USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > History of the city of Cleveland : its settlement, rise and progress > Part 10
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On April 14, 1870, the colored population of Cleveland broke out with a glorious celebration over the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. A long procession, headed by local bands, marched through the streets to the tune of "John Brown's Body," their banners inscribed to Lin- coln, Grant, Garrison and the anti-slavery heroes. In the evening speeches were made, the colored people were eulogized, and rosy prophecies for their future freely in- dulged by both Republicans and Democrats.
The refusal of the State Board of Agriculture to allow the Ohio State Fair to be held in Cleveland in 1870-71, undoubtedly redounded greatly to the interests of the city, since it led to the establishment of the Northern Ohio Fair Association. Vigorous effort had been made to secure the
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State fair, and ten thousand dollars had been pledged for- its support. But failing to secure it, several citizens de- termined to place the amounts already subscribed in in- vestments in a permanent fair for Cleveland. The project received immediate and cordial support both in Cleveland and throughout the northern portions of the State. Pub- lic meetings were held, an association was organized under the name of the "Northern Ohio Fair Association," and the following gentlemen were chosen to act as incor- porators: Amasa Stone, jr., J. H. Wade, J. P. Robinson, Worthy S. Streator, Sullivan D. Harris, Azariah Everett, Amos Townsend, William Bingham, Henry Nottingham, David A. Dangler, William Collins, Oscar A. Childs, Lester L. Hickox, Oliver H. Payne, Alton Pope, Waldo A. Fisher. The capital stock was fixed at three hundred thousand dollars, divided into shares of fifty dollars each. On this stock ten per cent. was to be paid down and further in- stallments as required. The purpose of the association, as declared in its charter, was to promote agriculture, , horticulture and the mechanic arts in the Northern and. adjoining counties of Ohio. All feelings of sectional jeal- ousy were disclaimed. It was evident to every unbiased. mind that the time had come when the rapid industrial progress of Cleveland and the surrounding territory de- manded a permanent fair of easy access instead of a tem- porary and itinerant State fair, and that the city of Cleve- land was destined to be its abode. The committee on location, after extended inspection, reported upon nine tracts of land adjoining the city. The one finally chosen was known as the old Sprague property, comprising
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eighty-seven acres and offered to the association for seven- ty-six thousand dollars. Access to it is highly favorable, since the St. Clair Street railway runs to the middle of it and the Lake Shore railroad runs along one side. The grounds are nearly level, affording opportunity for the construction of that magnificent race course on which has since been made the fastest trotting record known to the world. A clear stream of water breaking from several springs, traverses the grounds, and the natural advan- tages, together with the many improvements, have made it probably the finest for the purpose in the world. Pleasant drives were constructed; stalls for live stock, a railroad entrance and office, a power hall and an amphitheatre erected the first season.
The first fair was opened on October 4, 1870, and con- tinued three days. All the available space was occupied by exhibitors, and the display was complete and varied in every department, far beyond the highest expectations of its friends. Its success was assured from the start, and its subsequent popularity is one of the crowning attractions of the city.
The increased interest in the scientific and intelligent prosecution of the different farming industries, which has peculiarly marked the last twenty-five years, expressed itself in 1870, in addition to the organization of the North- ern Ohio Fair Association, by the creation of the Cleve- land Horticultural Society, Alexander McIntosh, president, and the Northern Ohio Poultry Association, Colonel S. D. Harris, president.
The fourth annual meeting of the society of the Army of
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the Cumberland was held in Cleveland, November 25-26, 1870. This was one of the most famous of the reunions of that famous army. Its great commanders were present, Generals Rosecrans, Sherman, Hooker, Granger, Ammen, Garfield, Palmer, Kimball, Slocum, Barnum, besides great numbers of its gallant soldiers. This was the occasion of the delivery by General Garfield of his immortal eulogy upon General George H. Thomas. Addresses were also delivered by Governor Palmer, of Illinois, General Rose- crans and others.
The year 1870 was rendered badly notorious by four disastrous storms and an earthquake. Three of the storms were confined to the city and contented themselves with snatching up trees, scattering houses, and seriously distracting the municipal features. The fourth storm, on the night of October 17, was general over the lakes, and resulted in heavy losses to shipping. At Cleveland harbor there were three wrecks-small boats attempting to make the port and dashed to pieces against the piles and rocks with the loss of their men. Three days after this storm the earthquake came rattling on. It was a mild earth- quake, however, and left as soon as it had shaken the upper stories of buildings and upset the nerves of their inmates. A large number of fainting spells and broken crockery was all that attested its fugitive rappings.
Both the spring and fall elections of 1870 gave Repub- lican victories. In the spring of 1871 Frederick W. Pelton was elected mayor by a majority of 1,056 votes, and a Republican Council was returned.
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CHAPTER XVI.
THE WORK-HOUSE SEPARATED FROM THE INFIRMARY-THE NECESSITY OF A REFORM FARM - CELEBRATION GERMANY'S VICTORY OVER FRANCE - CREATION OF A BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS - PUR- CHASE AND IMPROVEMENT OF LAKE VIEW PARK - VISIT OF A RUS- SIAN DUKE-ANNEXATION OF EAST CLEVELAND VILLAGE - A BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS CREATED - THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INVES- TIGATION.
O N January 1, 1871, the Cleveland Work-house and House of Correction was divorced from the City Infirmary, to which it had previously been an adjunct, and established as an independent department in the large building, just erected on the grounds on Woodland avenue. The cost of this building was about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It includes workshops for men and women, refuge for girls, chapel, hospital, engine-house, and other accessories. There are, in fact, two separate institu- tions embraced within the walls of the edifice, and yet each is kept as far as possible in a distinct department. The Work-house department is a punitive institution and receives only adult offenders. The Refuge department is a school and receives juvenile offenders less than sixteen years of age. The object and method of discipline in each are different. The leading aim of both is to effect, if possi-
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ble, the moral reformation of their inmates, and at the same time to so conduct the industries of the two depart- ments as to make them self-supporting. In the solution of the latter problem very creditable success has been made. During its history this has been one of the few prisons in the country that has had constant employment for every inmate able to work. The manufacture of brushes is the main industry, and these articles have generally found a demand equal to the production. The profit on the brush account in 1885 was $25,633.88. The system of labor employed is that which is known as the State or City Account System, in which the city has furnished the shops and machinery and implements, while the management purchases the raw stock, conducts the manufacture under skilled foremen, and sells the product through the same channels as do other manufacturers.
As a means of reforming offenders, the Work-house has not produced lasting results. The prisoners, who have all reached the age of obduracy, are sent up for short terms, and leave the institution before a trade can be learned or a reformation effected. During the year 1885 twenty-six hundred and eighty-three persons were in confinement, and at the close of the year there remained four hundred and sixty-eight prisoners, of whom eighty-seven were females. In many instances the same individual was repeatedly convicted and imprisoned, frequently for the same offense. To remedy this flagrant failure of the present system and accomplish that highest aim of prison discipline, the bet- tering of the condition of the imprisoned, two suggestions worthy of careful attention by the citizens of Cleveland
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have been made by the superintendent of the Work-house; one, to increase the penalty for every repeated violation of the law by the same individual, and another, to adopt a system of indeterminate sentences, by which the offender may be confined as long as is necessary to effect his thorough reformation.
The House of Refuge exhibits slightly better results in the way of moral reclamation. The children all pass through a course of education and training designed to fit them to become honest, industrious and intelligent citizens. The schools are open the year through, are divided into three grades, and a thorough final examination, with a record of good deportment, is required for the discharge of the pupils. If they have homes they are sent to them; if not, they are retained in the institution until suitable homes or places can be secured. Religious instruction every Sab- bathis conducted by Protestant ministers and teachers and on alternate Sabbaths by a Catholic clergyman. It has been long noticed that a weak point in the Refuge system is the discharge of the children to go back to the homes from which they came, where their reform training is soon forgotten and they enter again upon a career of idleness and vagabondage. Another most serious evil is the prox- imity of the Reform School to the contaminating atmos- phere of the hardened culprits in the Work-house. They should have larger grounds and purer air, where vigorous bodies could be trained with improved morals. An inde- pendent House of Refuge with a farm is a need that should have prompt attention. The preliminary step in this direction has been taken in securing the passage through
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the Legislature of a bill authorizing the city to issue bonds for a sum not to exceed one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the purpose of purchasing lands and erecting buildings thereon for a "City Farm School," and it now remains for the city to execute the work. "This," says the superintendent in a late report, "is not a question for a day or for a year, but for all time; a question of future manhood and usefulness, or of profligacy, disgrace and ruin. The responsibility of the elevation or degradation of these youth rests with the citizens of Cleveland."
The first directors of the Work-house and House of Cor- rection were: Harvey Rice, J. H. Wade, George H. Burt, S. C. Brooks and William Edwards. The present able super- intendent, W. D. Patterson, has occupied the position since May, 1872.
Cleveland's sixteen thousand German citizens turned out as one on April 10, 1871, to celebrate the glorious victory of the United Fatherland over the armies of France. A grand triumphal arch was erected on the Public Square, surmounted by the eagle of the German Empire and flanked by the American flag and the new flag of United Germany. Upon the entablature of two side arches were pyramids of cannon balls, with cannon and stacked mus- kets and the flags of the different states of Germany. The height from the pavement to the top of the eagle was eighty-five feet. The whole structure, designed in the Cor- inthian style of architecture, frescoed and painted in imi- tation of marble, festooned with evergreens and wreaths, was the most beautiful of its kind ever seen in the city. Public and private houses were richly decorated, the flag
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of United Germany being often seen twined with that of America. A long procession marched through the streets, with bands and singing, conducting a large wagon bearing the heroic statue of "Germania," the protec- tress of her people, her left arm upon her shield, her right arm upon her sword. Enthusiastic addresses were given by Mr Thieme and Dr. Jacob Mayer, to which thousands listened with frequent applause. The day closed with a grand ball at the Central Rink, with the spirit everywhere pervasive of " Deutschland ueber Alles."
The Board of Park Commissioners was created by ordi- nance August 22, 1871, and in October the mayor appointed and the Council confirmed as the first commissioners the fol- lowing gentlemen: Azariah Everett, O. A. Childs and J. H. Sargeant. This was the inaugural of a systematic attention to beautifying and maintaining the parks of thecity. Previ- ous to this period, Council resolutions had at intermittent in- tervals directed the street commissioner to repair sidewalks or fences, or to plant trees in the place of old ones decayed, the cost of such improvements being paid from the General or Street Fund. In 1872, by appropriation and issue of bonds, thirty-five thousand dollars was placed in the hands of the park commissioners, with which they thoroughly remodeled the grounds of Monumental Park, laying new and improved walks around and through the four quarters, erecting the pavilion, rustic bridge, fountain, pond and rock-work, and transforming the whole enclosure from a ragged commons into a beautiful landscape. In 1873 the first tax levy was · made for park purposes and realized about fourteen thou- sand dollars. In 1874 the commissioners, after being
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granted the proceeds of a loan of fifty thousand dollars, began the construction of Lake View Park. For ten years previous to this time the project of building a lakeside park had been often agitated. The first official expression re- lating to it was made in November, 1865, in a report by a Council committee. "The necessity for parks was so little appreciated during the early days of our city, that it is said a plat of ground of several acres in extent lying on the bank of the lake was given to the then village of Cleve- land for the purpose of a park, on the sole condition that the trustees should take measures to fence it in. Unfortu- nately there was not sufficient enterprise or liberality on the part of the trustees to appropriate a few dollars to carry out this condition; consequently, the land reverted to the donor." To remedy the errors of the past, they urged immediate measures for securing the land for park purposes before the rapid increase in value of real estate would place such a project beyond the power of the city's exchequer. To transmogrify the cragged, yellow hillside into a charming park, they rightly represented, would create such an impression on the mind of the stranger who passed along in the cars at the foot of the bank, and would add so greatly to the beauty and attractiveness of Cleve- land, that men of capital would choose this their home, thus adding greatly to the tax duplicate, and summer residents would congregate to such a degree as to rival Cleveland with Newport as a watering-place. The enhancement of values that would accrue to the real estate along the park would bring extra tax enough to pay the interest on the cost of the park. But it was not until 1869 that a bill could be
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got through the Legislature granting the city the right to appropriate the lands for the park. Then followed three years of resolutions, counter resolutions and public discus- sion, when the Council unanimously resolved to take and ap- propriate for park purposes land lying between Erie street and Seneca street, and between the right of way of the Cleve- land & Pittsburgh Railway Company and Summit street, together with a strip of land south of Summit street to be used in widening the latter street. The necessary legal steps were forthwith taken, and on May 2, 1873, the jury made its award, aggregating $234,951.52. To meet this indebtedness, seven per cent. bonds, to the amount of two hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars, were issued, pay- able in fifteen years. Again a year's delay, as if so large a debt had staggered the Council. But in November, 1874, a loan for fifty thousand dollars was authorized, and the commissioners immediately began the improvements and pushed them forward with energy and discretion until was completed one of the largest, most unique and beauti- ful of all the parks of Cleveland. Covering ten and a half acres, and overlooking for nearly half a mile the grand ex- panse of Erie, it is the constant resort of all classes of people. Its refreshing verdure and cool fountains lend a glad charm to the restless, busy lake. In 1879 permission was granted to private parties for building a bathing and boat-house and for the erection of a bridge over the tracks of the railroads. Franklin Circle, on the West Side, the smallest of the public parks, and Clinton Park, at the northern extremity of Dodge street, were also resurrected and beautified by the new Board of Park Commissioners.
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The reception given by the people of Cleveland in 1871 to His Imperial Highness, the Grand Duke Alexis Alexan- drovich, fourth son of the Emperor Alexander II. of Rus- sia, was one in which excessive curiosity was prominent more than enthusiasm. It was, however, of good report for the city, for His Highness departed well pleased and maintaining that he had learned some things which he intended to put into practice on his return home. During his three-days' stay he was escorted to all the parks, cem- eteries, factories, foundries, to the rink and every point of interest. The imperial party included the Russian minis- ter, consul-general, and other high Russian functionaries. They all enjoyed themselves, and Cleveland was happy in the thought that she had looked upon a very piece of roy- alty.
The question of annexation of the village of East Cleve- land was submitted to the qualified electors of Cleveland in April, 1872, and received 7,240 votes in its favor against 2,885 in opposition. The vote on the same prop- osition in East Cleveland was 268 in favor of annexation and 198 opposed. In accordance with this expression of popular choice, commissioners were appointed by the council, namely : Messrs. H. B. Payne, J. P. Robison and John Huntington, to confer with John E. Hurlbut, John W. Heisley and William A. Neff, commissioners for the vil- lage of East Cleveland. It was agreed that the annexed district should constitute two wards; that the liabilities of each corporation should be assumed by the city of Cleveland, except assessments previously made for street and other improvements, which were to be collected ac-
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cording to the existing ordinances; and the Council was to expend within eighteen months after the completion of the annexation, seventy-five thousand dollars in extension of the fire department, water pipe and other improvements in the territory comprised in the limits of East Cleveland. These conditions were finally approved on October 29, 1872, and the annexation was declared accomplished. This incorporation added eight miles of territory to the city, making, with the annexations of territory in Brook- lyn, Newburg and East Cleveland townships during the same and following year, a grand total of twenty-six square miles of territory included within the border lines of the city of Cleveland.
An act of the Legislature of April 29, 1873, provided for the creation of a Board of Fire Commissioners for the city of Cleveland, to be composed of five members appointed by the mayor and approved by the Council, each member to hold his office for a term of five years. This was amended in March, 1874, and the board made to consist of the mayor, ex-officio member, the chairman of the Com- mittee on Fire and Water of the Common Council, and three resident freeholders to be nominated by the mayor and approved by the Council. The first Board of Fire Commis- sioners, were: Mayor C. A. Otis, Messrs. H. D. Coffin- berry, W. H. Hayward and H. W. Luetkemeyer, citizen members appointed by the mayor, and A. T. Van Tas- sel, chairman of the Council Committee; A. B. Beach, secretary. The organization of the board was the signal for greatly increased efficiency in the department, espe- cially in the conduct of the finances. In 1876 the composi-
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tion of the board was again changed, making it this time to consist of the chairman of the Council Committee on Fire and Water and four citizen members, the latter to be elected by popular vote for terms of four years each.
Charges of irregularity in the management of the funds of the Fire Department led the Council, in July, 1873, to appoint a committee of three persons, consisting of D. Cadwell, A. T. Van Tassel and O. J. Hodge, to examine vigorously into the affairs of that department. The com- mittee, after prolonged sessions, made a report exonerating all against whom charges were made from any intentional wrong, but adducing evidence to show that the business affairs of the department had "not been characterized by that system and strict adherence to the law which the public service requires." It appeared that engine-houses had been built without written contracts and without letting them to the lowest responsible bidder, and that other delinquencies had frequently occurred. The commit- tee's report, after relieving the officers of blame, closed by recommending that ordinances be passed defining the duties of all city officers, including committees of the Coun- cil; regulating the purchase of supplies for all departments of the city; and providing for the letting of contracts. Though this report failed to remove the suspicions of wrong, no further action was taken until a year later when, after a change in the politics of the Council, a new commit- tee of investigation was appointed, composed of Ed. Rus- sell, John H. Farley and Edward Angell. A large num- ber of witnesses were examined and the final report was made on July 28, 1874, declaring that the committee's in-
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vestigations had elicited facts very damaging to the Fire and Water committee of the Council as constituted for the previous five or six years; also to Chief Engineer James Hill, First Assistant Engineer John A. Bennett, Ex-Second Assistant Engineer McMahon and Superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph, H. H. Rebbeck; that the chief engineer had made false reports to the Council and had mutilated the books of the department by removing leaves contain- ing entries of goods sold and money received by him; that he had connived with the superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph in building telegraph lines for outside parties, the material for the same being taken from the city; that the first assistant had not reported bids to the Committee on Fire and Water as he received them; and that the com- mittee itself had conducted the department in an extrava- gant, unbusinesslike and often illegal manner. The report closed by introducing a resolution that the chief engineer, first assistant engineer and superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph be discharged from the service and successors appointed. This stirred up active opposition, and many maintained that the investigations had been carried on in a spirit of persecution. The report was referred to the newly organized Board of Fire Commissioners, and by them returned to the Council with the explanation that in their opinion the board had no legal authority to inquire into and punish any acts of personal misconduct done before the organization of the board by members of the Fire Department, but which had not been repeated since its organization. In December of the same year, however, the board removed Chief Engineer James Hill for incom-
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petency, and promoted John A. Bennett and H. H. Reb- beck, thereby exonerating the latter of the charges against 0 them.
Thus was closed the only great scandal with which the government of Cleveland has been afflicted. It can truly be said that her municipal affairs, compared with those of other great cities, have been peculiarly clean and free from reproach.
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CHAPTER XVII.
THE TAX RELIEF LEAGUE-BURNING OF THE NEWBURG INSANE ASYLUM - THE HOMOEOPATHIC HOSPITAL-INVENTORS' EXHIBITION-RELIEF TO THE CHICAGO FIRE SUFFERERS-THE HORSE EPIDEMIC OF '72- THREE IMPORTANT CONVENTIONS - ANNEXATION OF NEWBURG - A MILITARY ORGANIZATION.
T HE Tax Relief League, composed of the most influen- tial men of the city, was organized early in 1870. The causes which led to this movement were the increasing burdens of taxation. Their first investigation showed that the tax rate had increased from eight to nineteen mills in the decade preceding. The report had the sanc- tion of such men as Hon. Harvey Rice, John A. Foote, A. Hughes, Ansel Roberts, S. Williamson and H. B. Payne. It was submitted to the Council the day of its publication and was met with a fiery reception. The action of the author- ities was sustained by R. R. Herrick, then chairman of the Council Committee on Finance, who held that the de- cennial appraisement would remedy the difficulty, and though the debt of the city was then over two millions as complained of, the real property of the city was worth over three million five hundred thousand dollars. The league served a good purpose, acting as it did to check ill-advised expenditure of money.
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