Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-06-13
GotaI anS DsrsOnaI.
Meeting Of the Councils and Inauguration

| J. Middleton as secretary, and Jacob Kleiber as
messenger. Mr.. Hill, on taking the chair, ex-
| pressed his thanks for The high honor conferred
upon him, saying that he would, to his utmost ca
pacty, discharge the responsible duties devolved
upon him, relying upon the fraternal and courteous
feelings which had heretofore characterized the
body. He congratulated his fellow-members on
the citys prosperity, and expressed the hope that
their Legislation would rebound TO the welfare of
the metropolis.
The board of common council organized by the
election Of Alexander Med Davis as president,
and Jacob Kleber messenger. The election of
secretary was postponed, and Mr.. Barry was re-
quested 10 act in that capacity pro tempore.
Dr. Davis, on taking the chair, spoke as follows
Gentlemen Of the board of common council ::
Your generous confidence manifested in elevating
me to this Office, has imposed great and important
responsibility Permit me to tender to you, gen.
tlemen, and to your constituents at large earn
est pledge that my best endeavors and feelings
shall be devoted faithfully fulfill the duties OF the
office. Bringing with me but little experience in
this particular branch Of duty, am confident that
Twill have to appeal to the good feeling which
placed me here to excuse, not the faults of admin:
istratIon, but my misrepresentation of duty.
"Gentlemen, allow me to congratulate you on
the recent appeals made to the people Their
verdict is seldom wrong. You are their chosen,
| trusted representatives, and as such feel proud
| assurance that you will extend to me the courtesy
which has ever been manifested to render the du-
ties of the chair comparatively light, and to con-
tribute TO the full and faithful performance of pub
lie duty in the public affairs. Again, gentleman,
/ thank you for the distinguished honor"
The two branches of the councils assembled in
joint meeting in the chamber Of the common
council, Mr.. Hill presiding. A committee, con
sisting of member from each ward, was appoint
ed to count the votes cast for mayor, and, after
performing that duty, reported the following re-
suit For J. T. Towers, 5000; ]. w. Maury,
2,59l; J. M. Carlisle, l ; Blank, n. The chairman
thereupon declared Mr.. Towers elected mayor for
the term of two years, and appointed Messrs.
Busey and Borrows 10 wait upon the mayor elect
and conduct him to the chamber for Inauguration.
DR.. Borrows said that, under other circumstan-
| ces, he would consider it the proudest epoch Of
| his life to serve as member of the committee
! but, owing to the relations between himself and
| the mayor elect, he was compelled 10 decline.
He hoped that the cause of alienation would be
removed, and their former pleasant relations re-
stored. II was an honest difference of opinion.
The chairman then appointed Mr.. Reed as a
member of the committee in the place of Dr. Bor-
rows.
1 Mr.. Towers subsequently came into the room,
accompanied by ex-Mayor Maury and the com
mittee, and was received standing. Having APP
preached the desk, he delivered the following ad-
/ dress
Gentlemen Of the Board Of alderman and Board
| of Common onnciI:-We have met together this
day AXE the first step in the discharges of the SOL
| emn trust which the partially OF our elloW-cltl-
| zens has devolved upon us, and l feel assured
that we all fully appreciate not only the import
ance of this duty, but also the high obligation TO
/ perform all its requirements with zeal and fidelity.
\ Our sphere of action embraces the powers OF
taxation and expenditure, the rights of persons
and OF property upon the just exercise and faith
full protection of which, in their varied relations,
depend the welfare and honor of the community.
| The charter has wisely blended these, our most
| important powers, thus rendering unity OF action
and harmony of feeling essential TO their proper
| performance.
\. In the execution of existing laws, in the enact
ment of others to meet the public wants, and in
the selection of competent agents 10 execute
| them, / shall endeavor to discharge my obligation
to you and TO the public, confidently relying upon
i your concurrence and aid.
/
i the close of the fiscal year, statement of the
affairs of the corporation, assured that the admins
istration Of my predecessor will satisfactorily fur
i nish necessary materials and shall make to you
| at the same time such suggestions as in my Jndg-
ment the wants and interests of the city require.
To you, my fellow-ctiZens. feel under a deep
| sense of gratitude for your confidence and regard.
| Approaching The various interests and response
| bies which pertain to the office am about TO
assume, shall enter upon the performance of its
,lIanf fkof
| it is position which has been filed by gentlemen
| of the highest and most varied abilities, and at
time too in our citys history, the most interest
ing since its foundation; but shall do SO with
| the hope that shall deserve to be sustained by
i your confidence and support. In my past services,
in the high obligation of duty, in the sentiments OF
| gratitude, / proudly feel that you will recognize
sufficient guarantees that will !" lawfully execute
the duties of the Office, to the best of my skill and
Judgment, without favor or Partially y and trust
that when shall surrender the charge now COM
mtted 10 me- shall at least deserve the common
dalton, that have zeaously labored TO advance
the growth Of our city, and the prosperity and hap
! pness gifts people.
/ The president of the board of aldermen then
administered to Mr.. Towers the oath of Office,
when the dense assembly expressed their appro-
baton of the proceedings by loud and long-con-
| tinued applause, and field piece on Judiciary
square was repeatedly discharged in honor of the
event.
We noticed among the spectators, ex-Mayors
Seaon and Lenox. The former was member OF
the board Of aldermen forty years ago.
The two boards having dissolved their joint
meeting, adjourned over for two weeks
| An invitation having been extended by the may.
or to the company present TO partake of his hospi
talties at the residence of Richard Wallack, esq.
it was generally accepted and a bountiful supply
| of solids and fluids consumed.
The Returned Fugitive.-We mentioned
some days ago that slave of Mr.. Robert Moore,
Of Dahlonega, Georgia, had voluntarily returned
from California, whittier he accompanied gentle.
man, Ia friend of Mr.. Moore) who died in that
State that the negro, thus left to himself, took
passage for New York, where he carefully avoided
the aboltionists, for fear they would steal him. and
afterwards came TO this city, when he availed him
self Of the protection of the Hon. A. III. Stephens,
who has delivered him safe and sound TO his
owner The negro brought with him about eight
/ hundred dollars, the result OF his labor since the