WALTHAM 125TH: From town to city, by 59 votes

The transition of Waltham from a township - which had extended over 146 years - to the city form of government took place in a setting of sharp political differences, marked by acrimonious debate and extremely doubtful prospects of realization.

Agriculture contributed strongly to the prosperity of Waltham affairs throughout its existence, dating back to the time when it was the West Precinct of Watertown in the King Charles grant which established the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the 1630s.

Without doubt, The Farmers Club, organized in 1857, had been a dominant force for more than a quarter century before ideas about a change in city status fathered momentum. But Waltham was changing to a more industrialized, commercial type of community.

It was in the autumn of 1882 that the movement to inaugurate a municipal form of government first gathered real momentum and a general committee was appointed to draft a preliminary report on the subject. That report was placed before a Town Meeting in January 1883.

Material which follows was prepared for The News Tribune by Percival M. Stone, local historian, and formed the basis for a series of articles published just before the 75th anniversary approached.

It is of interest to learn, the history discloses, that a debate was conducted at Rumford Hall on Nov. 15, 1882, on the issues: "Ought Waltham to Become a City?" When a vote was taken at the close of the meeting, those who were contrary-minded on the question out-voiced their opponents by a substantial majority.

During the weeks which followed the debate, opposition to any change remained firm, and when the Town Meeting was held on Jan. 29, 1883, the arguments of the new plan were rejected by a vote of 870 to 587.
During the summer of 1882, however, a gradual change of sentiment became apparent as certain prominent, respected citizens pointed out the advantages to be gained through adoption of the municipal form of local government.

It was emphasized that the time was ripe for the appointment of a chief executive possessed of wider administrative powers, and that each district of the township should have individual representation when important matters relating to discussion among the authorities.

Furthermore, Waltham had become at last eminently qualified to enter a wider field of influence; the population figure had reached 14,000; a number of new residential districts were under development, and the "South Side" are, (600 acres) taken over from the town of Newton in 1849, was destined, presently to become a prosperous retail trade center.

There was, indeed a surprising upsurge of enthusiasm for the new plan as the time approached for another crucial town meeting, set for Nov. 30, 1883.

On this occasion, the vote stood 724 in the affirmative to 665 opposed, a majority of 59, and with this decisive mandate now recorded, the selectmen immediately appointed a committee of 15 for the purpose of drawing up a city charter.

It is appropriate, we believe, to list the full membership of this committee since the results of their deliberations were of great significance with respect to Waltham’s expanding prospects.

Frederick M. Stone was chairman and his associates in the carrying out of this very important assignment were: Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, Robert Treat Paine Jr., Bernard M. McCusker, Ephraim Sterans, Dr. C.J. McCormick, David Randall, Thomas R. Smith, Ambrose Webster, C.E. Getchell, Edward Quinn, Edward P. Smith, Thomas B. Eaton, W.R. Wills, Henry N. Fisher, and Timothy Leary.

Mr. Leary was chairman of the Board of Selectmen during these final months of that body’s existence, and he was therefore in a position to inform the committee in full detail concerning the fiscal problems then facing the township and the measures being taken to remedy them.

It was no easy task to draft a charter which would overcome all of the objections raised, from time to time, by the more forceful members of the Committee, but an agreement was finally reached and the final step was to secure the support of the General Court.

June 2, 1884, marks, therefore, a notable historical event, for it was on that date that Waltham’s proposed new City Charter met with the approval of the Mass. Legislature.

Six weeks later, on July 16, 1884, final confirmation was registered at a Town Meeting when 917 votes were cast in favor of the new charter, which 630 recorded in opposition.

The way was now clear for the Selectmen to wind up their affairs, and to conclude arrangements for Waltham’s forthcoming first city election.

Ward lines were determined on both sides of the river and for the first time in its long history the Township gave recognition to separate election districts.

Since nominations for the office of mayor were now in order, several very prominent citizens, including Gen. N.F. Banks, were approached in the matter but a number of them refused to run due to their busy engagements with personal affairs.

This first city election campaign eventually developed into a bitter feud between the supporters of the two leading rival candidates, Byron B. Johnson, a well-known lawyer, and Timothy Leary, who, as already stated, had been closely identified with the final years of town government.

Furthermore, a number of controversial issues of an unfortunate nature were introduced into the contest, and in consequence, a group of citizens who were deeply distressed over the situation urged Frederick M. Stone to enter the field as a "compromise candidate."

This request was firmly turned down, however, since Mr. Stone had already filled a number of important town offices, both before and after the Civil War period, and he felt strongly that honors should now fall upon a younger man.

Nevertheless, his name was brought before the convention on Nov. 28 and there he received a number of votes of a complimentary nature.

Waltham’s first city election was held on Dec. 2, 1884, and the final vote stood, Johnson 1,278, and Leary 1,019, a majority of only 259. The new mayor’s salary was fixed at, tentatively, $500 a year.

Three aldermen, elected from each of the seven wards, served one-year terms without compensation.

On Dec. 26, 1884, and editorial "Exit Town-Enter City" appeared in the Waltham Free Press, and among other things, the editor extends a moving tribute to the dependability and integrity of those who were entrusted with the administration of local affairs under the town government regime.

One finds it stated that "much of the vigor of New England manhood and character, and much of the influence of New England, has been due to the development of the Town Meeting system, where our people have met upon a common level."

And, in conclusion, "Thanks to the force of the conservative element in our community, we commence our municipal career under a charter somewhat unique for New England, but undoubtedly the best of all that the General Court of Massachusetts has ever granted."

This story originally appeared in the Daily News Tribune Waltham Centennial edition in June 1984.