Correspondence, 1911-1915

The series consists of correspondence between Norris Barratt and Mayor James H. Preston of Baltimore. The letters span the first of Preston's two terms as Baltimore mayor. James Harry Preston was born in Harford County, Maryland, in 1860. He attended St. John's College in Annapolis and the University of Maryland Law School, from which he graduated in 1881. While he was practicing law, Preston was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1889, winning re-election in 1893. He became Speaker of the House in 1894. After becoming involved in Baltimore City politics, he was appointed to the Board of Police Commissioners in 1904. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1910 but was elected Mayor of Baltimore in 1911. Preston modernized much of the city of Baltimore, a significant portion of which had been destroyed in the Great Fire of 1904. During his two terms as mayor, he oversaw the completion of sewerage and water systems and roads. James H. Preston died in 1938.

Preston's ambitions for Baltimore, as well as his interest in Norris Barratt's experience and opinions, are evident in a number of his letters to Barratt. Indeed, in a December 1911 letter, Preston included a pamphlet entitled "A Few Important Facts About Big Busy, Bustling Baltimore," touting it as the best place in the United States for business and the "cheapest American city in which to live in comfort," where "tenement house life, with its unfortunate influences plays relatively no part." In a July 1911 letter, Preston solicited Barratt's advice on using water from McCall's Ferry in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, for Baltimore's water supply. In May 1913, he expressed interest in discussing with Barratt the widening of St. Paul, Howard, and Calvert Streets in Baltimore, and, in August of that year, he queried Barratt about his knowledge of a particular consulting firm for city, port, and terminal planning. Preston also expressed interest in electric signs outside Philadelphia's City Hall, as he considered placing similar ones in Baltimore. At Preston's request, in January 1915, Barratt sent him a Philadelphia flag, while Preston and a flag commission were creating a design for a city flag for Baltimore.

Preston, a Democrat, and Barratt, a Republican, corresponded about political issues, but the specific topics they discussed in their letters are fairly vague. Preston did mention his support of Barratt during a re-election campaign and, upon Barratt's re-election as judge, Preston offered words of congratulation and reassurance. In his own political life, Preston seemed to lament his lack of control over decision-making and his lack of leisure time. In a letter dated November 13, 1913, he remarked, "I have about concluded to go back to the law - I can make more money and be my own master - go away when I please - spend my summers in Europe..." In a July 20, 1915, letter, Preston advised Barratt not to run for mayor. Indeed, in several letters Preston offered negative thoughts on serving in the office of mayor and, in one of these, advised Barratt to "stay out of the Mayoralty. There is nothing to it."

In a number of letters, Preston mentioned his hope of spending time with the Barratt family in New England; Cape May, New Jersey; and other vacation destinations. Preston repeatedly invited Judge Barratt to visit the Preston family at home in Baltimore as well and expressed an eagerness to give Barratt a tour of Baltimore. In 1912, Judge Barratt's wife, known as Nellie, became ill. In a January 1913 letter, he expressed his great relief at her recovery and invited Barratt and his family to spend time with the Prestons at a beach so that his wife might further recuperate.