The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-05-08
col. JAS. G. BHRRET.
Sketch OF His Long and Successful Career
Continued.

1853, appointed Postmaster of the City Of
Washington, which position he held until the
expiration of his commission, March 81, 1853,
when President James Buchanan, who was
partial to the doctrine of rotation in Office,
nominated his successor TO the Senate.
Colonel Berret retired from the Post Office
having won the friendship of all his assnci-
ates, by whom he was presented with hand
some testimonial in the form of dinner ser
vice of silver, on the larger pieces of which
were engraved these words:
presented to Colonel James G. Berret by
the clerks and others connected with the
City Post Office, as a token of their respect
for his work public officer, and of their
affection for him as man."
The following correspondence will explain
this graceful tribute from his associates in the
public service:
Posr OFFICE. wAsHNGroS, March 81.
To Col. James G. Berret.
you with the accompanying testimonial Of our
earnest respect we win incur any suspicion as TO
the sincerity of our motives. They are, we hope,
not only readily seen, but justly appreciated The
severance of the ties of official association con-
tinuing through period of several years, and
which productive of none but harmonious re-
atons, though saddening in itself, affords us this
opportunity to express the feelings that actuate u.s.
for, during that time, the unwearying kindness of
yor nature the consistent sincerity Of your friend
ship, the force and correctness of yonr judgment,
whilst commanding our admiration elected the
The position which you lately filled is one of eX-
IRENE deicacy the proper discharge OF its duties
demands from its incumbent nice combination OF
talent and discretion That you, sir, acquitted
yourself of the weighty obligation imposed upon
you with eminent capacity, your feIow-citizens,
who owe to your energy so many faclllt1es OF
which they now reap the advantages are unani-
nous in admitting. The ability with which you
treated the diversified intererts entrusted to your
care is familiar to all but TO u.s. who were long
associated with you falls the pleasant duty of bear
ing witness, as we alone can do to the complete
Of fhO in nTrnn Onn
your untring attention to the minutdlp of its ad-
minstration, and the zeal and efficiency which you
brought to the discharge of the important trusts
eonfided to you
Permit us, sir, whilst requesting your acceptance
of this service of plate to assure you that 1t is an
outward expression given to the sentiments which
are deepest III our breasts. We can now safely Of
fer such a tribute TO your worth; and we beg you
believe that with it are given our earnest wishes
that you may in the future meet with that success
and happiness which attend steadfast adherence
toduty and an unf1inch1ng devotion TO the obh-
CATIONS of man and citizen.
Lambert Tree, Richard Lay J. L. Noyes, NJ. P, Cal
Ian, w. Brooke Jones, j. j. Berret, j. Goodrich,
Fitz J. Bartlett, ]. W. Hicks, john c. Sprigg, P.
Sweeney A. H. Young. VIM. H. Thomas, ]. B.
Gardner, A. w. Hughes, Jas. L. Smith, John w,
Mead R. w. McHenry, Geo. Emmerick, D. Butler,
II. Ingle. L. w. Worthington, ?. a. Byrne, Minor
Bamsel n. NJ Iardella, e. Fletcher, John P. King,
G. c. Ashton w. A. Griffith. L. c. Robinson, S. J.
Tune D. Tolson, V r. Jackson, C. A. Dougherty,
R. Ball and ]. F. Hardness.
To which Colonel Berret replied as follows:
WASHINGTON, April 1, 1855
GENTLEMEN:-I have received with feeling of
gratitude and pride the generous expressions con
famed in your letter addressed to me on the 3lst
ultimo.
Your appreciation of my course Postmaster of
this city is the gratifying from the fact that
you have had the best opportunities OF witnessing
and of properly approaching my efforts to conduct
satisfactorily the business of the Office. While
trust and believe that these efforts have been SO far
fortunate as have secured public favor sense of
candor and justice requires me to add that owe
much very much of whatever success may have
been attained to your efficient aid which at all tins
has been promptly, assiduously, and cheerfully
The beautiful gift which you have presented to
me and the kind and Gfectionate words which ac-
companied it. shall be preserved cherished re-
membranes Of the regard and esteem of valued
friends whose prosperity ana happiness shall al
The event which has occasioned our official sepa-
ration, while it calls up pleasant recollecioHs OF
past intercourse, cannot but awaken emotions of
regret that the relations which have heretofore so
happily existed between us can never be resumed.
NV regret at parting will be lightened by the
hope as it will always be by the wish that ali your
pail through life may be strewed with flowers.
With simple sincerity your + friend end srr
To Messrs Lambert Tree, Richard Lay, j. L. Noyes
and Others
The Democratic Convention which met
early in May, 1858, made Colonel James g.
Berret their candidate for the Office of Mayor
of the City of Washington, without any solicit
tatien or expectation on his part. He ac-
cepted the nomination and promptly entered
upon the canvass, which began with ratifi-
cation meeting in front of the City Hall, at
which Mayor VIM B. Magruder was appoint
ed Chairman. Among the speakers were
Colonel Berret, the nominee, Hon. CLANCY
Jones, Hon. James b. Clay. A. G. Brown,
and others. His opponent, Hon. Richard
Wallack. was native of Washington, and a
gentleman of large personal following.
1t was apprehended that, growing out of the
excitement of the contest, disorder might oc-
cur at the polls on election day, to guard
against which the United States Marshal for
the District of Columbia organized corps of
Deputies whose presence secured the desired
result. The election was orderly in every
respect, and Colonel Berret was elected by a
handsome majority.
He was inaugurated June IA, 1858, and
after being introduced by the retiring Mayor,
he delivered the following address:
FELLOW CITIzENs:-I enter upon the discharge OF
the importa duties which you have contded to
me with a consciousness of my deficiencies and a
proper estimate of the obligations assume, but at
shrink from any just responsibility tina may arise
in the execution of the high trusts committed to
my charge.
unsurpassed in the beauty of its position, in the
grandeur of its architectural adornments and in
the oapaGiousness of its business thorough-fares,
avenues and public squares-should also present an
example Of an orderly, law-abiding community;
Unfortunately however, spirit ofreckleSSness and
resistance to law has gained footing amongst us
| in spite of many wholesome enactments for the
preservation of order and for the protection OF life
and property. The earnest well-directed efforts OF
the municipal authorities have been partially sue
cessfu in queling this spirit and good citizens be-
| gin to hope for a better condition OF things.
| shall 2ealously strive to redeem our city from
the stigma that seems to rest upon her fair name
| and to this END am determined, should " De iouho
! necessary, to employ all the means which the law
| places at my command. The police system of any
| large city demands great care and watehfulness,
The people regard 1t as their constant safeguard
and all classes of the community taught to feel
! its influences. The recent municipal election,
| which passed on with scarcely an unpleasant In
terrupton, presents striking proof of what order
! combined with unanimity and promptneSs of ac-
tion will effect in the proper arrangement and dis
! tribution of temporary police force and leads me
| to hope that such permanent organization may
eventually be made as to insure security to our cit
! zens under any emergency that may hereafter rise
| shall watch this branch of our citys service with
solicitude and, i'll find defects shall make such sug
gestions in reference thereto as circumstances may
| seem to require. fearless and faithful perform
| anee of duty will be exacted from every one con-
| nected with the police establishment.
Asa prompt and faithful execution of the laws
must necessarily be obsrueted by want of care and
good faith in those intrusted with the collection
and disbursement of the city's revenues shall, so
| far as my authority extends, require scrupulouS
| exactitude and rigid accountability on the part
| of all who may be charged with these duties.
In my efforts for the maintenance of law and the
! conservation of the public peace shall seek en-
| couagement and support from you, my fellow cit
! your representatives in the Municipal Councils tC
| sustain in all just measures. But above every
thing fellow citizens, let one and all, place our
| chief reliance upon that great and good Being who
alone controls the welfare of cities and of nations
| am now ready to be sworn i'll as Mayor of this
/ city,
Repairing to the Mayors office, he issued a
call for meeting of the City Councils, and
communicated a message in writing, request
! ing the passage of an Ordinance, authorizing
the organization of Police force of sufficient
strength to insure the peace and quiet of the
City, which had been greatly disturbed.
The Councils promptly responded to the
Mayors recommendation, and authorized the
organization of police force, to consist Of
{ ne hundred men, with chief officer and two
! lieutenants, who were soon appointed aud
ready for duty. Captain John H. Goddard,
man of sterling qualities for such service,
with Lieutenants McHenry and Thomas, were
placed in command of the force, to whom
credit should be given for the orderly con-
dition of things which soon followed.
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