Attorney E. E. Brown was appointed Assistant Health Commisioner for the city of Boston in 1907 by Mayor Fitzgerald, a Democrat. The Guardian newspaper called Brown's appointment the 'best position any colored man ever had in Boston.' The newspaper went on to say, 'The appointment of a colored man to such a high-salaried position ($2,500 a year) displeased all color-prejudiced white politicians.' Incoming Mayor Hubbard, a Republican, removed Brown from the job by abolishing the position, saying it was not needed.