[City documents, 1847-1867]

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ADDRESS

OF THE

Hon. H. A. 8. DEARBORN, Mayor,

TO THE

CITY COUNCIL OF ROXBURY :

DELIVERED BEFORE THE

TWO BRANCHES IN CONVENTION,

APRIL 5, 1847. —

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

Rox BU RY:
JOSEPH G. TORREY, CITY PRINTER.

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CITY OF ROXBURY.

In Common Councit, April 5, 1847.
Ordered, That a Joint Committee, consisting of one member from each
Board, be appointed to cause the Address of the Mayor to be printed ; and to
take charge of any matter relating to printing until otherwise ordered.
Passed, and sent up for concurrence.
JOSHUA SEAVER, Clerk.
In Boarp or ALDERMEN, April 5, 1847.
Concurred. JOSEPH W. TUCKER, City Clerk.

Committee appointed under the above order—Mr. BREWER of Ward 4, on
the part of the Council ; and Alderman KINGSBURY on the part of the Board
of Aldermen.

ADDRESS.

Fellow Citizens of the Board of Aldermen
and Common Council:

I am fully aware of the responsibilities of the of-
fice to which I have been elected; and however
anxious may be my disposition, or zealous my ef-
forts, to discharge its duties in an acceptable man-
ner, I have neither that definite information, in re-
lation to the diversified affairs of the city, or that
practical experience in their administration, which
are so indispensably requisite for the satisfactory ac-
complishment of that desirable object, and must,
therefore, rely upon your indulgent guidance and
generous support, in the novel and difficult position
in which I am placed.

While the whole power of deciding upon the
measures which it may be considered expedient to
adopt, and of providing and appropriating the funds
for carrying them into effect, has been vested in the
Council, “the Chief Executive Officer ” is restrict-
ed to “the enforcement of the laws and regulations
of the city, and the communication of such informa-
tion, and the recommendation of such measures, as
in his opinion, the interests of the city may require.”
It, therefore, will not be inappropriate to allude to

4 MAYOR’S ADDRESS. [April,

some of the most important subjects, which must
claim our unceasing attention.

There is not any expenditure made, which is more
directly and universally beneficial to the whole
people, than that for the construction and repair
of the highways ; for it is not merely the inhabitants
of the city whose convenience is subserved, by well
formed lines of communication with all parts of their
municipal territory, but those of an extensive region
of country, whose routes of intercourse with the cap-
ital, and other portions of the State, are connected
with them; and although, from the large area of
Roxbury, and the rapid increase of the population,
the number and length of the roads and streets have
been, and must long continue to be, extended, and
thus require a proportional augmentation of the ap-
propriations; still, as these indispensable avenues are
equally the cause, as well as the effect, of our pros-
perous condition, itis as much for the interest of the
proprietors of land, as it is beneficial to every in-
habitant, that they should receive that grave consid-
eration, which the people have a right to claim of the
government, not only for the immediate advantage
of the present, but the prospective demand of all fu-
ture generations. ‘The condition of the public roads
of all countries, is a more conclusive illustration of
their advancement in the arts of civilization, afflu-
ence and grandeur, than the most majestic monu-
ments which have been reared by the ostentatious
ambition of their sovereigns.

Sidewalks having become as necessary for the

1

1847. | CITY DOCUMENT.—No. 1. 5

convenience ofthe inhabitants, in several sections of
the city, as are the main portions of the streets for
the accommodation of all kinds of vehicles, it is de-
sirable that some plan should be devised for their

eradual construction,—if it possibly can be done,
_ without involving such a large expense as to render
it inexpedient, until sufficient means can be better
forded.

As the security of the lives and property of the
citizens against the appalling ravages of conflagra-
tion, is almost entirely dependent upon a well es-
tablished fire department, it is of the utmost conse-
quence, that such measures should be adopted, as will
enable the engineers and members of the engine
companies to discharge their laborious duties, in such
a manner, as shall be creditable to their fidelity and
enterprise, and most beneficial to the community. To
accomplish those objects, not only sufficient means
must be furnished, but such a system of organization
matured, as will secure the services of men for offi-
cers and members whoare the best qualified for sta-
tions involving such high responsibilities.

For the maintenance of order, an efficient police
has been deemed of the utmost importance, and the
offices of marshals, constables and watchmen have
been established for that purpose. ‘The incumbents
now constitute the civil guard of the city, and on
their ability, vigilance and integrity, are the people
dependent for their safety and quietude, during the
day and night, and for the prompt and certain execu-

6 MAYOR’S ADDRESS. [April,

tion of the public laws and municipal ordinances ;
but to enable those officers to act with confidence
and energy, their authority must be respected, and
such assistance promptly afforded, as may be at any
time required, on those extraordinary emergencies,
which have been fully provided for, by the statutes of
the Commonwealth. |

It is, therefore, tobe seriously considered, by ev-
ery citizen, that one of the chief objects of all forms of
government, is the preservation of peace and se-
curity of society, by the protection of the person,
rights, and property of each individual, against inter-
nal outrage and foreign aggression. For these pur-
poses laws are established to define and prevent the
commission of crimes, and power conferred upon ex-
ecutive and judicial officers, for the apprehension
‘and punishment of offenders. But to render any
‘system of jurisprudence effectual, there must be an
unhesitating deference for its rightful authority, and
“a patriotic disposition to aid in a rigid enforcement
of its decrees. In the United States, there are
reasons and motives for a more respectful and un-
‘doubting submission to the requirements of the civil
and military codes, than in any other nation which
has ever existed ; for they are formed by the repre-
sentatives of FREEMEN, in conformity to constitutions
which they have deliberately instituted, as citizens of
‘the State and National governments ; and it should
ever be recollected that they are based on that fun-
damental principle of all republics, which requires a

_1847.] CITY DOCUMENT.—No. 1. Vh

cheerful acquiescence in the decisions of the major-
ity.

So long, therefore, as these principles are acknow]-
edged, and the laws universally regarded with pro-
found deference, tranquillity will be maintained, and
the morals of the people preserved. But whenever
individual insubordination, or combinations of the
vicious andreckless can violate them with impunity,
and assert an unrestrained liberty of action, as a right,
freedom degenerates into licentiousness, and the
worst form of despotism, is inevitably and speedily
developed, in the unjust, vindictive, and barbarous
decretals of an ungoverned and ungovernable multi-
tude.

If any measure of the government is considered,
by any portion of the people, as either unnecessary,
impolitic or impressive, the means of correction and
for obtaining redress for alleged wrongs, are period-
ically presented in the Halls of Legislation ; and it
is there alone, that efforts can be properly made for
their modification or repeal; while all attempts to
impede their enforcement is as dishonorable as it is
culpable ; for they excite that dangerous insurrec-
tionary spirit, which madly denounces and furiously
opposes every legal effort for the restoration of tran-
quillity, and ultimately triumphs, in the utter pros-
tration of all the venerated institutions of govern-
ment, piety and learning.

As a military force may be required, on cccasions
of excitement and violence, in aid of the civil author-

8 MAYOR’S ADDRESS. [ April,

ity, “to execute the laws and suppress insurrection,”
it is proper that such attention should be extended
to the two volunteer companies, which have been
organized in this city for many years, and have ever
sustained a high character for their discipline and
martial appearance, as will best tend to render their
services available, should they unfortunately become
necessary. By the Constitution and laws of the
United States, and of this Commonwealth, they bear
the sword of justice; and if, from the culpable
neglect of the general government, this important
and chief reliable arm of our protection, in rebellion
and war, has gradually been reduced in vigor and
consequence, it becomes much more necessary, that
the municipal authority should do what may be
deemed most expedient and possible, for perpetu-
ating its undiminished efficiency, as a very essential
auxiliary portion of the police department.

Official duty, as well as the dictates of religion and
humanity, demand that the necessities of the poor
should be regarded with that real compassion, which
is emphatically evinced by the tender of relief, and
that those which are received into the Alms-house
should not only be provided with suitable clothing,
beds, and food, but that there should be apartments
for the sick and lame, sufficiently spacious, and so
far removed from those of the other inmates, as to
render the condition of both more comfortable, and
the recovery of the former more certain and speedy,
besides precluding the danger of disease being ex-
tended among the healthy, _

1847. ] CITY DOCUMENT.—No. 1. 9

Having recently visited that establishment, it was
apparent, from the great number of persons which it
now contains, and has during the winter, and the
unusual proportion of patients, that a convenient
hospital had become necessary, and must soon be
erected, as has been recommended by the Overseers
of the Poor and the City Physician ; especially, if the
operation of the causes which have occasioned such
an unprecedented augmentation of paupers, during
the past year, should unfortunately be continued in
undiminished activity.

Some additional expenditures may also be found
necessary, for finishing portions of the edifice, which
have not, hitherto, been required for the use of the
establishment, and for such other purposes as will
enable the Superintendent to do all that is practica-
ble for the comfortable accommodation of the desti-
tute, who find a home in that charitable institution ;
and for the management of its industrial, school, po-
lice, and other departments, in the most convenient,
useful, and creditable manner.

As the health of the city does not more depend
upon its cleanliness than a free circulation of pure air,
it has been the enlightened and sanitory policy of all
governments to reserve areas of land, in the midst of
their populous capitals, commercial emporiums, and
interior cities, as spacious reservoirs of that vital el-
ement, for the perpetual replenishment of the nu-
merous streets which diverge from them, as well as
appropriate places of exercise and innocent recrea-
tion, for all classes of people.

10 MAYOR’S ADDRESS. [April,

If the prospective destinies of Roxbury may be
conjectured, from the rapid increase of population
during the past fifteen years, the number must be
augmented to at least one hundred thousand, before
the close of the present century. Does it not then
merit inquiry, whether sufficient land should not be
obtained in each of the parochial divisions of the
city, for the purpose of being gradually formed into
public squares, by the erection of enclosures, the
construction of avenues, and the planting of trees?
It may be alleged, that even the expense of the pur-
chase of the land will be too onerous upon the exist-
ing generation ; but could not such an arrangement
be made, as that most of it can be transferred to those
of after ages for liquidation, since they cannot but be
grateful for the precious advantages which will thus
be secured to them by the prescience and benificent
exertions of their ancestors; while, on the other
hand, would they. not have just cause of complaint,
should the most favorable opportunity of extending
to them, such an important benefit, be utterly
neglected.

Among all the various trusts which have been con-
fided to the municipal government, that of providing
for the establishment, support, and supervision of the
Public Schools is decidedly of the most immediate
and future consequence. So liberal, thus far, has
been the appropriation for these purposes, and so
ably have the School Committee performed their du-
ties in its expenditure, and in the organization and
management of all the schools, that they can be favor-

1847.] CITY DOCUMENT—No.1. 11

ably compared, with those of the highest reputation,
in any other part of our country; while the mem-
bers of that committee are deservedly entitled to the
erateful acknowledgements of the government and
the people, for their gratuitous, yet very respon-
sible and laborious services.

It is not merely the literary and scientific instruc-
tions which is obtained in these juvenile seminaries,
that render them so necessary and valuable ; but the
moral principles which are there inculcated, the rec-
titude of conduct which is superinduced, and the el-
evation of character which is attained, that places
them at the head of all the other institutions, which
have been devised by man, for the early development
and lasting establishment of those exalted qualities of
the mind and heart, on which individual happiness
and prosperity, the stability of governments and the
glory of nations depend.

There is no problem in ethics or political science,
which has been so difficult to solve, as that of the
manner by which crime may be prevented. Legis-
lation and jurisprudence have in vain attempted to
restrain the vicious, by the terrors of corporeal chas-
tisement, incarceration, deportation and death.

From the establishment of the laws of Judea, to
those of modern times, the experiments to eradicate
crime have uniformly been made upon the assump-
tion, that it was to be accomplished by penal ex-
actions, whose triple object was prevention, retribu-
tion and reformation; but all dependent in their re-

12 MAYOR’S ADDRESS. [ April,

sults, upon the fear or the infliction of punishment.
All those systems, however specious in theory, or
diversified in form, have utterly failed in practice,
and ever will, for they are founded upon false con-
ceptions of the intimidating and reformatory influ-
ence of punishment upon the human character.

The history of past ages, and the annual statistics
of criminal jurisprudence in Europe and this coun-
try, but too conclusively confirm the deplorable fact,
that when adults, and even minors, have pursued an
uninterrupted course of vice, there is no hope of cor-
rection; and all that can be done for the safety of
society, is to devise the most humane mode of pre-
venting them from doing injury to their fellow-men ;
for atonement cannot be exacted on earth, since the
infliction of expiatory punishment belongs to God
aloiie.

The only system by which the moral and religious
character of a people can be secured, is that which is
based on juvenile instruction. Paley said, that “to
send an uneducated childinto the world, is little bet-
ter than to turn a wild beast into the streets ;” and
one of our most eminent philosophers and philan-
thropists has declared, that “mothers and school-
masters planted the seeds of nearly all the good
which exists in the world, and therefore, its reforma-
tion must be begun under the parental roof and in the
school-house.” Whenever and wherever proper at-
tention is paid to the mind, heart, conduct and man-
ners of children, by fathers, mothers, and school in-

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ee ae

1847.] CITY DOCUMENT.—No.1. 138

structers, their future lives become admirable illus-
trations of the glorious influence of such early incul-
cations of virtue and piety. So mighty is the influ-
ence of such tuition, that exemplary men have rarely
been vile children, while uneducated, corrupt, and
base children, seldom become meritorious men.

To reform the character of nations, the process
must be commenced at the fountain head ; for if that
is preserved undefiled the whole current of life will
glide on in sparkling purity and majestic grandeur.

We must then rely upon correct parental guidance,
and the salutary influence of well managed public
schools, for the extinguishment of immortality and
crime, and the extension of virtue and religion,
throughout all ranks and conditions of the people ;
for they, with the teachers of the Christian religion,
have done more to civilize, refine, enlighten, and
elevate the character of man and of nations, than the
combined efforts of all the sovereigns, legislators,
statesmen, and judicial tribunals, which have ever
existed.

It is in this manner that the ranks of crime are to
be diminished ; for the young, instead of going forth
from the parental fireside as contaminated recruits,
for filling the perpetually increasing vacancies in the
infamous legions of licentiousness and depravity, they
will bear aloft the unstained banner of intelligence,
righteousness and honor, in their triumphal march,
to the highest earthly position to which man can as-
pire,—that of honest, faithful, patriotic, aud vene-
rated citizens.

14 MAYOR’S ADDRESS. [ April.

The funds of the city being almost exclusively de-
rived from the taxes which are annually imposed up-
on the people, the expenditures should be confined
to such objects only, as are considered of primary
consequence ; which requires such a wise and pru-
dential circumspection in the management of the
legislative and executive departments of the govern-
ment, as shall unite a due regard to the ability of the
people to furnish adequate means, with an entire
confidence in the real importance of the purposes to
which they are to be applied.

As the promotion of the best interests of our fel-
low-citizens entirely depends upon a harmonious
discharge of our several trusts, I sincerely assure you
that I shall cheerfully co-operate in the prosecution
of all such measures, as you may determine upon, as
being the most effectual for the accomplishment of
that desirable object ; and with profound gratitude
to the Almighty for the numerous blessings which he
has so liberally conferred upon our whole county, it
is my ardent prayer that they may be continued
through all succeeding ages, and that we may be wor-
thy of his merciful direction, in the execution of the
duties which have devolved upon us.

H. A. S. DEARBORN.

Roxbury, April 5, 1847.

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