Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-10

support and the acanty wages which they earn
are barely enough to furnish bread
Tor the mouths of their little ones.
Other families half grown, perhaps, live along
on the verge of starvation. With the parent or
guardian in this sorry plight, victim to his
Appetite and when taken in charge by the Off.
GERS, or taken before a court, or sent to jail, it
seems as If the last ray of hope for the family
had vanished; their pride is broken, and the
situation to them is next to death itself Such
cases as the above present themselves to the
officers almost every day, And although the
money taken for fines and costs in such cases
may be source of income to the county, yet it
seems like taking the bread from the mouths of
the children and families of these poor unfor-
tunates
The question is often asked, Why don't the
officers put a stop to these beer nusancesp AS
well might the question be asked Why don't the
officers stop the rivers from descending on their
course to the sea? The answer is: There is no
law to prevent them; and every mans house is
his castle. Sunday, in particular, seems to be
| the great business day for beer vendors, And it
is very difficult matter to procure evidence for
| their conviction, as their doors are kept con-
stantly fastened and the plea is that the large
| number of persons seen going in and coming
| out every Sabbath day are friends and relations
| of the family making friendly or social calls.
These saloons are Of all grades, from the gilded
! and extensively furnished down to the miSera-
| bic cellar where the most vicious and the lowest
| of our population congregate.
| 1t is hoped that the combined wisdom of the
| commonwealth, through its legislature, will
| solve this great problem at its present session,
and give us a law that will meet the approba-
ton of all parties, and that can be enforced with
| reason and power.
There are in this city at the present time 800
places licensed to sell intoxicating liquor by the
| United States government.
The numerical strength of thei police depart
| ment is thirty men, organized as follows
City marshal and chief Of police, two assist
| ant marshals, captain Of day police, captain of
| night police, and twenty-four patrOmen, truant
officer detailed as such.
The station house is opened and officers are
on duty all times of day and night for calls from
any part of the city, and for the protection of
persons and property.
Mr.. brennan closed his report with an alu-
sion to the deep interest felt by the late Mayor
Blake in all matters pertaining to the police de-
partment.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT.
To the City Council Gentlemen: In ac-
cordance with the provisions of the ordinance
under which the fire department was estab-
lished, respectfully submit for your considera-
ton my second annual report, containing such
information as will enable you to understand
the wants and necessities of this organization,
whose services are best appreciated when they
have the least to do, whose efforts to save prop
erty from destruction by fire. often at the risk of
life, are frequently more unjustly and severely
criticised than any other services rendered the
| public. 1t seems to be almost forgotten that
| tircmen are summoned to their work by the
| striking of bell or blowing of whistle, with
| out any knowledge of the locality endangered,
| its surroundings or interior arrangements, with
| no opportunity 10 form plans, or make calcula-
| tons how it would be best TO operate the pro-
t.ctive force, consequently those in authority
must form their Judgment quickly, and act Wig
0rOuSly, trusting to the results accomplished or
the opinions of an anxious and sometimes eX-
cited crowd of spectators, for the amount of APP
probation or condemnation awarded them for
their efforts.
The department is in good condition, the APP
paratus being in perfect order, the men well ap-
pointed and carefully organized, SO as to render
prompt and efficient service whenever required; ;
| harmony of purpose and unity of action exist
| ing among the men and between the various
| companies The policy adopted two years ago
in bringing the department under the control
and management of the city council, and max
ing it a permanent organization, instead of one
expiring at the close of each municipal year,
has become popular, and the beneficial results
are admitted.
A new engine house has been constructed on
the corner of Beacon and Lagrange streets the
past season, which will be ready for occupancy
in the course of few weeks, where it is in
tended TO locate steamer No. ., equipped with
hose-carriage, horses and driver, and which will
afford the additional protection so much needed
in the southern portion of the city. There has
been placed in service during the past year Il
new hook and ladder truck, carrying ladders of
sufficient length to enable us TO put water into
the upper story of our highest buildings, from
the outside, which supplies want that has eX-
listed for several years. | earnestly hope the
government will see the importance of pur-
chasing a pair of horses, to be always
in readiness to take this carriage prompt
ly to fires. 1t is just as necessary as TO
have them for steamers. The two drivers
and six horses now constantly in the employ of
this department have been allowed, by the
highway commissioner. for work on the streets,
Sl9944S. | have received of John Barry, for
manure, S5667, which has been paid the city
treasurer; to which may be added $500, received
from Jacob Hauf, for the old engine house at
Lincoln square
At the beginning of the year, Niagara" en-
CINE "a hand machne,) was placed at Quinsiga-
mond, under the care of a volunteer company,
that has manifested lively interest in main
tanning good company, and adds greatly to
the safety of property in that place.
There has been thirty alarms of fire during
the year, and all but one could be traced to
sufficient cause. The amount of property de-
stroyed as nearly as could be estimated, was
S64,O1O, near two-thirdS of which was lost in
single night by the burning Of Loring &
Blake's organ factory, last March Most of the
property burned was fully covered by insur-
aDce.
The department consists of the same number
of men, organized into the same number of
companies as last year, and, as an evidence Of
the stability of the department, it is a pleasure
to inform you, that at the annual company cleo
tons, held last month, every foreman was re-
elected with one exception, and he does not re-
tire from the service, but takes place in tie
ranks of the company he has commanded for
five years; and further, the whole number of
plnnppS less AT the n
a new year.
The department consists of the following COM
panes:
Three steamer companies u men each. ........ 36
Five hose companies 10 men each .............. 50
Two hook and ladder companies 20 men each. -. 40
One hand engine company ........., ........ 40
(volunteerl. ............. d.
Drivers of steamers.
Board OF engineers. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Whole number of men. ....................1 73
twill be necessary to furnish the department
with some new leading hose this year; name was
bought last year, and after supplying the compa-
ny at QunsigamOnd it made us short of the usual
complement. | would, therefore, recommend
the purchase of 1000 feet at an early day.
feel ii my duty to again urge upon your at
tention the necessity of fire alarm telegraph
Measures were taken late in the year, under the
last administration, to ascertain and report the
expense. Enough has been done by them to
know that it will cost, all complete and ready
for use, not over S15, 000-an expenditure, it
seems TO me, the property owners would justify
and approve. This system is in operation in
nearly all the principal cities throughout the
country, and in no instance is there any differ
ence Of opinion in regard to its merits.
In closing, permit me to thank the city coun-
Gil for the cordial support they have given me in
the administration Of the affairs of this depart
ment, and especially the committee on the fire
department, for the interest and attention they
have manifested in the details necessary to main
tain this organization. | am also under obliga-
ton to the city marshal and the force under his
control, for their assistance and cooperation at
fires. Il. NJ. GOULD,
Chief Engineer.
THE HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER REPORT.
The report of the highway commissioner, Mr..
ID. +. Parker, is an elaborate document, pre-
pared with great care, and showing, in detail,
just what has been accomplished in his depart
ment. 1t is impossible in these columns to give
the minute attention to each subject contained
in the report that Mr.. Parker has done. We
quote from his general remarks with which the
report begins, and, passing over various matters
of interest give the most important facts shown:
"The last season has been the longest and best
fprt of ANU ttri fbn