commencement of operations upon several of the bridges, and much of the work will be completed during the present winter.

Under an act of the legislature, the city was authorized to extend Broadway over the waters of Fort Point Channel, under restrictions recommended by the United States Commission in their seventh report. To meet these restrictions in their letter and spirit, the harbor commission, after careful study and inspection of different plans, finally approved of one for an iron bridge, proposed by the city, as has already been stated under another head.

Among the duties incumbent upon the board of harbor commissioners is that of continued watchfulness over all operations in the harbor, to secure the proper execution of its marine structures, and to prevent encroachment beyond the lines preserved by law, the improper disposition of material dredged from docks, etc. In all these varied functions we recognize the efficiency of the board of harbor commissioners, and the wisdom of the legislation which established it.

During the interval of the sessions of the legislature, the citizens of Boston have been thrown into considerable alarm alarm from impressions that

efforts would be made by the incoming General Court to abridge our privileges by an unjustifiable encroachment upon the tide waters of Charles River, in an attempt to fill up a portion thereof. It is to be hoped that this infringement of our domain, at the great discomfort of our fellow-citizens, will not be allowed, and that the sheet of water which adds so much to our comfort and health may continue unmolested.

EAST BOSTON FERRIES.

The communications by ferry between East Boston and the city proper, that have for many years been felt to be an undue restraint upon the healthful development of our industries, and the natural expansion of our commerce, have within the past year been brought to an adjustment that we have reason to hope will prove satisfactory to all classes of our citizens. The pressing motives that have demanded this action on the part of the city government seem to have been thoroughly appreciated by those who have had this matter in charge, and they have been urged upon the city the more effectually because the more quietly, and as justifying themselves entirely by the gravity of public considerations.

All the boats and property of the East Boston Ferry Company, including their franchise, have been purchased by the city, at what was deemed a fair and equitable valuation,- possession and control of them to be assumed by the city on the first day of April next.

The conduct of these communications from and after that day, as regards the quantity and quality of accommodation, and the tariff of tolls, will command your careful and wisest consideration. Large interests of trade, of maritime and inland commerce, of mechanical industry and of residence, are to be seriously affected by the manner in which the city shall discharge this new public trust; and I may suggest that perhaps no better guide to your action in this matter can be found than to follow carefully and closely, for the nature and extent of ferry privileges, what these interests shall require. There can be no doubt that with this avenue of public convenience, as with others between other portions of our rapidly extending city, the accommodations should be sufficiently ample and liberal in all respects, that none of the various public interests shall suffer any needless annoyance, be subjected to hindrances that can reasonably be avoided, or to

such tolls as shall prove any sensible check to the largest enterprise of our people. They should rather lead than follow the public demands, and so operate as an encouragement and incentive to the expenditure and permanent location of capital.

It is the opinion of the city solicitor that the existing provisions of law will enable the city government to manage the East Boston Ferry, when it shall come into the possession of the city, as you shall adjudge the public interests to require, and that no further legislation on this subject is needed. The committee on ordinances of the last year was requested to prepare an ordinance to establish a Board of Directors for the ferry, and having failed so to do, it will be for you to consider the same subject and determine what shall be done in the matter; and I have no doubt that the judicious regulation which this interest will receive at your hands will not only be satisfactory to those who make use of the ferries, but also give confidence, encouragement and stability to business, and prove a relief to all in any way interested in that important portion of our city.

CENSUS.

On the first of next June the ninth United States Census will be taken. This will not only include particulars relating to the population, but will extend to the most important statistical matters relating to all the great individual interests of the country. It is to be hoped that the canvass will be so conducted as to elicit a vast amount of interesting and useful information, and it will therefore be very important that all the required facilities be given, so that the work, so extremely valuable and instructive to all classes of our people, may be conducted and accomplished in the most complete, correct and satisfactory manner. It would be well that arrangements should be made so that the particulars relating to this city can be obtained at the earliest possible time.

ANNEXATION OF DORCHESTER.

The addition to our domain of so large a territory as was comprised in the town of Dorchester will undoubtedly produce a corresponding amount of labor, and add largely to the expense of rightly conducting the several departments of the city