USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1814 to 1822 > Part 22
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249
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821.
when taken in connection with all the great and wise purposes. which the Town has aimed to effect, in commencing this institu- tion.
In the expenditure of the money entrusted to them, your com- mittee have applied every principle of wise economy, the nature [426] of the undertaking justified. For this purpose, at one of their first meetings, they passed a vote, by which every member of the committee was precluded from having, directly, or indirectly, any concern or profit, in any contract, made under their authority ; intending thereby, to give to the Town a pledge, that no consideration, but those of the public service should influence any of their arrangements, or expenditures. The great principle, which has regulated all their proceedings in this respect, has been strength, durability and a permanent accommodation ; with out special regard to the gratification of taste, or to archi- tectural effect.
In relation to the economies and advantages to be anticipated from this establishment, your committee cannot close this report, without recurring to them, and recalling to the minds of their fellow citizens the nature and object of the institution. - Every consideration, which has occurred, in the progress of the work, has convinced your committee of its importance, its necessity and of its being indispensable to any hope, or to the success of any plan, for the improving the morals, or to ameliorating the condition of the poor. Under this conviction, they have not con- sidered it in the light of making a saving, in the [427] whole expenditures of the Town ; although they have no doubt, that it will ultimately produce this effect. Their view of the subject is of a broader cast, and of a more elevated character. They have deemed that an institution, such as the one proposed, destined to receive, restrain, and to employ, that unhappy portion of the community, who are degraded to the ranks of beggary, by vice. or idleness, is, in every society, a moral duty ; and in a republi- can form of government, is connected intimately with the very principle, on which its preservation depends. In such a form of government, the great object of attention is the character and condition of the mass of the community. Whatever tends to contaminate, to corrupt, or to demoralize the mass, has a direct effect, not only on the happiness and prosperity of a state, but also on its safety ; on the security of property, of life, and of liberty ; all of which are, in a republic, directly dependent upon the moral character and condition of the people.
The wise policy of our ancestors, from the earliest records of their history, made the establishment of work-houses indispen- sable. Owing to the smallness of their early population, and the consequent scantiness of poverty and crime, those institutions
250
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 128.
were put under the control of overseers of the poor. From which association, two, unhappy consequences, naturally, and inevitably resulted.
[428.] First, Almshouses became connected with the ideas of punishment and disgrace, not only in the eyes of the tenants, but also in those of the community. Hence arose a great reluctance, in the worthy and respectable poor, at becoming inmates ; and also a like reluctance, in overseers, to oblige such persons to become residents. From both causes the number of out-of-door pensioners has been increased; and of all modes of providing for the poor, this has been, every where, found, the most wasteful, and expensive; and the most encouraging of applications, to become pensioners, on the public bounty.
A second effect of this association was that as society increased, Almshouses became thronged with tenants, from idleness or vice ; who from the character of the institution, as charitable, claimed, and for the most part, obtained indulgence, as objects of pity, when their deserts were restraint and coercive employment, as being, in reality, objects of correction, and often of punishment.
In a society increased and rapidly increasing, like that of the capital of Massachusetts, your committee can have no question that an institution, like that now in progress, is, not only wise, but indispensable, and that its utility ought not, and cannot be tested by [429] any narrow scale of pecuniary expense and saving. Your committee have not, therefore, deemed themselves, as proceeding in this building and institution, as though it were an experiment, which, if it failed, might be abandoned, but on the contrary, with a conviction that it was an institution per- manent and perpetual in its nature, of which the Town ought never to be destitute; and in which, of consequence, they ought to have reference, in all their plans and arrangements to this, its real destination and character.
Whether the inmates of such an institution can best and most profitably be employed, on the land or in manufactures, is a question, in the opinion of some members of the community, problematical. And, although, your committee, from reflection and reasoning upon the subject, as well as from the success of other, similar institutions, in Massachusetts, are satisfied that employing them, in cultivating the earth, is the most healthy, the most conducive to moral habits, and the most economical, yet they have so arranged the plan and location of the establishment, as to be adapted to both, or to either, of these employments, as the experience of future times and the wisdom of the Town may decide.
All which is respectfully submitted. Josiah Quincy James Savage Henry J. Oliver
251
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821.
[430.] Francis Welsh William Thurston Samuel A. Wells David W. Child John French
Thomas Howe Abram Babcock Benjamin Rich John Bellows George Darracott
Boston 22ª October 1821 -
Voted, That the thanks of the town be given to the chair- man and members of the Committee for erecting a House of Industry, for the intelligent and able manner, in which they have conducted the business entrusted to them, and that they be requested to proceed in the undertaking.
Voted, That the Report be printed and distributed among the citizens.
Voted, That the sum of Six Thousand Dollars, voted and assessed upon the Inhabitants, for the purpose of erecting a new Vegetable Market, be, and the same hereby is, transferred and appropriated to the erection of the House of Industry, and the said amount of six thousand dollars, in addition to that pre- viously voted, be placed at the disposal of the Committee appointed by the town for building the House of Industry. -
The Meeting was then adjourned to Monday, the 10th day of December next at ten o'clock, A.M .-
[431.] Monday December 10th 1821.
Met according to Adjournment.
The Moderator stated to the inhabitants, that since the Adjournment, the Selectmen had issued a Warrant for calling a Town Meeting, at the request of a number of citizens, to be holden at this time ; The Warrant being read : - The article " To consider the expediency of augmenting the Town Watch during the winter season " - was taken up, and after some debate, it was Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to double the Watch, until the first day of April next .-
On the Application of the Directors of the Mill Pond Corpora- tion, the -
Hon. Artemas Ward Enoch Silsby, and
Jonathan Hunnewell Joseph Lovering Esquires,
Peter C. Brooks
were appointed a Committee to treat with the Proprietors of the
252
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Mill Pond, respecting the interest of the Town therein ; - and to report at the adjournment of this meeting. -
Voted, That the Selectmen be, and they hereby are, constituted a Committee with the authority to fix the boundary lines between the [432] several towns of (Roxbury, ) Brookline, Cambridge & (Dorchester) respectively and the Town of Boston. --
And whereas, in consequence of the building of the Great Western Avenue some new relations have come into view con- cerning this town's boundaries; and it may become necessary to refer any matter on which there may be a difference of opinion, between those persons who are as above authorized to represent and act for the Town of Boston, and those persons who are or may be appointed to represent and act for the above mentioned towns or either of them. -
Voted, That the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized and empowered, to appoint Referees on the part of this town to settle any matter which may in their opinion require to be settled by Referees, in relation to the boundary lines between this town and the Towns of Dorchester, Roxbury, Brookline and Cambridge respectively. -
The following Report was made by the School Committee - viz -
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, in Town Meeting assembled ; the General School Committee ask leave respectfully to Report : -
[433.] That in pursuance of a vote of the town passed on the 2nd day of July last, authorizing and empowering your Com- mittee, to commence and establish a public school, upon the system of mutual instruction, they lost no time in taking meas- ures to carry the proposed object into effect. -
As this measure originated principally in the statements and representations of the Committee charged with the care of the primary schools, and in the first instance at least, would probably embrace children under their particular superintendence, your Committee are solicitous to act in co-operation with that Com- mittee, and for that purpose opened a communication and have acted in concurrence with them. Your Committee took measures to obtain the services of a Gentleman well versed in the system particularly intended to be introduced; but after writing to sev- eral of the cities of the United States, could not learn of any instructor of sufficient experience, who was disengaged. - Your Committee having been informed by one of their correspondents that a gentleman, Mr. Dale, who is principal teacher of the Lan- castrian schools in Albany, would undertake to organize and establish a School, and take charge of it, until a successor could
253
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821.
be engaged. - This gentleman was so well recommended for his capacity and experience, and particularly for his thorough knowl- edge of the peculiar [434] system of instruction contemplated to be introduced, that your Committee could not hesitate about engaging him. Accordingly about the first of September, a place was fitted up for the school in the basement room of the Boylston School at Fort Hill. - This room was not so large as would have been desirable; but as it was an unoccupied public room con- veniently situated, it was thought that it would be sufficiently capacious for a beginning. As soon as the room was prepared, the School was almost immediately filled, and the business of instruction commenced. Mr. Dale continued in the care and instruction of the School about five or six weeks, and left it in the care of a gentleman who appears to be well qualified to con- duct it. -
The School has been in operation about two months. - Your Committee at present, hardly feel prepared to pronounce a defini- tive opinion of its merits ; they can only say that they feel highly gratified with its prospects of success, and entertain a san- guine hope, that many of the plans and methods adopted in this school, may be extended with great benefit, to the numerous pri- mary schools of the Town, and to all the public schools where young children are taught the rudiments of learning. They have no hesitation in saying that as yet, it well deserves care and encouragement of the [435] town. The expense of fitting up the school, of providing the necessary arrangements and mate- rials, of procuring the temporary attendance of an instructor eminent in his profession, have been necessarily considerable, and have exhausted the appropriation of the sum of one thousand dollars, heretofore made for this object. But most of the expenses it is obvious, are merely temporary ; and yonr Commit- tee are of opinion that this School once established, will be a cheap and economical one. Under a full belief that it will be for the interest of the town, and tend to advance and perfect the Sys- tem of education adopted by the town that this school, for the present at least should be continued, your Committee recommend the adoption of the subjoined vote : all of which is respectfully submitted. -
By order of the School Committee - Eliphalet Williams, Chairman.
The foregoing Report, was read and accepted, - and -
Voted, That the Public School, upon the principle of mutual instruction, commenced in pursuance of a vote of the Town passed the second day of July last, be placed under the care and superintendence of the School Committee to be continued, if they deem it expedient; that they be authorised to appoint a Master
254
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 128.
therefor, and fix his compensation, and that the said school be put generally upon the same footing with the other public schools of the Town. -
[436.] The Committee appointed on the 22ª. day of October last " To take the whole subject of the two reports presented to the Town into full consideration; to consider all the facts and recommendations therein contained, and to report. to the Town at a future meeting, a complete system relating to the administra- tion of Town and County," made a Report which was read. - A lengthy debate ensued ; - after which, on motion, it was - Voted, That the Report of the Committee, appointed by the Town on the 22ª. of October last, " to take into consideration and report to the town a complete System relating to the administration. of the Town & County," be re-committed to the same Committee, with [the] addition of one person to be chosen from each Ward, with instructions to report a system of Municipal Government for this town, with such powers, privileges and immunities, as are contemplated by the amendment of the Constitution, authorizing the General Court to constitute City Governments. -
The following Gentlemen were chosen from the several Wards, in addition to the former Committee - viz -- Ward Nº. 1. George Darracott 7. John Cotton
2. Redford Webster [437] 8. Lewis G. Pray
3. Thomas Badger 9. Benjamin Russell
4. James Davis
10. William Sturgis
5. Henry Farnam
11. Daniel Messinger
6. Michael Roulstone 12. Gerry Fairbanks
The Meeting was then adjourned, to Monday the 24th day of December current, at 10, o'clock A.M .-
Monday December 24th 1821 -
Met according to adjournment .-
Mr. Tudor, Secretary to the Committee appointed at the last meeting "To report a system of Municipal Government for this town," stated that the Committee had attended to the duty assigned them, and should have been ready to report, at this Meeting, if there had been time to have had the report printed and distributed among the Inhabitants, but as the report could not be distributed before Wednesday next, he moved that this Meeting be adjourned to Monday next, at 10, o'clock A.M. which motion was carried ; and the Meeting was accordingly adjourned to Monday the 31st day of December current, at 10, o'clock, A.M .-
255
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822.
[438.] Monday December 31st 1821 .-
Met according to Adjournment -
The Hon1. Mr. Sullivan, Chairman of the Committee appointed "To report what is usually called a System of Municipal Govern- ment for this Town, with such powers, privileges, and immunities as are contemplated by the Amendment of the Constitution, authorizing the General Court to constitute City Governments." read a Report, which had been printed and distributed among the Inhabitants. whereupon it was -
Voted, That the final question on this Report be taken by ballot, at an adjournment of this Meeting.
Voted, That when this meeting is adjourned to take the final question by ballot, it be to Monday the 7th day of January next ; the Poll to be opened at 10 o'clock A.M. and closed at 3 o'clock P.M. -
It was then voted to take up the report by Paragraphs or Sec- tions : - an animated debate ensued, during which several altera- tions or amendments were made in the Report --
A motion for adjournment was made, and carried in the affirm- ative .-
Adjourned to tomorrow 1st January 1822 at 10, o'clock A.M .-
1822.
[439.] Tuesday January 1st 1822 .-
Met according to Adjournment. 10, o'clock A.M .-
The Report of the Committee was further discussed and sev- eral additional alterations and amendments made. -
Adjourned to Tomorrow, 10 o'clock A.M .-
Wednesday January 2ª. 1822 -
Met according to adjournment 10, o'clock A.M.
The debate on the Report was finished : and it was Voted, That the Report as amended be published in all the News-papers, every day until and on the day of voting - viz. Monday the 7th day of January 1822, together with the several resolves which are to be voted upon ; - and that the Selectmen prepare ballots in man- ner following, viz --
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
1 st Resolve, -- Shall there be a City Government ?-
2nd Resolve -- Shall the elective U. S. and State officers be chosen in Wards ?-
3rd Resolve - Shall the City Council decide the number of Representatives -
4th Resolve - Shall the Town be a County and have a Police Court .-
5th Resolve - Shall the name be altered from Town of Boston, to City of Boston .-
[440.] Voted, That the Selectmen be appointed a Committee to receive sort and count, the ballots, on Monday the 7th day of January instant -
Voted, That the Selectmen cause the lists of qualified voters to be prepared; and also cause two citizens from each Ward to attend the meeting of the inhabitants on Monday next, to check the lists of voters as practised in the election of State Officers .-
Voted, That the Selectmen cause the Town of Boston, to be divided into twelve Wards, each containing as nearly as may be, an equal number of Inhabitants in each .-
Report.
As amended by the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, at a legal Meeting held on the 31st. of December, and the two follow- ing days -
The enlarged Committee who were instructed by a vote of the Town meeting, held on the 10th. of December, "To report what is usually called a System of Municipal Government for this Town, with such powers, privileges and immunities, as are con- templated by the amendment of the Constitution, authorizing the General Court to constitute City governments," have attended assiduously to the duty with which they were charged, and now submit the following Report :-
[441.] In place of the first part of the former Report, which had a reference to prudential affairs, they now propose, according to their instructions, a regular representative govern- ment for the Town; in which they have endeavored to combine, after much deliberation, a plan that will secure a full represen- tation of all the interests of the Town, in a body of men annually chosen, acting for the citizens, with and by their authority, in assessing Taxes, making expenditures, and enacting by -laws ; and also an efficient, responsible, and active executive officer, with a suitable council, for the administration of the concerns of the Town.
257
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822.
The following is an abstract of a representative plan of gov- ernment, in which care has been taken to introduce all the fundamental and essential principles, that will be embraced by the establishment of a City government for this Town, conform- ably to the following general outline.
That this corporation shall be denominated "the City of Boston." That the administration of the fiscal, prudential and municipal concern of this corporation, subject to the limitations hereinafter mentioned, shall be vested in one principal officer to be denominated the Mayor .-
One select body to consist of eight persons, [442] to be denominated the Board of Aldermen.
One more numerous body to be denominated the Board of Common Councilmen .-
The whole in their aggregate capacity, to be denominated the City Council .- That the Mayor shall be chosen by the citizens, voting in their respective wards ; and shall hold his office for the term of one year, and shall have a suitable compensation to be determined by the City Council. - Provided, that in the case of the resignation, decease, or permanent or temporary absence, or inability of the Mayor, the City Council may elect a person to supply his place, as the occasion may require .-
That the Board of Aldermen shall be chosen by general ticket, by the qualified voters of the City, voting in wards, for the term of one year .-
That the Board of Common Councilmen shall be chosen by the qualified voters of the City, in, and for their respective Wards; each ward having a right to choose four .-
That the Mayor and Aldermen shall compose one Board, shall sit and act together as one body ; at all meetings of which the Mayor shall preside ; in his absence the Board to choose a Chair- man for the time being. They shall choose a Clerk, whose duty it shall be to keep a journal of their proceedings. Such [443] Clerk to have all the powers, and perform all the duties now belonging to the Town Clerk of Boston, except in cases where it is otherwise expressly provided .-
That the Board of Common Councilmen shall sit and act together as a separate body, and be organized by the election of a Presiding Officer and Clerk .-
That the administration of police, and the executive powers of the corporation generally, including all the powers now by law
258
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 128.
vested in the Selectmen of the Town of Boston, shall be vested in, and exercised by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City, as hereby constituted.
That all other powers of the town of Boston, as a municipal corporation, except those relating to elections, and those other- wise specially provided for, shall' be vested in the Mayor and Aldermen, and Common Council, in City Council convened, to be exercised by concurrent vote, each Board as hereby constituted having a negative upon the other .-
More especially, they shall have power to make all needful and salutary by-laws ; to lay and assess taxes for all purposes, for which towns are by law required or [444] authorized to assess, and grant money ;
To lay and assess taxes for all purposes, for which county taxes may by law be levied and assessed, whenever the City shall alone compose one county ;
To provide for the assessment and collection of all such taxes ;
To appropriate all public monies, and provide for the disburse- ment thereof, and take all suitable measures to ensure a just and prompt account thereof ;
To provide for the appointment and choice of all necessary officers, not otherwise provided for; to prescribe their duties, and fix their compensation ;
To choose a Register of Deeds, whenever the City shall alone compose one county ;
To have all the powers now by law vested in the Board of Health, and provide for the exercise of the same ;
To have the care and superintendence of the public buildings, and the custody and management of all the property of the City, to lease or sell the same, (except the Common and Faneuil Hall, ) and purchase property, real or personal, in the name and for the use of the City, whenever its interest or convenience may, in their judgment, require it.
That all sittings of the Common Council, and of the Mayor, and Aldermen, when not engaged in executive business, shall be public.
[445.] That the City Treasurer shall be chosen by the Mayor, and Aldermen and Common Council in Convention.
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BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822.
That the Firewards shall be chosen by the citizens, in wards, in equal numbers to each ward, to be determined by the City Council; provided there be not less than three to each ward : That there shall be one Overseer of the Poor, & one Member of the School Committee, chosen in each ward. And that the Mayor and Aldermen, and School Committee, shall have the care and superintendence of the Public Schools.
That all Boards and Officers shall be accountable to the City Council, for the expenditure of all monies, committed to their charge.
That the City Council shall publish and distribute annually, a statement of all receipts and expenditures of public monies, and a statement of all City property .-
That in all cases of the appointment of officers, by the Mayor and Aldermen, the Mayor shall have the power of nomination ; such nomination, however, to be confirmed or rejected by the Board. Provided, however, that no officer, whose salary shall be paid out of the City Treasury, shall be, at the time of his election, a Member of the Board of Aldermen, or of Common Council .-
That it shall be the duty of the City [446] Council, seasona- bly in each year, to meet in Convention, and determine the number of Representatives which it may be expedient for the Corporation to send to the General Court, within its constitutional limits, and seasonably to publish such determination, which shall be conclusive; and the number thus determined, shall be speci- fied in the warrant calling a meeting for the election of Repre- sentatives.
That all elections of State and United States Officers, shall continue to be held as heretofore, by general meetings of the qualified voters ; at which meetings the Mayor and Aldermen of the City shall preside ; or in ward meetings, as the citizens may decide by ballot, at the adjourned meeting on the 7th.
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