In the shuttle action of local politics Francis E. Carroll (Dem.) was elected mayor in 1871, but five of the aldermen were Republicans. The bonded debt of the city was now $800,000 ($500,000 of which was in aid of the Chenango Valley road), and this amount was increased within a year by $100,000 for the Syracuse University. There had also sprung up like a mushroom a floating debt of $58,000. The salaries of the principal city officials were fixed this year as follows: City treasurer, $1,250; clerk, $1,000; street superintendent, $1,200; engineer, $1,200. The city tax levy had now reached a little over $400,000.
The subject of a better water supply had received preliminary attention in 1870, when a meeting was held to consider the plan of utilizing the Tully lakes as a source. An appropriation of $3,000 was made for a survey, which was finished early in 1871 and several public meetings were held for discussion of plans, in which Skaneateles Lake was considered as an available source of supply. A citizens' committee was appointed, which reported in January, 1871, favorably to the Tully lakes and suggested that a bill be drawn and presented to the Legislature providing for the prosecution of the work. As public opinion on the subject crystallized, and the heavy investment necessary was fully made known to the people, the committee made a supplementary report in February, advising that the subject be abandoned for a time.
The incorporation of two street railway companies was effected in 1871, one of which proposed to build a road to pass through North Salina street, Church, Warren, Willow, Townsend, Lodi, and Alvord streets, to Wolf street; the other (April 15) to pass from South Salina through Fayette, Mulberry and Madison streets to University avenue and the university. Neither of these roads was constructed. The location of the university on the eastern highlands gave an impetus to settlement in that vicinity and led to the building of many fine residences, which has continued until now it constitutes one of the most desirable parts of the city. Meanwhile, the opening of the street railroad to Oakwood Cemetery, passing through the beautiful section in the southern part of the city, drew many home-seekers in that direction. High taxation was beginning to alarm the people, and as Castle street was the city boundary on the south, many persons bought lots beyond the line for economic reasons, as well as to secure residence in that beautiful and healthful locality.
In 1872 Francis E. Carroll (Dem.) was re-elected mayor, and with him were five aldermen of the same political faith; but in 1873 the control of the city passed to the Republicans by the election of William J. Wallace, mayor, and four Republican aldermen. Again the nightmare of public debt was agitating the community, and prudent citizens foresaw impending calamity in the apparent reckless manner in which the public funds were disbursed, at a time when the whole country was suffering from "hard times" caused by the reaction from the inflated period of the war. Each political party charged the other, as usual, with the responsibility for the state of affairs, and each published a "platform," a rather uncommon proceeding in a charter election. Both parties pledged themselves to the needed reformation, that of the Democrats being in some respects unprecedented, for it promised to correct "abuses if which nearly every man it elected a year ago has been guilty." Mayor Wallace found little to command in the acts of some of the preceding administrations. In his inaugural he condemned in unmeasured terms the creation of a floating debt, and showed that instead of expending $25,000 for paving in the preceding year, as limited by the charter, more than $38,000 had been expended. he found the funded debt amounting to $1,226,000 with a floating debt of $100,000. He saw little prospect of materially reducing taxation, but expressed his determination to keep within charter limits in expenditures and to enforce economy. A public meeting was held on March 26, to make arrangements for funding the great floating debt, which was soon afterwards accomplished.
The Chenango Valley Railroad was formally opened on February 12, 1874, with an excursion to Earlville. Although this road had been largely aided by the city, the benefit received was not then commensurate with the investment.
Again the political complexion of the city government changed at the charter election (1874), when N. F. Graves (Dem.) was chosen mayor, with four alderman of the same faith. In his inaugural address the mayor alluded to the large debt "hanging over the city like a pall and darkening the future." He said there was no doubt capital would flow into Syracuse if such investments could be considered safe. The clerk's report now showed a total debt of $1,353,000, all funded.
This year was marked with the occurrence of a terrible calamity in the Central Baptist church on the evening of June 2. A large assemblage had gathered there to listen to a concert in the parlors of the church. In the midst of the festivities following the concert, the floor gave way, precipitating almost the entire company to the floor below, crushing them with timbers and burying them in the debris. One of the first to escape was the pastor of the church, Rev. George Thomas Dowling, who hastened to the engine house of Company No. 1 and gave the alarm. The fire bell was rung and in a few moments the church was surrounded with an anxious crowd of people. The work of extricating the killed and wounded was pursued as rapidly as possible, and by midnight the last victim was released. The list of killed numbered fourteen, while one hundred and forty-five were more or less injured. The sad calamity cast a gloom over the entire city. Suitable commemoration services were held on the following Sunday in many of the churches, in which words of sympathy, fitting music and offerings of flowers shed a hallowed influence over the assemblages which a common sorrow had brought together. A memorial service was held in Wieting Opera House, morning and evening, when the theater was draped with emblems of mourning, and the services were most impressive.
It was in this year (1874) that steps were taken for the organization of a village over the southern boundary of the city. During the preceding ten years, the territory south of Castle street had been rapidly built up by an excellent class of dwellings, chiefly owned by their occupants. A number of the more prominent of these citizens conceived the plan of forming a separate village corporation, mainly for the purpose of securing better and more convenient school advantages, better streets, and better fire protection. An election was held on December 21, to vote upon the question, at which eighty-five votes were cast in favor of the project and fifty-two against it. An act of incorporation was passed by the Legislature and at the first regular village election Edward Abeel was chosen president. The new village was appropriately named "Danforth," in honor of the pioneer.
Mr. Abeel held the office of president of the village one year, when Truman K. Fuller was elected and held the office five years; he was succeeded by Edward P. Glass, who continued in the office until the village was annexed to the city in 1887. The village of Danforth gained the reputation of being healthful and moral, and its growth was rapid.
George P. Hier (Rep.) was elected mayor in 1875, and was supported by five Republican aldermen. The funded debt was reported as $1,339,000 on the 1st of January. The subject of charter amendments had been before the public and in the hands of a committee for some time, and in March the committee reported favorably on several important changes. Briefly, they provided for the division of six of the eight wards, thus creating six new wards, making fourteen in all, the principal object being a larger representation in the Board of Supervisors; the creation of a Board of Public Works, consisting of one member from each ward, to serve without compensation; creating a Board of Fire Commissioners; more clearly defining the duties and powers of the Board of Education and increasing its number to fourteen. None of these changes became operative at that time, excepting the creation of the Board of Fire Commissioners in connection with the paid fire department.
The city suffered from a visitation of the small-pox in 1875, and the disease attracted sufficient attention in August to call for a public meeting to adopt such measures as would prevent an epidemic. The Council had, in January, advertised for a site for a pest house, which resulted in the purchase of eight acres of land on Beech street and the erection in August of a pest house and necessary out buildings for patients afflicted with contagious diseases. Meanwhile, in spite of all effort, the disease increased. About September 1 there were forty cases reported, and on the 6th there were six burials of small-pox victims; up to that date a total of 128 cases had been reported, with thirty-six deaths. While the disease progressed until late in the autumn, the public press boldly claimed that it was on the wane as early as October 1, and on the 8th of that month a manifesto from leading business men was issued declaring that the scourge was overcome, and that people could visit the city with impunity. The fact was that there were fifty-two cases on the 1st of November and the disease was not wholly eradicated until near the close of the year. On the 10th of November the physicians reported that there had been 810 cases and 182 deaths, and this number was slightly increased afterwards. Business suffered severely through loss of country trade, while the epidemic cost the city directly more than $60,000. The hospital and grounds cost about $12,000.
John J. Crouse was elected mayor in the Centennial year with three Republican alderman. The funded debt was now $1,216,000, with a floating debt of $150,000. The latter, the mayor advised in his inaugural, should be funded, and he vehemently protested against the manner in which money had been lavished on streets with very meager results. The floating debt was funded before the close of the year. In March a bill was sent to the legislature, giving the Council authority to levy taxes as follows:
For highways, sewers and bridges, not to exceed $150,000; for principal and interest on the funded debt, the actual sum falling due in the ensuing year; for the Board of Education, not exceeding $100,000; for the fire department, not exceeding $35,000; for street lighting, not exceeding $35,000; for water dues, $22,500, or such sum as might be awarded by a commission; for interest on temporary loans not exceeding $10,000; for damages and costs, not exceeding $5,000. A supplemental act of June 2 reduced the aggregate amount to be expended annually to $25,000, with the exception of the Centennial year, when the city's share of the cost of the new Salina street pavement might be added.
A contract with the water company was made this year under which the city was to pay $25,000 annually for water.
The reader of these pages covering the ten or fifteen preceding years cannot have failed to notice that Syracuse was rapidly becoming involved in debt and that, aside from the value, present or prospective, of the railroad and university bonds, the city at the beginning of 1877 could not exhibit improvement at all commensurate with the expenditures; and prudent men of either political faith began to view the situation with alarm. Measures to protect the city from evils sure to follow extravagance and corruption were freely discussed. The result was a call for a public meeting on the 3d of January, at which considerable strong speaking was heard. Dr. Wieting claimed that he had for years foretold the existing situation. Dennis McCarthy acknowledged that the subject of relief from high taxes and all the attendant evils presented a serious problem. He doubted if much less than the authorized sum of $425,000 was sufficient to properly administer the city government, and that all talk of electing a Reform Council was idle, for any council would still be constituted of erring human beings. Peter Burns counseled thorough charter revision. A committee was appointed at this meeting of one from each ward to investigate how the public money had been expended during the previous year, comprised of A. L. Johnson, Thomas J. Leach, A. A. Howlett (1), William Kirkpatrick, Obadiah Seeley, Charles Tallman, Stiles M. Rust and Hiram Kingsley. A second meeting was held on January 10, at which a Committee on Plan of Action was appointed consisting of Robert McCarthy, J. Barnes, Peter Knaul, W. B. Smith, J. J. Greenough, John R. Whitlock, Nathan Cobb and Jacob Crouse. This committee reported before the close of the meeting. The first clause of their report was significant. "It is the future that demands our attention, not past errors," they said in substance; "men must be elected to municipal office who are above reproach, and retrenchment, retrenchment, must be the future watchword." Their Plan of Action was, briefly, the appointment of a committee of twelve from each ward, who should constitute a Committee of Ninety-six, equally divided politically, by whom the nominations for all city offices should be made, their candidates to be supported in the elections and the nominations to be submitted to approval in a citizens' meeting. The report was adopted. This great Committee of Ninety-six met on the 17th of January and organized by making Charles P. Clark, president, and P. H. Agan and R. A. Bonta, secretaries. A committee of two from each ward was appointed from the large committee to report a plan for making nominations. This committee reported that the mayor should be nominated from one political party, the overseer of the poor from the opposite party, and so on through all of the elective offices in alternation, and making the board of aldermen one-half Republican and one-half Democratic. A convention of the Committee of Ninety-six was held on February 1, at which reform resolutions were adopted and the nominations made. John R. Whitlock (Dem.) was made candidate for mayor.
Difficulties, which should have been foreseen, were at hand. Oil and water will not mix; neither do Democrats and Republicans harmonize in the mutual distribution of offices. It was not in the nature of things political that Republican newspapers or individual Republicans would unselfishly support a prominent Democrat for mayor. The inevitable "split" followed, and James J. Belden was nominated for mayor by the Republicans (much against his inclination) and finally accepted. Mr. Belden was, and is, a clear-headed business man. The time was ripe. Under the conditions that had so rapidly come into existence there swept over the public mind such a political revulsion that the Republican candidate went into the mayoralty with the unprecedented majority of 1,745, and carried with him the entire board of Republican aldermen. In his inaugural address Mayor Belden so clearly set forth the financial conditions and their cause that any one could understand, and promised a radical change. The funded debt was given as $1,418,000, and the floating debt as $95,763.10. The mayor showed that when the payments which could not be escaped were made from the city's income, there would remain only about $20,000 for pavements, sewers, salaries and miscellaneous expenses--a sum that was only a mere tithe of what had been annually expended for those purposes for many years. Therein lay one of the chief causes of increasing indebtedness. To cure the evil the mayor proposed to begin the financial part of his administration with a new set of books, and make future years take care of themselves, at the same time separately reducing accrued indebtedness. The effects of these plain business methods were soon visible. A change was made in the city charter (May 10) providing that in making out the tax levy for any particular year, all debts incurred in the preceding year, if there were any, should be included in such levy, but the aggregate amount to be raised should not exceed $425,000, except in the year 1877, when the city's share of the Burnet street sewer (recently built) and the West Onondaga street sewer should be added. This provision was intended to prevent the pernicious practice of outgoing Councils incurring debts for their successors to pay, and the accumulation of a floating debt. Rigid economy was now enforced in every department and public improvements were limited to such as were imperatively needed.
Mayor Belden, early in 1878, announced his determination to decline a renomination, but a published petition signed by two or three hundred prominent citizens and other like influences induced him to change his purpose. In the charter election he was opposed by Wilbur M. Brown, Democrat, and a third candidate, Arthur P. Yates, nominated by the working men. The people evidently considered it a poor time to experiment and re-elected Mr. Belden by a majority of almost 3,000; seven of the aldermen were Republicans. The success of the business tactics of the preceding year was shown in the mayor's inaugural address, wherein he demonstrated that there had been at the beginning of his administration a statement of so-called assets amounting to $136,587.69, which consisted wholly of due but uncollected taxes, and a floating debt of $141,373.76, besides the unadjusted suits and claims. Of the first named sum there had been collected during the year $125,190.36, besides $11,399.33 in liens on property. There had been paid on the floating debt $116,040.48, and there was cash on hand $9,149.88. All liabilities for the year had been met at maturity and the city owed no debt, actual or contingent, which had been incurred during 1877. All accounts of this year had been kept entirely separate from those of previous years.
The paid fire department was established in 1877 and the first report of the Fire Commissioners appeared this year, showing that there were on hand four Amoskeag steam fire engines, one chemical fire engine, one hook and ladder truck and apparatus, five hose carriages and sixteen horses, with 11,000 feet of hose. The first annual report of the street superintendent was also made, showing that there were expended for street improvements, street cleaning, and the salary of the deputy, $30,213.09. The first city attorney (Martin A. Knapp) also made a clear report of the litigation in which the city was involved, a large amount of which had been cleared away during the year. Some changes were made in the salaries of officials, that of the treasurer, $3,000; of the clerk, $2,000, they to pay their assistants; of the superintendent of streets, $1,200, and of the overseer of the poor, $1,500. An act of the Legislature of May 7, gave the appointment of city attorney to the mayor, made his term two years, and the salary to be fixed by the Council.
We have been thus particular in recording the events of 1877-8, for they seemed to have marked the beginning of a new and more judicious and efficient era in city government. It is probable that changes then wrought have exerted an influence to the present time. A local paper made the announcement in the latter part of 1878 that, "Go where you will, business men are talking more confidently than they have for five years of improvement." The hard times were passing away.
Irving G. Vann (Rep.) was elected mayor in 1879, and five Republican aldermen. At the close of Mayor Belden's term of two years he reported the tax levies of 1877-78 all collected except a trifle of $113.71; that the city as far as those years were concerned, did not owe a dollar; the funded debt had been reduced $37,000, and there was no unfunded debt. Mayor Vann's administration continued the excellent record of his predecessor; the government was administered both economically and efficiently and the general tide of public affairs was unruffled. The same may be said of the years 1880-81, when Francis Hendricks (Rep.) and seven Republican aldermen were elected in the first year and Mr. Hendricks was honored with a re-election in 1881, with six Republican aldermen. Public improvements continued upon the same conservative and restricted lines and financial conditions continued to improve. The presidential campaign of 1880 was unusually exciting and many public meetings, processions, etc., were held. General Grant visited the city on the 26th of October and was given a royal welcome. The corner stone of the new county clerk's building was laid on the 11th of August.
The latter months of 1880 a movement came to life by which some hopeful persons endeavored to provide for the future "development of the natural beauties of our city, its site and surroundings;" and to promote "the convenience and comfort of our citizens, and more fully secure good government." This worthy purpose was to be accomplished by laying out streets in suburban tracts, providing for public parks, amending the city charter, rigid execution of the laws, and the general advancement of business interests. As a result of this movement the "City Improvement Society" was organized on the 4th of January, 1881. A meeting was held on February 22, when standing committees were appointed and the various objects of the society placed in their hands. The project had a pleasing look, but from some important part of its organism the vital spark seems to have been left out, and after a few abortive meetings the society lapsed into oblivion.
The West Shore Railroad was now in process of construction and in this year (1881) secured its valuable franchise through the city with very little return. The proceedings that led up to the granting of this franchise have been severely criticized as unwise, if not dishonorable, on the part of some of the board of aldermen then in power.
On the 19th of July the Wieting block was burned to the ground, causing a loss of about $400,000. Dr. Wieting promptly rebuilt it, together with the opera house which bears his name.
In the charter election of 1882 the city government was wrested from the Republicans by the election of John Demong, mayor; his majority was only 69, and six of the eight aldermen were Republicans. The out-going mayor congratulated his co-workers on the work of their administration. There had been seven and a quarter miles of macadam pavement laid, and one and one-third miles of sandstone, and 7,000 tons of broken stone had been used. A large part of this pavement and others laid about this time, was inferior in construction, as shown a little further on.
On August 29, 1880, Mayor Hendricks had removed the Board of Police Commissioners, by virtue of the authority of an act of Legislature passed June 21 of that year, and transmitted his reasons for such action to the Council. His authority and the status of the new appointees were questioned and the matter taken into the court, where the opinion was rendered that the act was legal and the new board was confirmed. In May, 1882, Mayor Demong retaliated by removing the board left in office by his predecessor, and appointed a non-partisan board consisting of W. B. Kirk, J. D. Ackerman, Rhoda M. Mara, and T. D. Brewster.
The Democrats retained control of the city government in 1883 by the election of Thomas Ryan and four aldermen. How evenly the vote of the city was then divided between the two political parties is seen in the fact that John Demong's majority in 1882 was only 69, and that of Mr. Ryan was 86. Thomas Ryan was re-elected in 1884-85. He found public affairs and finances in good condition, and in his inaugural address informed the Council that although the city was authorized to raised $450,000 annually, it was gratifying to know that their predecessors had not called for that sum and hoped their good example might be followed in future. The city budget for the year was $376,000.
In many preceding years there had been considerable strife between the Board of Education and the several Councils in relation to the amount of money to be granted the board each year--a strife which has continued in some degree to the present time. In February, 1884, the board sent a request to the Council for an appropriation of $8,000 with which to pay bills carried over from the preceding year. To give this request additional force Superintendent Edward Smith made a statement of his financial relations with the Councils from and including 1876, which is worthy of note. In 1876, he said the board asked and were awarded $90,000 and $6,200 for the Prescott school; in 1877 they asked $75,000 and $7,500 for the permanent fund, the latter being refused; in 1878 their experience was the same; in 1879 they asked for $75,000, which was cut down $2,500, and of the $10,000 asked for the permanent fund they received $5,000; in 1880 they asked and were awarded $75,000 and $7,000 for the two funds; in 1881, $86,000, and $4,000; in 1882, $116,000, of which they received $100,000, with $10,000 additional in June; in 1883, $102,109.52, of which they received $93,900, and of $16,500 asked in addition they received $14,800. The request of the board for the $8,000 was refused for the expressed reason that no more money could be given them without violating the charter. As a consequence about the last of January, when its funds were exhausted, the board took steps to close the schools. This extreme measure was rendered unnecessary by an advance of sufficient money to carry the board through the year by Mayor Ryan.
The local political campaign of 1884 was a heated one. It was loudly claimed, chiefly by Republicans and their organs to be sure, that the affairs of the city were again rapidly becoming chaotic and that nothing short of a wholesale revolution would cure the evil. As one means of effecting this a Municipal Club was organized, from which great benefits were hoped for. The fact that such political organizations have rarely accomplished their purposes seems to have been lost sign of, or ignored. But this great club was composed of excellent material, generally conservative and honorable, and Wilbur S. Peck was placed in nomination for mayor. The Republicans refused to unite on Mr. Peck and nominated Willis B. Burns for the office, while the Democrats renominated Mayor Ryan, who had gained considerable popularity among the masses. Ryan was elected by a majority of 1,708 over Burns, while Burns had a majority of 403 over the candidate of the club; this was its death blow.
The city debt had now been reduced to $1,222,000, of which the sum of $111,702.50, principal and interest, was to be paid in 1884. The frequently-discussed subject of annexation was again agitated in this year and with substantial results. Geddes and Danforth both contained a large element of population who favored the object, but in the first named village there were many who opposed it on the expressed ground of "the rotten system of letting city contracts." The project continued before the public, but was somewhat obscured during 1885 by the all-absorbing water question. In 1886 it took definite shape. The principal opposition arose over the question of retaining the village government in Geddes and adding to it the "Sackett Tract." An act of the Legislature was passed May 17, 1886, authorizing the annexation of Geddes and territory adjacent thereto.
Of this territory that part lying easterly and northerly of the Erie Canal was annexed to the Third ward; that westerly and southerly of the canal was divided into two wards by a line through the center of Genesee street, the part south of that street forming the Ninth ward, and the part north of that street the Tenth ward.
While this matter was in progress a petition was circulated in Danforth for the same object, and an act of the Legislature was passed June 15, 1886, under which the annexation of the beautiful suburb was effected on the 3d Tuesday of February, 1887.
The project of erecting a new City Hall assumed definite character in 1884, and in conformance to the report of a committee previously appointed, a bill was drawn and brought before the Council in April, authorizing the construction of a new public building at a maximum cost of $150,000, for which bonds were to be issued. Another committee was appointed which on December 3 reported in favor of placing the new structure on the site of the old City Hall, and advising the appointment of a committee of three to procure plans and specifications and report previous to February 1, 1885. This committee consisted of J. B. Brooks, Thomas McManus, and Frederick Schwartz. On February 2 they reported that plans had been received from five architects. The project was under discussion until 1888, when the structure was finished, as described a little further on.
In January, 1864, a charter revision committee was appointed consisting of Martin A. Knapp, Christian Freeoff, S. W. Sherlock, J. Page Munroe, and A. H. Green. Their work was finished, approved by the legislature, and received the governor's signature on February 21, 1885. The principal changes were those giving the mayor the power to appoint the city engineer and the superintendent of streets, while he retained all of his former appointing power; he was also given a clerk at a salary of $800 a year, and his term of office made two years with a salary of $2,500. The term of the police justice was made four years and the annual salary $2,200. The term of the city attorney was made two years, the annual salary to be fixed by the Council. The assessors' terms were made four years, with annual salary of $1,500; and at the then succeeding election the aldermen were elected for one year in the odd-numbered wards, and for two years in the even-numbered wards; after that election the aldermanic term was two years with annual salary of $250. The maximum appropriation for the fire department was increased to $50,000, and the amount for contingent expenses to $125,000; changes were also made in the percentages allowed for tax collections after certain periods from the treasurer's notice that they were due.
This year (1884) was memorable from active and virulent condemnation of the methods that had long prevailed in letting contracts for street improvements. It was stated in the public press that there had been expended on the streets during three years prior to May, 1884, the enormous sum of $224,405.41, for which no adequate improvement was visible. Streets reported as macadamized were found to be covered with only a thin layer of broken stone upon insufficient foundation; gutters were poorly paved; sandstone pavements were constructed of unfit material in direct violation of contracts, and a general disregard of moral and material obligations had prevailed. The city engineer and superintendent of streets were called to account and the removal of the formal official determined upon, but finally abandoned. The storm of protestation from outraged taxpayers brought forth promises of reformation, and for a time contractors were held more strictly to their obligations; but the change was not permanent.
During the years 1886 and 1887 the city was continually in the throes of agitation over a better water supply, largely to the exclusion of other public affairs. The question of accepting the pledges of the old company to increase and improve their supply; the operations of the Central City Water Company; the appointment in the fall of the former year of a Committee of One Hundred to wrestle with the problem; and a little later the persistent efforts of William A. Sweet to show that Salmon River was the best possible source, while another faction just as industriously labored in favor of Skaneateles Lake, all conspired to create intense interest. The details of this matter are given on a later page in an account of the city water works.
In the charter election of 1886, Willis B. Burns was elected over Thomas Ryan, and held the office two years under the new arrangement; six of the aldermen, with the mayor, were of Republican politics. The city debt was given as $1,165,000. In June of this year the city received a splendid gift of a tract of 135 acres of land on the hills west of the city from Major John B. Burnet, for a public park. The only important conditions of the gift were, that the city should expend $3,000 for surveying and mapping the tract during the year; $10,000 annually during the succeeding four years, and $3,000 annually thereafter for park improvements. The tract was formally accepted in August and given the name Burnet Park.
Mayor Burns held over in the year 1887, and out of eleven wards only the First elected a Democratic alderman. The mayor's inaugural address was congratulatory in tone; $27,500 had been paid on the city debt in the preceding year, reducing it to $1,141,500, while in the fiscal year 1887 only $1,000 was to be paid on account of the admission of Danforth into the city. The tax levy was $407,872.24. The great extension of the territorial limits of the city necessitated various additions to the several departments. The police commissioners, on January 10, asked for an addition of twenty-four men on the police force, and charter amendments made under an act of May 18, established the boundaries of the enlarged city and the wards; provided for the election on a general ticket of the mayor, police justice, four assessors, six justices, and one overseer of the poor; for the numbering of the streets on a clear and practical system, and fixing the limit of expenditures by various departments as follows: Fire department, $75,000; street lighting, $50,000; fixing the limit of the tax levy at $500,000, excepting in 1887-88, in which years $25,000 might be added for Burnet Park. The salaries of city officers were fixed this year as follows:
City treasurer, $2,200; deputy city treasurer, $1,500; city engineer, $2,200; assistant city engineer, $1,000; weigher of hay, $720; mayor's clerk, $800; city clerk, $2,200; deputy city clerk, $800; city attorney, $2,500; superintendent streets, $2,500; repairer of lamps, $1,100; janitor, $720, assessors, $1,800.
In 1886-7 a street railway "boom" was started. The building and extension of these popular means of conveyance had remained substantially inactive for some years, while the city was growing rapidly, until the demand for better facilities for reaching the various tracts which had been recently divided into lots and were being rapidly covered with buildings became imperative. The lines in existence at this time were that of the Central City Railway Company, built in 1860 from the canal to the First ward and opened in August of that year with a public demonstration; this line passed under control of the People's Railroad Company (organized in 1887) April 4, 1889; the line of the Syracuse and Geddes Railway Company, built in 1863; the line of the Syracuse and Onondaga Railway Company, opened July 25, 1864, and transferred to the People's Railroad Company; the Genesee and Water Street Railway Company, with its belt line built about 1866, extending through Genesee, Beech and Water streets; the Water street track was taken up in 1878, and the Crouse avenue branch was built in 1873; this line passed under control of the Consolidated Street Railway Company (chartered May 22, 1890) upon its organization on July 1, 1890; the Fifth Ward Railway Company's line, opened in 1868, and transferred to the Consolidated Company.
The time for transition and extension in street railroads in Syracuse had come. The Seventh Ward line was established in 1886, and in 1889 the Eleventh Ward line was built by substantially the same company; both extended southward into the Eleventh ward by different routes, and both were absorbed by the Consolidated Railway Company upon its organization. The Third Ward Railway Company was organized in 1886, and its line put in operation in 1888 with electricity; it runs westwardly to the Solvay works, and passed into the Consolidated Company's hands. The Woodlawn and Butternut Street Railway Company, organized in 1886, was absorbed by the Consolidated. The Burnet Street Railway Company, organized in June, 1886, passed to the Consolidated Company. As has been indicated, these various old and new street railway enterprises became absorbed in two large organizations. Of these the People's Railroad Company was organized in 1887 with a capital of $300,000, and with its several connections soon had control of a little over ten miles of track, including through communication between Onondaga Valley and the lake. A large pier and pavilion were erected at the lake and made a public resort. After 1890 it extended its lines, put on electricity and gave good service, and on May 1, 1894, was merged in the Syracuse Street Railway Company. In 1895 all the street railroad interests of the city were acquired by this company, and improvements are in progress that are destined to give the city a railway system that will meet the approval of the community.
In the charter election of 1888 the Democrats were successful, placing in the mayor's chair William B. Kirk; eight of the eleven aldermen were Republicans. The bonded debt at this time was $1,140,500, on the principal of which only $1,000 fell due in this year; the tax levy was $537,000. On the 2d of April the Council adopted a resolution requesting the representatives in the Legislature to procure the passage of a bill authorizing the construction of a new City Hall. This bill became a law on the 8th of May, and authorized the city to issue bonds for $300,000 for the purpose, and gave the mayor power to appoint four commissioners to take charge of the work. The commission was constituted of Henry J. Mowry, John Dunn, jr., August Falker and E. F. Holden. The site of the old City Hall was finally selected and the plans of Architect Charles E. Colton adopted. The old structure was demolished and the new one begun in the fall of 1889.
During the winter of 1888-89 as a culmination of all the preceding agitation of the water question, a law was passed giving the mayor power to appoint a Board of Water Commissioners consisting of three men from each of the dominant political parties, to make an exhaustive examination of the subject. He appointed E. B. Judson, Alexander H. Davis, James B. Brooks, William H. Warner, Peter B. McLennan and W. K. Niver. This board met and organized in June, and subsequently made an elaborate report in favor of Skaneateles Lake as a source of water supply for the city. The began the long and intensely active campaign to carry out the recommendations of the report, and the special election resulting in a majority in favor of the report of 10,395.
During 1888 and a few succeeding years there was an unexampled growth and activity in real estate operations, particularly in suburban territory. Large tracts of land were purchased by companies and individuals, sub divided into building lots and large numbers sold. Since that time there has been a reaction in this respect, but not to such an extent as to cause apprehension, while at the present time there are numerous evidences of a healthful activity in real estate operations in various parts of the city.
Several changes were made in the salaries of city officials again this year; the city treasurer was to be paid a gross sum for himself and all assistants of $4,700. The city clerk was given $2,500 instead of $2,200. The city engineer was given $4,500 for himself and all assistants.
Mayor Kirk held the office of mayor for his second year in 1889, and aldermen were chosen in the odd numbered wards only; the First, Ninth and Eleventh wards elected Republican aldermen, and the Third, Fifth and Seventh, Democratic; in the full board there were six Republicans. In his inaugural address the mayor stated that the bonded indebtedness of the city in this closing year of the decade was $1,139,500, which was less than three per cent, on the assessed valuation of the city. Of this debt $1,000,000 were in railroad bonds; $100,000 in university bonds, and $37,500 in 1878 bonds for funding floating debt, with $1,000 in the village of Danforth bond. Several important charter amendments were made in this year as follows: Giving the mayor the appointment of a commissioner of public works with a salary of $3,500; a corporation counsel with a term of two years; fixing the salary of the overseer of the poor at $2,000 and giving him an assistant; fixing the maximum sum to be paid for lighting streets at $65,000; for the police, $90,000; for bridges, sewers, repairing and cleaning streets, $60,000; for ordinary expenses, interest on temporary loans, adjustment of claims, Board of Health, salaries, etc., $125,000. Extensive additions were made this year to the sewer system, notably in Cortland avenue, Gifford street, Crouse avenue and Mulberry street.
The charter election in 1890 turned largely on the water question, while at the same time it was considerably influenced by the heavy taxation of 1889. William Cowie was elected mayor by the Republicans and they carried eight of the wards. The city budget was now limited to $700,000, the fire department being allowed $75,000, the police department $90,000, lighting $65,000, and $26,000 for water. The total bonded debt was $1,438,400, including city hall bonds of $300,000. Five and a half miles of sewer had been laid and over $100,000 were expended for paving. On the 4th of March a hearing was had before the Senate on the question of using Skaneateles water, and the final hearing took place on the 14th of that month; in May the project was finally assured. A charter amendment of the preceding winter provided that a local improvement could be made upon obtaining the consent of one-third of the property owners on the line, and street cleaning by contract was abolished and garbage disposal was placed in charge of the Board of Health. The validity of the water bonds was disputed by a faction and taken into the courts, while William A. Sweet obtained an injunction against the issue of the bonds; both of these obstacles were removed and the first issue of bonds was sold in the fall. In the spring of this year Syracuse was chosen as the permanent home of the State fair and work was begun on the buildings. Chapter 110 of the laws of 1890 created three new wards, making fourteen, to take effect in the following year. The question of the title to Burnet park having been settled, work was begun thereon this year. The need of a more complete and perfect sewer system for the city had long been apparent, and the subject was agitated this year and finally determined upon. A survey and map has since been made and many new sewers were laid in accordance with it. The Women's and Children's Hospital, projected in 1887 and afterwards incorporated, purchased the property at 1214 West Genesee street this year and made necessary changes to adapt it to its new uses. This institution has since been removed to 712 East Washington street. On the night of October 15-16 the Leland hotel was burned, causing the death of six persons.
William Cowie was re-elected mayor in 1891. The bonded debt was reported in February as $1,937,500, comprised of university bonds, $100,000; railroads, $1,000,000; floating debt, $38,000; city hall, $300,000; water bonds $500,000. In March it was resolved to make another issue of water bonds to the amount of $1,000,000, and in the same month a resolution was adopted in the Common Council in favor of increasing the allowance to the Fire Department from $75,000 to $110,000. The Kennedy street sewer was finished this year and also the paving of James, West Onondaga, and West Genesee and South Salina streets. The initiatory measures were also adopted for the widening of North Clinton street, which project has since been carried to completion in 1895, to the great improvement of that section. The city hall building was about finished this year, the economical and thorough manner in which it was erected calling out the hearty commendation of the community. The commissioners were W. B. Kirk, John Dunn, jr., E. F. Holden, William Cowie, Henry J. Mowry, Aug. Falker, and H. S. Holden.
The year 1892 was a busy one in the city public affairs. About $100,000 were expended in paving, thus further advancing what the city engineer has called "the paving era in Syracuse." The principal pieces of work are on East Fayette street, Crouse avenue, and Grape street. Something over $100,000 were expended also for sewers. The bonded debt of the city had now risen to $2,437,500, which was increased during the year by the issue of $500,000 more of water bonds. Work had begun preparatory to laying the main water pipe from Skaneateles Lake to the city, which was completed and the water turned on July 3, 1894. The class of public improvements thus mentioned were still further advanced in 1893-4. In the former year another million dollars was added to the bonded debt by the issue of water bonds, and the original authorized was increased $500,000 by special legislation. In 1895, for the purpose of adding large to the city pipes. The amount expended in 1893 for paving was about $223,000; for sewers, about $87,000; while contracts partly completed amounted to about $148,000 more. In addition to these sums, contracts were then in existence amounting to about $750,000 on which no work had been performed. In the year 1894 nearly seven and a half miles of sewer was laid at a cost of more than $100,000, and pavements were constructed costing over $330,000. A little more than $15,000 was expended on the city parks, on which almost $10,000 went to Burnet park. The total cost of all public work for the year was almost $525,000, while more than $1,000,000 in contracts that were either partly executed or not begun, went over to the next year. The redivision of the city into nineteen wards went into effect in this year, and charter amendments were made legalizing assessments on Crouse avenue, East Water and Delaware streets, and legalizing the contracts for paving South Salina, East Onondaga, Sabine, West Genesee, Montgomery, North Clinton, South Clinton, and East Jefferson streets and Cortland avenue. A legislative enactment made Castle street the northern boundary of the Eleventh ward. Another bill provides that the city election shall be held in odd years on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in November, and the first meeting of the Common Council be held on the first Monday after January 1, and the fiscal year begin February 1. The limit of the annual tax levy is fixed by this bill at $990,000. The bill increases the water fund from $26,000 to $60,000; the highway fund from $65,000 to $70,000; the local improvement fund from $25,000 to $30,000; the street lighting fund from $85,000 to $90,000, and the contingent fund from $135,000 to $150,000.
Steps were taken in the latter part of 1894 which led the Central Railroad authorities to build a new station on or near the site of the former one. It was finished and opened in October, 1895, and is a credit to the city and to the company.
The reader of these brief statistics of the past decade cannot avoid being impressed with the bright prospects of Syracuse in the future. In numerical increase of population, in activity and growth of manufactures and trade, in improvement of streets and other departments of public affairs, and indeed in every element that contributes to the prosperity of a community, few cities in the country stand higher today than Syracuse. Beginning with the year 1895, the municipal election is held in the fall. Mayor Amos was re-elected in the spring and the various improvements projected were pushed ahead with vigor. New charter amendments were made, the most important of which is one permitting the Common Council to order a mile of pavement each year without petition, and one establishing a frontage water tax of five cents a foot. With all the improvements that have been noticed it is imperative that the cost of city government must increase. The city budget of 1895 reached nearly a million dollars as follows:
Schools $230,977; Teachers' wages, 20,375; School bonds, 20,000; Fire, 105,000; City's share of public improvements, 30,000; Highway fund, 70,000; Contingent fund, 149,788; Police, 83,000; Interest, 91,860; Street lighting, 72,000; Bonds, 2,000; Library, 10,500; Parks, 15,000; Water, 40,000; City map, 5,000; Park avenue culvert, 3,500; West Genesee street culvert, 3,500; Clinton street bridge, 500; Geddes street bridge, 500; Sewer survey, 3,500=$957,000.
Changes were made in the salary list of city officers, that of city treasurer being advanced $1,000; corporation counsel, $300; deputy city clerk, $100; city hall messenger, $10 per month; custodian and assistant custodian of the city hall $5 a month each. This leaves the salary list as follows:
City treasurer (including all assistants), $8,500; City clerk, 2,500; Assistant city clerk, 1,400; Corporation counsel (including one assistant), 3,800; city engineer, 2,500; City engineer, all other assistants including horse keeping and horse hire to be certified by the city engineer and to be audited by the council monthly in pay roll and paid by the city treasurer from such pay roll, not to exceed in the aggregate, 9,500; Clerk to mayor, 800; Weigher of hay, 720; City hall messenger, 840; Civil service commissioners, each per annum $200, 600; Clerk of civil service board, 400; Custodian of city hall, 1,020; Assistant custodian, 780; Clerk of assessors, 780; Pound master, 300.
At the same time the assessed valuation of the city was increased in 1895 by about $16,000,000, making the tax rate for eleven months $14.75. The plans for a new sewer system, to which reference has been made, were completed in March, 1895, by Civil Engineer Gray, of Providence, R. I. The plans provide for a sewer in every street, and the purpose is to add to the existing system every year to some extent. In the summer of 1895 several prominent citizens of the city applied to the Common Council for a franchise for a new gas company. After much discussion the franchise was granted upon condition that the applicants pay into the city treasury $15,000 on or before September 16. This was done, and is the first case in which the city has received money for any grant of that nature.
Indications now point to a still further extension of the city boundaries at an early day. On the 3d of April a committee representing what is known as the Huntley Tract, the Hunt and Duguid Tract and School District No. 8 of Salina, and consisting of Herman Roese, Henry L. Carter, George W. Ruch, Jacob Beacraft, William Huntley, J. W. DeLong, and J. Palmer Cross, placed before the city authorities a proposition for annexation of the territory named. They made liberal offers as to payment of their share of Salina bonds and city taxes. This annexation would add to the city population about 1,500, and increase the valuation by nearly $250,000. It can be only a few years at most before Elmwood, Solvay, Eastwood Heights, and other points of settlement will joint the progressive municipality and aid in making it the leading city of the Empire State.
The mayors of the city have been as follows:
1848, Harvey Baldwin, Dem.; 1849, Elias W. Leavenworth, Whig; 1850, Alfred H. Hovey, Whig; 1851, Moses D. Burnet, Locofoco, (declined to qualify), Horace Wheaton (appointed by Common Council); 1852, Jason C. Woodruff, Locofoco; 1853, Dennis McCarthy, Locofoco; 1854, Allen Munroe, Whig; 1855, Lyman Stevens, Republican; 1856-7, Charles F. Williston, Dem.; 1858, William Winton, Dem.; 1859, Elias W. Leavenworth, Rep.; 1860, Amos Westcott, Rep.; 1861-2, Charles Andrews, Rep.; 1863, Daniel Bookstaver, Dem.; 1864, Archibald C. Powell, Rep.; 1865-7, William D. Stewart, Dem.; 1868, Charles Andrews, Rep.; 1869-70, Charles P. Clark, Rep.; 1871-2, Francis E. Carroll, Dem.; 1875, George P. Hier, Rep.; 1876, John Crouse, Rep.; 1877-8, James J. Belden, Rep.; 1879, Irving C. Vann, Rep.; 1880-1, Francis Hendricks, Rep.; 1882, John Demong, Dem.; 1883-5, Thomas Ryan, Dem.; 1886-7, Willis B. Burns, Rep.; 1889-9, William B. Kirk, Dem.; 1890-1, William Cowie, Rep.; 1892-4, Jacob Amos.
The Fire Department.--The reader has already learned of the organization of the first fire company in Syracuse and its primitive equipment. This organization was the result of the following resolutions; the first one was adopted on May 9, 1825, the year of the incorporation of the village, thus:
Resolved, That the safety of the village requires that immediate measures be taken to procure a good fire engine, and that M. D. Burnet, on behalf of this board, take measures to ascertain and report as soon as may be, on what terms such engine with necessary hose may be procured.
Mr. Burnet made the necessary investigation, and on the 7th of June the board adopted the following:
Whereas, The Albany Insurance
Company has proposed to this village, that the said company will loan the
sum of $1,000 to be used in the purchase of a good and sufficient fire
engine, with proper implements, to extinguish fires, on the following conditions:--The
village to secure the payment of that sum in four years, by a bond under
the corporate seal, two years without interest, and after that three per
cent. a year for the remainder of the time; therefore,
Resolved, That the trustees
of the village be authorized to effect the loan of the sum of $1,000 on
the terms aforesaid, and that the same be applied to the purchase of a
good first-rate fire engine, and that they procure the same under the corporate
seal.
Resolved, That the sum
of $150 be raised for the purpose of building an engine house, purchasing
necessary hooks and ladders, which sum to be assessed on said village,
pursuant to statute.
It is only seventy years ago that these resolutions were adopted, and they clearly show what an important matter seemed the raising of so small a sum of money at that time. Joshua Forman was designated to make the purchase of the engine, and on the 11th of October of that year he reported the purchase in New York of an engine and hose at a cost of $925. Fire Company No. 1 was thereupon organized, with Thomas B. Heermans, captain, and thirty-five members, the list including most of the prominent citizens of the village, as given on a preceding page.
This engine and company, with the addition of fire buckets provided by owners and occupants of dwellings and shops, fire hooks, etc., served the village until 1832, when the village authorities adopted measures for the organization of a second company. At a meeting held January 23, 1832, it was voted to levy a tax of $850 for this purpose, and in April Charles E. Leon was authorized to purchase the engine. A company was immediately organized with the following members: Parley Bassett, William S. Campbell, Alfred Daumas, Henry Davis, jr., T. B. Fitch, William M. Fitch, Ezra Foster, jr., I. A. Hall, L. P. Hall, Solomon R. Howlett, A. A. Hudson, Benjamin C. Lathrop, Charles L. Lyons, James Manning, Horace Pemberton, Jacob Raynor, Willet Raynor, Charles T. Stanton, Joseph H. Starin, R. A. Yoe, William K. Lathrop, and Gardner Lawrence. Here again we find the names of many leading citizens of that day. A meeting to make provision for a second engine house was held on April 26, 1832; only eighteen persons attended, but the business was dispatched. John Wilkinson made a motion that "the location of the two engine houses be fixed at the west end of the public square (Clinton Square) in the center of said village, one on each side of the canal, immediately contiguous to the bridge." Twelve of the eighteen persons voted in favor of the motion. On the same day the contract for building the two houses was awarded to Henry Gifford for $300. In 1835 a resolution was adopted to appropriate $595 for the purchase of two lots, and the house of No. 1 was removed westward on Water street, where in after years it served as a boiler house for Alexander, Bradley & Dunning; and No. 3. was removed to the rear of the old county clerk's office. In September, 1836, a meeting was held and measures adopted under which a third engine was purchased and a house was built for it a little later. Within a very few years thereafter Company No. 4 was organized, but under what conditions the records do not indicate. Company No. 5 followed early in 1843, and the taxpayers came together to make arrangements for building a house for the fifth engine; it was built in June of that year on the old site of No. 1, at a cost of $500. The sum of $75 was appropriated for the purchase of a "bucket wagon," and at about the same time a new engine was purchased at an expense of $750. In 1844 W. A. Cook was chief of the department, and J. W. Barker assistant. later in that year Henry Gifford was elected chief, and Stephen W. Cadwell, assistant, both leading citizens. At a little later period Mr. Gifford held the office of chief many years.
On August 4, 1845, it was resolved by the trustees "that Bucket Company No. 1 be permitted to take Engine No. 4 and become a fire company, provided they give up their warrants as bucket men, together with their keys, and leave the bucket wagon and house in good order, so Engine Company No. 4 can be filled up to its full complement." In the same year Philo N. Rust was appointed chief and Hamilton White (who had come to the village five years previous) assistant. At the request of the trustees these men made an investigation and prepared a report to the effect that they found two of the companies with no efficient organization; that it was difficult to induce a sufficient number of "spirited young men" to join them, as the membership was a tax upon them financially and otherwise. They suggested that "the corporation appropriate $100 for each of the fire engine companies, one hook and ladder company and one bucket company, to be expended for equipage, to be under direction of the trustees." These suggestions were carried out a little later, and constituted the first payment of money as partial inducement for young men to become firemen. Still it was felt that the department was not commensurate with the importance of the village, although it had, as we have shown, grown rapidly. It was, therefore, determined in 1846 that radical changes should be made. Notice was published that the legislature would be asked to incorporate the Fire Department of Syracuse, and in the following year a committee consisting of John Wilkinson, James R. Lawrence, Hamilton White, Henry Gifford and Capt. Hiram Putnam was appointed to reorganize the department. This resulted in delegating the care of the engines and apparatus to a board of three men who should have broad powers and be responsible only to the trustees of the village. Oliver Teall, Henry Gifford and John Wilkinson were appointed on this board. From that time until 1862 the department performed efficient service, and was kept abreast of the demands of the city in the purchase of new engines, the building of engine houses and organization of companies. In 1850, after the reorganization had been fully consummated, the department consisted of the following: Chief engineer, Jacob Smith; first assistant, Abraham Fredenhall; second assistant, Elijah Clark. Company No. 1, Salina Blues, organized 1825; foreman, David Smith. Company No. 2, Rough and Ready, organized 1846; foreman, Edwin Brown. Company No. 3, Deluge; foreman, Peter Conrad. Company No. 4, Empire; foreman, Peter Ohneth. Company No. 5, Champion, organized 1848; foreman, V. P. Effner. Company No. 6, Cataract, organized 1845; foreman, Benjamin L. Higgins. Company No. 7, Eagle, organized 1850; foreman, George Scoville. These dates of organization, or at least part of them, refer, of course, to the date of second organization under the new order above alluded to. In 1853-4 the following were officers in the department: Chief, V. P. Effner; first assistant, F. X. Oliver; second assistant, William Tisdale. In 1854-5 two new engines were purchased, and Benjamin L. Higgins was elected chief; James Spencer, first assistant; Francis Jackson, second assistant. The new engines were placed in charge of Companies No. 7 and 8. At this time the location of the several companies was as follows: No. 1, First ward; No. 2, Salt Springs, First ward; No. 3, Young America, Bank alley, Sixth ward; No. 4, Empire, Division street; No. 5, Champion, Montgomery street; No. 6, Cataract, Clinton street; No. 7, Franklin, Eighth ward; No. 8, Eagle, West street. The chief was now assigned duties as fire inspector and paid a salary of $200. A bucket wagon with 100 buckets was still in service and a well equipped hook and ladder company. Chief Higgins remained in the position until 1862, when he resigned and was succeeded by Walter Welch, with Charles L. Guerber, first assistant; John Steadman, second assistant, and Edmund Schneider, third assistant. One year later Chief Welch was succeeded by Simeon Luce to fill vacancy until 1864, when Philip Eckel began his long and very efficient term at the head of the department. He remained in the position until 1877, when on the 2d of April the Fire Department was organized on the plan that has ever since existed. The first Board of Fire Commissioners, appointed by Mayor James J. Belden, were Henry L. Duguid, president; Henry J. Mowry, Francis Hendricks and Chauncey B. Clark. At the first meeting of the board Ira Wood was appointed chief engineer, and two weeks later Charles J. Miller was appointed clerk of the board; Philip Eckel, assistant engineer, and Horatio Kirtland, superintendent of the Fire Alarm Telegraph. The department was placed on a paid basis, the salary of the chief being $1,200; assistant, $800; clerk, $600; superintendent, $800; engineers, $720; foremen, $600, and the members of companies $480. The force and equipment at the time of this reorganization consisted of thirty-four paid men, including officers, all properly uniformed; four Amoskeag steam fire engines, the first one purchased in 1865, two others purchased in 1867, and the other in January, 1872; one Champion chemical fire extinguisher; one hook and ladder truck and five hose carriages, with 11,000 feet of hose, sixteen horses, and the engine houses all in good repair. The Fire Alarm Telegraph was put in operation in 1870, and at this time had thirty-four signal boxes. In 1878 Hamilton S. White was made president of the Board of Fire Commissioners, and held the office a total of seven years. No other man has so unselfishly devoted his time and means to the welfare of the department as Mr. White. The report of the board for 1878-9 contained the following:
Chemical Fire Extinguisher No. 2, bought and maintained by Commissioner White at his own expense, has proved an invaluable aid to the department. Commissioner White has erected and furnished an engine house which is a model of beauty and convenience. It possesses every facility for prompt responses to alarms, and is lacking in nothing which could add to the comfort and efficiency of his company, which is composed of young men well known to this community, possessing the confidence and respect of all, enthusiastic and capable in their work; they add greatly to the strength of the department, giving their services heartily and promptly without cost to the city.
In October, 1881, Chief Ira wood resigned and Philip Eckel was placed at the head of the department, with Henry Reilly assistant. In April, 1883, Chemical Company No. 1 was organized, and became a valuable aid in the department. The engine had been purchased by Hamilton S. White several years earlier and placed in a private engine house on East Genesee street, built and fitted up in the most complete manner by him, where he maintained a company at his own expense. In the year named he turned the apparatus over to the city. In June, 1885, a new Silsby streamer was purchased, and the old No. 1 engine was placed in reserve. On the 1st of June,1886, Chief Eckel was thrown from a ladder truck while going to a fire and fatally injured. This was a severe loss to the department. The vacancy was filled by the promotion of First Assistant Chief Henry Reilly, who has efficiently acted in that capacity to the present time. Steamer Engineer Nicholas Eckel of Company No. 2 was promoted to first assistant chief, and John P. Quigley of Company No. 1 was made second assistant. A Hayes truck was added to the equipment in November, 1886, and stationed at the house of No. 1, and the old truck was removed to the house of No. 2.
In 1888 the equipment of the department was strengthened by the addition of Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, with a Gleason & Bailey truck, which as located on Division street, and a second class Silsby engine, located at engine house No. 3, on Wyoming street. A new lot was also purchased in the new Ninth ward, and an engine house erected for steamer No. 5, at a cost of $7,785. In 1888 a new engine was bought, which is now in No. 7, and a supply wagon was purchased for the department.
Following is a list of the various companies, the engines in their charge and dates when they entered the service, and other details:
Engine
Company No. 1, located on Montgomery street, between Washington and Water
streets, with a first class Clapp & Jones engine which entered service
October 17, 1891.
Engine
Company No. 2, located on Division street between North Salina and Townsend
streets, with a second class Amoskeag engine, entered the service in October,
1867.
Engine
Company No. 3, located on Wyoming street, near Fayette, with second class
Silsby engine which entered service in December, 1887. This is also
the location of the hose depot. In reserve a second class Amoskeag
engine which entered service in March, 1866.
Engine
Company No. 4, located on Wolf street between North Salina and Park streets,
second class double pump Amoskeag engine, entered service in November,
1871.
Engine
Company No. 5, located at the corner of Hamilton and Furnace streets, third
class Silsby engine, entered service in June, 1885; company organized March
31, 1888.
Engine
Company No. 6, located on South Clinton street. First class Clapp
& Jones engine; entered service October 17, 1891.
Engine
Company No. 7, located on East Fayette street; second class Silsby engine,
entered service April 12, 1888.
Chemical
Company No. 1, located on East Genesee street, between Orange and Grape
streets. Two Champion chemical extinguishers equipped with ladders
and hand extinguishers. Company organized April 24, 1883.
Hook
and Ladder Company No. 1, located on Montgomery street, between Washington
and Water streets, Hayes hook and ladder truck and fire escape; entered
service November 30, 1886.
Hook
and Ladder Company No. 2, located on Division street, between North Salina
and Townsend streets; Babcock Aerial hook and ladder truck; organized May
30, 1887; entered service 1892.
Water
Tower Company no. 1, located on East Genesee street, entered service June,
1892.
The
fire alarm telegraph now has 145 signal boxes, with Thomas Tyrrell, superintendent.
Supply
Wagon located at the hose depot, Wyoming street, entered service March,
1890.
Boards of Fire Commissioners.--1877-78 to end of fiscal year: Hon. James J. Belden, mayor; Henry L. Duguid, president; Henry J. Mowry, Francis Hendricks, Chauncey B. Clark; Charles J. Miller, clerk. 1878-9-Henry L. Duguid, president; resigned July 20, and Hamilton S. White, appointed. Chauncey B. Clark, Henry J. Mowry, Francis Hendricks; Charles J. Miller, clerk. 1879-80-Hamilton S. White, president; Henry J. Mowry, Charles Listman, Thomas McManus; Charles J. Miller, clerk. 1880-81-Hamilton S. White, president; Henry J. Mowry, Charles Listman, Thomas McManus; Charles J. Miller, clerk. 1881-82-Thomas McManus, president; Archimedes Russell, Charles Demong, Charles Listman; Matthew Leahey, clerk. 1882-83-Thomas McManus, president; Archimedes Russell; Charles Demong, Charles Listman; Matthew Leahey, clerk. 1883-84-Archimedes Russell, president; Charles Demong, John Dunfee, Charles Listman; Matthew Leahey, clerk. 1884-85-Archimedes Russell, president; Charles Demong, John Dunfee, Peter Kappeser; Matthew Leahey, clerk. 1885-86-Hamilton S. White, president; M. L. Yann, Peter Kappeser, John Dunfee; Matthew Leahey, clerk. 1886-87-Hamilton S. White, president; John Dunfee, Peter Kappeser, Martin L. Yann; Matthew Leahey, clerk. 1887-88-Hamiton S. White, president; John Dunfee, Martin L. Yann, Edward A. Powell; Matthew Leahey, clerk. 1888-89-Oramel G. Jones, president; John Dunfee, Martin L. Yann, Clarence G. Brown; Matthew Leahey, clerk. 1889-90-Oramel G. Jones, president; John Dunfee, Martin L. Yann, Clarence G. Brown; Matthew Leahey, clerk. 1890-91-Oramel G. Jones, president; Clarence G. Brown, Edward Kanaley, Martin L. Yann; Patrick Sullivan, clerk. 1891-92-Oramel G. Jones, president; Edward Kanaley, Martin L. Yann, Hamilton S. White; Patrick Sullivan, clerk. 1892-93-Oramel G. Jones, president; Edward Kanaley, Martin L. Yann, Hamilton S. White; Patrick Sullivan, clerk. 193-94-Hamilton S. White, president; Adolph H. Schwarz, James W. Eager, Edward Ryan; James A. Allis, clerk. 1894-95-Hamilton S. White, president; Adolph H. Schwarz, James W. Wager, Edward Ryan; James A. Allis, clerk.
The Police Department--During the period between the incorporation of the village of Syracuse (1825) and the change to a city government in 1848, the public peace was preserved, if at all, by spasmodic, transient and ineffective means. The village constables of early days doubtless performed their duties to the best of their ability, and the various "watches" appointed may have made some wholesale impression upon the criminal element; but the frequent outbreaks of lawlessness, crime and incendiarism, of which sufficient record has been given, indicate the difficulties of preserving the peace in those days. The fact is, the village and city grew so rapidly that it was difficult for the authorities to keep the governmental departments abreast of the times. Rivalry between contiguous villages; a population in both of very diverse elements and character that was slow in amalgamation; competition for the glory of rapid work and conquest among volunteer fire companies; celebrations on the 4th of July, with horse racing, gambling, etc., all contributed to the early difficulties encountered by the authorities in their efforts to preserve quiet and safety in the community. It almost seems that the young city of 1848, with a population of 20,000, was more difficult to govern in this respect than the city of 1895 with more than 100,000 inhabitants.
Henry W. Dunford was paid $25 in March, 1827, "for services as police constable." This is the first record of the performance of any regular police duty in Syracuse. In the following year Charles Cook was paid a like sum for the same service. The approach of July 4, 1838, brought with it the apparent necessity for police duty, and on the 2d of that months six men were engaged as a night watch for six nights, at $1 each per night. A little later the number was reduced to three men, and the bill for the whole was paid July 16, $81. In the summer of 1841 a public meeting was held, at which a committee on night watch was appointed, consisting of seven citizens. This committee made a thorough investigation as to the causes of the period of crime and lawlessness which was then in existence, and reported that they found seventy-five places in the village where liquor was sold, and that the situation demanded "extraordinary measures to protect citizens and their property." The approaching horse races, the prevalence of gaming houses and the numerous fires were alluded to in the report. As a consequence the sum of $600 was raised for support of a night watch, and Nathan W. Rose, Joseph Flick, Joseph Mesmer, James Burrell, Charles Huntoon and Thomas Griffith were appointed, with Mr. Rose captain; their pay was $1 per night each. This watch continued in service until about the 1st of December of that year. In addition to these Zophar H. Adams, Philo N. Rust and Joseph Flick were designated special police constables for a short period embracing the 4th of July.
With the inauguration of the city government more efficient police regulations were adopted, though nothing like a perfect system was inaugurated until a few years later. A public meeting was called for December 22, 1848, "in view of many midnight burglaries and other crimes," to consider the best means of abating crime in the future. At this meeting Sylvester House was recommended as a suitable person for police justice. In 1851 Mayor Wheaton suggested an inquiry into the police system to render it more efficient, and proposed to furnish the force a room and provide a court room. At about the same time the Council adopted a resolution that "Police constables for the ensuing year be required to lodge at the Watch House, two each night, without extra compensation." The names of the police for 1852 were Varnum C. James, Emery Ormsby, Harry Henderson, Thomas Davis, Joseph Kinyon, L. M. Hollister, and Henry Shattuck. Ten special police constables were appointed for March and April, because of numerous fires. In March, 1853, a committee from the Council was requested to report on a better organization of the police force. The only important recommendation of the committee was the appointment of one of the eight policemen as chief, with salary of $500 annually to each member. In the following year the office of chief of police was abolished and the duties substantially placed in the hands of the police justice, while the mayor was made responsible for the general efficiency of the force.
In 1855-56 the numerous fires and prevailing lawlessness and crime created so much public indignation that a public meeting was called to consider changes in the charter "having for their object the better and more economical management of the affairs of the city." Meanwhile a committee from the common Council had prepared a bill for the Legislature for the improvement of the police system of the city. A meeting was held February 7, 1856, at which Jason C. Woodruff presided, to consider proposed changes in the system. It was there determined to retain the force as then constituted and to re-create the office of chief of police with broad and well-defined powers. In the same month another public meeting was held to devise a plan for protecting the city against incendiaries, burglaries, and robberies; the appointment of a paid night watch for temporary service followed. Charter amendments were made in that year fixing the salary of the chief of police at $800; of policemen, $600, and of police justice, $1,200. Early in the year 1867 the chief reported the number of places of all kinds where liquors were sold as by far too many, and proclaimed that he should enforce the laws against the traffic, and a period of better government was inaugurated which continued through the war period.
In Mayor William D. Stewart's inaugural address of 1867 he recommended doubling the number of policemen. Thomas Davis was appointed chief in 1867, and the organization of the police force upon its present basis took place in 1869, when an act was passed by the Legislature providing for the election in that year of four police commissioners, two of whom should be elected by ballot, and the two receiving the next highest number of votes to those declared elected should be appointed by the Common Council. Two of these officers were to hold office until March, 1871, and two until March, 1873. The term of the office after that was made four years, two to be elected in each year. This board was authorized to appoint not to exceed thirty policemen to enter upon their duties April 1, 1869; also to appoint such further number as the Council might at any time request, up to thirty-four, and also such special policemen as might be deemed necessary, not exceeding in number the regular force, and to not service more than ten days. Compensation for the regular force was fixed at $65 per month. The appointment of a chief, a captain of the night watch, and four detectives was authorized, and other proper regulations legalized. On the 15th of April, 1870, the pay of policemen was raised to $75 per month and that of captain of the night watch to $100 per month. On May 17, 1879, the numerical limit of the force was increased to forty-two men and the number of detectives to seven. On June 21, 1881, various amendments were made to the law of 1869, the principal change being the transfer to the mayor of the appointment of Police commissioners and giving him power of removal of the members. In the act of 1885, revising and consolidating the various acts relating to the government of Syracuse and amending the charter, the maximum of the salary paid to the chief was fixed at $150 per month and making him clerk to the board of Commissioners. The members of the force were given all of the common law and statutory powers of constables, excepting the serving of civil processes. In May, 1890, a Police Electric Alarm system was introduced, at a cost of $12,450, which, with the patrol wagon, introduced in the summer of 1885, placed the department on a plane of efficiency that is not excelled in any similar city in the country.
The succession of chiefs of police has been as follows: The first chief was Sylvester House and the second Robert Richardson Davis. Thomas Mulholland then held the position under two years of Charles Andrews's administration as mayor (1861-62), and was succeeded under Mayor Bookstaver in 1863 by Thomas Davis. Norman C. Otis was appointed under Mayor Stewart in 1865; but he was displaced in 1867 by Thomas Davis, who served a year. Thomas Mulholland was then appointed and served until the reorganization in 1869, when he was succeeded by Thomas Davis, who served until his death January 8, 1880. On the 23d of that month James Harvey was appointed, but was removed September 27, 1881, and was succeeded by Alexander McCall. He was removed May 3, 1882, and was succeeded by Charles R. Wright, the present chief. Very much of the present high efficiency of the Syracuse police force is due to the peculiar genius of Mr. Wright.
The succession of police justices has been as follows: Richard Woolworth was the first incumbent of the office and was succeeded by William A. Cook and he by ___ Hickok. Between his administration and 1860, Sylvester House, J. C. Cuddeback and Henry Y. Thompson filled the position; in 1860 L. L. Alexander was elected and served one term of four years, to be succeeded by George Stevens. In 1868 Henry Gifford was elected, and was succeeded by Patrick Corbett, who served until 1872. His successor was L. L. Alexander, who served to 1877, when Thomas Mulholland was elected and by repeated elections with enormous majorities he was kept in the office until his death November 27, 1894. The present justice (1895) is Nathaniel M. White.
The present police force consists of the chief, captain of the night watch, four detectives, a sergeant, an officeman, three roundsmen, a doorman, and sixty-two patrolmen.
Following are the various Boards of Police Commissioners: 1869-Peter Burns, George P. Hier, Garrett Doyle, George A. Ostrander. 1871-Charles P. Clark, George P. Hier, Garrett Doyle, George A. Ostrander. 1873-Charles P. Clark, F. W. Deesz, Garrett Doyle, William Baumgras. 1875-William Baumgras, F. W. Deesz, Daniel Gere, Robert McCarthy. 1876-William Baumgras, F. W. Deesz (resigned), Orrin Welch (appointed), Daniel Gere, Robert McCarthy. 1877-Robert McCarthy, Orrin Welch, Daniel Gere, Jacob Knapp. 1878-Robert McCarthy, John Moore (vice Orrin Welch, deceased), Daniel Gere, Jacob Knapp. 1879-Daniel Gere, Charles R. Wright, Jacob Knapp, John Moore. 1881-Daniel Gere, Charles R. Wright, Jacob Knapp, Thomas Murphy. 1881 (appointed in August)-John R. Whitlock, John D. Gray, Charles Schlosser, Edward D. Lewis. May, 1882-J. D. Ackerman, William B. Kirk, jr., Rhody Mara, Thurston W. Brewster. March, 1883-William B. Kirk, jr., Thurston W. Brewster, J. D. Ackerman, Rhody Mara. October, 1884-J. D. Ackerman, Bruce S. Aldrich, T. D. Brewster, Rhody Mara. March, 1885-T. W. Brewster, Bruce S. Aldrich, Daniel O'Brien, Nicholas Latterner. April, 1885-Nicholas Latterner, David K. McCarthy, Bruce S. Aldrich, Daniel O'Brien. January, 1886-Nicholas Latterner, James H. Doolittle, Bruce S. Aldrich, Daniel O'Brien. February, 1887-Darwin L. Pickard, William B. Kirk, jr., Charles Schlosser, Patrick Slattery. Mr. Pickard resigned in February and the other members were removed. The new board appointed was as follows: Dwight H. Bruce, John W. Yale, Edward D. Lewis, Anton V. Altman. 1888-Same as above. April 3, D. H. Bruce resigned, and on May 9 George E. Dana was appointed to fill vacancy. June, 1888-John W. Yale resigned and Philip S. Ryder was appointed to fill vacancy, leaving the board as follows: Edward D. Lewis, Anton V. Altman, Philip S. Ryder, George E. Dana. March, 1889-Same as above. March, 1891-Henry Lyon, George E. Dana, Edward D. Lewis, Charles Listman. 1892-George E. Dana, Charles Listman, Henry Lyon, Edward D. Lewis. 1893-5-Charles M. Warner, Charles Listman, Henry Lyon, S. A. De Gan.
Syracuse City Water Works.-The first public measure having for its object a water supply for Syracuse was the passage of an act of the Legislature on March 27, 1821, entitled, "An Act to Supply the Village of Syracuse with Wholesome Water." This act granted to the people of the village the right to use water from any springs on adjacent lands belonging to the State, and provided for the election of three trustees, at an election to be held at the house of Sterling Cossitt, "innkeeper in said village," on the first Monday in May, 1821, who should have power to transact all business relating to a water supply. It does not appear on the records that anything was accomplished under this act.
The act incorporating the village, passed April 13, 1825, bested all the rights, property and powers of the trustees of the water works in the village corporation, and the hypothetical water works remained under control of the village trustees until 1829. On the 23d of April of this year an act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the trustees of the village to convey to Oliver Teall all their water rights with powers for the term of twenty years, and Mr. Teall was invested with all the rights and powers granted in the original act of 1821. This act also prescribed the rates which Mr. Teall should charge for water, viz.: a private family, not exceeding $5 per year; a boarding house $10, and a hotel $10. In case Mr. Teall failed to exercise the rights and powers granted him within one year from the date of the act, they were to revert to the village, which proved to be the case, and they were then re-conveyed to him for a period of thirty-five years by an act passed April 22, 1834. Nothing further was accomplished until March 29, 1842, when an amendment to former acts was passed, permitting Mr. Teal to charge $10 per year for supplying water to a private family, $20 to a boarding house and $40 to a hotel. Under this amendment Mr. Teall began the construction of his water works. The first wooden pipes were laid in 1842 or early in 1843, and brought water from springs situated at the foot of the hill above Lodi street, on blocks 404 and 504. Subsequently Ira Seymour and Aaron Burt became associated with Mr. Teall in the water works, under the firm name of Teall, Seymour & Burt, which continued until 1849.
On the 15th of April, 1849, soon after the incorporation of the city, a special act of the Legislature incorporated the Syracuse City Water Works Company. The incorporators were Oliver Teall, Ira Seymour, John Wilkinson, Hamilton White and Robert Furman. This act was amended April 8, 1851, requiring the company to supply water to the city on specified terms. Various amendments to the incorporating act were passed down to 1877, relating to an increase of capital, to protecting the interest and works of the company, etc. In 1849 the company constructed aqueducts from springs in the valley of Furnace Brook, in the town of Onondaga, to carry water to a large stone well, seventeen feet deep and lined with masonry; this well was on lot No. 89, Onondaga. From the well a main aqueduct was laid towards the head of the cinder road (West Onondaga street), terminating on high ground. The length of this aqueduct was about a mile; it was built of masonry and was two feet square on the inside. At the northern termination was an open reservoir holding 3,000,000 gallons, from which the water was conducted down the hillside through brick aqueducts to a point where a log aqueduct of nine inches bore began, which conveyed the water through Onondaga street to Fayette park, and thence to the railroad in Lock street, where it connected with the wooden aqueducts previously laid.
In 1853 extensive improvements were made in the works of the company. The first iron pipe was laid, consisting of 852 rods, and a reservoir of 1,500,000 gallons capacity was constructed. The large reservoir on Onondaga Hill was built in 1862-65, and in 1865 an additional distributing reservoir was constructed on lot 89, town of Onondaga. At a later date an additional supply was taken from Onondaga Creek by pumping to a reservoir. These facilities gave the city a reasonable supply of water until recent years, but its quality was not always good.
The time finally came when the growing city imperatively demanded a more bountiful and purer water supply. The old company had insisted from time to time on an increase of compensation from the city, and in 1884 entered into a three years' contract at $267,000 per annum, the rate that prevailed almost to the present time. Since that time agitation and discussion of the "water question" has not ceased. At a meeting of the council March 9, 1885, F. B. Merrill, representing the Central City Water Works Company, made a statement of the company's plans and their advantages, and asked for a franchise. At the next meeting this company and the old one were represented, and if the rosy assurances of either of the representatives could have been fulfilled, Syracuse would long ago have had an excellent supply of pure water. At the Council meeting of March 23, the Central City Company was voted a franchise for twenty years on a quite liberal basis, provided water was supplied from a source that was acceptable to the people of the city. Now the strife between the two companies became more active than before. The Central City Company announced its intention of beginning work in April, but in the next month the old company obtained an injunction restraining the city from taking further action in that direction. In the fall another element came into the field and the contest became a triangular one. On the 14th of November a citizens' meeting was held at which several speakers condemned both the old and the new companies and strongly advocated city ownership of water works. A committee of thirty-two was appointed to investigate the subject of city ownership; and at a second meeting, November 17, a committee of five was appointed to draw a bill covering the proposed project, and another committee of three was appointed to receive subscriptions for preliminary investigation; $750 was subscribed at the meeting. The large committee was subsequently raised to one hundred members and they visited Cardiff in company with Howard Soule, the experienced engineer, and were pleased with the prospect of there securing an excellent supply. Although the local press teemed with communications on the subject from scores of citizens, the Committee of One Hundred closed its career with its preliminary work of investigation and obtaining information from many other cities. In the mean time the old company were active and assured the common Council that if they could be assured a definite contract for a stipulated period, they would immediately make a heavy investment and bring a new and perfect supply from the Tully lakes or elsewhere. The source of supply proposed by the Central City Company was Oneida Lake, which was not at all satisfactory to the people. In January, 1886, the old company announced to the Council that they were willing to perform all that was promised by the new one, except as to making their source of supply Oneida Lake, and would establish a scale of rates as low as those of any city of the same population as Syracuse. On the 15th of January a citizens' committee reported in favor of municipal ownership of water works. In the same month 104 prominent citizens sent a communication to the Council approving of the grant to the Central City Company, and in response to a petition a public meeting was called by the mayor on January 23, to consider the subject. A bill had already been drawn providing for a special election to vote upon the question of bonding the city in the sum of $1,500,000 to build its own works. The sentiment of the public meeting was against such action, and a committee was appointed to visit the governor in opposition thereto, but the bill became a law on the 17th of March. It conferred power upon the city to build its own water works, and named as commissioners, Henry L. Duguid, William Kirkpatrick, George Barnes, Riley V. Miller, William Kearney, and Charles Schlosser. On the 6th of July City Attorney Jenney reported to the Council that the Central City Company would have grounds for an action against the city, if a water supply was provided in any other manner but by that company. the sentiment against bonding the city increased in strength. A public meeting was held on April 25, where many leading citizens spoke against the measure. The special election as held April 27, and resulted in a majority of 4,076 against bonding.
While these matters were progressing William A. Sweet brought forward his plan for utilizing Salmon River as a source of water supply - a plan which he persistently advocated until it finally became hopeless of success. One of the results of Mr. Sweet's enthusiasm and persistence was the appointment of a committee of the Common Council consisting of Joseph W. Young and Charles Listman, who reported that Salmon River was the best available source of supply and that the adoption of an ordinance grating a franchise to the Sweet Salmon River Company was the only practical solution of the whole problem. This ordinance was then submitted to the city attorney, who advised its rejection, as there were then two bills before the Legislature, and complications and litigation would follow. The old company continued to make propositions to the Council, offering to supply the city as good water on as economical terms as proposed by any other company. They also inaugurated well-drilling on a large scale in Onondaga Valley, promising a bounteous supply from that source, supporting their promises with the fact that other cities were then obtaining ample water from such wells. The plans of the old company on this line found many advocates among conservative people.
The water question was permitted to rest in comparative inactivity until the election of Mayor William B. Kirk, in 1888, and to his progressive action and liberal support of the project Syracuse is largely indebted for its present magnificent water works. Litigation had been begun to determine if the city had the legal right, as against the rights of the old company, to build and own the works, the end of which was in favor of the city. On the 5th of March, 1888 the old company submitted to the Council a proposition binding the company to give the city an adequate supply from their wells in the valley, the principal guarantee asked being a ten year contract at a stipulated price. At the same time the Council expressed its approval of submitting the question of bonding to the people and requested the Legislature to pass the Salmon River water bill. During the entire winter the culmination on all preceding proceedings on the water subject was reached in the passage of a law giving the mayor power to appoint a Board of Water commissioners, consisting of three men from each of the dominant political parties, to make an exhaustive investigation of the whole subject. The board appointed were E. B. Judson, Alexander H. Davis, James B. Brooks, William H. Warner, Peter B. McLennan, and William K. Niver. These commissioners organized in June, and subsequently made an elaborate report in favor of the city building and owning the water works and the adoption of Skaneateles Lake as a source of supply. Thereupon began a long and intensely active campaign to secure this end, the details of which need not be followed here. At the special election to vote on the subject the majority in favor of the project was 10,395. The city was authorized to raise $3,000,000 on its bonds for the work,. This was increased $500,000 in 1895. A commissioner was appointed to appraise the value of the property of the old company, preparatory to its passing to possession of the city, consisting of William Kernan, of Utica; George W. Dunn, of Binghamton; and C. J. Ryan, of New York.
The details of the construction of the works as they now exist need not be followed, as they are well known to the public. The city has now a water supply unlimited in quantity and superior in quality.
(for pp. 508-541, see "Public and Private Institutions and Industries of Syracuse.")
1. Alfred A. Howlett, son of Parley Howlett, of the town of Onondaga, was born February 17, 1821. His father was engaged in various kinds of business and the son early acquired a good knowledge of business affairs. In 1842 he purchased of his father a large packing business in Geddes, and in 1843 established a similar one in Delphi, Ind., and soon afterward another in Oswego, in all of which he was successful. In 1859 he was elected president of the Salt Springs Bank, a position which he still holds. In 1868 he identified himself with the building of the Chenango Valley Railroad, and to him as due the final completion of the line; for a time he was president of the company. He has been officially connected with the gas and water companies, the orphan asylum, and many other institutions. As a business man he is one of the foremost in the city.