Evening star., 1897-07-31


identified themselves with the people of the
city, and exchanged a generous hospitality;
that in a social point of view, certainly,
that period marked an agreeable era in the
history of Washington life.
A DssorderIy Element.
Advancing along little farther. we find
the city somewhat disturbed by a disor-
derly element. introduced from neighbor-
ing city. come now to the year 1856. 1
omit the period between 1910 and 1856 for
the reason that there are gentlemen here
tonight who will speak of those periods
more intelligently and more knowingly
than it is in my power to do.
The election of Dr. Magruder took place
in 1856 He was a man of considerable
learning and of high personal character
Indeed, / might say, In common pariance
that he was very able man. He stood
very high in his profession-pre-eminentl
so, but as a financier l am sure he never
claimed to be anything more than a tyro
His administration was characterized by
one very striking event, which never had
taken place before at the capital of the na-
tion A disorderly band of what might be
called the very worst class of ruffians pre-
sented themselves here in the broad light
of day, and undertook to possess them
selves of the town They marched fear
lessly through the streets. They knew
what they were going to do, and intimi-
dated both men and women. Dr. Masru-
der. exercising tine authority devoived upon
upon him. called upon the executive for
assistance in suppressiug these riotous in
truders 1t will be remembered that at
that time there was no organized police
force in the city, SO that the mayor was
powerless to suppress this organization.
and it became necessary to call for a1d
which was promptly rendered to him by an
order from President Buchanan upon the
officer III command of the marine corps
and a company was placed at the disposal
of the mayor for the maintenance OF the
public peace. Fortunately, that command
devolyed upon Maj. Henry B. Tyler. very
discreet and able officer, who succeeded in
suppressing this mob. and they were driven
from the city; but it left behind very many
disagreeable feelings among several classes
of people, who Sympathfzed Tor and against
the conduct of these people.
There were two organizations here of vol
unteer firemen. They were politically hos
tile to each other. ard upon many an oc-
casion, whenever the opportunity Afforded
and they came together by false alarm
of fire or otherwise disorder generally OBJ
tanned; but with very small guard, What
was called the auxiliary guard, organized
by authority of Congress, these small dl1n-
cuites were easily taken care OF.
His Own Election as Mayor.
I now reach a period in Washington's
history in which it devolved upon me to
take part in the conduct of municipal
affairs. AT the election which was to take
place on the first Monday of June, 1893,
there was very great excitement, caused
by the candidacy which preceded the cleo,
ton. The two parties were arrayed against
each other with all the zeal and energy and
enterprise which might be expected from
parties ambitious for success. 1t was gem
eIalIy supposed and dpprehended by many
that the election would be attended with
some dsagreeable conduct on the part OF
these people, who were likely to appear
again in Washington and interfere with
the peaceful and orderly election, but in
order to avoid such an occurrence Col.
William Seldom, then United States mar
shal for the District of Columbia, thought
1t necessary for the preservation of the
government property and the maintenance
of the public peace to exercise his author
ity. and he did SO by the organization of a
mounted guard of deputy United States
marShalS. They were stationed at the city
hall. aid al stated hours of the day, by
his order, 1 think, they would canvass the
city mounted 1t was a wise precaution.
as the result proved. The election passed
off very quietly, and he who now addresses
you had the honor of being elected over his
very popular opponent Mr.. Richard Wal
ZACH. l must be frank to say that
l never entered upon duty before or
since feeling more the great responsibility
that confronted me. l knew the elements
that prevailed at that time in the city
thoroughly. l had familiarized myself with
them before and during the canvass which
resulted in that election; so that on the
day of my installation, and within an hour
thereafter. invited a meeting of the coun-
ellis, to assemble the following Monday.
They did SO, and 1 communicated mes
sage to them, recommending the immediate
organization of a police force of one hum
dTed men, in order that l might have,
without calling upon the military authori-
ties. power necessary to maintain the peace
and order of the city. If there are any gen.
tlemen present here tonight familiar with
those days, they cannot fail to know the
serious apprehension that was felt by all
persons who undertook to traverse the
city. outside of the main thoroughfares at
late hours of the night. The councils
promptly responded to that recommended
ton. l appointed one hundred policemen
and selected as their commander an able
and discreet man. who. l think. possessed
higher qualities for that kind of service
than any man l ever have known or seen
before or since, Capt. John H. Goddard,
with two iieutenants. equally reliable, but,
of course, not so efficient. 1t was d very
few days before 1t became apparent that
the peace and order of the city had been
thoroughly established. which l attribute
to the efficiency and zeal of Capt Goddard
to whom all honor and praise should be
given.
Engine Companies Disbanded.
The disturbing element at that time were
assisted, as L have before stated, by these
two engine companies. l found, upon ex-
animation of the authority given to the
mayor over the volunteer companies, that
] had the power to disband fire company
l promptly exercised that power. l dis
banded both of them. OF course they re-
sisted and talked against it, and thought it
was very harsh treatment and all that sort
of thing. but. still. l considered it was to
their interest as well as to the interest of
the community, that they should be put
out of harms way. The Northern Liberty
company occupied a house which was used
regularly for that purpose. near where the
old Northern Liberty market stood. I'M
mediatey upon their disbandment I had
the building turned over to the trustees of
the public schools. and 1t was changed into
public school building. 1t is now used on
an enlarged scale, and is known as the Abb
bolt School. l think that movement, al
though l say it myself, had salutary IN
fiuence in bringing about the condition of
things which followed
During my service Of nearly four years
l was subsequently re-elected-the revenues
of the city were very small. They never
reached, 1 think. $3OO000 and we had
debt of about S2.OOO,O0O or more upon which
the interest had to be paid: so that you can
readily perceive that there was but little
margin for the development of a great city
formed upon the plan of Washington. But
still. did the best we could, and 1t is
hot rryh., fha,,