local and invited companies of the National Guard, fire companies, and among the then new features in this locality, a division of trades exhibits. Gov. Charles H. Sawyer and his staff, with other distinguished citizens of the state, honored the occasion and witnessed the balloon ascension, sports and fireworks. It was also during Mayor Tolles' administration that the French international convention of Union St. Jean Baptiste societies (which he welcomed in a fitting address) was held in Nashua, a magnificent civic procession being one of the features. During his last term of office the subject of a soldiers' monument was agitated by the citizens. Nov. 13, 1888, the aldermen considered a resolution appropriating $12,000 for this purpose and also locating the monument on the Railroad square oval. It was amended to $10,000 and passed. The common council amended it to $12,000 and "in front of Greeley building." The public was undecided as to location and engaged in hot discussion relating thereto in public meetings, therefore the aldermen referred the whole matter to the incoming administration. The general expenditures during the three years Mayor Tolles served the city in the executive chair, which included the purchase of a stone crusher, were economically managed and satisfactory exhibit made. In the summer and autumn of his last year the residents of Crown Hill demanded a school house. The suggestion was made that the Pearl street school house be removed to a convenient site, but Mayor Tolles and his board rightly declared that such a course, inasmuch as the house was in no particular suited to the needs of the district or consistent with future growth, was inexpedient, and therefore, as their last important official act, passed a resolution authorizing the incoming council to appropriate $25,000 for the erection of the building that now adorns the lot on Arlington street. That Mayor Tolles made improvements that have stood, and shall continue to stand the test of time no citizen will attempt to gainsay. He gave unstintedly of his time to the public service, he endured without a murmur the harsh criticism of those who could not understand his motives, and bore him- self courteously under all circumstances. More cannot be expected of any man.
The mayoralty candidates at the annual election in 1888 were John H. Goodale, who received thirty-two votes, Edward O. Blunt, 1,621, Charles H. Burke, 1,760. In 1889, Nathan O. Prescott, nineteen ; Charles T. Lund, 1,487 ; Burke, 1,599. Mayor Burke (administrations of 1889 and 1890) was confronted by the mooted question, "whether or not the work of making Nashua an up to date city should continue, or, yielding to the clamor of an influential minority, all improvements should cease.". He wisely chose to continue, and among his first acts-meanwhile meeting with consider- able opposition-he secured the authorized appropriation for building the school house at Crown Hill, and, near the close of his second term, turned over to the city the building on Arlington street, the total cost being about $34,000. Another long delayed (and it may be added often promised) under- taking was the erection of a soldiers' and sailors' monument. Favorable public sentiment had been aroused during the administration of his predecessor, and, although that class of citizens who invari- ably scold over public expenditures were clamorous for another postponement, Mayor Burke believed that considering Nashua was twenty-five years behind other cities in honoring the men who had fought the battles of the Republic it was high time to make amends. The majority of his council was like-minded and accordingly $12,000 was appropriated, Abbot square selected as a compromise and satisfactory site, and the corner stone laid by the Grand Army of the Republic, Milton A. Taylor chief marshal, on Memorial Day, 1889, a magnificent procession of veteran soldiers and sailors, under escort of the local companies of the National Guard, being present and participating in the exercises, Col. Frank G. Noyes delivering an oration. The monument was completed during the next few months and Oct. 15, the same year, dedicated by the state department, Grand Army of the Republic, Col. Elbridge J. Copp, chief marshal. The event marks one of the grandest events in local history. The city was radiant with flags, bunting and banners. Thousands of the veteran soldiers and sailors of New Hampshire, with comrades from other states, headed by bands of music and drum corps, and escorted by military companies and secret organizations, paraded the streets, children of the public schools (grouped for that purpose) sang patriotic hymns, the state officers of the Grand Army performed the dedicatory service of that order, Mayor Burke and others made stirring addresses and Gen. Charles H. Burns delivered a classic oration. The opponents of the undertaking were silenced and no words other than of gratitude to Mayor Burke and his associates have since been spoken. Mayor Burke completed improvements to the county record building, the total expense being about
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$2,500 ; strengthened the fire department by adding a chemical engine and outfit at a cost of $3,000 ; remodeled the central fire station (making nearly the entire excavation under it) at an expenditure of $4,500 ; built and established the Quincy street fire station, $3,000; enlarged the city tomb and Woodlawn cemetery (purchasing land on Kinsley street) at a cost of about $5,000; made alterations and improvements in the City Hall building, (putting in new steam boilers and modern doors and windows) $2,500; built a mammoth sewer from Railroad square to the North Common, $27,000 ; laid more sewer pipe and edge stone than any of his predecessors ; completed paving Canal street to Rail- road square, $6,000 ; macadamized several streets; received the Hunt lecture fund ; established the office of city engineer; secured an annual appropriation for the militia which encouraged building the armory on Canal street, and carefully guarded minor interests. The foregoing is not all by any means that stands to the credit of Mayor Burke's administration. For many years the newspapers, courts and city officials had been inveighing against the police station (in the basement of the City Hall building) and demanding that something in the interests of humanity be done about it. Mayor Burke gave the matter very serious consideration, although there was considerable opposition to the
STARK SQUARE.
proposed outlay, secured an appropriation and built the model building which adorns Court street and satisfies the demands of the times. The building cost upwards of $30,000. Mayor Burke entertained President Harrison on the occasion of his visit to Nashua, and performed many other courteous acts that reflected credit upon himself and the municipality he represented. He devoted the major part of his time to the affairs of the city and impartial history must declare that the work he accomplished grandly completed the new Nashua that Editor Moore and Mayor Otterson laid the foundation of in 1870. The population at the close of this decade was 19,311 ; valuation, $10,445,038 ; voters, 4,684 ; city debt, $339,074 ; city property, $691,033.
The mayoralty candidates in 1890 were Frank D. Cook, twenty-four votes; Walter B. Chase, 1,670 ; William H. Beasom, 1,896. In 1891, John Cross, fifty-four ; Williams Hall, 1,490 ; Beasom, 1,731. Mayor Beasom (administrations of 1891 and 1892) believed with a majority of both political parties that the police and fire departments should be taken out of politics. From the inauguration of the first city government the efficiency of both had been somewhat handicapped with changes that occurred among officers with the change of administrations. The time had come to make tenure of office in these departments subject to good behavior and Mayor Beasom took the initiative to accom- plish this purpose. He wrote the original draft of the legislative act authorizing the fire commission
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and urged its passage, and was also interested in the legislation that secured the police commission : the first commissioners of the former being his appointees : the commissioners of the latter being by the governor and council. The consensus of public opinion is that both commissions have resulted in radical reforms that have been beneficial to the peace, dignity and protection of the city. Mayor Beasom also recommended the appointment of a police matron (making the first appointment in 1891) and the purchase of an ambulance, which was added to the service a few months later. His first administration built the Arlington street engine house at an expense of about $6,000 ; purchased a new hook and ladder truck, $1,900; enclosed the park at the junction of Concord and Manchester streets with a dressed stone curb, $2,800 ; constructed the stone bridge on Allds street over Salmon brook, about $7,000 ; liquidated arrearages on contracts for building the police station, $12,939 ; and the soldiers' and sailors' monument, $4,062 ; besides introducing assessors' maps, which were com- pleted in 1892. A few weeks following his second inauguration his health failed and he was there- fore compelled to relinquish the executive chair. Alderman Charles E. Faxon was elected acting mayor by the board of aldermen, and performed the duties of mayor the rest of the term. Improve- ments incepted in 1891 were continued and the' expenditures that resulted in Commercial street authorized, an agreement being entered into by which the Worcester, Nashua & Rochester railroad bore the major part of the expense. Some marked improvements were made upon highways and bridges, the grade raised on the north side of the Main street bridge, greatly to the convenience of the public, and a resolution passed authorizing an appropriation to build a school house on Amherst street, plans for which had been made in 1891, and a location decided upon. Acting Mayor Faxon had many difficult problems to deal with but for all that conducted municipal affairs in a creditable manner. Mayor Beasom resumed the chair of office at the close of the year and welcomed and qualified his successor, a custom that has prevailed since the adoption of the city charter.
At the annual election in 1892 the candidates were Thomas Sands and Williams Hall, the latter being elected by a vote 1,787 to 1,778. A recount was had but the result was not changed. When Mayor Hall (administration of 1893) came to the executive chair he found the public mind greatly disturbed over the choice of a site for a public library building. He used with the public and his council every possible argument and endeavored to harmonize conflicting interests and desires, and was at all times ready to obey the order of the court, but despite the utmost he could do public senti- ment could not be placated nor his official associates induced to settle the vexed question. (A more extended statement relative to this unfortunate controversy is given at the close of this chapter.) Mayor Hall accomplished many undertakings that were of vast importance to the public. He purchased land of the Jackson company for the purpose of widening Amory street, and the improve- ment in that thoroughfare, which includes the pavement, made it possible to lay the track of the electric railway and at the same time permit abundant egress from the freight house of the Boston & Maine railroad. Mayor Hall extended the Ward One main sewer (as provided by a special appro- priation of $15,000) from Greeley street, through Merrimack, Abbot, Manchester, Halls, Webster, Stark and Concord streets to the brow of the hill beyond, building of brick nearly three-fourths of the distance and continuing with Akron pipe. His enterprise had the approval of the people bene- fitted, many of whom expressed to him their personal gratitude. The Amherst street school house, to build which an appropriation was authorized by the preceeding administration and for which ways and means were provided by Mayor Hall's administration, was built during his term of office, and, although a committee of the government of 1892 held over, was given his personal attention. The cost was about $18,600. He also built the Amherst street fire engine house (one of the finest in the state, and in which every citizen takes an honest pride) at an expense, including land, of about $38,000. Mayor Hall built a sewer from the base of Commercial street to the Nashua river, paved Commercial and Hudson streets, and straightened, filled and in many ways improved Concord street from the old Ferry road to the Pennichuck brook. He also rendered all the aid in his power to the establishment of the City Emergency hospital, using his influence to secure an appropriation of $2,000, which amount, added to the gift of citizens, made the realization of this long needed institu- tion possible. One of the most important acts of Mayor Hall's administration relates to the finance. He found a floating debt of $125,000 and issued city bonds, due in 1913, in payment. The sale of the bonds was the most favorable to the city of any in its history : a sure indication that the "out-side world" now looked upon Nashua as a modern and enterprising city, the credit of which is in a great
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measure due to the positive and far seeing men who performed the duties of its chief magistrate during its reconstructive period. In issuing the bonds mentioned Mayor Hall took the wise precau- tion-a business method which his successors will no doubt follow-of establishing a sinking fund, to which $6,000 is to be added annually, to meet the city's obligation at maturity. The routine affairs of the various departments were faithfully managed during the year, and Mayor Hall retired from the office with the credit of an able and progressive administration.
The candidates for the mayoralty in 1893 were Josiah M. Fletcher, seventy; Thomas Sands, 1,544; William A. Gregg, 1,575. The annoyances incidental to the introduction of the Australian ballot system were such that a recount of the votes, as in the previous year, was demanded. The result was Fletcher, seventy; Gregg, 1,596; Sands, 1,603, and the finding was confirmed by the supreme court. Mayor Sands contemplated making necessary improvements upon highways, macadamizing certain streets and curtailing as far as possible the general expenses of the govern-
BELVIDERE.
PALM ST ...
PHOTO. BY FMINGALLS. 97.
SCHOOL HOUSES, ERECTED IN 1896-97.
ment. All things considered it was a task attended with some disadvantages, conspicuous among which were a dozen or more pending lawsuits to recover damages for injuries on the highways and which, by reason of a change in the laws of the state it was desirable to have settled at an early day. He was a busy man about the courts for a long time and in the end his administration was compelled to pay out for counsel fees and adverse verdicts nearly $14,000. This with other extraordinary expenditures increased the incidental account $17,000 over the appropriation. It was an unfortunate condition of affairs, and, the rate of taxation having been fixed at a minimum for the purpose of lessening the hardships of merchants and manufacturers who were troubled because of the financial condition of the country, nothing could be done to mend the situation. Mayor Sands, however, met the changed conditions of affairs with courage and decision. He purchased a combination truck for the fire department for $2,200, hose $1,400 and a hose wagon five hundred and fifteen dollars: improved fire engines at an expense of $2, 100, bought a road machine for $3.700, and paid outstand- ing bills for paving stone, contracted for before he came into office, amounting to nearly Sio.coo.
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arrearages on Amherst street engine house $14,oco, and for the support of the Emergency hospital, $2,500. Many of these demands were a surprise and a source of worriment to him. Notwithstanding the difficulties summarized he macadamized Hollis street, greatly improved many other streets and highways, supervised the departments and insisted that all their expenses should be economical. 'Taking into account the many disadvantages Mayor Sands labored under his administration deserves, as it receives, the approval of the people.
In 1894 the election being now for a term of two years, the candidates for the mayoralty were John Cross, twenty-eight; Eugene F. McQuesten, 1,630; Joseph W. Howard, 2,051. Mayor Howard (1895 and 1896) had many hard problems to solve. The taxpayers were insistent in their demand that the expenses of the city government should be lessened, and yet public necessity demanded improvements. It was a difficult task to satisfy both. Mayor Howard, however, succeeded in a large degree in meeting public expectations. Under his administration the Main street bridge was widened and strengthened, a new bridge was built at Fairmount, the Hunt library site was condemned under the law of eminent domain and became the property of the city, modern school houses were built at Belvidere (Bridge street), at Palm street, and many minor and important improvements made, including paving streets and other work incidental to changing the street railway from horse to electric power. The total valuation of the city at the outgoing of his administration as exhibited by the official reports was $13,452,845; total liabilities, less sinking fund, to cancel bonds at maturity, $575,078.85; valuation of city property, as shown by inventory, $579,825.44 ; total number of polls, 5,746; population (estimated), 24,000.
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