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Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Jan 08, 1889
Page
8
In Boston’s 1889 inauguration Mayor Hart takes office after Mayor O'Brien, with Aldermen’s deadlock delaying a president and lengthy ballots in both boards. Hart bolsters staff, outlines reforms for public works and licenses, and calls for cooperation among city and county officers as debt and tax limits face scrutiny.
The city faces rising gross and net debt under the 1885 law with a new bond issue of 769 000 and planned expenditures on Harvard Bridge Court House parks and a new Public Library building. Departments seek 350 000 more for next year as auditors warn that current taxes may not cover deficits, urging cautious use of funded loans for permanent improvements only.
Mayor Hart urges council to honor the oath of office to the U S Constitution and Massachusetts laws. He calls for nonpartisan, all‑citizen service and warns against partisan government while stressing cooperation among city officials. The speech emphasizes harmony between the city council and the executive department to better serve the public.
The mayor’s address includes department heads’ reports noting stable tax rates despite higher expenditures, a $22,028 borrowing capacity, and $6,825,000 in outside debt authorizations. Building permits rose with 331 brick and 1554 wooden structures, while sewer, storage basin, and ferry improvements push urban growth and water purity efforts nationwide.
The city board of street commissioners met and selected John P. Dore as chairman and J. H. Jenkins as clerk. Henry H. Sprague is elected president of the Boston Civil Service Reform Association. Inspectors Watts and Houghton depart for Denver to detain Harry G. Stickney, former clerk for salt merchant Charles L. Davenport, who forged a $3595 check. Efforts to remove ten feet of rock and forty feet of conduit at the Stony Brook outlet aim to prevent future overflow. Charles A. Lombard, arrested on a warrant for obtaining $600 of goods by false pretenses from W. H. Stimpson, waives examination and is bound over for Superior Court.
The Boston Police Relief Association held its annual meeting at the Chardon Sweet Home. Deputy Superintendent Burrill presided and the $10 annual assessment was approved to continue indefinitely. Directors elected include William G. Blaze, Kenough Jol Vinal, George Yeaton, Thomas Hensey, Martin L. White, John A. O'Rourke, William H. Clegg, George Gould, John J. Hanley, Charles C. J. Spear, William Downing, William E. Brace, Paul J. Vinal, John T. O Lalor, Silas W. Braley, Patrick Houghton Jr, and Benjamin P. F. Eideidge. Auditing committee members are George Crarland, George I. McCausland, and William B. Daley. The directors organized with John J. Hanley as president, Martin L. White as vice president, George A. Walker as clerk, and Thomas Ryan as treasurer.
The Commonwealth's Court issues rescripts on several cases. Pettibone et al v Toledo Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad sustains demurrer in a creditors bill seeking to reach subscription contracts as a trust fund for creditors. Reed et al v Carruth confirms two separate trusts for personal and real estate under a residuary clause. Bartlett v Stanchfield allows consideration of extra work as implied contract. Devine v Boston & Maine affirms jury findings on passenger intoxication and platform riding. White v Kimball upholds reasonable expenditures by assignee. Thompson v City of Boston denies cross examination lines in damage case. Doherty v Doherty upholds arbitration award. Electric Light & Power Co v Howard awards verdict on note and lease.
The Superior Court session records a $30,000 personal injury suit by Timothy Coyle against Fitchburg Railroad. He alleges injury on July 6, 1886 when a moving freight car struck his arm while he rode as a passenger. Jury previously disagreed. Multiple dockets follow with various plaintiffs, defendants, and outcomes including verdicts for defendant in one case and continued actions in many listings.
Essex County cases include Commonwealth vs Joseph P Welch a Lynn forgery conviction affirmed citing Dollinger. J Scott Todd vs Charles M Lunt exceptions sustained. Marblehead land damages case Emily H Phillips et al vs Inhabitants of Marblehead exceptions overruled. Abby 8 Smith vs Nathaniel Morse new trials ordered. Martin Carey pro ams vs Arlington Mills exceptions sustained finding due care.
Jan 7 Mason J presides. Ty ler v New England Telephone and Telegraph Company over horse hire after snow repair work. jury out. Abbott v Langlois personal injuries from runover. defense general denial. Several other docket items include Richards v Haseltine occupants of Saugus Tibbetts v Jennings Eberly v Mars Hare v Posey Prestn v Nawimakeag same v Briggs et al. and various railway and corporate actions.
In Essex County Probate Court on January 7, approvals covered wills of Mehitable K. Appleton Ipswich John Bell Beverly Edward Crosier Georgetown Sarah Dean Salem William H. Foster Salem Edmund Gage Haverhill Elizabeth B Healey Saugus Emma B Higgins Swampscott John B Higgins Swampscott William L Johnson Lynn Mary M Keating Marblehead Dennis Keefe Andover Henry F King Salem Sarah J Lincoln Georgetown Leonard B R Lothrop Lynn Hannah M Merrill Merrimac Elizabeth Morris Lynn Nicholas Vella Lynn Elisha Whitney Beverly Letters of administration granted for Mary L Peele Salem Syrena J Pearson Newburyport Mary E Butler Newburyport Almeda avis Lawrence John Lawrence Lawrence Mary E Cronin Lynn Sally Holden Peabody John Keeland Andover Abraham Lord Ipswich Margaret Sheehan Salem Mary Cain Danvers John H Mclean Salem Gustavus Obear Beverly John W Pedrick Beverly Michael Ryan Peabody Ellen C Pitman Salem Abby B Smith Newburyport Martha J Russell Middleton Catherine K Stackpole Riverside Cal Joseph Wormstead Mar-
Inventories list multiple individuals including David H. Firmin of Lynn and Elizabeth M. Adams of Topsfield. Amounts shown include Elizabeth Adams 10 786 49 and Mary E. Bayley of Amesbury 35 335 27. Other listed estates include Mary Chapman 13 897 05 Nicholas Chapman 225 913 8 and Meredah F. Shepherd 302 140. Benjamin West 12 739 10 and Charles Wiggin from Orlando 3 766 66.
Norfolk County court listings include Thomas Forsythe vs John Fallon in Quincy with damages to premises and case arguments. Rachel Murray petitions Norfolk County for highway land damage in Hyde Park. multiple cases noted by docket numbers and involved attorneys.
Suffolk Probate Court on January 7 admitted the wills of Elizabeth D. Cut ler, Helen M. Griggs, Diana Colburn, Simon Gorham, Asahel G. Winstow, Watson Gore, Nathaniel J. Bradlee, Edwin Fisher, Nora Walker, Benjamin Brown, Michael Graham. Letters of administration issued for Henry A. Hart, Abraham Hirsch, Adeline G. Russell, Mary L. Griffin, John F. Scott, William B. Burns, Asenath Dickinson, Harriet E. B. French, Jane D. Thompson, Ellen O'Shea, Mary Lockney, Ellen Wheeler.
Superior Court Jan term begins with Judge Dunbar presiding. Grand jury to report Saturday next for session and potential panels.
Superior Court Middlesex County reports the case of Cochrane Jr versus City of Malden remains on trial. A list of case numbers follows including Burnham v Rodden, Wentworth v Stearns, Grant v Miller, Travy Townsend, Reber v Mears, Cogan v Clark, Peterson v Inhs Waltham, Palmer v Fitch, Dowd v Bacon, Reed v Town, Morris v North et al.
The Middlesex Club marked its anniversary with a dinner at Youngs Hotel last night. Founders formed the club on January 7, 1871, and the gathering honored original members, living survivors, and honorary guests including General Grant and Governor Robinson. Colonel Daniel Needham presided as speakers recalled club history and notable events, with necrology read for deceased members.
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