Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-01-04
Organization of the New City Govern

enter ON therduies for the ensuing year.
Rev. Mr.. Swain opened the proceedings with
prayer
Mayor Bacon then received and swore ]. S. C.
Knowlton Esq, Mayor of this city for 1853
The latter then proceeded to swear the Aldermen
and Councilmen, after which he read an inaugural
address, which publish.
Geltlernen of the Board Of Aldermen,
and Of the Common Council.
1t is less than week since | received notice of
my election to the office whose duties now assume.
have not. therefore, had opportunity to acquaint
myself with the present condition, prospective
wants of the city, in matters that come directly I'M
der the legislative acien and executive care Of the
city government. But, by recurrence TO the official
documents OF former years, made by the able men
who were our predecessors, much important inorma.
ton may be obtained, relative TO the condition Of the
city, and the action oil the several departments Of its
government.
/ encounter. also, another embarrassment, at this
time, in the fact, that the municipal and financial
year of the government terminate together, so that
the reports Of the officers of the last year cannot be
made up in TO furnish, at this time, the ample
information they will contain OF what has been done
by those who have Immediately preceded us. As
soon they shall be presented they will be laid be-
fore you for your consideration. In the mean time,
D6 uldue w ile relative 10
the debts of the cty-lhe receipts and disbursements
of the tredsury-the OUTLAWS and contemplated i'm.
provements upon the streets, highways, and bridges
the aien and machinery IN the fire department.
the city aq educt-lhe public schools-Ihe aims
house and paupet department, would be hut
satisfactory approx nation to the truth These sub.
Jects Will engage your attention, members OF the
City Council, during the year that is before us.
In regard to the City De5t should but reiterate
the advice given by each OF my predecessors, il |
were to say-and with emphasis too-that it ought
never TO be augmented beyond its present amount;
and that there should be vigilant anxiety, and a
constant effort, for It's reduction The Recommended.
ton OF my predecessor, at the opening of the last
year, TO fund such portions of the city debt, not all
ready funded, as it is not contemplated pay
dately, is one which commends itself TO your con-
sideration a wise Of finance, and of econ
omy, in the saving of interest that in all probability
would be made thereby. The credit of IA CITY like
Worcester whose valuation is more than hundred
times greater than its debt-sustained as it is by the
Intelligence and integrity, the energy and thrift Of its
population, the profits OF whose industry are not
drawn away by absentee capitalists but are retained
at home yearly contributions TO their resources
the credit Of such municipal body must ever be
such to command loans of money at the lowest
rates of interest.
The people, of all classes, are always sensitive
upon the subject OF Iaration, and ever waichiu of
the disposition that is made OF the contributions they
make to the public expenditures. The assessment
OF taxes, upon the polls aud estates of the citizens
Is delicate as well as difficult service; and pro.
vision should therefore be made for their apporton.
ment, with elaboration, and though tih regard TO
the principle of equal and justice every in
dividuai. The burden oil supporting government, it
should be remembered, falls in a large proportion
upon the industry of the people. While capital is
indispensable to the successful operations OF indus.
try, 1t Is industry, mainly, in the shops and stores,
adj ,it Il, l..
formed, that furnishes to capital the means Of PAVING
the taxes imposed upon it. 1t is, undoubtedly, a
conviction OF this truth, that renders Capitalists,
generally, so ready to pay with willirgn the
taxes imposed upon their property. In view of he
senslveness Of the people upon this matter of taxes
they who are charged with the duty of appropriating
the peoples money, should feel personal response.
taken Il every ' If ep6is zl S see
lie mon N"'' acter II the aupronri.,; eecu,y mis-
'"ey are limited as thew 'Iiions OF the pub
ed ana "N'ch municipal cornora,;on ~ 70 those OBJ
OF the necessary those Tor gest n
roads, and Bridges, are among the largest. Witbon
intending to cast any reflection upon any class of c;,
'~ehs, II Is natural to suppose that projects NAV he
urged upon the attention of the city government m
uer tne pretence OF advancing the public welfare.
when the motive is nothing higher than Tn rive i;
creased value to real estate to enhance The rents Of
buildings, or to bring into market unsaleable bonso
iots. however desirable such improvements NM,
De Tor the individuals Interested they can not r;oh
'ui'y De drought within the purpose for which the
city Is subjected TO taxation. There should there.
iore De an untirIng discrimination 10 distioon;sb
lhose projects Of Improvement that are maiulv Cr
private beneht from those that are demanded by the
public welfare. y 'ne
In city embracing so large territory as Wor-
ceslef, II ought not 10 be expected that the s,.o,
snail receive as high finish as in cities whose r
rilory Is lar more limited than ours and whose nm
ulatlon Is more dense. Still, where new streets mr.
modlhcailons OF old ones, demanded for The ar.
commodaton oil the body of the peDple tha ct
government should not shrink from the exnend;,nro'
II IS believed that much money NAV he ga ved -.
improvements are contemplated, if pains are takan
10 nave all matters IN controversy adjusted If pos;
D'e win he parties in interest, before the imnrove
ments are commenced The report of the commit.
zee on streets and highways, when presented viii
advise youol what has been done the last vaar od
Of some things which il will be necessary to d. ~
the year before U.S. ~ uo !"
ne Fre department should receive the unceasioo
attention OF the city government /, is now in
condition OF great efficiency and so far as he o.
',oh o. tue c"Y government is concerned, nothino
should he allowed TO depress its spi,it or ;nnna; 10
iorce' lhIs attention should be The more readily |
gwen, because The department is comnosed araai
OF young men who have not yet come n nossess
large amounts Of property to be protected from fire
IL Is therefore IN the nature Of volunteer service
"hlch ihey render, though partially COMPENSATED |
and should not be treated with indifference. or anv
seeming want Of appreciation.
Facis have shown that the Acqueduct is Of i'm
nense value to the city, and the suggestion can No,
oe regafdeda an improper one thai provision ouobt
10 oe made, from time TO time, for its gradual bu, In
ufcous extension into those parts of The citv tbn,
are thichy settled, and are not supplied with water
Tor the extlngnshnlent Of fires Without he acone.
duc'' other provision would have bt en- made far sun
plying water. But none could be made AT M reasor
able rate, and be at the same time so effective ne
the acqueduct. 'e "s
Inc Public Schools, doubt not, will receive r.o,o
I'VE CITY councl-as well as from The ccum;,,oa :,
which their care is conGded-tlat atteaiion ,s6,nH
lhelr Importance demands. The expendirn,es oa
Their behalf have hitherto been liberal: bu, il i.
parent from the gradual growth of the civ. year AZ
yer year, that the appropriations for the s,nnnr, ac
Inc schools, can not be reduced; aud prolabv mus,
DC enlarged. The schools have ALWAYS been sn,onn
our most cherished institutions, and the peonle IN
'heeriully bear The burden, whatever il be. IF ;nd'
Hous appropriations Tor their maintenance And In
heremark may seem superAuous tho,
Is the schools are sustained by taxes uoon ali casses
u the people, in all sections Of the CITY. lhev onah,
therefore,, IN all their grades, from The lowest 10 1he
ghes to be equally open to the children of all class