Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-01-25
BARTON'S SALARY.
Aldermen Consent to Reduc.
ton by Vote of 4 TO 4.
Public Building Committee Given Power
to Act on the Canterbury School
House Matter.

cradle business was transacted, The
expected fight over the recommends
ton of the finance committee on the
salary of City Treasurer Barton mate
rallied. The board of aldermen de-
bated the matter, but the motion to
amend the report and place the amount
at the old figure was lost by yea and
nay vote Of four to four, Alderman Mel
len leaving just before the vote was
taken. Aldermen Barrett, Hildreth.
Huot and Russell voted in support Of
the amendment and Aldermen Brannon,
Potter, O'Connell and Thompson against
it.
The recommendation on the salary of
Assistant City Clerk Towne was first
adopted, but when City Treasurer Bar
tons salary came up for action, Alder
man Russell took the floor immediate
ly. l am ready, he said, to accept the
conclusions of the finance committee in
every particular, except the item under
consideration, that relating to the city
treasurer. l am not willing to go on
record as allowing that the treasurer of
this city should be subjected to such an
indignity without a protest. 1 know
L
considerable feeling. Here is a man
who has been in the service of the city,
l don't know how long, but a great
many years. 1 remember when he did
the work with one assistant except dur
ing the busy season. / have seen the
constant increase of work and respon-
sibility and l protest against the re-
duetion. l hope we have question be-
fore us that is out of politics, and I'M
10 i- N
who desires his removal, 1 cannot see
any politics in 1t. When / think of Mr..
Barton's long and honorable record,
cannot allow his salary to be reduced
without a protest. The business has in
creased from $500, 900 to $4,000, 600 with
out making any allowance for the GUS
tody of the sinking funds. 1t is true
that an assistant has been appointed,
and hope that he has been able to re-
lieve Mr.. Barton of some Of the routine
work. but there has never been a time
when he has been relieved of his re-
sponsibility to the city. / say that it is
unjust to make a reduction with man
of his age l know that we old fellows
have got to go, but this man who has
been so faithful and is about to step out
should not be cut down. l move as an
amendment that the sum be made $4,000.
Alderman Hildreth seconded the motion.
Alderman Mellen spoke briefly, an
nouncing that he was obliged to leave.
l don't know the motives of the finance
committee in reducing Mr.. Barton, he
said The only criticism have to make
of the report is that at this time, when
money is SO scarce, that increases have
been made. assume, however, thar
the reduction in Mr. Barton's case is
because of the sum paid to the assist
ant. We must recognize that with age
men change. 1t was generally under
stood last year that it was Mr.. Barton's
last term. The fact is, he is physically
incapacitated to perform his duties. A
more urbane, Suave, courteous official
than Mr.. Barton was 1t would be hard
to find; but he has changed, and he ys
irritable and impatient, an unpleasant
person to encounter. l believe in the
reduction. / appreciate the financial
and social influences back of Mr.. Bar
ton, in addition to the good feeling tow
ard him, but to my mind his days of
usefulness are past.
Alderman Huot said a word in sup
port of Mr.. Barton, saying that he
thought the board was wise enough to
refuse to elect him when he was unable
to perform his work.
Alderman Thompson said Mr.. Bar
toms usefulness was past. The put
ting in of an assistant at $500, he said,
was virtually increasing Mr.. Barton's
salary to $5200 1t was not the wish
of Mr.. Barton to have an assistant put
in, but the mayor felt obliged to do SO
for reasons Of which we are all aware.
1t is no more than right that the reduc-
ton take place. Mr.. Barton ought to
feel satisfied that he is permitted to
stay.
Alderman OConnell said all were ia
miliar with the general complaints
made as to the running of the treas
urers office. He said the committee
all realized Mr.. Barton's faithful work.
and today he was doing as much as his
faculties would allow. We are not a
pension bureau, he said. We have no
right to use the city's money to employ
incompetent men. 1t is our purpose to
protect the city. We are told year af-
ter year that this is the last year.
The vote was then taken, and the
amendment was defeated as above an
nounced. No objection was raised to
the other changes, and the bill stands
as printed in the Spy Saturday.
When the salary bill reached the COM
mon council Councilman O'Leary
moved that action be postponed until
the next meeting, but this motion was
defeated. The councilman from ward
4 was not to be downed, however, and
he Immediately objected to the second
reading of the order, the objection being
sustained by a vote Of for objection to
16 against. Those who voted to sus-
tain the objection were Councilmen
Ryan, Connolly, O'Leary Timon, Shea
and McMahon. AS a result of the OBJ
lection, the second reading was post
poned until the next meeting.
The report of j. Warren Ellsworth, In
spector of animals and provisions did
not meet with warm reception. 1t
was read by the clerk, but laid aside
on motion of Alderman O'Connell, who
thought it had been brought forth be-
cause the finance committee failed to
act on the salaries Of the inspectors.
Alderman Mellen thought the other
members should be heard FROM and
saw. no reason why reports had not been
made yearly In the past and should not
be in the future. He had heard charges
against one of the inspectors, and
Thought an investigation might be in
order.
Superintendent of Public Buildings
Peck sent, through the mayor, a recon-
mendation that the order to do the
work on the Canterbury street school
house by the day, be rescinded, and the
work given out by contract, in view of
the past troubles and the liability to
them in the future The matter was re-
ferred to the committee on public build
ings, with power to act.
A petition from the Welcome Mission.
for an appropriation Of $4,000 yearly. to
assist in It's work. was laid over.
The report of the city engineer rela-
tive to the laying out of Grafton square.
estimated the cost at $3.50. 1t was re-
ferred to the committee on streets.
The orders adopted relative to the
sale Of the mill and machinery Of the
Lakeside mill and to the settlement of
claims for damages caused by taking
Of iIhe waters of Kettle brook. were re-
ferred to the committee on finance.
-.., 4. n....l l.. l.,.da,. An.s+ .....l.