Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886. 423
the river to Chestnut street, by Mr. Stearns, he had a house wanning
at the old Worthington house, which had been moved back to Water
street. Judge Morris entertained the company with reminiscences.
There was quite a brisk trade in lots at the time, and a fifty per
cent, advance over ruling prices for years was the rule. The Lyman
farm, owned by R. Emery, East North Main street, had jumped from
$10,000 to $20,000. It was natural that in the real-estate activity
that rumors connected the railroad promoters with speculations.
These insinuations were resented and the rumors formally denied.
In 1831 the democrats put up for senators James Kent and Harvey
Chapiu, and one of their handbills gives the best expression to their
notions of the situation. Here it is —
:
Shall a Charles X. and his Polignac grind us to the face of the earth? It
was for their enormous expenditure, and taking from the mass of the jieople —
the workingmen — the real hone and sinew of the country — their just rights, that
the good LaFayette placed himself at tlie head of the noble workingmen of Paris
and hurled their oppressors from power. "We have our aristocracy, our Charles
X. and our Polignac, and we have them at our very doors. Who have hitherto
controlled the elections in this county? A small band of lawyers and Springfield
aristocrats. Who boast that Enos Foote and John Nyles shall be forced upon
the workingmen? This little band of lawyers and aristocrats who nominated
them. Who boast that the present splendid State Government to the tune of
$293,000 per annum shall continue to be forced upon the people? This same
aristocratic ruffled shirt party! Who will sustain the lawyer's bar rules? Who
will continue to oppress the people with the present oppressive laws for the sup-
port of religious worship? Who would deprive ever}' independent workingman
but to deceive and cajole us? The aristocracy I The lawyers ! The
party
!
ruffle shirt
The celebration of Washington's birthday in 1832 was another of
those fete days that the town may well remember. No less than three
thousand people participated, and politics was forgotten. Cannon
on Armory hill and Court square were thundering at daybreak, and
every church bell was ringing. Col. Ithamer Goodman formed the