Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-01-04
might be found suitable location, or be exchanged

nigh, be found suitable location, or be exchanged
for other lot.
It will be aliks your duty, as l doubt not twill
be your pleasure, 10 provide as well for schools,
and school-houses in the suburban districts as ID
the centre. There are thirteenof those districts;
and since the legislation Of the commonwealth
has taken from them the independence.th they once.
had as districts-whether wisely or unwisely it is
now too late to enquire--sound policy as we'll as
Justice demands that they should have the means
and facilities of education, and as consderate at
tention for their progress IN useful learning, as
they would have if those "little democraces, the
school districts . Gas De Tocqueville calls them)
had nsw all the yigor they once had
In population like ours, composed largely OF
persons Who have migrated hither from coun.
tries where habits Of thought and modes Of opin-
ion in religious matters prevail that are different
from our own, you will allow me TO say that
there should be nothing in our schools that shall
tend in the least TO repel any one ifom the ENJOY
ment or their benefits. In literature, in The arts,
in the sciences, in geography, astronomy, arllh.
metic reading, writing, and kindred branches OF
study. there is nothing seclariaH. And as our
adopted fellow citizens have cast their lot with ours
we should cheerfully yield to them, what we
claim for ourselves the fullest rights of conscience
and freedom of belief Our common schools,
sustained as they are at the public expense should
be common ground for all sects in religion and
FOR all parties in politics. 10 that form alone cam
they be efficient agents in the cause Of universal
education.
= An order for tho purchase Of tract of about
27 acres of land, for public common, passed
the last board Of aldermen; but was referred by
the common council to your consideration. such
was the character Of the proposals for the sale to
the city that shall be pardoned for asking your
uttentionto the subject at an early day.
The last city councllreferred to your consider
alton sundry documents relating TO the purchase
Of lot Of land, that should be more accessible
from the centre of the city than the farm now oc-
cupied as pauper establishment, and The erec-
ton Of building thereon adapted to the wants Of
the city. a com filiee reported a lot, after an
examination fourteen proposals to sell, together
with plan and specifications for a buIding.-
Whether it is expedient to change the locality of
be almshouse, or build anew upon the farm, is
A question for YOU to decide. Whatever your
decision may be in that respect, doubt mol that
upon an examination Of the establishment. and
al INQUIRY into the mode in which the overseers
Of the poor are Obliged to dispense the city char
tiles, YOU will agree with me that the erection OF
better aims. house, than The city now has, is
obligation whose execution can not in honor be
longer delayed The plan presented to the last
city council, contained the important improve
ments which of late years have been introduced
into buildings; for heating for ventilation, for an
ample supply of water, and especially for that
classification Of the inmates which has been found
necessary, but cannot be had, in the existing
anshouse For want of better house, the over
seers of the poor have been Obliged to assist many
persons out Of ltwhom goodeconomy, if not hu-
mainly, required should be in it. The opening
of the state alnnshouses may be expected to re-
duce the number Of pau3lefs; but to what extent
il is not easy 10 fortel 1t is not an undeserved
compliment to the citizens of Worcester TO say
that they pay taxes willingly for the support Of
the poor and it IS therefore the more incumbent
upon the city council to see that their generosity
is mot abused; but that every dollar, thus appro-
priated, goes to feed the hungry and clohe the
destitute.
The Finances Of the city will engage your at
tentionin almost every official act you may have
to perform As a city, the amount Of our taxes
has largely increased and so have the necessities
for public expenditure. In the assessment of
taxes, where so much is entrusted to the distre-
ton Of assessors the most the citizens have
right TO expect is the farthest possible approxima-
ten to strict Justice can but think that the city
will he fortunate if il shall ever have board of
assessors who shall discharge their difficult and
delicate duty with as much fairness, impartiality,
and ability, as did the last hoard. And singularly
fortunate will it be # ii shall always have treas
urer aud collector who will labor for its interests
with so much devotion, fidelity, and success, as
has that officer during the last year.
The amount of the tax assessed upon the polls
and estates of the city in the year 1852 exclusive
OF the county tax, was $S0,00O The ASSESS
ment Of 1858. exclusive of the county and state
tax, was 1896, 600; it being an increase of $l5,-
600 overt the assessment Of 1852. The expendi-
lures of 1852, exceeded the income by S692S =
The last city council proceeded upon the prnci-
pie ofproviding literally for the expenditufes,an
at the same time making provision for the pay
ment of portion Of the city debt. The receipts
into The treasury from all sources, Temporary
loans included, amountedto $l64, 600 The APP
preparations were:
For city purposes, sos 900
Sc County Tax, $3.50 20
&c State Tax, 1904
g Overlayings, 1864 81
Total $l14,Ol9 20