Lowell’s 1st Centennial Year City Council Meeting – (PIP #91)

By Louise Peloquin

     Lowell’s city agent jobs have evolved with time. Some remain and others have disappeared.

L’Etoile – Front page January 4, 1926

INAUGURATION OF THE COUNCIL

GALLAGHER IS ELECTED PRESIDENT

The present City Council president re-elected after nine rounds of voting against McPadden and Thomas – The Mayor, whitewashes his administration – The majority of the nominations are approved – Donnelly remains on the table.

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MANY PROMINENT CIVIL SERVANTS AT THE INAUGURATION

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     The inauguration of the City Council took place this morning in the presence of a large crowd which included several former mayors, department heads and a considerable number of well-known Lowellians.

     The room was full to capacity and several hundred people, unable to enter,  stood in the corridor during the City Council meeting which lasted for more than three hours.

     Among the city officials and other prominent people, we noted Patrick O’Hearn president of the Planning Board; Fisher H. Pearson, ex-member of the Bureau of Hygiene; Dennis J. Murphy, president of the Public Service Commission; William Arnold, State Public Welfare Service superintendent; Hugh J. Molloy, superintendent of schools; assessors James E. Donnelly, John H. Dyer and Wilfrid J. Achin; deputy Cornelius J. O’Neil; prosecutor Patrick J. Reynolds; James Reynolds, aqueduct superintendent; Dr. Forster Smith, superintendent of the hospital for tuberculosis patients; E. Gaston Campbell, president of the Lowell Real Estate Exchange; Daniel O’Brien; Dr. Richard O’Connor; John Reagan, president of the Plumbers Association; Daniel T. Moriarty, deputy of the Legislature; Dominick Molloy, member of the electoral commission; auditor Daniel E. Martin; Harry Doherty, road superintendent and many others.

     Long before the ceremonies opened, the following Public Security members arrived at City Hall to represent their department and to maintain order: Lieutenant Martin Connors, officers William A. Frey, Fred McNulty and John J. Leahy. The fire brigade was represented by Thomas Burke, James Nelligan and Joseph Sheehey.

     At 10:19, messenger Owen Monahan announced that everything was ready for the ceremony. The procession immediately commenced with Hugh Downey from Public Security; chief Edward F. Saunders of the fire brigade, Lieutenant Martin Connors of Public Security; Mayor John. J. Donavan and ten councillors.

     The new councillors were sworn in by Clerk Stephen Flynn then Mayor Donovan read his message to the Council and to the public.

     The mayor began by stating that the elected were not chosen to satisfy themselves but to serve the public in a worthy manner. He asked the council for its complete  cooperation and said that he would do everything possible to carry out his tasks during his term of office.

     The mayor said that the year which had ended was marked by an upheaval and considerable disorder in city affairs. Little was said about the good which was accomplished by the municipality but the errors committed were covered by newspapers all over the United States. He pursued by saying that the conditions of our city are hardly worse than they were before. However, in the eyes of the public, and especially in the eyes of strangers, they seem to be pitiful. In general, a merchant runs his business as he pleases and if he makes a mistake he alone is responsible. If a city servant makes a mistake, he is accountable to the people he represents. Sometimes he unknowingly commits errors and, as a result, he is brought to court to respond to serious accusations. “I fear nothing from the result of the accusations made against me. I simply ask the public to be just in its decisions” he added.

     In his message, the mayor recommended the nomination of a special committee to study the question of opening a municipal garage in the city.

     He also recommended the nomination of a committee to study the question of replacing the present police staton by a more modern building.

     Regarding the Public Welfare bureau, the mayor said that this department had often been criticized and even accused of all sorts of things but he recommended that city officials visit this institution in order to see for themselves what this department needs. He added that last year the Council voted to appropriate $5000 to create a camp for sick children. This camp should open this year.  

     In his message, the mayor congratulated the Public Service commission which had done a great deal of good in the city.

     When the mayor’s message ended, the meeting was adjourned for ten minutes.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

     The first official City Council meeting for 1926 was called to order at 11:10. The first motion made was that of Councilor John J. McPadden who asked for a ten-minute adjournment but his motion was lost.

     The councilors were then called to elect the president for 1926. At the first round of voting, Councilor James J. Gallagher received the support of Councilors Bailey, Chrétien, Cleary, Cosgrove, Gallagher, Genest, Montminy, and Preston, a total of 8 votes. Councilors Campbell, Rubin, Kiggins, McLean and McPadden voted for Mr. Mr. McPadden, a total of 5 votes. Councilor Robert R. Thomas received 4 votes, those of Mr. Haggerty, Mr. Inglis, Mr. O’Brien and his own.

     A second round of voting had the same results.

     At this point, Councilor Chrétien asked for a ten-minute adjournment which was approved by the Council.

          Many councilors participated in a long discussion about city servants who had recently been indicted by the Middlesex County grand jury.

     Councilor Cleary made a motion to abolish the posts of superintendent of the Chelmsford Street hospital and of city physician. He suggested that the latter be left to a competent physician at a salary of $4000.

     It was voted to leave this ordinance on the table.

     The nominations of Fred H. Rourke to the post of city treasurer for a two-year term was unanimously approved.

     The Council also voted favorably on the nomination of Dr. Francis R. Mahoney as member of the Bureau of Hygiene for a three-year term.

     The Mayor submitted the nomination of Dominick F. Molloy to the post of superintendent of the Chelmsford Street hospital for a two-year term.  All of the councilors, with the exception of councilor Clery, voted in favor.

     The nomination of Wilfred J. Sachin to the post of assessor for a three-year term was unanimously approved. 

     Charles L. Gallagher, electric wiring inspector, was unanimously elected for a two-year term.

     Charles Riley was named and elected fire inspector for a two-year term.

     John B. Kenefick was named and elected fishing and hunting warden for two years.,

     William A. Arnold was named and elected State Welfare superintendent for a three-year term.

     John J. Gordon was named and elected superintendent of the caterpillar extermination department. This nomination is subject to the approval of the Civil Service.

     Edward F. Saunders was named forest ranger for one year. 

     The nomination of Dr. W. A. Sherman to the post of livestock inspector was unanimously approved. (1)

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1) Translation by Louise Peloquin.