Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-01-06
LOCAL NEWS
IuNuEnra,isa er she New Ci.y Cover.

citizens. After prayer by Rev. j. d. =. Jones,
Ex-Mayor Davis administered the oath of Office
to Hon. George W. Richardson, Mayor elect,
who, in turn, administered the usual oath to the
Aldermen and Common Councilmen elect, all Of
whom were present, except William NJ Bickford,
Councilman from Ward s. Mayor Richardson
then delivered his Inaugural Address -
MAYOR RICHARDSON'S ADDRESS.
The address opens with the usual acknowledg.
ments for the confidence reposed in himself and
associates by their election. He pledges his en- a..
deavOrs to discharge his duty with energy and
vigilance, and with determination to hold all
officers to rigid accountability.
The depressed condition of mechanical business
in the city, requires that enterprise be engaged
in, which shall increase the rate of taxation, un
less absolute necessity demands it.
PUBLIC ScHooLs.-Th whole number that
have belonged to public schools, by the report
of the School Committee, as nearly as can be as.
certained, is 4540-average regular attendance,
2444. During the last year two school houses
have been built, one at Burncoat Plain, at cost
Of $4,000, and one at Providence street, together
Appropriations in 1856, $4,000. Expended,
S29,OOO
Attention is called to the ordinance of last year.
constituting Superintendent of Public Schools,
in the belief that the plan will be attended with
marked and decided advantages.
NE ROADS, &c.-The highway appropriations
for the last year were d, 900 dollars Fxpend-
ed, about $4,000. There now four suits in
charge Of the City Solicitor which have been
brought against us for injuries alleged to have
resulted from defective highways. As cities are
bound TO keep their ways in reasonable repair if
sidewalks in a city are allowed to be dangerous by
nj ira fhora ha htaffh hot
city would be liable for damages eceasioned there
by. During the past year a claim for damages for
an injury sustained in this way, was made against
the city, and paid after consultation.
IHE PooR,-The appropriation for the support
ofpaupers, last year, was S60OO alone, and $500
was expended. NHG
If any improvements, either in carrying on the
Almshouse establishment, out doors or in are
needed. the Overseers of the Poor should attend
to the matter without delay.
The State Lunatic Hospital has had, until
within few days, large claim against the city,
which has been suffered to remain unpaid for a
long time on account OF difference of opinion
A part of this claim was for the support of pau
pers whose actual settlement is in other towns in
the CUmmonwe alth; this having been paid by us
IN the first instance, we shall be able, probably,
under the decision of-the case Of Worcester u.s.
Sterling, at the first law term of the Supreme Ju-
dicial Court, to recover from the towns where the
paupers have their actual settlement. Another
portion OF the claim is for the support OF paupers
who, it is contenoed by the city, are chargeable
properly to the State, and this has also been Ii
quidated.
The whole amount of the claim against the
city was SSO97 SO; amount charged to the State,
Sl266 80; to be recovered OF towns and parties
interested, S607 so; leaving balance of 1924
IL 20 be charged to this department.
WATER The Mayor then presents the facts
in detail, in reference to the measures taken for
securing supply Of water, for the use of the
city, and the submitting of the question to vote
of the citizens, at the city election. The result
of the vote was, alter the rejection of the return
of Ward l-yeas 939, nays $40. Including the
vote of Ward /, the yeas would exceed the nays
by " votes. The Mayor thinks that sufficient
Investigations have not been made, and that the
citizens are not in possession of the information
which would justify the Council in undertaking
work which would involve the city in a debt of
S340 900. A heavy debt is always a serious
drawback to the growth OF city, and the pes
ent is time singularly unpropi.ious for the COM
mencement of any work which involves it.
WWARD OFFIcERs.-It is recommended that an
ordinance be passed, at an early day, compensat-
ing Ward Clerks for their services, and if the
faithful services Of competent Wardens and In.
spectors cannot be procured without, that they
be paid, also.
PoLIcE.-I shall endeavor to organize police
which shall be watchful and tfficient, and with
your hearty co operation, and by their aid shall
not doubt for a moment, that the laws of the
Commonwealth, and the city ordinance, will be
enforced in manner more conducive to the well
fare Of this iourishing city.
The whole number oil complaints before the
police court in 1856,
Made oy Marshal and Assistants. ............. 9T9
Ior drunkenness 4l8
For violation OF the liquor laws. So
Commitments to Jail and House of Correction, most
" for nor-payment Of fines and costs, in
OF drunkenness. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. =. 4SS
by the report of the City Marshal. about. $4560
THE FIRE DEPARrMENr.-We have a power
full and well organized Fire Department. Dur
ing the past year, the department. has only been
called out twelve times, land of these twelve
times only twice to buildings fre,) and the
amount OF property destroyed will not exceed five
hundred dollars.
Appropriation in this department. $4,000
Expended, about. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 5000
The PUBLIC GROUNDS The Public Grounds
are well attended to Hope Cemetery has been
much improved and ornsmented the past year.
The street on the westerly side of the new Com.
mon, leading from Elm street to Highland street,
has been constructed in the past year, and fence
built around the lot.
The appropriations raised by tax in 1856, are
as follows -
County tax.-......... IA l75 ~
state tax''...-. ll,SOS 90
---
Whole amount of tsx............$l56, 1888 "A
By the PROMPT payment made by our citizens
and the vigilance Of our. excellent Treasurer and
Collector, there only remains unpaid of this large
sum, about thirty-6ye hundred dollars on the first
day Of January, 1857.
The valuation for 1856. ,9l6 COO 90
Rare of taxation S., so on $1,000 valuation
Number 6S5Z
The city debit Jan. 4, 1885,. .$11e956 48
Paid In ls5o....... ..................... 1891 So
Both Boards of the new City Council then re-
tired to their respective rooms, and proceeded to
business.
Beard OF Mnyo7 and Aldermen.
Seats were assigned to members, according TO
seniority Of service; all but two having before
held seats in that body.
The rules and orders oflast year were adopted.
3 Tie Mayor announced the following
STANDING COMMITTEES or THE IBoARp OF
as ALDERMEN.
On Public Btlliings- Mayor, and Alder.
men Curtis, Wheeler. and Earl. A9'
Bats IN the Second ReGding--Ald Earl
and Southgate. sfIas "a
Observation-Disclosures Prentiss and Earl !.
Elections and Re.utns-Aldermen Wheeler and
Strong. |
Tho Common Cornell
Was called to order by Edwin Draper, Esq, a
member Of the Common Council Of l84S. VIM.