Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-06-13
to ascertain the condition Of the snances of the

Whereas II Is a source of deep gratlncatioh 70
the citizens of Washington that the peace ana
harmony of the city was preserved in an admi-
able manner during the late political contest,
through the efforts of the Metropolitan Police
Therefore be il
Resolred (the Board of Aldermen concurring,)
That the thanks OF the Boards OF Aldermen
and Common Council arc eminently due, and
are hereby rendered, to the metropolitan fohce
force and its efficient Superintendent, Major A.
c. Richards.
Resolved, That the Mayor be requested to
cause the same to be handsomely engrossed and
framed and presented to the Superintendent of
the police force to be hung in the ofice at their
headquarters, rs a slight reward OF merit for
faithful services rendered to the people of this
city.
Mr. Pope offered a resolution that the secre-
tary furnish each member of the Board with
copy of Webb's Digest. Adopted.
Mr.. Freeman presented a petition from Mr..
A. s. Taylor, setting forth that Mr.. j. L. Muir
ray, returned as a duly elected member from
the First Ward, does not possess the qualif-
cations as to age required by section four of the
charter; referred.
Mr.. Freeman also presented a petition of prop
erty-holders, asking that the work on sewer in
the First Ward be stopped; referred to the
Mayor.
Mr.. Pope offered resolution that 200 copies of
the rules of order be printed for the use of the
Board; adopted.
At 1910 p. m. the Board adjourned for two
weeks.
Joint Convention.
Council Chamber, the joint meeting organized
with Mr.. Croker, President of the Aldermen,
as chairman, and Mr.. Arthur Shepherd secre-
tary.
Alderman Shepherd moved that committee
of one from each ward be appointed to canvass
the returns of the recent election; carried.
The following were appointed: Aldermen
shepherd, Stewart, Gulick, and Baker, and
COuncimen Burgess, Mccoy, and Barton.
On motion OF Aldermen McCathran, recess
of half an hour was then taken to allow the
committee time to perform the duty devolved
upon them.
On the joint convention being again called to
order, Mr.. Shepherd, from the committee to
canvass votes for Mayor, reported as follows -
Whole number of votes cast, IL, 1853, of which
number Matthew q. Emery received 1O,076, s.
j. Bowen 6 ,ss2, A. G. Richards I; majority for
Mathew G. Emery. 1874.
The Chair (Mr. Crocker) stated that as Mat
votes cast for the office of Mayor, he now de-
clared him duly elected Mayor of Washington
for the ensuing two years. [Applause.l
MIR. Connolly moved that committee of three
be appointed to wait on the Mayor elect and
inform him that he has been elected Mayor
for the ensuing two years; carried. Aldermen
Connolly and Moore and Councilman Bowen
were appointed the committee, and at lilo re-
turned to the Council chamber with Mayor
elect Emery.
INAUGURATION OF THE NEW MAYOR.
Mr.. Connolly announced that they had per-
formed the duty assigned them, and that the
his office.
The Chair Mr. Crocker) said it gave him
pleasure to welcome MIR. Emery to this chamber
as Mayor-elect, and he would now take the oath
of office.
Justice David r. Smith administered the oath
of Office and the oath of allegiance, (the same
taken by the members of the two bOards,) Mr..
Emery repeating the words after the justice.
Mr.. Emery was then conducted to the chair,
and spoke as follows:
MAYOR EMERY's INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Gentlemen Of the Board Of Aldermen and Board
Of Common Council This occasion does not call
for many words. / have hitherto been known
among my ellOw-citZens a man of work
rather than of words, and my reputation in this
respect shall not suffer in the honorable and
responsible station to which have been elected.
L am deeply sensible of the honor conferred by
myfellOw citizens in the late expression of their
confidence, and am as deeply impressed with
the weight and Importance OF the responsibilities
imposed upon me. L see difficult task before
/ see mountain pile of debt that will tax
the keenest financial talent to arrange satisfac-
torlly. j see immense expenditures inaug urated
which should be carefully suspended. / see a
number OF salaried officials whose services may
not be wholly indispensable. / see crowd OF
hungry hangers-On that should be peacefully
l am sure the people can look with confidence
to you tor practical and wise legislation ~ cor
rect these and other evils. lCheers
For nv own part 1 can at least bring 20 the
Office OF Mayor the dets fInlnatiOn 10 use every
energy TO attain the desired result, and restore
a
| must have your cordial aid and full c0-opera-
ton, or this cannot be accomplished You have
heard the voice of a burdened people earnestly
demanding economy and reform. l am ready
to obey that voice; am anxious 70 inausurate
such "A system, and trust there viii be no dis
position on the part Of any to raise captious OPP
position or needless difficulties. Ia that Case
the responsibility of failure would rest upon the
opposition. lApplause.l
In the conduct OF our city affairs, the paving
and lighting of streets, the administration OF
justice, the education of our children, etc, as
we'll in their private business, many OF our
best citizens, when an agent Is named to carry
out their will in these concerns, are disposed TO
ask, first of all, as he honest faithful, and Ca
pabe?" They do not care so much to what p0-
ltical party he belongs, and, unless there are
unsettled national party questions which im;ne-
diateiy affect the rights and privileges OF our
own citizens, under our own laws, II would
seem that national politics should not interfere
10 disturb our harmony, OF narrow too much
the choice Of the proper agents to transact our
election as being something above mere party
triumph. 1t Is the adoption OF a sound and
wholesome principle OF action by the people OF
washington. lCheers
well to further define it. L was elected as re-
publican, as a reference to the platform and
resolutions Of the political organizations which
made ME their candidate will show. am a re-
publican, but my republicanism is based on
principle, and Is not mere partizanship. claim
no rights as an American citizen which am
not Wiling 10 accord 10 all Americans, without
regard to race or religion. Loud cheers.
The great questions OF universal freedom and
universal suffrage have been settled by the
voice OF the nation. 1t Is our duty to see that,
SO far as our power extends, the national voice
is obeyed and the Constitution enforced. Fur
Their than this, we feel that these questions no
longer concern us, and we are glad to be per-
mitted to dismiss them and turn our attention
to matters of more immediate local interest.
So Tar as can judge of the course Of progress,
the privileges and powers OF the people are con-
stantly and everywhere extending, and can
never be permanently abridged or restricted
In our country the elective franchise may be
further extended; but it will certainly never be
taken away from any part Of our citizens until
we are ready to acknowledge that government
by the people is a failure. lApplause.
Those who opposed the extension OF suffrage
must now see the wisdom and necessity OF ac-
cepting the situation; and whatever the reasons
for their opposition, it now only remains for
them and for us to do our whole duty in provid-
ing for those who hold the mighty power Of the
ballot in their hands, and for all in our midst,
the most ample means OF true education and
improvement.
II there are any among US who are blind to
these truths, who will not accept even un-
changeable facts, and who seek to make war
upon the vested and constitutional rights Of any
Of our citizens, have no political sympathy
with such persons, and no political fav0rs to
bestow upon them. (Applause.]
i fully concur in the great settlement Of
- ~ Il ~ sN-.As