ADDRESS.

GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL :

Undertaking again to perform the responsible duties which devolve upon the chief magistrate of our beloved city, and sincerely grateful for the very flattering manner in which I have been reelected to a third term of service, I take this opportunity of extending, through you, to my fellow-citizens, my warmest thanks for the great and distinguished honor which they have most liberally conferred upon me, in making me, by their unmistakably expressed voice, the free and independent executive officer of a city whose reputation for all that is good, liberal and loyal, and whose interest in all that can conduce to the benefit, improvement and happiness of the human race, is so wide-spread, and so universally recognized and acknowledged: And I assure you, and them, that the confidence which has been so generously reposed in me will incite me to renewed endeavors in the faithful and impartial perform

ance of the high and responsible official duties which will necessarily fall to me, in connection with the management of the affairs of the city, during the year which has just commenced.

On entering upon a new year of office we find the country in an unusually prosperous and peaceful condition, and the municipality, which is to be the immediate field of our labors, eminently blessed with health and happiness. General thrift and prosperity are sensibly apparent within our borders. Let us, then, in taking upon ourselves the weighty trusts that have been confided to us, be sensible of the great responsibilities which we have assumed this day, and of the favorable auspices under which we commence our present term of service, placing our reliance on that power which has so long and so well preserved us in the enjoyment of a government based upon the most liberal principles, and guaranteeing to all impartial justice and the right of civil and religious liberty. Let the performance of our duties be with a view to the good of all. Let us be watchful, therefore, over the interests of all, and neglectful of nothing, constantly bearing in mind that the common weal is paramount in all instances, and that whatever conduces to the bene

fit of the many is sure to be for the most general good of the community at large. Let our aim be to promote the prosperity and happiness of those whose lot in life is cast within our municipality; and let whatever may be for the improvement of their condition be ever uppermost in our desires, as well as constantly in our thoughts.

Two years ago the neighboring cities of Boston and Roxbury, which had for more than two and a third centuries existed side by side as distinct and independent corporations, became, by their own consent, and the permission of the legislature, united under a common destiny. And this day

consummates the consolidation of Boston and Dorchester as one city, by the union of two ancient municipalities, coeval in age, dating back about two hundred and fifty years, when both were incorporated by one short paragraph in the old record as two colonial towns under the charter that authorized the settlement of Massachusetts, and established for its colonists a free free and liberal government. By this mutual act our city has again become largely increased in size,- its territory being enlarged nearly twofold, and its population, within its sixteen wards, augmented to more than a quarter of a million of living souls.

With this addition to the territory and population of Boston have arisen many new interests; and increased responsibilities have also been added to those, already weighty, which rest upon us who have been chosen to administer its prudential affairs. Therefore, we must not forget that these increased cares will demand extraordinary exertions on the part of the government. With additional labors, let us nerve ourselves to more strenuous exertions for their accomplishment; and, while we cordially give our united efforts for the furtherance of the objects for which we have been elected to office, let us rely, also, upon such assistance and counsel as every good and interested citizen should most freely bestow for the proper and satisfactory administration of affairs, which so much concern the welfare of us all.

Ever mindful of the sad condition from which our country has just arisen, and that our happy restoration to peace has been at the greatest cost of treasure, as well as of the dearest blood of the nation, we must also remember that, necessarily, our fellow citizens are now burdened with the oppressive weight of a national debt, which cannot be relieved but by the imposition

of heavy taxes, which must be borne for many years to come. Let us, then, while we most steadily sustain the credit of the city, by maintaining its honor and fulfilling all its engagements and obligations, still conduct its affairs with a view to the strictest economy in the expenditure of its resources. In all matters that can be deferred to another time, as well as performed now, let us await the great necessity, and bend our energies exclusively to such as are of imperative requirement. In whatever there there may be to be done, however, for the promotion of the interests and business facilities of our metropolis, let nothing stint nor delay immediate action, when the condition of the finances will allow the required expenditures without without oppressing our

citizens by inordinately increasing their Undertakings commenced should not be retarded, nor should judicious improvements, when absolutely demanded, be hindered in their accomplish

ment.

Of late years abuses have crept in upon municipal governments, which have been most severely criticised and condemned by those who furnish the means for their maintenance. Our fellowcitizens do not complain of moderate and judi