USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Municipal history of the town and city of Boston during two centuries : from September 17, 1630, to September 17, 1830 > Part 28
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Besides, why is it not as true, in affairs of police as of agri- culture, that " the eye of the master does more work than both his hands."
If those who made these objections intended "by doing every thing," that he has been obstinate, wilful, or overbearing in respect of those with whom he has been associated, I cheerfully appeal to you, gentlemen, how willingly, on all occasions, he has yielded his opinion to yours ; and how readily he has sub- mitted whatever he has written to your corrections. If he took upon himself generally the character of draughtsman of reports, it was because your labors were gratuitous, and for his a salary was received. It was because he deemed it but just, that the " hireling" should bear the heat and burden, both of the day and the labor.
Great assiduity and labor did appear to him essential requi- sites to the well performance of duty in that office. He could not persuade himself that the intelligent and industrious com- munity which possess this metropolis could ever be satisfied in' that station with an indolent, selfish, or timid temper, or with any one possessed of a vulgar and criminal ambition.
I cannot refrain, on the present occasion, from expressing the happiness with which I now yield this place to a gentleman 1 possessing so many eminent qualifications; whose talents will enable him to appreciate so readily the actual state of things ; who will be so capable of correcting what has been amiss; changing what has been wrong; and of maintaining what has been right. May he be happy! and long enjoy the honors and the confidence his fellow-citizens have bestowed !
And now, gentlemen, standing as I do in this relation for the last time, in your presence and that of my fellow-citizens, - about to surrender forever a station full of difficulty, of labor, and temptation, in which I have been called to very arduous duties, affecting the rights, property, and at times, the liberty of others, concerning which, the perfect line of rectitude, though desired, was not always to be clearly discerned, - in which great
1 Harrison Gray Otis.
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interests have been placed within my control, under circumstan- ces in which it would have been easy to advance private ends and sinister projects; under these circumstances, I inquire, as I have a right to inquire, - for, in the course of the recent contest, insinuations have been cast against my integrity, in this long management of your affairs, whatever errors have been commit- ted, and, doubtless, there have been many, - have you found in me any thing selfish, any thing personal, any thing mercenary ?
In the simple language of an ancient seer, I say, " Behold, here I am. Witness against me. Whom have I defrauded ? Whom have I oppressed ? At whose hands have I received any bribe ? "
Six years ago, when I had the honor first to address the City Council, in anticipation of the event which has now occurred, the following expressions were used : - " In administering the police, in executing the laws, in protecting the rights and pro- moting the prosperity of the city, its first officer will be necessa- rily beset and assailed by individual interests ; by rival projects ; by personal influences ; by party passions. The more firm and inflexible he is in maintaining the rights and in pursuing the interests of the city, the greater is the probability of his becom- ing obnoxious to the censure of all whom he causes to be prose- cuted or punished ; of all whose passions he thwarts; of all whose interests he opposes."
'The day and the event have come. I retire, -as in that first address I told my fellow-citizens, "if, in conformity with the experience of other republics, faithful exertions should be fol- lowed by loss of favor and confidence," I should retire, - "rejoie- ing, not indeed with a public and patriotic, but with a private and individual joy ; for I shall retire with a consciousness, weighed against which all human suffrages are but as the light dust of the balance."
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CHAPTER XIX. CITY GOVERNMENT. 1829.
HARRISON GRAY OTIS, Mayor.1
Circumstances recalling the Mayor from Private Life - Tribute to his Prede- cessors - Views concerning the City Debt - On the Supply of Pure Water - The Importance of Railroads -- Political Relations of the State and Union - Flats to the Eastward of the New Market - Attempts to authorize Inspectors to place Names on the Voting Lists - Tribute to the Directors of the House of Industry - Chief Engineer of the Fire Department appointed - Resigna- tion of all the Assistant Engineers - Petitions to extend Wharves to the Channel - Relief to Sufferers by Fire in Georgia - Petitions for a General Meeting of Citizens on Railroads, and for a Grant of Land for their Accom- modation.
ON the fifth of January, 1829, the organization of the city government was this year transferred from the chamber of the Common Council to Faneuil Ilall; it being the era of a new administration of its affairs. After the usual solemnities, the Mayor delivered, in the presence of a large assembly of citizens collected on the occasion, the following inaugural address : -
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL : -
NOTHING could be more unexpected by me than the circum- stances by the result of which I find myself in this place. After nearly thirty years of occupation in public affairs, with but short intermissions, I resigned my seat in the National Legislature with an intense desire, and, as I thought, unalterable purpose of passing the few years that might remain for me, in a private sta- tion. The objects for which I became a humble actor in the political scene were attained. The tempest which uprooted the
1 The whole number of votes cast were 4,546, of which Mr. Otis received 2,977.
The Aldermen were, -Henry J. Oliver, John T. Loring, Samuel T. Arm- strong, Benjamin Russell, Thomas Kendall, James Hall, Winslow Lewis, and Charles Wells. Eliphalet Williams was President of the Common Council.
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institutions of the Old World had subsided. The broils which had agitated and endangered our own country, and kept the minds of all who took part in them in a state of discomfort were extinguished. The constitution was preserved, the government wise, and the people happy. Opportunity had been afforded of supporting, by my feeble aid, an administration which, under a different aspect of affairs, I had opposed. The public favor and confidence, both in measure and duration, had exceeded my esti- mate of my own pretensions ; and though it was not to be dis- sembled that this favor was in the wane, I carried into retirement the consolation that if my services had not been valuable, neither had they been expensive to my country ; as I had never sought nor lingered long in any office of emolument. And I indulged the hope that, having done nothing to forfeit the approbation of my friends, the rigorous judgment formed of my conduct by those from whose political system I had formerly the misfortune to dissent, would not follow me beyond the tomb, and that the candid and charitable portion of them would not finally withhold from my motives and intentions the justice which I have never been con- sciously backward to render to theirs. From this retirement I have been called by my fellow-citizens for a short season, under circumstances which make it a duty to obey their will. Their invitation was the more grateful as it was spontaneous. And great indeed will be my gratification, if, by cooperating with you, I shall be considered as having, in any reasonable measure, reqnited a demonstration of good-will from my fellow-citizens so flattering and honorable to me.
It is now my province, and it will soon become my duty to communicate to you such information as may be requisite, and to recommend such measures as may seem to be conducive to the best interest of our city. But I stand merely upon the thresh- old of an office, with the interior of which most of you are more familiar than myself. I can touch only upon general topies, assuring you, however, that I will apply my entire time and attention to master the business of this department, and to apprise you of such details as you have a right to expect. And the utmost exertion of my faculties shall not be wanting in con- stant and united effort to cherish and extend the prosperity of the interesting concerns committed to our charge. It is indeed fortunate for us all, that the administration of this department
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has hitherto been conducted under the auspices of those, whose different qualifications were eminently adapted to the varying exigencies of the station which they successively occupied. The novel experiment of city government was. commenced by your first lamented Mayor with the circumspection and delicacy which belonged to his character, and which were entirely judicious and opportune. He felt and respected the force of ancient and honest prejudices. His aim was to allure, not to compel; to reconcile by gentle reform, not to revolt by startling innovation ; so that while he led us into a new and fairer creation, we felt ourselves surrounded by the scenes and comforts of home. His successor entered upon office with the characteristic energy of his distinguished talents. He felt that the hour had arrived for more radical reformation, and that the minds of the citizens were ripe for greater change and more permanent improvements, and he devoted an assiduity that can never be surpassed, to a deve- lopment and application of the resources of the city, which have materially contributed to its ornament, comfort, health, accom- modation, and in all respects lasting advantage. We are sur- rounded on all sides with the monuments of this enterprising, disinterested zeal .. But they could not be consummated without expense. This affords to. some a serions subject of speculation on the future, and to others of complaint. But, after such cur- sory examination of the state of our finances, as time and oppor- tunity have enabled me to make, since I found it to be a duty, I perceive indeed the necessity of strict economy, but no just cause for uneasiness or complaint. Doenments just made pub- lic, show the outstanding, funded debt (after deducting the amount of good and convertible securities) is about six hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars. For the gradual extinguish- ment of this debt, provision is made by standing regulations, appropriating fifteen thousand dollars annually from the city tax; the balances in the treasury at the end of the year, moneys arising from the sales of real estate, and payments made on account of the principal of bonds and notes. This process may be accelerated at your pleasure, by providing for a more rapid sale of the city lands. A subject on which I will be better pre- pared than I am at this moment to give an opinion. 'The appro- priation for the expense of the current financial year, which begins in May, was three hundred and twenty-eight thousand, .
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six hundred and twenty-five dollars, of which the assessed taxes constitute an amount of two hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars. It is not perceived, at present, that this sum can be diminished. But while unceasing attention is due to the devis- ing of ways and means for alleviating taxes, there is encourage- ment to presume, that if this cannot be effected by lessening the nominal amount, an increasing population and resources, by bringing to the support of the burden a greater contribution of strength, will diminish its pressure on the individual.
In relation to the debt itself, it should be remembered that we retain, in a great measure at least, the value received. Our money has not evaporated in airy speculations, or been lavished in corrupt expenditures. Works of permanent utility have been established. The Market House, House of Industry, Prison, Schools, and other substantial monuments have been erected. Our crooked paths have been made strait, and widened, and new avenues have been opened. The benefit of these and of some other improvements will extend to many generations yet to come, and those which immediately succeed should be con- tent to share a fair apportionment of the equivalent paid, should it be necessary or convenient to procrastinate a total redemption of the debt. It is possible that the scale on which some of these improvements were projected is somewhat in anticipation of future exigencies. But it is doubtful whether great plans, with- out this ingredient, would deserve to be regarded as improve- ments, supposing the city destined to advance in prosperity. Ou the other supposition, no great plan would, in fact, be an improvement, for noue such should be undertaken. If a market would barely accommodate those who resort to it this year, inconvenience would arise the next year. The same remark is applicable to school houses, streets, and, in a degree, to all pub- lic buildings. We must proceed (certainly with discretion) on the presumption that population and wealth have not come to a stand; and if none of us would now be ready to surrender these appendages in return for the price of the purchase, that consideration should go far towards reconciling us to the condi- tions on which we have obtained them.
From the great improvements which were required by the necessities of the city, two inconveniences have arisen which were unavoidable, and will, it is believed, be temporary. First,
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a sudden transfer of value from some parts of the city to others, by which the proprietors of old estates have been injured, while, by the increase of accommodation beyond the demand, the pur- chasers of the new have failed to realize the fair profits of their investments. Secondly, the city became a purchaser of lands to sell again, and thus far a competitor with individuals in private enterprise. Probably, therefore, the time has come when pru- dence may recommend a pause from great and expensive attempts, and it may be incumbent on us who are intrusted with this year's administration, to look rather to the preserva- tion and completion of what has been finished or commenced, than to new undertakings. There is, however, wanting to the city a convenience of which, it is ventured to assert, it should never lose sight, - an abundant supply of wholesome water. The object has been placed before the City Council on a former occasion by my predecessor in striking relief; and I am free to avow my conviction of the correctness of the views by him exhibited in relation to it.
Another object, however, is lately brought into view by the spirit of the age we live in, the importance of which, if within the reach of the city, it would not be easy to exaggerate, -- a communication with the country by railway. This city, from its earliest foundation, has been advancing in a regular progression of populonsness and wealth. And though, in both these respects, it has not kept pace with other cities, yet the population has increased in a ratio sufficiently indicative of its prosperous tend- encies, and wealth continues to bear a greater proportion to population than is perhaps elsewhere to be seen. "So long as these advantages shall continue, the growth of our sister cities will furnish no cause of envy or regret. The time which has elapsed since the treaty of Chent, enables us to form a suthi- ciently correct estimate of the probable operation of cireum- stances on the interests of this city in any other period of peace of the same duration. We have experienced all the vicissitudes of business which arise from a transition from war to peace, and the efforts made by connerce, both external and internal, to adjust themselves to new positions, and to surmount the embar- rassments and consequences inseparable from such change. Among these, may be reckoned the fluetnation of trade with foreign countries, the perplexities growing out of their commer-
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cial regulations, and, on the whole, its sensible diminution. The effects of excessive exports and imports; the occasional drains and refluxes of specie ; the corresponding increase of the coasting trade; the alternation of scarcity and surplus in the money market, by the operation of the banking system ; the rise and progress of the manufacturing interests, and the variations in the employment afforded to the middling and laboring classes of our fellow-citizens. The result of these mutations proves the condition of our city to be sound and vigorous. Great fortunes are no longer accumulated ; but judicious enterprise and honest industry are generally rewarded by competent gain. The me- chanie is employed, and the laborer receives his hire. This state of things demands our highest gratitude to the Giver of all good, and justifies the inference, that if we can maintain our natural resources and connections, we shall find no cause for despond- ence. But it is not to be disguised, that these connections are menaced with interruptions and diversions, requiring exertion and vigilance to obviate their effects. All parts of the Union but New England are alive to the importance of establishing and perfecting the means of communication by land and water. The magic of raising states and cities in our country to sudden greatness, seems mainly to consist in the instituting of canals and railroads. The choice, therefore, is not left to us of reaping the fruits of our natural resources, and from abstaining from all part in these enterprises. The state and city must be up and doing, or the streams of our prosperity will seek new channels. We must preserve our intercommunication with each other and with our sister States by the methods which they adopt, or we shall be left insulated. Our planet cannot stand still, but may go backward without a miracle. The question will arise, and we must prepare to meet it, not whether railroads are sub- jects of lucrative speculation, but whether they be not indispen- sable to save this State and city from insignificance and decay. It would be quite premature to enlarge in a dissertation on par- ticulars connected with this subject. Unless the surveys and calculation of skilful persons employed in this business are falla- cious, there is no doubt that a railroad from this city to the Hudson may be made with no greater elevation in any part than is found between the head of Long Wharf and the Old State House; and that the income would pay the interest of
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the capital employed. Reports and documents from commis- sioners appointed by the Legislature, may, it is believed, be expected at an early day. Should they be as favorable as is anticipated, to the practicability of the undertaking, they will present to our citizens and to us materials for more grave consi- deration than can arise from any other subject. I will not trust myself to express the joy I should feel in ascertaining that the undertaking is not only feasible, but within the compass of the resources of the State or city, or of enterprising individuals, or of all united, and that they would be so applied. These feel- ings, however, will never, I trust, stimulate me to recommend measures that shall not have undergone and been found equal to sustain the closest scrutiny. It is now intended, merely by general allusion, to invite you to turn your thoughts to the sub- ject, and to familiarize yourselves to refleet upon the probable (I may say) certain effects of a communication which, by connect- ing this city with the Hudson, would open a market to the regions beyond it, and be realized in their immediate influence in every house, wharf, store, and workshop. Nor would the con- sequences be less propitious to the country through which it would pass ; converting its wastes into villages, its forests into fields, its fields into gardens, and the timber and granite of its mountains into gold. While, on the one side, public attention will be attracted towards facilitating intercourse by land, great advantages would result on the other, from an extended plan of steam navigation to Maine and to the British Provinces and to the Island of Nantucket. The apathy hitherto prevailing, in relation to this scheme, is unaccountable. But as the success of it can be expected only from individual enterprise, it is men- tioned merely for the sake of respectfully commending it to the patronage of your separate opinions and influence out of doors.
Gentlemen, I will now bespeak your indulgence for a few moments upon a matter which, though not directly appertaining to the municipal sphere, may not, when candidly weighed, be regarded as misplaced and unseasonable on this occasion. It is quite apparent to all our fellow-citizens, that the honor of the chair which I now occupy, is not the fruit of any party struggle. With the friends of former days, whose constaney can never be forgotten, others have been pleased to unite (and to honor me with their suffrages) who hold in high disapprobation the part I
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formerly took in political affairs. Their support of me on this occasion is no symptom of a change of their sentiments in that particular. I presume not to infer from it even a mitigation of the rigor with which my public conduct has been judged. But it is not presumptuous to take it for granted, that those who have favored me with their countenance on this occasion, confide in my sense of the obligation of veracity, and of the aggravated profligacy that would attend a violation of it, stand- ing here in the presence of God and my country. On this faith, I feel myself justified by circumstances to avail myself of this occasion, the first, and probably the last, so appropriate, that will be in my power, distinctly and solemnly to assert, that, at no time in the course of my life, have I been present at any meet- ing of individuals, public or private, of the many or the few, or privy to correspondence, of whatever description, in which any proposition, having for its object the dissolution of the Union, or its dismemberment in any shape, or a separate confederacy, or a forcible resistance to the goverment or laws, was ever made or debated ; that I have no reason to believe, that any such scheme was ever meditated by distinguished individuals of the old fede- ral party.
But, on the other hand, every reason which habits of intimacy and communion of sentiments with most of them afforded, for the persuasion that they looked to the remote possibility of such events as the most to be deprecated of all calamities, and that they would have received any serious proposal, calculated for those ends, as a paroxysm of political delirium. This statement will bear internal evidence of truth to all who reflect that among those men were some by the firesides of whose ancestors the principles of the Union and independence of these States were first asserted and digested; from which was taken the coal that kindled the hallowed flame of the Revolution; from whose ashes the American eagle rose into life. Others who had conducted the measures and the armies of that Revolution, - Solomons in council, and Samsons in combat. Others who assisted at the birth of the federal constitution, and watched over its infancy with paternal anxiety. And I may add, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that all of them regarded its safety and success as the best hope of this people, and the last hope of the friends of liberty throughout the world. Are treasonable, or dis-
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loyal plots or purposes, consistent with these relations ? It would seem to be hardly conceivable; yet it is possible. The lost archangels caballed and revolted against the government of heaven ; favorites, rioting in the sunshine of royal favor, have turned traitors to their king ; and republicans, sickening with the higher glory of the love and confidence of the people, have enslaved them to factions and sold them to tyrants. Such foul conspira- cies may have been in our time. But should they be credited without evidence proportioned to their probable enormity ? with- out doings as well as sayings ? without any evidence whatever ? Secret cabals and plots are the constant theme of suspicion and accusation in times of political excitement ; and they can be dis- affirmed only by the simple negation of the parties accused, until the proofs are addneed. Are unguarded slips of the tongue, or passionate invectives, proofs which ought to satisfy impartial minds ? Surely, it is not for the honor or prosperity of this city or of any party, that it should be stigmatized as the head-quar- ters, not of good principles, but of treasonable machinations. The discredit of the malaria once fixed would affect the reputa- tion of all. The distinction between leaders and led, so insult- ing to freemen who are supposed to come under the latter deno- mination, will not be recognized ; and if you are known to come from the infected district, those who hold their nostrils and avoid you will not stop to inquire, whether the plagne were in your own family.
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