Evening star., 1897-06-09
MAYORS OF WASHINGTON
Text Of Papers Read Before the Columbia,
Historical Society.
Brief History of the District Included
ent Needs of the City.

Several interesting papers on ''The Mayors
of Washington" were read before the Co
lumbia Historical Society last evening, the
twenty-sixth meeting of that organization
being held in the large hall of the Column
bian University building.
Programs were distributed containing a
brief history of the District of Columbia
and its various forms of government, to-
gether with list of it's twenty mayors,
who served from 1902 to 1871 On the plat
form was life-size portrait in oil of Robt.
Brent, the first mayor of the city. Papers
were read by ex-Mayor James G. Berret,
A. R. Spofford, librarian of Congress; DR..
]. d. Morgan and NJ. I. Weller.
There were quite number of people pres
ent when Mr.. John A. kasson called the
meeting to order and introduced eX-Mayor
Berret.
Ex-MnyOr Berret's Address.
Mr.. Berret gave a brief account of the
organization of the District government
and told of the condition OF the city at the
date of his coming here, and of some of
the events during his administration, from
1858 to 1861. His acquaintance with Wash
ington, he said began sixty-eight years
ago next Friday. He told of the struggling
village, with its mud streets end lack of
Improvements of any kind.
When Mr.. Berret was elected mayor, he
said, there was no organized police depart
ment, and the city suffered from lawiesS-
ness. The two rival volunteer fire engine
companies were the cause of much trouble,
he said, and his first act to disband
them. He then asked the council to pro-
vide for an organization of 100 policemen,
and with that force good order was main
tanned. Before the force was organized
the people feared to go on the outskirts of
the city at night.
The revenues of the District then
amounted to only $30O,0 per annum, and
but little could be done with that sum in
improving the city. school system, ac-
commodating 5000 pupils, was maintained.
The agitation of slavery was then holding
back the development of the oity, as 1t
caused great uncertainty rs to the city's
future. He spoke of the work of Governor
Shepherd as the first move toward making
Washington a magnificent capital, and of
the prediction of Justice Miller. when Mr..
Shepherd went to Mexico, that he would
be welcomed back and nonored for the
great work he had done.
An Ideal City.
In concluding his remarks, Mr. Berret re-
ferred to the great need of certain improve
ments, in order to make the city an ideal
one. His reference to the Eastern branch
flats as needing attention at once, was
roundly applauded. He spoke of the need
of bridges across the Eastern branch and
the Potomac. advocated the immediate i'm
provement of Rock Creek Park, and hoped
parks would be completed on the reclaimed
Potomac flats and later along the Ana
costa river. Long bridge should be re-
constructed, he said, on the plans ap-
proved by President Jackson.
Life Work of Peter Force.
Librarian Spofford read an able paper on
the life work of Peter Force, whom he
garded a man of unusual worth. He
was mayor of Washington from 1896 to
1S4O.
1.-The one great object which overshad-
owed all other objects with Mr.. Force"
said Mr.. spofford, was to amass the ma
terials out of which complete document
airy history of the United States could be
compiled
His great worth as an historian. he said.
Is known to but few but to all students of
our revolutionary history, and all writer's
upon it, his work is estimated at its true
value The last days Of Mr.. Forces busy
life were spent at his home on the north
east corner of 10th and d streets, where he
lived for many years. and where he had
his great library, that filled seven rooms
of the house. and was later bought by Con-
gress for 100000.
The First Mayor.
DR.. ]. D. Morgan gave an account of the
life Of Robert Brent, the first mayor of
Washington, who was in office from 1902 to
1912. Mr.. Morgan had number of pictures
relating to his subject, which were passed
dFouHQ among the duQlencG. MT. Brent, he
said, had been judge of the Orphans Court,
justice of the peace, member of the school
Eoard and paymaster of the army.
Ex-Mayor Emery was present but not
having prepared a paper on the subject
under consideration, did not speak at any
length, saying he hoped. to do so at some
future time.
From 1912 to 1920.
The last paper of the evening was read
by Mr.. M. 1. Weller, who spoke of the
mayors from 1872 to 1920. In 1912, he said.
tho population of the District was one-third
foreign born, and the residents of English
birth turned out in force to defend the
city against the British with as much earn
estness as did any others. He said one
third of the population was colored, that
proportion of colored people being still
maintained here. One-half of the colored
people, however, had always been free Mr.
Weller gave great deal of interesting in
formation regarding the early days Of the
capital.
At the conclusion Of the exercises a vote
Of thanks was extended to the speakers of
the evening.
Ex-Repfesentntive Aldrich Here.
Ex-Reprcsentative Frank Aldrich CT Chi