USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 154
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" The position of police officer is one of great responsibility, calling for courage, judgment, sobriety, and bonesty, and no such force can be made effective unless barmony prevails among its members ; they should know no party, no friend, no foe; know and obey only the call of duty in the execution of all laws, firmly yet fairly and impartially. As a force it is strong. being clothed with the authority of the law, yet weak and inefficient without the support of the people.
"Tbe position wbicb our new city takes on the question of license for the sale of intoxicating liquors is positive and plain, and indicates not only a desire but a purpose to curtail this traffic, which has been a discredit to our people, and a reproach upon the good name of our town. I trust, with this expression of the popular will and with officers who should be in sympathy with the execution of the liquor as well as all other laws, that our first year's history as a city shall not be marred by tbe con- tinuance of this evil, which now so threatens our welfare.
"The bonded debt of the city, Dec. 31, 1881, was as follows :
" School-bonse loan, 1871. $30,000.00
Water loan, 1878.
30,000.00
Brockton water loan, 1879. 120,000.00
Brockton water loan, 1880 .. 50,009.00
Total $236,000.00
"Of the water Joan of 1880, about $10,000 remains unex- pended. Considering the demand which a rapid growth like oure makes npon the treasury for the construction of water- works, for the building of new roads, and the widening and im- proving of the old, for the support and improvement of a fire department, for the building of new school-houses, and tbe many other expensive luxuries which a city implies, we ought to congratulate ourselves that our burden of debt is so light, and yet it ought not now to be increased unless urgent necessity requires.
" In conclusion, I congratulate you that our business interests have been prospered the past year, that in substantial growtb the past has far exceeded that of any previous year in our bis-
tory. Go in whatever direction you will, cosy and comfortable dwellings and business structures are to be seen in process of erection. Many have thus provided themselves with bomes the past year, and doubtless many more will find homes and ein- ployment witbin our borders during the year to come. And now that the horizon of our city's future is clearing of the smoke of the recent municipal campaign, do we not discover rising oe- fore us interests against which those of party weigh as nothing ; interests which are dear alike to every citizen of Brockton ? And does not the outlook reveal to you the necessity for harmony in council, zeal for the promotion of whatever is best calculated to secure and advance the welfare of all its citizens, for economy in expenditure, and fidelity to true business principles in the management of its business affairs? Gentlemen of the City Council, to your hands do the people of this city 'commit this trust.' "
After the conclusion of his address, the mayor, in a few fitting words, introduced Governor Long, who was grected with enthusiastic applause, and said,-
GOVERNOR LONG'S ADDRESS.
" I should think it fitting for the governor of Massachusetts to be present in any case when a part of one of her ancient towns takes on the form of a city. But to-day I come not merely in an official capacity, representing the commonwealth, but as an Old Colony descendant, and a resident of Plymouth County, to witness the inauguration of the first mayor elected within her borders. It is an event which, transforming your town into a city of 15,000 inhabitants, with a valuation of nearly $7,000,000, marks the rapid growth and the centring of great manufacturing and business interests. It is a cause at once of pride and of solicitude-pride in the swift progress of which it is a mark, and solicitude for the welfare of those whom it will bereafter concern. A city is not a result : it is simply a means,-the means by which the convenience of its citizens, no longer promoted by the old forms, seeks new oncs. For the town-meeting, in which every voter has a voice, it substitutes a system of representation, and removes the administration of affairs one step further from the people. Its risks are those of less economy, and the tendency to let the public interest drift out of the public scrutiny into the hands of selfish combinations. I congratulate you, Mr. Mayor, my former associate in the House of Representatives, upon tbe great honor of being the first to bold the office, which you owe to your integrity and high char- acter, and which has just been so gracefully transferred to you by the chairman of the retiring board of selectmen ; and I con- gratulate the city of Brockton upon starting with so excellent a government in all its branches. But the history of all cities warns us that the time is almost certain to come in future years when, with the attention of your citizens withdrawn from public affairs, they will wake to find themselves afflicted with the same evils tbat have befallen their older sisters. There will then be overturn and renewed popular interest and added safeguards, and all will of course be well again. All progress and perfect- ing come from discipline. Meantime, however, let tbe lessons of otber municipalities warn us of the necessity of constant vigilance, of prudence in expenditure, of bolding officials. to sharp accountability, and of sustaining them when they assume the responsibility and do right in spite of all obstacles, of fear- less independence in city affairs, of electing only true men, and of the application of business principles. Then shall we have the full benefit of the advantages of the city system,-tbe growth, the activity, the generous abundance, tbe wbolesome amusements, the literary culture, the schools, the churches, the balls, tbe charities, the great life of a great, well-governed, and
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
well-governing body of people. Then shall he be worthy of the Old Colony, worthy of our ancient Plymouth County, worthy of its commonwealth, worthy of grand old Bridgewater, a town unsurpassed in the worth of its stock of men, in the character of its people, in the contributions it has made to every depart- ment of the intolligent progress of Massachusetts. In this hope, and with the most cordial interest in this occasion, and in the opening future of the new city of Brockton, I bring to it and to you and its citizens, for the commonwealth and myself, a happy New Year, and many a happy New Year following this."
The mayor then introduced Bradford Kingman, Esq., the historian, who had prepared an elaborate account of the town from its first settlement, contain- ing much new and interesting material concerning the growth and prosperity of the old town of Bridgewater, showing its relations to the " Old Colony of Plymouth," but owing to sudden illness was unable to proceed with his address.
Hon. Matthew H. Cushing, of Middleboro', mem- ber of the Executive Council, was introduced, and made an extremely happy and pleasant speech. He said he took great pleasure in being present at the first inauguration ceremonies of the oldest city in Plymouth County, though the youngest in the con- monwealth, and he extended the heartiest congratu- lations of himself and his town. He was glad the town had not hastened to put off the childish gar- ments of town government and assume the dignities of a city. He loved the old town-meeting, which had fitly been termed the poor man's congress, in which he could vote as liberal a supply for the educa- tion of his children as the man who pays the largest taxes. He was glad the town had allowed itself to develop till it had grown too populous for the town system, and was obliged to take on the larger form of government. He compared Brockton with Southern towns, where abundant water privileges were running to waste, while in Brockton the people not only used all their water, but most of it to make steam, and he believed their water board had urged them not to use too much of it as a beverage! This, however, he understood to be a matter of economy. He eom- pared the growth of Broekton with that of Middle- boro', and repeated that Middleboro' sends to Broek- ton her kindliest greetings.
The band played a lively galop, and before it was finished Congressman Harris came in, and was greeted with applause. As soon as the music was ended, Hou. Benjamin W. Harris, member of Congress, was then introduced by Mayor Keith, and said he had not come to make a speech, and if he had he couldn't very well, as he had just driven over in the cold from East Bridgewater, and had not fully thawed out. He congratulated the new city on her present prosperity
and future prospects, and said that she had a right to be proud, but we on the borders must not be ignored. We were a part of the same ancient Bridgewater. Only as long ago as 1700 Brockton had not an inhabitant in her territory. She settled her first minister in 1780, over a congregation of twenty-five members. He did not want to imply that Brockton was not entitled to honor, but to show that while be- hind at the start, she was ahead of all her sister towns at the present time. All are proud of it. He al- luded to the slow increase of population up to 1860, and showed how it had inereased with rapid strides, till in 1880 it had reached thirteen thousand six hundred and eight, and was now God knows how many. It was like a city rising out of the dust, and few towns even in the West have had an equal growth in ten years. He begged the citizens of Broekton in their just pride not to forget those who are of kin and participate in the benefits of their progress. He told them that, having thrown off the form by which cvery individual participated in the government, they had reached a point where they could exercise a power and control over municipal affairs no less important, and even more responsible. He referred to the prosperity of the nation, and said there were a thousand municipalities rising as great aud happy as Brockton in the general prosperity. The country was at peace, and had no army, no navy, -if we need one. He had a notion that when we put the navy on wheels we should bring it to Broek- ton, where everything on wheels goes well. He eon- tinued for some time, finally exhorting the people to be always what they are to-day,-happy, rich, pros- perous ; he knew that they would be distinguished for education, refinement, and intelligence, and that they would continue in the future as they have been in the past, a law-abiding, country-loving people.
The mayor then announced that the invited guests would be served to a collation in the theatre building at twelve o'clock, and the large audience dispersed to music by the band. The collation, which was served up in McLeod's best style, was partaken of by about sixty of the invited guests, including Congressman Harris and others, and was an extremely enjoyable affair.
A("T TO ESTABLISH THE CITY OF BROCKTON.
Be it enacted, d.c., as follows :
Skor. 1. The inhabitants of tho town of Brockton shall oon- tinno to bo a body politio and corporato undor tho namo of the City of Brockton, and as snoh shall havo, exoroise, and onjoy all tho rights, immunities, powers, and privileges, and shall bo subject to all tho dutios and obligations, now inoumbont upon and portaining to the said town as a municipal corporation.
SEcr. 2. Tho administration of al tho fiscal, prudential, and
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
737
municipal affairs of the said city, with the government thereof, shall be vested in one officer, styled the mayor, one council of seren to be called the board of aldermen, and oue council of twenty-one to be called the common council, which boards, in their joint capacity. shall be denominated the city council; and the members thereof shall be sworn to the faithful performance of their respective duties. A majority of each board shall con- stiinte a quorum for the transaction of business, and no mem- ber of either board shall receive any compensation for his services.
SECT. 3. The election of city and ward officers shall take place on the Tuesday next after the first Monday of December of each year : and the municipal year shall begin on the first Monday of January following.
SECT. 4. It shall be the duty of the selectmen of said town, as soon as may be after the passage of this act and its accept- ance as herein provided, to divide said town into seven wards. so that they shall contain, as nearly as may be consistent with well defined limits to each ward, an equal number of voters in each ward, which division may be revised by the city council within four years from the passage hereof. The city council may, in the year eighteen hundred and eighty-five and in every fifth year thereafter, make a new division of said wards, so that they shall contain, as nearly as may be consistent with well de- fined limits to each ward, an equal number of voters in each ward, according to the census to be taken in the months of May or June in said years.
SECT. 5. On the Tuesday next after the first Monday of De- cember, annnally, there shall be elected by ballot, in cach of said wards, a warden, clerk, and three inspectors of elections, who shall be different persons, residents in the ward, who shall hold their offices one year, and until others are chosen and quali- fied in their stead. Said wardens shall preside at all ward meetings with the power of moderators in town meetings, and if at any meeting the waren is not present the clerk shall pre- side until a warden pro tempore is elected by ballot; if both the warden and clerk are absent, the senior in age of the in- Epectors present shall preside nntil a warden pro tempore is elected ; and if all said officers are absent any legal voter in Eaid ward may preside nntil a warden pro tempore is elected. When any ward officer is absent, or neglects to perform his duty, his office shall be filled pro tempore. The clerk shall record all the proceedings and certify the votes, and deliver to his succes, tor in office all such records and journals, together with all other documents and papers held by him in his said capacity. The inspectors shall assist the warden in receiving, assorting, and counting the votes. All said officers shall be sworn to a faith- ful discharge of their duties : said oath to be administered by the clerk to the warden, and by the warden to the clerk, and to the inspectors, or to either of said officers by any justice of the peace; a certificate of such oath shall be made by the clerk npon the ward records. All warrants for meetings of the citi- zen: for municipal purposes shall be issued by the mayor and aldermen, and shall be in ønch form, and served and returned in such manner and at such times as the city council shall di- rect. The compensation of the ward officere shall be fixed by concurrent vote of the city council.
SECT. 6. The mayor and aldermen are authorized, when no convenient ward room for holding ward meetings of the citizens of either of the warde of the city can be had within the terri- torial limite of such ward, to appoint and direct, in the warrants for calling the ward meetings of such wards, the said meetings to be held in some convenient and proximate place within the limite of any other of the warde of said city ; and for such pur- poses the place so assigned for the meeting of such ward shall be deemed and taken to be included in and part of said ward, as though the same was within the territorial limits thereof.
SECT. 7. The mayor shall he elected by and from the qualified voters of the city at large, voting in their respective wards, and shall hold his office for the muuicipal year next following his election, and uutil another shall he elected and qualified in his płace.
SECT. S. Que alderman and three common councilmen shall be elected by and from the voters of each ward, and shall at the time of their election be residents of the wards respectively in which they are elected; they shall hold their offices for the municipal year next following their election, and until a ma- jority of the new board shall he elected and qualified in their places.
SECT. 9. On the Tuesday next after the first Monday of De- cemher, aunually, the qualified voters in the several wards shall give iu their votes hy ballot for mayor, aldermen and common councilmen, in accordance with the provisions of this act, and all the votes so given shall be assorted, counted, declared and recorded in open ward meeting, by causing the names of per- sous voted for, and the numher given for each, to he written in the ward record at length. The clerk of the ward, within twenty-four hours thereafter, shall deliver to the persons elected members of the common council certificates of their election, respectively, signed by the warden and clerk and a majority of the inspectors of elections, and shall deliver to the city clerk a copy of the record of such elections, certified in like manner : prorided, however, that if the choice of members of the common council shall not be effected ou that day in any ward, the meet- ing in such a ward may be adjourned from time to time to com- plete such election. The board of aldermen shall within ten days thereafter examine the copies of the records of the several wards certified as aforesaid, and shall cause the person who shall have been elected mayor to be notified in writing of his election ; but if it shall appear that there is no choice, or if the person elected shall refuse to accept the office, the board shall issue warrants for a new election, and the same proceedings shall be had in all respects as are herein before provided for the election of mayor, and from time to time shall be repeated until a mayor shall be elected aud shall accept said office. In case of the deccase, resignation or absence of the mayor, or of his inability to perform the duties of his office, it shall he the duty of the board of aldermen and common council, respect- ively, by vote, to declare that a vacancy exists, and the cause thereof; and thereupon the two boards shall meet in conven- tion and elect a mayor to fill such vacancy ; and the mayor thus elected shall hold his office until the inability causing such vacancy shall be removed, or until a new election. Each alder- man shall be notified in writing of his election by the mayor and aldermen for the time being. The oath prescribed by this act shall be administered to the mayor by the city clerk, or by any justice of the peace. The aldermen and common council- men elect shall on the first Monday of January, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, meet in convention, when the oath required by this act shall be administered to the members of the two boards present, by the mayor, or by any justice of the peace, and the certificate of such oath having been taken shall be en- tered on the journal of the mayor and aldermen and of the com- mon council by their respective clerks. And whenever it shall appear that a mayor has not been elected previous to the first Monday of January aforesaid, the mayor and aldermen for the time being shall make a record of that fact, an attested copy of which the city clerk shall read at the opening of the conven- tion to be held as aforesaid. After the oath has been adminis- tered as aforesaid, the two boards shall separate, and the com- inon council shall be organized by the choice of a president and clerk, to hold their offices respectively during the pleasure of the common council, the clerk to be under oath faithfully to
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perform the duties of his said office, and his compensation shall be fixed by concurrent vote of the city council. In case of the absence of the mayor elect on the first Monday of January, or if the mayor shall not then have been elected, the city council shall organize itself in the manner herein before provided, and may proceed to business in the same manner, as if tho mayor was present; and the oath of office may, at any time thereafter, in convention of the two boards, be administered to the mayor and any member of the city council who may have been absent at the organization. The board of aldermen may choose a president who shall preside at all meetings of the board and in joint convention of the city council in the ahsence of the mayor. Each board shall keep a record of its proceedings and judge of the election of its own members; and in case of failure of elec- tion, or in case of vacancy declared by either board, the mayor and aldermen shall issue their warrant for a new election.
SECT. 10. The mayor shall be the chief executive officer of the city. He shall enforce the laws and regulations of the city, and have a general supervision of all the subordinate officers. And he may, whenever in his opinion the public good may require, remove, with the consent of the appointing power, except as provided in section twelve, any officer over whose appointment he has, in accordance with the provisions of this charter, exer- cised the power of nomination. He may call special meetings of the boards of aldermen and common council, or either of them, when in his opinion the interests of the city require it, hy causing notice to be left at the usual place of residence of each member of the board or boards to be convened. He shall, from time to time, communicate to both boards such informa- tion and recommend such measures as the business and inter- ests of the city may in his opinion require. He shall preside in the board of aldermen, and in convention of the two boards. His salary for the first five years, under this charter, shall he fixed by the city council, but shall not exceed the sum of five hundred dollars per annum. Afterwards it shall be fixed by the concurrent vote of the city council. It shall he payable at stated periods, but shall not at any time be increased or dimin- ished during the year for which he is chosen. He shall receive no other compensation.
SECT. 11. Every ordinance, order, resolution or vote to which the concurrence of the board of aldermen and of the common council may he necessary, except on a question of a convention of the two hranches or the election of an officer, and every order of either branch of the city council involving the expenditure of money, shall be presented to the mayor. If he approves thereof he shall signify his approval by signing the same; but if he does not approve thereof, he shall return the ordinance, order, resolution or vote, with his objections in writing, to the branch of the eity council in which it originated. Such hranch shall enter the objections of the mayor at large on its records, and proceed to reconsider said ordinance, order, resolution or vote; and if, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that hranch, present and voting, notwithstanding such objections, agree to pass such ordinance, order, resolution or vote, it shall, together with the ohjections of the mayor, be sent to the other branch of the city council, if it originally required concurrent action, where it shall also he reconsidered ; and if approved by two-thirds of the members present and voting, it shall be in force; but in all eases the vote shall be determined by yeas and nays; and if such ordinanec, order, resolution or vote is not re- turned by the mayor within ten days after it has been pre- sented to him, the same shall be in foree.
SECT. 12. The executive power of said city generally and the administration, with all the powers heretoforc vested in the selectmen of Brockton, shall be vested in and may be exercised hy the mayor and aldermen as fully as if the same were herein
specially enumerated. The mayor and aldermen shall have full and exclusive power to appoint a constable or constables, and a city marshal and assistants, with the powers and duties of eonstables, and all other police officers, any of whom the mayor may remove, and fill the vacancy or vacancies so made, by appointment ; but at the next meeting of the board of alder- inen he shall nominate as provided in this act. And the mayor and aldermen may require any person, wbo may be appointed marshal or constable of the city, to give bonds for the faithful discharge of the duties of the office, with such security and to sucb amount as they may deem reasonable and proper, upon which bonds the like proceedings and remedies may be had as aro hy law provided in case of constables' bonds, taken by the selectmen of towns. The compensation of the police and other subordinate officers shall be fixed by concurrent vote of the city council.
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