USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 69
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.,
CHAPTER XXXIII.
CITY HALL.
Inception of the Undertaking -- Architect of the Building -- Laying of Corner Stone -- Order of Exercises-Mayor Ziba C. Keith's Address -- Grand Master Wells' Response -- Contents of Box in Corner Stone -- Proceedings at City Theatre -- Mayor Ziba C. Keith's Address-Congressman Elijah A. Morse's Address -- Dedication Day -- Parade -- Prayer by Rev. Mr. Warfield-Architect Minor Delivering the Keys of the New Build- ing -- Mayor John J. Whipple's Acceptance of the Trust -- Address by ex-Mayor Ziba Cary Keith -- Address by Gov. F. T. Greenhalge -- Banquet at the Agricultural Hall, Belmont Street-Memorial Dedication of Grand Army, Webster Post, No. 13 -- De- scription of Memorial Rotunda -- List of Volunteers from North Bridgewater, now Brockton.
"THE town of North Bridgewater was incorporated in 1821, but until to-day, through its varying fortunes, its growth and prosper- ity, and its change of name and form of government, has never had a home of its own. It has lived here and there, has been a sort of a tenement house dweller, as it were, and has changed its corporate abiding place from time to time as opportunity for better quarters was presented. This changing about was kept up until about some fifteen years ago, when upon the completion of the City block, rooms well adapted for municipal purposes were leased, and occupied by the city departments. The municipality now abandons its nomadic existence and settles down into a beautiful home of its own.
For upwards of twenty- five years there was occasional talk of erect- ing a town house, but nothing was ever done, and after the place took on a city form of government a city hall was frequently hinted at. The first formal move in the direction of the city having a home of its own was taken on January 23, 1888, under the administration of Mayor Wade. It was in the form of an order directing the joint standing committee on public property to consider the advisability of erecting a city hall, and report to the City Council in relation thereto with sug-
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CITY HALL.
gestions as to a location for the same. This was approved the follow- ing day.
On the 19th of March of the same year the committee to whom the matter was referred rendered a report, recommending the adoption of an order creating a joint special committee to consider the advisability of erecting and the proper location for a city hall, with instructions to visit other cities and obtain such information as might be of value in reference thereto. The report was accepted and the order passed. The committee appointed consisted of Aldermen Hall, Jackson and Thompson and Councilmen Crocker, Hayward, Porter and Woodward. This was approved March 31.
On December 17 the committee reported that in their judgment the city should soon take active measures to provide itself with adequate and proper accommodations for its several departments, and that the Centre School lot (the lot now occupied by the new City Hall) was the most available and proper site for such structure. The mayor was authorized to negotiate a loan of $100,000 for that purpose, payable within thirty years. On the 12th another order was passed, based upon this report, which authorized the mayor to petition the General Court for authority to borrow $60,000 for the purpose of providing a location and for building a City Hall. Alderman Gruver introduced this order, and it was approved December 26, 1888.
Nothing was done under this order and January 16, 1889, an order, signed by Edward Crocker, was passed, instructing the Mayor to petition the General Court for authority to borrow $100,000 for this purpose. This was approved by Mayor Wade January 28.
April 15, 1889, an order was passed creating a joint special commit- tee to select plans for a City Hall and report upon the proper location for such a building. The committee consisted of Aldermen J. P. Morse, Jackson and Hall ; Councilmen Crocker, A. P. Poole, Horace Kingman, French, Sweetser and Copeland. It was approved May 8. May 27 the committee was increased in number by adding Alderman Low and Councilmen C. H. Kingman and Zina Hayward. This com- mittee advertised for plans, and held many and some very exciting meetings. The matter was dallied with throughout the year. Towards the close of the year the plans presented by W. V. Howard were ac-
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
cepted, and he was awarded the first prize, the second prize being awarded to W. L. Minor. There was trouble after this. The alder- men refused the appropriation, and the project was defeated.
Under the administration of Hon. W. L. Douglas, in 1890, the City Hall project was lost sight of, the scheme for a Memorial Hall and a public library building occupying the attention of the City Council most of the year. In 1891 Mayor Keith again sat in the executive chair and under him the project was revived and progress made. April 27 of that year Alderman Ed. L. Emerson presented an order creating a joint special committee to consider the matter of a suitable lot for the City Hall, authority to build a building and make a loan of $100,000 having been granted by the Legislature during Mayor Wade's administration. On the 29th of June the committee reported, mentioning the First Church lot and the F. O. Howard lot, stating the price of the former to be about $107,500 and of the latter about $60,000. Following this came several months of discussion over a site for the proposed building, and in ad- dition to the lots named the School street lot and the A S. Porter lot were also considered. It seemed impossible for a majority of the city council to agree upon a site, and after numerous protracted sessions it was finally agreed to leave it to the people. Tuesday evening, the 29th of September, a public meeting was held under a warrant. Geo. M. Copeland was chosen moderator. It was voted that the question of a location for a City Hall be determined by ballot, and that a meeting for that purpose be held Saturday, October 3d. The meeting was held. The contest was between the present site of the City Hall and the F. O. Howard lot, where the Whipple-Freeman block now stands. Wards 6 and 7 cast majorities for the Howard lot, but the other five wards all favored the School street lot. The latter was chosen by a vote of 1213 to 733.
The question of location having been settled, the City Council on October 19 passed an order creating what has since been known as the City Hall committee of the whole. It was authorized to invite sealed proposals, and to contract for excavating, grading, wood, stone, iron and other material and labor required for the erection of the city build- ing, and also to report whether the purchase of any additional land would be necessary. On the 26th the committee recommended the
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CITY HALL.
purchase of the lot adjoining the School street lot, owned by Fred P. Richmond, for $9,500, and an order was passed under which the lot was purchased.
The committee of the whole created a sub-committee, and the two committees worked hard and laboriously for the next two months. Twenty-one plans were submitted and they were passed upon by the committee of the whole. The matter of choice finally dwindled down to the plans offered by Wesley L. Minor, of Brockton, and John Mer- ritt Brown of Boston; but owing to alleged defects found in Mr. Brown's plans those of Mr. Minor were accepted.
The plans then accepted were not those from which the present building was constructed, although the general style is the same. By request of the committee Mr. Minor elaborated his plans. The main building was made higher and the tower was carried up. With these changes the estimated cost was $138,000. The City Council who had got the project thus far along retired, after awarding the contracts for mason work, cut stone work and carpentering, but even when they went out it was very plain that the building would cost above the esti- mate.
The City Council of 1892, with Mayor Keith still in power, thought the building as intended would be a somewhat cheap affair and not as substantial as was deemed desirable. Several changes were made-not of design but of material-and all changes kept adding to the cost, the members being desirous that the building should be durable and sub- stantial.
THE ARCHITECT OF THE BUILDING.
Wesley Lyng Minor was born in Franklin, St. Mary's Parish, Louis- iana, on the 8th day of June, 1852, and has been a citizen of Bockton since 1882.
Since residing in Brockton Mr. Minor has constantly practiced his profession, and has built many of the finest dwellings of the town, in- cluding the residences of Caleb H. Packard, Ziba C. Keith, George E. Keith, Dr. E. E. Dean, G. J. Kingman, N. R. Packard and W. L. Douglas, the Washburn block, Home Bank and Bixby buildings, the Enterprise building and Daniel S. Howard's block. He also prepared
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
the plans for the Maxfield street school, the residences of C. E. Lee and Dr. Vermyne, in New Bedford; Broadway High school, Everett ; the Middleboro High school; the High school in Wichita, Kansas, and the present Brockton City Hall.
LAYING OF CORNER STONE.
An epoch of more than ordinary interest and significance in the annals of this city was reached on Monday, May 30, 1892, when, with cere- monies befitting the importance of the event, the corner stone of the young municipality's $315,000 city hall was lowered into place.
By invitation of the mayor the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, F. and A. M., took charge of the laying of the corner stone. Some twenty of the Grand Lodge officers came out at noon and dined at the Hotel Belmont. At 2 o'clock the Masonic organizations marched to the hotel and escorted the eminent visitors to the top of the Main street hill, where the line was formed and marched over Main and Belmont streets, Warren avenue, Wyman street, Main to High street in the fol- lowing order :
City Marshal Chase. Platoon of Police. Chief Marshal E. S. Powers and staff
Aids -- E. M. Low, J. P. Morse, J. P. Chipman, F. M. Dennie, W. R. Keith, A. E, Paine, F. L. Boyden, J. W. Brown. Martland's band. Cunningham Rifles, Co. I, M. V. M., 40 men, Capt. Charles Williamson. Brockton High School Cadets, 40 men, Capt. Joseph Hewitt. Fletcher Webster Post No. 13, G. A. R., 97 men, B E. Savery Commander. Bay State Commandery, K. P., 90 men, Geo. F. Walker, Eminent Commander. St. George Lodge, F. and A. M., 55 men. Paul Revere Lodge, F. and A. M., 95 men. Members of the city government in carriages. M. W. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, F. and A. M.
The first shovelful of earth thrown up in connection with the new building was raised December 20, 1891, by Charles L. McDermott, who held the contract for excavating and putting in the foundation. The cut stone men commenced work February II, 1892. All was in readi- ness for May, and on the 30th day of that month, Memorial day, it was
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CITY HALL.
laid with befitting ceremonies. The day was made a general holiday, and the exercises attendant upon laying the corner stone were largely attended. There was a parade, after which was the formal laying of the stone by M. W. Samuel Wells, grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the State of Massachusetts, which were carried out as follows :
Overture, Hymn,
Martland's Band
Sung by the Brockton Quartette
Great architect of earth and heaven, By time nor space confined,
While nature's works and science's laws We labor to reveal,
Enlarge our love to comprehend Our brethren, all mankind.
Oh! be our duty done to Thee With fervency and zeal.
Where'er we are, whate'er we do, Thy presence let us own
With FAITH our guide, and humble HOPE, Warm CHARITY and LOVE,
Thine eye. all-seeing marks our deeds, To thee all thoughts are known.
May all at last be raised to share Thy perfect light above
REQUEST OF THE CITY AUTHORITIES.
The request of the city authorities, taking the form of an address by Mayor Keith, is printed in full, and is as follows :
Ladies and Gentlemen :
The need of a permanent and convenient building for the use of the city govern- ment has furnished a prolific theme for recommendation and discussion during the ten years of cityhood now completed. Like all municipal enterprises of considerable im- portance its history forms an interesting chapter in our annals, and will be made the subject of brief reference at the present time.
It remained for the city government of 1889 to take the initial step in the direction of providing a city hall in the adoption of an order, approved January 28, 1889, pro- viding for petition to the General Court, asking authority to borrow $100,000, payable within thirty years, for the purpose of building a city hall. The history of that effort is an interesting chapter in the administration of Mayor Wade, who, be it said, labored with acknowledged ability and zeal for the consummation of the object, ably assisted by the voice and efforts of one of Brockton's most highly respected citizens, Hon. Edward Crocker, then a member of the Common Council. It was a question of ad- mitted necessity, but failure to agree upon a plan prevented its construction.
Clearly, then, to this administration belongs the credit of the iuception of this enter- prise. In 1890 no effort was made to revive the subject.
August 31, 1891, an order was introduced in the Board of Aldermen by Alderman Packard, providing for the erection of a city hall on the School street lot. The act of 1889 was made available by vote of the City Council, and an appropriation made of $100,000, said order having been approved October 21, 1891.
The City Council resolved itself into a committee of the whole, with a sub-com-
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
mittce to receive plans and specifications. These were submitted to the committee of the whole and were opened November 16. The first prize of $500 was awarded to W. L. Minor; the second, of $200, to Messrs. Walker & Son; and the third, $100, to J. Merrill Brown. Mr. Minor's plans being accepted and adopted, contracts were im- mediately advertised, and those for foundation wall, foundation, brick and rough car- penter work were awarded prior to December 31. Several changes in the original plans were found to be desirable and were consequently made. The limited time at the disposal of the Council of 1891 precluded the possibility of preparing full detail of plans and the procuring of contracts therefor. Immediately upon the organization of the Council of 1892 the work was resumed in the same manner as before, by a com- mittee of the whole. Finding the appropriation inadequate to the completion of the work a legislative act empowering the city to negotiate an additional loan of $50,000, payable in thirty years, was obtained, of which amount $30,000 has been appropriated and contracts approximating that amount placed. The work has been vigorously prosecuted to the present day, which, by action of the honorable City Council, has been designated as one befitting the ceremony of laying the corner stone with formal and appropriate ceremonies.
Most Worshipful Samuel Wells, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, with associate officers, have kindly consented to lay the head of the corner in the manner peculiar to ancient form. It gives me great pleasure to welcome them in behalf of the city of Brockton.
Most Worshipful Grand Master and associates: Having honored the people of the city by your presence for the purpose of laying the corner stone of this building, it is my pleasure to make request that you will now assume the direction of affairs, that the work may be properly accomplished.
Response,
By the Grand Master.
Grand Master Wells' address, which was eminently befitting the time and the place, was as follows :
Brethren of the Grand Lodge, Brother Masons and Citizens of Brockton :
To-day the citizens of this great country forsake their usual vocations, forget the cares and troubles of business, and with solemn music and drooping banners show re- spect for the patriotic dead who lost their lives in preserving the unity of the govern- ment of the United States. Such ceremonies are fitting and proper. It is also fitting and proper that we, standing here to establish the foundation of a civic home for the government by the people, should acknowledge what we owe, not only to the brave patriots whose loss we mourn but to all whose love of liberty has made it possible for us to meet here to-day in honor of free government. Let us be grateful, then, to the mighty men who established liberty of thought and action and whose brave words and deeds have enabled us to exercise that freedom, unrestrained except for the laws we make for our own guidance.
While we recognize the memories to which this day is consecrated it is yet permitted to us assembled here to lay this corner stone not only to think of those who have died for us, but to look forward to the future. We are celebrating the erection of a
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CITY HALL.
building which may be fitly termed a monument to freedom. Nowhere in the world has man yet established a form of government so free and beneficent as that existing in the United States of America. Of that freedom and beneficence this building is an expression.
Long ago you passed beyond the period of town life in which all your people assem- bled together to decide upon their interests. You became a city, with its varied depart- ments controlled by the representatives whom you yourselves elected. This city hall, whose corner-stone we lay to-day, is your pledge to the future, as it is the mark of your evolution from the historic principle of town government into that of municipal obligations and functions.
Here, then, in the future will meet the representatives of the people. Here will they consider and decide such questions of civic policy as may arise. Here will be the head of this body politic, controlling and governing the arms that shall reach out over the whole city.
From the history of your people, and the intelligence they have heretofore displayed in the management of their affairs and in promoting the growth of their business, we can surely hope that the rulers of this young city will be able to find remedies for the evils that still exist in municipal governments; that they will discover how to obtain efficient service from officers and employees; how to prevent improper influences from affecting the action of the governing board ; how to act for the good of the city as a whole, rather than for a favored portion ; in fine how to govern on business principles, and so become a model for like forms of government elsewhere.
The citizens of Brockton, and indeed of all large centres, have greater privileges and greater powers than ever have been possessed by citizens of any place in Europe; and yet municipal government with us is far from perfect.
Take this day, then, citizens of Brockton, as a further incentive to"your determina- tion to make your government so good that you will attract the admiration of other cities and teach them how to escape the evils that now perplex them.
"Then fix in Love's cement the heart ! Study and act the trowel's part ! Strive in the compass' span to live, And mutual concessions give Daily your prayers and alms bestow, As yonder light doth clearly show ; And, walking by the plummet just, In God your hope, in God your trust !"
Let the truth in these Masonic symbols be then your ambition and hope, and may success attend your efforts.
Reading of selections from the Scriptures, by W. and Rev. Wm. H. Monroe, Grand Chaplain.
Prayer,
By the Grand Chaplain. Reading of list of contents of the box by the grand treasurer, R. W. John Carr.
The copper box that was sealed into the corner stone contained a copy of the order of exercises at the laying of the stone ; addresses of 95
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Hon. E. A. Morse and Hon. Ziba C. Keith, mayor; copy of order ap- propriating $100,000 for City Hall; copy of order appropriating $30,000 ; copies of city reports from 1882 ; copies of reports of school committee ; new coins of 1892-$1, 50 cents, 25 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents, I cent; copies of Brockton Daily Enterprise and Despatch of May 28, 1892 ; copies of Boston Journal, Post, Advertiser, Herald and Globe of May 30, 1892; copy of warrant for town meeting, 1873 ; copy of History of North Bridgewater, Mass., 1866, presented by the author, Bradford Kingman, Esq., of Brookline, Mass., a native of the town; constitution of Grand Lodge, F. and A. M. of Massachusetts ; copy of proceedings of Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, F. and A. M., 1892 ; organization of Grand Lodge, 1892 ; list of lodges and of past and present members of Grand Lodge ; list of city officers, 1892 ; copy of charter and ordinances ; copy of rules and orders of City Council ; order of service, Memorial Sunday, at Central Methodist Church ; official programme of Fletcher Webster Post 13, G. A. R., Monday, May 10, 1892.
Application of the jewels to the corner stone. Libation of corn, by the Deputy Grand Master, R. W. Frank T. Dwinell
When once of old, in Israel, Our early brethren wrought with toil, Jehovah's blessing on them fell In showers of corn and wine and oil.
Libation of wine, by the Senior Grand Warden, R. W. Charles I. Litchfield
When there a shrine to Him alone They built, with worship, sin to foil, On threshold and on corner stone, They poured out corn and wine and oil.
Libation of oil, by the Junior Grand Warden, R. W. William H. H. Soule
And we have come, fraternal bands, With joy and pride and prosperous spoil, To honor him by votive hands With streams of corn and wine and oil.
Invocation by the Grand Chaplain, W. and Rev. Charles A. Skinner Presentation of working tools to architect, Address, Mr. Wesley L. Minor By the Grand Master Proclamation, by the Grand Marshal, W. Henry G. Jordan Hymn.
Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place, Through years of old and ages past ; And still Thy laws we seek to trace, On Thee our trust we humbly cast, Father of Light! Builder Divine! Behold our work, and make it Thine.
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CITY HALL.
Benediction,
Pilgrims' chorus, " Tannhauser," -- Wagner,
By the Grand Chaplain Martland's Band
The hymns and vocal responses in the ritual were well sung by a male quartette composed of L. Morton Packard, first tenor ; F. A. Dunham, second tenor; T. A. Norris, first bass ; and M. F. James, second bass. The band was heard to advantage, and Leader Mace Gay sounded the trumpet calls in the ritual.
It was just 3:40 P. M. when the corner stone sank into its bed of mortar. It was an hour later when the supplementary exercises began at the City Theatre, where a big audience had been waiting with some impatience.
The curtain went up and disclosed 250 pupils of the High and Gram- mar schools banked upon the stage on rising seats. It was so late that the band overture was omitted, and the young people, directed by Mr. J. E. Shepardson, teacher of music in the schools, and with Miss Sadie M. Perkins at the piano, let their voices ring out in Kellar's grand "American Hymn." Afterwards they sang "A Song for Our Banner," and joined with the band and audience in "America " as a finale. They were an important part of the afternoon's exercises and should feel a pride in having played their part in a memorable day's events. The male quartette sang " The Bright Sword of Liberty," and sang it well.
Mayor Keith and Congressman Elijah A. Morse of Canton, Hon. A. S. Pinkerton, president of the Massachusetts Senate, and ex-Mayors Wade and Whipple had seats upon the stage.
Mayor Keith's address was an able effort, and was well delivered.
President Pinkerton's address was strong and eloquent. His theme was " Government." The point he emphasized was that the govern- ments of the towns and cities were the vital forces that made or unmade the State and National governments. No man could be indifferent toward the government of his own town. It is the fountain from which the water of pure government flows. Brockton's City Hall should be made to mean what it symbolizes-a step forward in municipal life, and a new pledge to purity in State and National government.
And so the corner stone was laid.
The rain was the only drawback, and all who took any part in the ceremonies may congratulate themselves that the work was well done. The city committee having the affair in charge were Mayor Keith,
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Aldermen Crooker and Eldred, Councilmen Packard, McDonald and Poole.
The following address was delivered by His Honor Mayor Ziba C. Keith at the exercises in the City Theatre following the laying of the corner stone of Brockton's new city hall, last Monday : Fellow-Citizens :
We have assembled to-day and with fitting ceremony have swung into place the cor- ner stone of a structure which is hereafter to be dedicated to public uses. With trowel and cement we have sealed and deposited within this corner stone memorials containing a history of our past municipal life, with evidences of our phenomenal growth and pres- ent attainment. In yonder corner lies the irrevocable past in epitome -- the sealed story and statement rehearsing the efforts, and fruitful results of the life of our worthy an- cestors. On many an occasion we have sung their virtues ; and yet we would be un- grateful did we not again on this occasion repeat their praises. Could those lips be unsealed, methinks the song of Goldsmith would find utterance in these words :
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