MANCHESTER, N.H. MAYOR Valedictory, 1869 JS 13 M282 a VALEDICTORY o r T 1 1 r. HOX. JAMES A. WESTON, TO flu? Ei(| Equiwl of ^attditfsfw, DKLIVI.lil.I) IlKlollK T1IK TWO lillAXCHKS IN I'ONYKNTIOX, JANCAin", isiiii. i',v OI:DKU OF THE CITY COUNCIL. MAXCHKSTKK. X.H..- v i: i N T K D r. v c n A i: 1. 1: s F . LIVINGS T o x , 1869. VALEDICTORY OF THE HON. JAMES A. WESTON, TO DELIVERED BEFORE THE TWO BRANCHES IN CONVENTION, JANUAUY, 1809. PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL. MANCHESTER, N. H. : PRINTED BY CHARLES F. LIVINGSTON. 1869. r CITY OP MANCHESTER. The Mayor's Valedictory Address. ORDERED, That three hundred copies of the Valedictory Address of Hon. JAMES A. WESTON, Mayor, delivered this day, before the two branches of the City Council in convention, be printed for the use of the City Council, and that his Honor the Mayor be requested to furnish a copy to be printed in the Annual Reports. In Convention of the City Council. Read and passed. JOSEPH E. BENNETT, CITY CLERK. ADDRESS. GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL : The period for which we assumed the trusts imposed upon us one year ago being about to close, it seems emi- nently proper, and not without precedent, that I should present a brief review of our official acts, setting forth what has been accomplished within the year, with a state- ment of the condition of the city affairs, as the man- agement thereof is relinquished to others. Our successors, who are to carry forward the enterprises and improvements now in progress, are fairly entitled to this information ; and it is a matter of justice to us, as well as to our fellow citizens generally, that such a statement should be made. The propriety and even importance of this course can- not fail to commend it to every business man ; and I can but hope that it will be considered the duty of each suc- ceoding city council, to transmit to its successors an ex- plicit account of the condition of affairs at the expiration of its term of office. FINANCE. On the first day of January, 1868, the net indebtedness of the city as stated in my inaugural address, from information furnished by the City Treasurer, was . . $393,805 50 The following statement obtained from the same source, and made up on the same basis, shows the net indebtedness of the city, January 1, 1869, 369,112 24 Being a decrease or reduction of the debt during the year, of $24,693 26 The statement from the Treasurer's books is as follows : Amount of funded debt, January 1, 1868, $351,900 00 Amount of temporary loan, January 1, 1868, $35,230 00 Amount of increase during the year, . . . 2,071 00 Present amount of temporary loan 37,301 00 Estimated amount of interest now due, $10,000 00 Unpaid bills now due 15,156 08 25,156 08 Total debt and interest January 1, 1869, $414,357 08 Deduct amount of cash on hand, . . . $42,794 85 Deduct note due on Barrett place 75 00 Deduct notes due for lots sold from City Farm, 2,375 49 Amounting to $45,245 34 Leaving the net indebtedness, January 1, 1869, . . $369,111 74 Included in the foregoing statement is the sum of $5,468.43, paid for furnishing and fitting up the court house and lot, which was authorized to be met by loan ; but was taken from the tax receipts. In all, the sum of $15,994.16 has been paid from tax receipts, on account of the court house, above the sum raised by loan, rather than hire money, while sufficient funds were remaining in the treasury. And notwithstanding this, there is now in the city treasury, the sum of $42,794.85, which is a larger cash balance than was ever before on hand at the close of any municipal year. No bills have been contracted for our successors to pro- vide for, and efforts having been made by advertising in the daily papers and otherwise, to have every outstanding claim presented for payment at the close of tho year, it is confidently believed that the demands against the city are adjusted as fully as it is practicable to do, at any given time. The report of the joint standing committee on finance will reveal the gratifying fact that there is not a single ac- count overdrawn, while many of them will show large unexpended balances. SEWERS AND DRAINS. As a part of a systematic plan of sewerage recom- mended in Sladc's report, the proposed new sewer in Elm street has been commenced, and extended from Central to Merrimuck street, a distance of about five hundred feet. This sewer is of brick, three feet high by two feet wide in the clear, and laid at such a grade as will, in con- nection with the old sewer, furnish ample means of drainage for the surface water, as well as for sink drains and cellars. A cement sewer has also been laid, which discharges into this new sewer, and extends from Merrimack to Spring street, through the back street west of Elm street, a distance of about sixteen hundred feet. Several other sewers of less magnitude have besn constructed in various parts of the city. The claims which were found hanging over the city for damage to property in consequence of alleged defects and obstructions in the stone culvert leading from Hano- ver to Merrimack squares, induced a thorough examina- tion into the case. The result was a compromise between the parties, by which those who were damaged relinquished one third part of their claims on the condition that the city would enlarge and repair the culvert agreeably to certain stipulations. This has been accomplished to the satisfaction of all concerned. The claims have all been adjusted and paid, and any liability of the city on account of any further damage arising from a like cause, has ceased beyond question. Much inconvenience having arisen, and imncessary ex- pense incurred from a want of knowledge as to the loca- tion, capacity, &c., of existing sewers, a survey has been made, and a plan is in progress which is designed to furnish all the desired information. HIGHWAYS. The new highways constructed during the current year are as follows : The extension of Union street, north ; the extension of Merrimack street from Hall street to its intersection with Hanover street ; Willow and Young streets, near the jail ; Granite street from Canal to Elm street, and Bridge street from Hall street through the city farm to the Mammoth road. In consequence of the unfavorable weather in the fall, the work on Nashua, Ash, and Walnut streets was not quite completed. Some addi- tional work will also bo necessary on Bridge street the- coming season. The sidewalk on the north side of Hanover street has been widened four feet, from Elm cast back street to Union street, and a walk of concrete or brick laid the- entire distance at the expense of the city. The sidewalk 10 on the south side of Hanover square has also been widened and a concrete pavement laid to make it corres- pond with that below. One half the expense of the last named walk, exclusive of grading, was contributed by residents in that vicinity. The total expense incurred in the construction of the streets and walks above named, is about $4000. The plan of laying concrete walks in the commons, has been inaugurated by the construction of two walks in Concord square. Early in the season Granite bridge was thoroughly ropla.nked, and otherwise repaired, and painted. The plank used were of oak, four and a half inches thick ; and, although the first cost of this material was consid- erably more than other kinds would have been, it is believed the lino of true economy was adopted. CITY FARM. A complete survey and plan of the city form has been made, and the westerly portion of the same divided into house lots, by projecting the necessary streets. Seven of these lots have already been sold and conveyed, at prices fixed by your committee, amounting to the sum of $3,167.34. About seventeen acres in all have been offered for sale, which, at the prices agreed upon, will an mi i ni to about $11,000. The opening of Bridge 11 street was mainly for the purpose of bringing these lands into the market. RESERVOIRS. The construction of two reservoirs in sections of the city, destitute of these facilities for the extinguish- ment of fires, has contributed much to the safety of property in the neighborhood of their location. Both of them are built entirely of stone, in the most durable manner. The one on Wilson street, in Janesville, is 27x6x0 feet, in the clear, and being situated on a never failing brook is always full of water. The other, situated on Merrimack street near Hall street, is in the clear, 40x 6xG feet, which it is thought will furnish a supply of water adequate to any demand likely to occur in that locality. LIBRARY BUILDING. The city council having made an appropriation towards the erection of a library building, a committee was ap- pointed sometime in the summer months, with authority to procure plans, specifications and estimates of such a building as in their judgment would meet the present and prospective requirements of the city, and report to the city council. Subsequently, the committee were author- ized to adopt such a plan as they deemed advisable, and 12 to proceed with the work so far as to lay the foundation. After a careful consideration of the whole matter, a plan was agreed upon with much unanimity. The building proposed is in the gothic style of architecture, 49x90 feet, with a tower at the southwest corner. It has a high- posted basement, to be used for miscellaneous purposes, and one principal story, containing a waiting room, librarian's rooms, and a library room of sufficient size to accommodate 44,000 volumes. It is proposed to locate the building on the lot of land immediately south of Franklin street church, having a frontage on Franklin street of 145 feet. The south side of the lot is to be on a line with the passage way south of the Methodist church, the intention being to make a public avenue from Elrn street to Franklin street, for foot passengers through this walk. This lot is generously donated by the Amoskeag Manu- facturing Company, and the deed is ready to be delivered us soon as the aforesaid avenue can be laid out as a public way. Owing to unavoidable delays arising from various causes, the committee wero unable to make any progress with the foundations, but the preliminaries are so far ad- vanced, that the work may be commenced early the coming season. POLICE STATION. Agreeably to the recommendation contained in my in- augural address, some progress has been made with a view to procure better accommodations for the police de- partment. An architect, Mr. G. "W. STEVENS, has been employed, who has presented a plan for an addition to, or an extension of the City Hall building at the southwest corner. It is proposed to make the structure 3Jx40 feet, one story high, with a basement all finished in the same style of architecture as the main building, and of the same kind of materials. It is to contain rooms for the marshal, and a watch room with the necessary conven- iences ; also twenty cells, ten in the basement and ten in the principal story. CONCLUSION. I have thus adverted to some of the principal topics relating to our public affairs, which have been the subject of our deliberations during the past year. Whatever success has resulted from our labors, has in a large degree been owing to your wisdom, fidelity and cheerful co- operation. As a reward for your services you have the approbation of your fellow citizens, and that which is higher and better than all, the consciousness of having honestly endeavored to perform your duty. 14 The prosperity which has marked the progress of our city throughout the year, may well awaken our warmest gratitude to an ever kind and watchful Providence. Peace and public order have been maintained to a high degree ; no pestilence which walketh in darkness has been suffered to come within our borders ; the republic has made rapid progress in recovering from the effects of the dreadful calamities incident to the long and bloody war ; public confidence has been greatly restored, the spirit of enterprise in our people has been stimulated, the busy hum of industry has been heard, labor has been rewarded, and our city is once more entering upon a career of pros- perity with renewed vigor. GENTLEMEN : Before we separate, allow me to extend to you individually my sincere and heartfelt thanks for the courtesy and kindness which has ever characterized your conduct in all relations with me. Let me assure you that I shall never cease to retain pleasing and grateful recollec- tions of the many manifestations of your generosity and personal regard ; and that wherever your lot may be cast I shall always cherish an ardent wish for your future success and happiness. A 001 077 523 7 THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DA STAMPED BELOW. Series 9482