Hugh O’Brien is elected mayor of Boston.

O’Brien (D), with 27,494 votes, defeats Augustus Martin, with 24,168. The first Irish-Catholic elected mayor of Boston, O’Brien’s victory is hailed by The Pilot, which exclaims, “Hugh O’Brien, Mayor of Boston! Shades of Cotton Mather, what a change!” In his inaugural speech on January 5, 1885, O’Brien declares, “our citizens will sustain us if we vote liberal expenditures for all departments sufficient to provide for all the work of necessity, but at the same time demand a faithful, economical and honest administration.” According to John T. Galvin, he “astonished apprehensive Yankees by his moderation.” During his four terms, he cuts taxes and promotes development of parks and construction of a new library.