1890 - 1891,
1892 -1894
HISTORY
Charles Frederick Bishop was born in Williamsville,
New York, a suburb of Buffalo
, on October 14, 1844. At a early age his parents moved
to Buffalo
and resided on Grey Street. He was educated in the public schools
of Buffalo
until thirteen years of age. At that time he left school and
obtained employment in a retail grocery store.
He remained working for that company for many years,
eventually deciding he wanted to pursue this business on
his own. He worked long hours, rising early and working
until nine o'clock at night. He usually found time to read
and study after returning home.
In 1869 he left and established a wholesale coffee,
tea, and spice store at 80 Main Street.
By 1884 the business had grown to the point where
he moved to new quarters at 95 Seneca
Street, spending
all his time running the business.
In the fall of 1887, he was induced to enter the
political race for county treasurer. He accepted the Democratic
nomination and appeared to win the election by 159 votes
over the Republican candidate. After the votes were tallied
he lost by 41. His friends, "influenced by reports
of irregularities in canvassing the votes," urged him
to contest the vote. But Bishop would not take part in any
office where there was the slightest suspicion of doubt
as to the election.
On October 17, 1889 the daily papers published Mayor
Philip Becker
's refusal to seek a fourth term as Mayor. That day the
Republican City Convention
was held at
Harmonia Hall
It appeared that James H. Carmichael
had an easy nomination ahead of him as mayoral nominee, but
others were also presented. William B. Sirret, Philip Becker
, and Norris Morey were all mentioned, until Carmichael
was nominated by acclamation and declared the nominee.
The Democratic City Convention
was held at Genesee Hall on October 22. Alderman Edward H. Hutchinson
was elected chairman and had this to say: "Today we
are confronted with the question of Municipal Reform. Will
the Democratic party
give to our citizens again a ticket which those who are honest
partisans, but not politicians, can endorse? If the answer
is in the affirmative, and I believe it will, the election
of our city ticket by an overwhelming majority will be assured."
Charles F. Bishop
was nominated by Hon. Daniel N. Lockwood, which was made by
acclamation.
LIFE AS A MAYOR
Election day was November 6, 1889. Bishop scored
a stunning victory over his Republican counterpart, 23,498
to 18,945, carrying eleven of the thirteen wards. The Common
Council
was in the Democratic majority, although most of the other offices
were won by the Republicans.
One of Mayor Bishop
's first actions in 1890 was to organize a committee to
decide the fate of Erie County, as it was thought it would
be split in the near future.
On January 6, 1890 the Common Council
was to be in session, but the majority of the members were afflicted
with the ailment "La Grippe."
Mayor Bishop
's Inaugural Address
was finally delivered to the Council January 13, 1890.
"Through the somewhat anomalous favor of the
people, I find myself in a position which I must regard
as making earnest and exacting demands. I shall doubtless
many times fall below the standard of public service set
before me, but the honors which I have received would be
most unworthily bestowed did they not awaken a profound
desire to serve the people without fear or favor. I am of
opinion that we cannot, at the present time, be over-zealous
to correct and stamp out abuses and to secure honest retrenchment
and genuine economy in the government of this city. The
people are not merely ready to applaud such a course; they
are not disposed, I believe, to tolerate any other.
"In recent years, municipal government has become
a matter of general interest. City residents have come to
recognize that their personal and property rights are more
frequently and greviously invaded in the name of municipal
government than from any other source. Cross-interests and
obligations enslave weak and timid officials and frequently
make them the most pliant tools of corruption
"Its greed and resources know no limits. Not
only are important privileges granted, and improvident contracts
and extravagant and needless expenditures made, through
corrupt influences which may obtain in and about a municipal
government, but from these naturally result those methods,
laxity, and dishonesty in the performance of public work.
"In a rapidly growing city the field for operations
and practices such as I refer to is especially inviting.
Enormous expenditures must there be made to meet present
and prospective requirements. New departments of government
must be created and additional service employed in existing
ones.
"At times, too, departments of the city government
are used to serve the personal ends of an official rather
than the public good.
"Plain and well understood business methods,
applied to public affairs as they are universally to private
affairs, will secure successful and satisfactory city government.
Misappropriation of public moneys by any means and under
pretext is a crime, and if it ever be allowed a milder name,
thinking men may well look about for the reason. The reason
is suggested by some of the reductions which I have already
made.
"The accomplices in
such crimes who are behind the curtains, pulling
the wires and reaping a large share of the benefits, are
often so numerous and have such influence and standing that
they create a certain public sentiment in their favor and
break the force of indignant protests from intelligent and
conscious men. I refer to officers and stockholders in corporations,
men of wealth, who wink at most censurable work when its
benefits come their way.
"I am led to make these reflections for several
reasons. Your Honorable Body is largely responsible for
the government of a great and growing city. I deem it proper
that your attention be called to these matters, which are
everywhere the subject of grave public concern. Your responsibilities
require that you should be abreast of the times. If other
cities have a better police
force maintained at less expense, an educational department
producing more beneficent results and more satisfactory
to the people, more efficient instrumentalities to purport
conflagrations, water furnished at lower rates, better and
cheaper lighting than the city has secured, or any advantages
which our people have a right to know and claim.
"I remark further that the bonded debt of this
city is large, and taxes
have grown to be exceedingly burdensome.
"Our debt and our expenditures are evidently
making more rapid strides than our wealth. Every urgent
demand which the present or future makes upon our taxpayers
will, I believe, be cheerfully met. But we cannot permit
city taxes
to continually increase. Distant be the day, for it will be
an unfortunate day, when the city shall be known as a city
of high taxes.
"I look to your Honorable Body to inaugurate
such reforms in the methods and practice of ordering public
work, and inspecting its performance as will furnish you,
when it may be called for trustworthy information, both
as to the nature and necessity of work that may be ordered,
and as to the manner in which contractors fulfill their
obligations to the city.
"I ask from each of you, at all times, that
consideration and tolerance of my views regarding public
matters which I shall endeavor to give to the action and
opinions of your Honorable Body.
"The 20 million gallon engine and four boilers,
contracted for in 1888...was tested on May 26 and accepted
by the [Water] Commissioners on the following day. On June
29, after receiving proposals, a contract was made for an
additional engine of 20 million gallons capacity.
"During the last season the number of visitors
to the main park by the street cars was perhaps nearly doubled
by the largely increased facilities for cheap and convenient
conveyance by five distinct routes. In June the Elmwood
Avenue line was opened and the Jefferson Street line was
extended to Cold Spring, where passengers were transferred
free to the new electric line from Main Street to the Park.
On the electric line four cars were equipped on the overhead
wire and 'trolley
' system.
"The opinion in general that the prices charged
by electric light and gas companies in this city are exorbitant.
Considering the fact that the electric light companies have
been favored by a continual large increase of the number
of their lights for several years past, the city has a right
to demand reasonable prices.
"In conclusion I desire to publicly acknowledge
my obligation to my predecessor for valuable suggestions
given me, and for his uniform courtesy shown me since my
election to this office.
On January
5, 1891, the committee appointed to wait upon Mayor Bishop
returned with his second Annual Address which was partially
read before the Common Council
"I take this opportunity to express my appreciation
of the friendly feelings manifested toward me by the members
of the Common Council
of 1890, and of the consideration which that body always gave
to the requests and recommendations which I made. I earnestly
desire that the same relations which existed between the
legislative and executive departments of the City government
during the past year be continued throughout my term in
office.
"The phenomenal growth and prosperity of the
City during the past decade have attracted the attention
of the whole country. Conservative men believe that Buffalo
, far from having attained the importance to be expected
from her population and natural advantages, is destined
in the near future, if favorable conditions continue throughout
the country, to be the home of those splendid results which
come from great and constantly expanding trade, commerce,
manufactures, enterprises, and the thrift and push of an
immense heterogeneous typically American population.
"It is still true that this City has inadequate
school accommodations. The Common Council
of 1890 forwarded to the Legislature an act enabling the City
to borrow $150,000 for school buildings. ...During the closing
days of the Legislature, that act was overlooked by our
representatives, and failed to become a law. Bills have
already been accepted for building a schoolhouse on Elm
Street, for the district hereafter to be known as No. 11.
"The existing contract for cleaning the streets
and collecting the garbage of the City will expire at the
end of two years. What shall the City do regarding this
matter, when that contract has ceased to be of force? Let
us first ascertain...if it has been demonstrated anywhere
that city garbage can be disposed of, at a reasonable expense,
inside the city limits, without injury to the health or
comfort of the community? If this question is answered in
the affirmative, the question follows: Is it wise for the
City to establish and own a plant for the disposition of
garbage? While I do not here urge that the City should own
such a plant, I suggest that there are quite forcible reasons
why the City should do so. If private parties become the
owners of such a plant, they are likely to crowd out competitors
for the disposition of garbage. More competitors and better
terms would likely be obtained on a contract for the collection
of garbage than on the larger contracts for the collection
and disposition of the garbage. Whether it desires to or
not, exigencies may arise when the City will itself be compelled
to collect and dispose of the garbage. Shall the City clean
its own streets or contract for that work? Shall the contract
for cleaning the streets and collecting the garbage be separated?
Shall the City collect or dispose of the garbage, or contract
for that work? Shall the City establish a plant for the
disposition of garbage? These are the questions which I
hope your Honorable Body will earnestly, thoroughly, and
dispassionately consider.
"The amount of local improvements which have
been going on in the city of late is enormous. The taxpaying
capacity of the people is not, perhaps, unlimited. These
improvements are desirable if they represent the wishes
of the people. If they represent rather the wishes of those
desiring to do the work, the improvements may not be in
the interests of the people.
"The present system of appointing inspectors
of the building and repair of sewers, pavements, and some
other public work, and the manner in which such inspectors
usually perform their duties, are such as to shock the most
indifferent tax-payers.
"What, tax payers may inquire, is the present
system of appointing inspectors of the work referred to,
who are the men appointed, and what are the nature and value
of the services they perform? The inspectors are employed
by the Engineer...during his pleasure, and are paid at the
rate of $3 per day. There are, I am informed, men who are
continuously employed as such inspectors. The only apparent
special reason for the appointment of those men is that,
in many cases, they reside near the work they are to inspect.
They are taken indiscriminately, from all trades and kinds
of business. If the information I have received is true,
many of these men do not give their whole time and attention
to the work over which they are placed.
"The system of appointing inspectors, which
I have described, is in my opinion, radically wrong.
úAt no time during the last decade has there been
shown a deeper and livelier interest in educational matters
than in the past year, or a more liberal spirit manifested
by those in authority, as well as by the public generally,
to provide suitable school accommodations.
"During the past year three new buildings were
constructed - Nos. 5, 9, and 30.
"The question of furnishing the necessary and
proper schoolhouse accommodations for this rapidly growing
city in the future, while it is so much behind its actual
needed capacity at the present time, is becoming a serious
one, and should receive the most careful and thoughtful
attention of those in authority.
"That there have been no cases of small-pox
in the city during the past year, is a matter of congratulation.
The rate of mortality
is somewhat higher than in 1889, which was an exceptionally
healthy year. The slight increase is, no doubt, largely
due to La Grippe, and its after affects, and also to the
fact that during the year that has passed the population
on the outskirts of the city has largely increased, the
people living in districts where there are unpaved streets,
and no city water or sewers. The death rate for 1890 was
19 and a fraction per thousand.
"The total number of deaths for 1890 was 5,019,
being an increase of 691 over 1889.
"There
were 7,338 births for 1890, being a decrease of 179 over
1889.
"There were 2,130 marriages reported, being
an increase of 154 over 1889.
"The only other work done of special importance
is the rebuilding of the shaft of the Soldiers' and Sailors'
Monument in Lafayette Square
, and the reconstruction of the base on a much broader and
more substantial plan.
"In pursuance of the Act for the acquisition
of more lands for park purposes in the Thirteenth Ward and
Town of West Seneca, the Park Board, on June 9th, passed
resolutions selecting three separate tracts aggregating
29 acres.
"I am indebted to the heads of the various departments
of the City Government, not only for information contained
in the message, but also for much information, valuable
suggestions, and uniform courtesy during the past year,
all of which I take pleasure in acknowledging at this time."
In 1883 a movement was started for the adoption of
a new city charter. By 1889 no less than 24 business, professional,
and labor organizations were united as the Citizen's Association
in support of charter reform.
On March 27, 1891 "An act to Revise the Charter
of the City of Buffalo
" was passed. The city would now be divided into 25
wards, instead of 13, with the election of "one alderman
and one supervisor in each ward for two years, and the election
by general ticket of mayor, comptroller, corporation counsel,
treasurer, superintendent of education, one commissioner
of public works, overseer of the poor, and nine member of
the Board of Councilmen for three years, a police
justice and two justices of the peace for four years, five assessors
for five years each, and two judges of the municipal court
for six years each."
One of the main purposes of this charter amendment
was to create an elaborate system of checks and balances.
There was now two legislative bodies, the Board of Aldermen
and Board of Councilmen, when in joint session, was known
as the Common Council
The two bodies would watch each other, while the mayor watched
them, who in turn was watched by the heads of all the departments.
This act also allowed the mayor to appoint two additional
commissioners of public works and abolished the engineer
and street commissioner.
The election of 1891 provided the opportunity for
many new members to join the public ranks. Each party felt
they had a good chance of getting their candidates elected.
The Republican's held their City Convention on one
of the earliest dates on record, October 10, 1891, at Genesee
Hall. Their first choice for mayor was Jacob Davis, but
he had to decline because of an agreement made with his
partner to stay out of politics. After a second balloting,
Peter A. Vogt was chosen by acclamation.
As was said by William Marcy, of the Republican General
Committee, "Mr. Vogt, like Philip Becker
, would make taxes
go down, and his administration would be one of reform, one
of backbone. The streets would be kept clean and politics
would not dominate the mayor's office."
The Democratic City Convention
was held on October 13, 1891 at the Broadway Hall. Charles Bishop's
term was highly regarded, and he was re-nominated by acclamation.
Election day was on November 3, 1891 and Bishop was
again elected by the people, defeating Vogt 23,498 to 18,945.
His tally was about 1,300 votes less than in 1890, or 2%,
but there was also 190 more votes tallied.
The Board of Aldermen was split right down the middle
with 12 Democrats and 12 Republicans.
When the change from a horse run street car system
to an electric system was begun, the 999-year franchise
agreements signed years earlier were brought into question
and demands for changes were heard from the citizens. Mayor
Bishop
appointed a citizen's committee consisting of William Hengerer,
John G. Milburn, and ex-Mayor Alexander Brush
to confer with the companies in question. Each company had agreed
to pay the city a specified amount of its gross receipts
annually. The citizen committee set the same percentage
for all the companies to pay in return for the companies
dropping their transfer charges. The Milburn agreement,
as it was called, was adopted December 24, 1891 and was
in use for many years.
Bishop's motto for 1891 was "He serves his party
best who serves the people."
On January 4, 1892 Mayor Bishop
's Annual Message was delivered to the Common Council
"The new charter, which today becomes the organic
law of the City, makes many and radical changes in the organization
and functions of the different departments, and establishes
new ones with very unusual powers, and the results of these
changes can only be estimated. I shall therefore call your
particular attention at this time only to such matters as
I think should receive your earliest consideration.
"The development of the transportation interests
upon the lakes during the past few years, has been very
rapid, and our harbor facilities have at times been most
severely taxed.
"I...renew my recommendation, that such action
be taken by your Honorable Body or by the Board of Public
Works, as will provide for the inspection of all public
improvements by experienced inspectors permanently employed.
"The charter authorizes the Common Council
to establish and regulate public markets. But this market system
has changed with the growth of the city. Some of the old
markets have been abandoned, new ones have been purchased...and
now, the city owns four markets. Three of these markets...are
largely patronized.
úThe Clinton Market...is not conveniently located.
I recommend that this market be abandoned as a public market.
"On June 19th, 1891, a contract was made with
the Baynes Crematory company to receive and dispose of the
garbage of the city for a period of two years. The experience
of the past ten months has shown that streets of the city
can be kept in a satisfactory condition as to cleanliness,
and that the garbage can be disposed of by the 'Merz' system
successfully, without creating any nuisance. The Board of
Public Works will hereafter have full charge of this work.
"The city advertises for proposals for lighting,
but there is no competition. The several gas light and electric
light corporations have divided the city into districts,
and apportioned the districts among themselves, and after
careful consultation they submit uniform bids, and the city
pays whatever price they choose to ask.
"The new charter, like the old, places the Superintendent
of Education at the head of the School Department. In addition
it creates in this department a new board, to be composed
of five citizens appointed by the Mayor, and to be known
as the 'Board of School Examiners.' This board is authorized
to conduct, in the manner described in the charter, examinations
of all persons desiring positions as teachers in the public
schools, and the Superintendent of Education is forbidden
to appoint new teachers except from the list of those having
passed such examinations.
"I am not sure that persons capable of properly
performing the duties of members of this board could not
be induced to accept appointment to serve without salary,
but I am positive that very many persons, well fitted by
their expertise and by their interest in the success of
the schools, to perform the duties of this position, cannot
accept appointment unless a salary is paid. I would therefore
recommend that a salary be fixed. Not large enough to create
a desire to serve on the board merely to receive the salary,
and yet large enough to secure the services of those who
are able to assist in making the School Department the most
efficient of the city departments.
úThe chapter of the new charter respecting the Police
Department, took effect March 27th, 1891. In conformity
with its provisions the Lieutenants were promoted to positions
as Captains, and some minor changes were made. In Precinct
No. 4 a new house has been erected.
"During the year the [fire] department has provided
increased fire protection in the Black Rock
district, beyond Scajaquada Creek
, and in the South Buffalo
district, by extensions of the larger mains, and many additional
hydrants have been placed in the central portions of the
city.
"On the water front a smooth bathing beach will
probably be prepared and suitably equipped."
Mayor Bishop
delivered his 1893 Annual Address on January 2.
"One year ago, a Common Council
, composed of two boards, each with distinct duties clearly
defined and honestly discharged, was an untried experiment
in our city. To-day it is an establishing success, and I
desire to congratulate the members of the Common Council
of 1892 upon their conservative and conscientious conduct
of the City's business, that has proven the wisdom of the
change.
"Ever since the City abandoned the district
system [for schools] and made the erection and maintenance
of the school buildings a charge upon the whole city, there
has been a continual struggle.
"The city is now divided into 50 school districts,
in each of which is maintained a primary or grammar school.
The report of the Examiners shows that in 22 of these districts
the number of pupils registered is in excess of the number
intended to be accommodated by the school building. In some
districts temporary frame buildings have been erected to
meet present necessities; in others, dwellings, churches,
and driving park club houses have been rented for school
purposes; in others, cloak rooms and halls have been used
for pupils and recitations, and in a few districts children
have been turned away from the doors of the school house,
denied the privileges that should be theirs by right of
their childhood.
"It appears from the records of the Educational
department that a very small percentage of the school children
have the time to even pass through all the grades of the
district or grammar school. Their parents' necessities require
that the children become self-supporting as soon as possible.
It is plain, therefore, that the lower grades of the schools
should be the most efficient, yet the fact is that the lower
grades are now the most crowded and afford the poorest opportunities
to the public.
"The lake commerce of Buffalo
continues to show a gratifying increase. The number of vessels
entered and cleared at the port of Buffalo
during the year 1891 was...10,875, with a total tonnage of 8,929,609
tons.
"In the last message of the President of the
United States to Congress, the vessel tonnage of the foreign
trade to the port of London is stated to have been 13,480,767
tons for the year. ...The vessel tonnage of the port of
Buffalo
during a season of 245 days, was two thirds of the tonnage of
the foreign trade of London...for the whole year of 1890.
"During the past year...the docks were often
crowded and tedious and vexatious delays were frequent.
"The new Charter, in the year's trial it has
had, has already proven many of the benefits. After to-day
every department of the city government will be subject
to its provisions.
"One of the greatest benefits derived from the
adoption of the new Charter is the wonderful increase in
the efficiency of the Department of Health. Its records
show that the larger powers granted to the Department have
been wisely administered, and that the very great amount
of work performed by the Department...has brought a direct
benefit, in the decrease of the death rate, and actual decrease
in the number of deaths during the year as compared with
1891.
"The fire boat John M. Hutchinson
(engine 23) is nearly completed. The contractor has been greatly
delayed on account of the non-delivery of the pumps.
"It is now expected that it will be ready to
put into commission about January 16, 1893.
"[The Department of Public Works] now includes
the former Engineer's, Street, Building, and lamp Departments,
and, beginning to-day, will also include the Water department.
"The work of this Bureau [streets] has been
very commendable during the past year. The collection of
the garbage is still done by the City. It is delivered to
the Baynes Garbage Crematory Co., and no complaint of any
nuisances, either because of collection or disposition,
has been made.
"The United States census of 1870 gave Buffalo
117,714 inhabitants; in 1880 this had grown to 155,134; in 1890
it had increased to 255,647 and in 1892 the New York State
census showed our population to be 278,706."
Mayor Bishop
delivered his final message to the Common Council
on January 1, 1894.
"In the message transmitted to the Common Council
January 9th, 1893, the pressing needs of the School Department
were presented for consideration. Acting upon the recommendations
therein contained, permission was obtained from the Legislature
to borrow $300,000 by the sale of bonds, the moneys to be
used in building and furnishing additional school buildings.
Nothing further has been done and the school accommodations
of the city are today more inadequate than ever before.
"On November 20, 1893, the Superintendent of
Education presented to the Common Council
a complete detailed recommendation as to the portions of the
city where new buildings should be erected. This recommendation
contemplated the erection of seven new buildings, the rebuilding
of one, and an addition to one. I am still of the opinion
that large school buildings are more desirable, and that
in designing the buildings, the greatest economy should
be enforced.
"The building of piers and docks along the water
front, as fast as they can be leased to commercial interests,
will enable the largest freight vessels to come into our
harbor and discharge and receive freight without the delays
that are now so often occasioned by low water in the harbor.
"On July 17, 1893, the arrest of Brie O. Van
Brocklin, Secretary of the Board of Fire Commissioners,
for defrauding the city, created great excitement. Mr. Van
Brocklin had been Secretary of the Board of Fire Commissioners
since the organization of the paid department, and possessed
the absolute confidence of the Fire Commissioners and the
public. The knowledge that he has proven dishonest impressed
the people with a profound distrust of all public officials,
and created a demand for a thorough investigation of all
departments of the city government. The examination of the
accounts of the Fire Department
showed that Mr. Van Brocklin's embezzlement to be about $62,535.
"It gratifying to know that the examination
of the other departments...showed nothing more than careless
methods of keeping accounts.
"I have twice recommended that the Common Council
investigate the subject of municipal lighting, and also the
question of municipal ownership of lighting plants. No action
has been taken up on those recommendations, and I again
renew them.
"The charter provisions relating to the Police
Department were changed by the last Legislature, making
compulsory the adoption of the 'Three Platoon System.' This
system divides the patrolmen into three platoons, each to
be on duty eight hours and off duty sixteen hours every
day. This change required an increase in the number of Sergeants
to thirty-six.
"During the past year the City Chemist has made
124 analyses and investigations in behalf of the city. This
work comprises the minute analysis of the Niagara water,
various city well water, milk, cream, butter, lard, air,
asphalt, electric light, street lamps, refuse, glucose works,
garbage, poisonous paint, stench and smoke nuisances.
"It is almost impossible for the [health] department
to enforce rules regarding the care of children, but much
has been done during the past year to insure proper care
of milk by milk dealers, and prevent the sale of impure
milk.
"The fire boat...was completed and put in service,
and two new fire houses were built during 1893.
"The Bureau of Water has since January 1, 1893,
been under the direction of the Commissioners of Public
Works.
"The work of [the Bureau of Streets] during
the year has been very satisfactory. The cleaning of the
streets and the collection of the garbage has caused an
increase in the expenditures of the Bureau, but the work
has been done so well that our city is attracting attention
from other municipalities as a model in these particulars.
"The school year of 1893-94 will be remembered
because of the introduction of the 'free book' system. The
contract for furnishing the books was let to the lowest
bidder, and I am informed this new departure has proven
an unqualified success. The appropriation for the year is
$26,250. Whether this will prove to be the average cost
per year cannot yet be promised, but it will encourage the
attendance of many pupils who might otherwise be unable
to secure any education, and this will be worth more than
the financial cost will ever be.
"The very large increase in expense of [the
Poor Department] is caused by the number of men and women
out of employment who are compelled to ask for assistance
from the Poor Department. It is of the utmost importance
that great care should be exercised in the investigation
of the cases applying to the department for relief.
"The work of the Civil Service
Commission during the year has been unusually large. After the
examination of applicants for appointment as patrolmen the
Commission learned that certain of the applicants had secured
possession of copies of the questions prior to the examination,
and after careful investigation the whole examination was
declared void, and sixty-four applicants, believed to have
been connected with the attempt to impose upon the Commissioners,
were barred from again trying the examination. A second
examination was ordered and has been held.
"The responsibility resting upon all who hold
public office this year is unusually great. The depression
in business, now prevailing will soon pass away, but it
will for a long time compel unusual economy upon the part
of many of our citizens to recover from its effects. They
will rightly expect a corresponding economy in their public
affairs. The people are every year becoming more critical
of the manner in which their public business is conducted,
and less mindful of the personal or political relations
of those who are chosen to conduct it."
Just as a side note to what was written in an earlier
chapter, it was reported by Mayor Bishop
that 417 Butchers' licenses were issued. As can be seen, this
little known industry was growing in epic proportions, employing
thousands of people, yet was rarely mentioned.
In addition, the City Scavenger removed 4,769 small
dead animals, 680 horses, and 48 dead cows from the city
streets.
Under Mayor Bishop
the dog catcher ordinance was created.
After his second term was completed, Bishop returned
to his private business.
PERSONAL LIFE
Charles Bishop married Kate Moran on August 6, 1865.
They had no children. The last known address of the Bishop's
was at 220 Summer Street.
Bishop was active in many local organizations. For
many years he was a member of the Orpheus
Singing Society, and served as president for three years. Bishop
was treasurer of the Delaware Avenue Cemetery Association
and treasurer of the Fest Committee of the 23rd North American
Saengerfest
He was director of the People's Bank and a trustee of the
Western Savings Bank
A Mason
of the 32d degree in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, past
master of Concordia Lodge No. 143 F. and A. M., K. T., Eminent
Commander of Lake Erie
Commandery No. 20, Knight Templars, and president of the board
of trustees of the Masonic
Hall Association for five years. As district deputy grand marshal
of the Twenty-fifth Masonic
district, which he held for four years, he was called upon to
lay the corner stone of the Masonic
temple on Niagara Street.
He was treasurer of the Ismalia Temple, Nobles of
the Mystic Shrine, vice-president of the Masonic
Life Association, and a member of the German Young Men's Association
He was also charitable and was kind to many charities
throughout his life. For many years Mrs. Bishop entertained
orphan 'inmates' of local institutions on the lawn adjoining
the family home.
In January, 1913 it was found that Bishop had internal
cancer. He was sick and inactive for nearly a year, until
mid-September, 1913, when he fell into unconsciousness.
For several days he lie that way, with no hope in sight.
On September 14, 1913, he died in his home.
Bishop is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery
