CITY OF BOSTON AND THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1 8 7 5-7 6. (No. 61 of THE SERIES.) MAY 1, 1875, TO APRIL 30, 1876. (BOTH INCLUDED.) CITY OF BOSTON. IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, May 8, 1876. Ordered, That the Annual Report of the Auditor of Accounts, for the financial year 1875–76, be submitted in print, and that five thousand five hundred copies thereof be printed; that three thousand eight hundred copies be retained in the custody of the Auditor, at City Hall, for distribution, and that the remainder be placed in the several Police Station Houses, also for distribution; and further, that public advertisement be made of the fact, in the newspapers, that said reports have been placed in the Auditor's Office, City Hall, and in the several Police Station Houses, for distribution, where the citizens may obtain them on application. Read twice and passed. Sent down for concurrence. May 18, came up concurred. Approved by the Mayor, May 19, 1876. A true copy. Attest: JOHN T. PRIEST, Assistant City Clerk. OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR OF ACCOUNTS, TO THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL: Gentlemen, The undersigned, Auditor of Accounts, conforming to the requirements of the ordinance in relation to Finance, has the honor of presenting his annual report of the receipts and expenditures of the CITY OF BOSTON and COUNTY OF SUFFOLK for the financial year 1875-76, commencing May 1, 1875, and terminating April 30, 1876. The exhibit of the financial condition of the city, taken as a whole, is a very satisfactory one, and it can be looked upon with pride by our citizens that they have met the requirements of taxation so promptly in view of the many burdens which have been placed upon them during the past three years of stagnation in business and shrinkages of property. The credit of the city has been maintained at every point. and never has been higher in the market-its debts being paid at maturity with no renewals - purchases of debt made with revenue before becoming due and the certificates cancelled — the borrowing of money avoided when at all practicable provisions made for the future; and with economy and strict scrutiny of expenditures in the carrying on of the government, it is believed that the burden to be borne will be hereafter somewhat lightened without detriment to the city's welfare. To free our municipality of all debt, thereby relieving taxation of paying interest thereon, now annually amounting to rising $2,600,000, " is a consummation devoutly to be wished." The issue of new loans during the year was in amount |