Adams Memorial Library.

North Adams continued its town government until 1895. There was no haste to assume the dignity and responsibility of a city. When the change really did come, North Adams had the largest population under the town form of government of any community in the United States.

The city charter was the result of much painstaking care on the part of public-spirited citizens and much consultation with and revision by experts on municipal government. With characteristic energy and originality, North Adams was not willing to adopt the old-fashioned, conventional city charter so long in vogue in Massachusetts. Following the lines of the old town government, the legislative power is kept as near the people as possible. There is a City Council of twenty-one members, seven of whom are elected annually, not by wards but by the city at large. The wards are set off, not for purposes of representation, but simply to define voting precincts. Each member of the Council must run the gantlet of the vote of the entire city. With the idea of placing the responsibility of administration in one spot, the mayor is given authority to appoint the heads of executive departments outright, without seeking confirmation from the Council. There are other important features of which no mention can be made here; but it is enough to say that they work well in actual practice and have served as models for many cities of later incorporation.

The first city government was inaugurated in January, 1896, with the Hon. Albert C. Houghton as first mayor. He was elected without opposition for two terms. A man of great business ability, already burdened with heavy cares, he gave to the city unselfish, devoted service, and set its feet firmly in the path of progress. At the close of his term of office Mr. Houghton presented to the city the beautiful residence of the late Sanford Blackinton, to be used for a public library building; and accompanying the building was a further gift of ten thousand dollars to be used in its reconstruction. The gift was intended as a memorial to the brother of the donor, the late Andrew J. Houghton of Boston, and is the only considerable public benefaction that the town or city ever received. As the head of one of the city’s principal industries, as well as the leader in all movements making for the community’s best interests and as its faithful first mayor, Mr. Houghton receives the just appreciation of his fellow-citizens.

In the four years since the adoption of the city charter, North Adams has changed from the overgrown village to the full-fledged city. Its principal streets have been paved; its water supply has been increased by the building of a large reservoir at the foot of Mount Williams; the sewer system has been perfected, to the manifest improvements of the public health; and the increased demands for more school room have been bountifully met.