The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-03

claim by virtue of act Of the Legislature which
term for which he was elected as Clerk of the city of
Williamsburg has EXPIRED both commenced calling the
names of the members, and the following gentlemen
answered to their names -
Ward John Cashaw.... Geo. L. Bennett.
" I'd. T. Leverich. :. Edward Pen.
4-Charles G. Fowler John X. Oakley.
" 5-W. w. Gardiner. r. M. Whiting.
/" Alden s. Crowell.. &C. N. Atwater.
s-Cornelius Bennett Jehn '; Bergen
SLW 7. Mills. Ivy. Campbell.
" 1-Wm. ". Walsh. Edward T, Backhouse.
" 12-Tmothy Bannon.. Thomas Mulcahy.
13-Jared Sparks. r. II. Huntly.
14-Geo. W. Baker. John Lnskey
16-Edwin s. Ralphs.. John Maerz.
17-E ). Blank. Job Davis.
6 I'D Lyster. C. NJ. Troutman.
Those in the first column are Aldermen of the first
class, who hold their Office for year. Those occupy
ing the second column Aldermen of the second class
who hold over for two years.
Both clerks announced the result of the rocal when
Alderman PEL moved, that Committee of Three
Rules be appointed which carried, and Aldermen
Capwe Barnard and Whiting were named by the chair.
motion to 60 into an election of President by ballot
carried.
Alderman PE1L nominated Alderman Capwell (dem.)
Alderman BAoKHousE nominated Alderman Barnard
(whig), Of the Third ward.
The chair named Aldermen Oakley and Ralphs as
Tellers.
The ballots having been counted, the following was
%G nus as the result o.-or wn,cn Daniel r.
Barnard received TO- Albert B. Capwell 49,
committee consisting of Aldermen Fowler and Camp
bell was appointed to conduct the President elect to the
chair.
the Board said must express to you the thanks and
gratitude feel at being elevated to this honorable posi-
ton your presiding officer take 1t to be compli-
ment, not of political character knowing that, far
as party politics are concerned, the party by which
was elected in minority in this Board feel that
assume the position under very delicate auspices You
have elected me as your President and can only say
that shall feel my duty as far as lies in my power,
to entirely with impartiaty and entirely free from
all political preferences prejudices. II would be neces
sary for any placed here have been, TO do
with view to receive your cordial cooperation and as
sance in discharge OF the duties OF your presiding Off
The duty OF presiding officer gentle men, will be
very easy If there mutual confidence the part of
the President and on the part of those whom
he presdes. He is merely your mouth piece,
10 collect your opinions and declare resolves, and
to act each OF you would act il placed in his position
for the purpose Of facilitating the discharge Of public
business This shall be my object. To promote the
discharge of public business with promptness and at
the time to the rights of every member of
this Board to have his views an impressions upon every
question presented before me- We all have arduous du-
little of the light Of experience to guide For the flu
ture II will be necessary therefore, that proceed
with and caution in the ncpent steps which may
be necessary to take for the of what Is now
the third city in our Union. We will have great deal
of business perform in the organization of the various
departments OF city and the passage Of the ordi
nances necessary the good Of the peo
pie We must bear in mind that the people are always
willing to have such laws passed as would seem 20 De
and for the general prosperity and that act with
decision and efficiency in those matters, let bear in
people, who have confded to uswthn the limit Of the
charter, the control of matter, that affect their
everything necessary to promote the public good
should be be careful how we by public extrava
gance and improvdence accumulate burdens which bear
upon the public in the shape Of taxes We will be called
upon by fellow citizens to act upon matters on their
petitions. We will bear in mind that all cases or
nearly 80 they come to asking for nothing for the
advantages
themselves personally, and we must take care that we
part with nothing that belongs to the cooperative fran
favorng impose burden upon another or upon all
Of fellow citizens In conclusion, gentlemen, viii
any duty that may be imposed upon by your rules
resolutions. hope that proceedings may be dis
WE DO 80 with the conscousness that we have done
all could to discharge duties according to the
best Of Of our ability. (Appause.)
The Chair then on motion, appointed Aldermen Back
house and Pell as committee to wait upon the Mayor
elect and inform him that the Board was ready to re
ceiye any communication he had to make.
On motion Of Alderman SPARKS the bond Of VIM G.
Bishop clerk OF the Board was read and accepted
The Mayor elect, George Hall, being conducted to the
Presidents desk, delivered his inaugural He said
GENTLEMEN THE COMMON CoUScrI-Elected by our
several constituencies to the offices respectively oc-
cupy, meet this day. for the first time, In the dis
charge Of Official duties. In proceeding to commun
cate to made my duty by the general
statement OF the situation and condition Of the city, in
relation TO it's government finances and improvements
Il erninenty proper under the peculiar cir
cumstances Of the present occasion, that should take
brief review Of the early condition and advancement
Of the several parts Of which II IS composed. 1t Is
nearly twenty years since called by the Com
Council to preside the affairs OF the late city
Of Brooklyn then first ushered into existence The pop
uaton at that time consisted Of about persons
residing for the most part within the distance OF three
fourths Of mile from the Fulton ferry Beyond this
limit streets Of any consequences laid out and
the ground was chiefly occupied for agricultural pur
poses. The shores throughout nearly their whole
| tent in their natural condition, washed by the
waters Of the East river and bay There were two fer
| ries by which communication was had with New
were within the city two banks two insurance
companies, one savings bank, fifteen churches and
three public schools Two newspapers were published
both Of weekly issue. OF commerce and manufactures
IL scarcely said TO have had any, ts business
consisting chiefly OF that which requisite for supply
were lighted with public lamps Of which number thir
teen had been supplied within the previous year. The
assessed value Of taxable property 81 6sf Of
which cs4 consisted Of real estate and 600
of personal property Williamsburg incorporated
. village in 1877. 1ts growth comparatively slow
year, found 70 contain 5,04e Inhabitants and
since that time Il has advanced withsAlmost unparalleled
rapdity having attained population Of 80 $50 In 1880
II chartered a. city in 1851. Within the compare
lively short period Of twsntyone years, what vast
settled township BIAS advanced with rapid strides and
yesterday contained within its limits two villages, TO.
gether numbering population Of about 1000 persons
williamsburg, from hamlet became city, with
about So 600 inhabitants Brooklyn, judging from its
least las, 600 PERSONS, and on this day the three
places, consolidated into one municipal corporation,
takes lie stand az the second city In the Empire State
and the third In rhe Union, with an aggregate popua