CITY OF BOSTON. SEALER'S OFFICE, 25 DOANE STREET, BOSTON, July 1, 1864. TO HIS HONOR THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOSTON: GENTLEMEN: In accordance with the custom and usage of all city officials, I herewith respectfully submit my first annual REPORT: In compliance with the wish of numerous citizens, the City Council, on the 6th of July, 1863, accepted of the Act relating to the Sealing of Weights and Measures, passed by the legislature in April, 1863. The acceptance of the Act changing the office from one of fees to a salaried office seems to have given universal satisfaction, with but very few exceptions. I may here mention, however, that my experience for the past year has been, that the parties who object most to the annual visits of the Sealer of Weights and Measures are confined to a class of dealers who, in years past, have been in the habit of committing petty frauds, by selling with short weights and measures. In consultation with and by advice of His Honor the Mayor, the Sealers last February gave notice to all parties using wine or other illegal measures for the purpose of selling peas, beans, fruit, &c. to discontinue such practice; which admonition has been heeded to some extent, but the approaching season of fruits will bring into the market and on the streets a large quantity of illegal measures. I would, therefore, suggest that the police might assist the Sealer in detecting and punishing dishonest dealers. Since the abrogation of the law giving Sealers the power to destroy, we labor under some disadvantage. Often, during our visits, we find many weights and measures that cannot be brought to the proper standard; and, as the law now stands, we can only request the parties not to use them. If the Sealers had power to seize and destroy all illegal measures, many objects of temptation would be removed. I know of many, very many, honest and upright traders; but I have not the time or space to enumerate here the just or the unjust, but think it would be a good plan for families to furnish themselves with some kind of apparatus suitable to their wants, with which they might test the accuracy of their purchases. Another great evil which has existed for some time, has, I am glad to say, been partially abated, viz: the vending of charcoal in small or illegal measures. There were three convictions in the Police Court during the past year, for selling charcoal in unsealed measures. Parties purchasing charcoal would do well to examine the basket, and ascertain if the same has been sealed by an authorized Sealer. All baskets sealed in Boston are branded thus: ("Boston WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 5 Sealer.") Sealers are often called upon to settle disputes between buyer and seller; and, without doubt, many complaints would be made were it not for the delicacy of the parties in regard to appearing in our courts. The generality of those cases are among the poorer classes, who are most always the sufferers. During the year I have visited seventeen hundred and thirty-one stores, and places of business, and sealed and adjusted there or at the office, over fifteen thousand scales, weights and measures. I have received fees for the above service to the amount of $1,478.51, and paid the same over to the City Treasurer. The amount paid for repairs on scales was $40.03; leaving a balance of $1,438.48. The conveyance used by the Sealers for the transportation of the Standards is furnished by the Committee on Internal Health. SCHEDULE OF CITY PROPERTY CONTAINED IN SEALER'S OFFICE. One set avoirdupois weights. One balance and case. One set Troy weights. One set Apothecary weights. Forty 50-lb. iron weights. One set standard dry measures. One set standard wine measures. One brass yard measure. One working set of avoirdupois weights. One working set dry measures. One working set wine measures. One 3-gallon measure. One set steel stamps. (January to December.) One measure for trying charcoal baskets. 6 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 63. One yard measure. One vice. One anvil. One spirit level. One drill stock and drills. Two hammers. Two mallets. One soldering iron. One tool bag. Two brands marked (Boston Sealer.") One coal-hod. One shovel. One poker. Two tables. One wrench. One dust-pan. One water-pail. One try frame. One copy City Ordinance. One copy Boston Directory. One B. W. desk. One inkstand. One sand box, &c. One pair cut nippers. Small quantity of shot. Small lot lead. Brushes, and Black varnish. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN D. CADOGAN, Sealer Weights and Measures, Southern District. |