The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-04-14

luton, which was on motion adopted:
Resoived, That the thanks Of the Council
are hereby rendered to III. W. McCune, Esq,
Clerk OF the Council, for the efficient manner
In which he has discharged the duties OF his
position.
The oath Of Office was then administered to
Mr.. Jay, the Mayor elect, and those Of the
Councilmen elect who were present, viz:
John Carter, Charles Wheelock, T. G.. whitley.
W. W. Hibben, E. Nichols, and c. S. Gilman,
Mayor Cross officiating. The newly installed
officers thereupon assumed the duties Of their
respective offices, the retiring officers yielding
their places.
Upon taking the chair, Mr.. Jay delivered
the following
ADDRESS TO THE COUNCIL.
GENTLEMEN OF ThE CITY COUNCIL: On the
first anniversary OF our City's existence it be-
comes my pleasant duty to congratulate you,
its chosen guardians of the law, on the I'M
bounded prosperity and rapid growth of our
infant community. On the 10th day Of De-
cember, 1859, only sixteen months since,
with my family arrived in this village, then
considered frontier town. When the cars, a
construction train, landed us here, the first
passengers that ever arrived in your village
by rail, the place looked to me like village Of
magnificent distances" the inhabitants, Whist
few you could then boast Of, had striven, as it
looked, to build their habitations as far as
possible from each other. Houses were scat
tered few and far between. The residence, .
small one-story house that 1 yet occupy, sur
rounded as 1t now is with pleasant and SUBJ
stantial buildings, was then out in the coun-
try. Within few weeks after taking posses
sion Of my humble home, prairie fire broke
out within q hundred yards Of my house and
rushed with lightning rapidity over grounds
now containing over a score of the finest resi-
denceS in our city. Our population has arisen
from $50 souls, then computed TO be our num-
Der, to about 1905. Our habirations have
quadrupled. Our stores, instead Of small
ones, and one and a-half story wooden struct-
ures, as they then were, are now unrivalled
by any in the west. We have one of the f.
nest, IL not the very finest, public hall that
can be found in the United States in any city
Of our size. We have a public library con-
tanning several hundred volumes OF choice
historical and miscellaneous works, contribu-
ted by the generosity Of our citizens for the
improvement and entertainment of all who
choose to avail themselves Of its advantages.
Churches Of dozen denominations are erect
ed and In process of erection in our city. The
Normal School is filled to excess with the
young OF both sexes from all parts of our
State. Our ward schools are an honor to the
liberality OF our citizens. In q word, our edu-
cational facilities are not surpassed in any
community.
And 10 what do we owe this unrivaIled
prosperity The question is easily and truth
fully answered. 1t is owing to our excellent,
and deservedly excellent, reputation abroad
as q model community. Here the strong arm
OF the law, backed up by public sentiment,
will not tolerate those common schools Of vice
and tnfamy, the licensed gEog shops or tip
ping houses. Our taxes shall never be paid
by money received in exchange for licenses
granted to the depraved to poison the life
blood Of our sons and impoverish the homes
Of our wives and daughters. Our city shall
be in the future as she has been in the past
the FL Dorado Of those who are looking for
homes where the serpent Of the still is not
hidden IN the alleys and byways to tempt the
passer by to his or her destruction. 1t shall
be my pleasure, gentlemen, to cooperate with
you in your endeav ors to advance the material
interests Of our city. In looking around me
and seeing so many Of our best citizens chosen
to enact laws and ordinances for the govern
ment Of our community, cannot help but
congratulate the people on the wisdom OF
their choice, and believe that At the expira-
tiOn Of your terms Of office your constituents
with one voice will say, "WeIl done, good and
faithful servants
We have ordinances upon our statute book
passed by our worthy predecessors (to whom
all honor is due for striving to prohibit the
sale OF Intoxicating liquors, to which would
respectfully call your attention. The law, as
1t stands, may be all that is necessary, If prop
erly enforced, to suppress this pernicious evil.
We know, however, that within the past year
several attempts have been made to avert its
provisions by bad and designing men, who for
the sake Of selfish gain would poison the
whole moral atmosphere Of our community.
1 would recommend q strict examination OF
the provisions OF these ordinancesi II they are
all right let US enforce them without fear or
favor; IL they need alteration or amendment
to render them effective, it Is for you, GENTLE
men, to apply the remedy. Ii was mainly
upon this issue that we were all elected. The
people by vote Of nearly four to one have re-
solved 10 crush and utterly demolish this ny
drA-headed monster. know, gentlemen, that
| In carrying out their wishes, you are but obey
ing your own heartfelt inclinAtiOns.
would also direct your attention to the f.
nances Of our city. While we are compared
| to . number Of sister cities free from debt,
while our city taxes are but half the amount
|
there is much room for Improvement evon
with US. Our bonds or scrip through an over
sight Of our predecessors, who were all young
in managing the affairs of city, are not as
they should be. To your good sense and
Judgment the people In this particular look
for an Improvement. 1 feel confident that
| they will not look ic vain. believe q new
era is dawning on US. At no distant day the
/ hum Of spindles and machinery will be heard
in our midst. This city, beautifully situated
as she Is between two rivers less than two
miles apart, for beauty Of scenery, sRlEhrity Of
climate, aud healtbfUiness Of location unSur.
passed, with facilities for education second to
none, with q temperance population OF i've OF
six 20 one, what is TO hinder US from prosper
ing and going ahead3 Nothing, gentlemen,
nothing. The next decade will witness US q
city OF net less thap ifteeu shoasand inhsbit-
ants. On You, gentlemen, aud those who fol.
low after you, our greatness depends. Let Us
have but single eye to advance the material
and moral atmosphere Of our Community, and
our prosperity is accomplished.
CRon motion Of Mr.. Wheeleek, 1t was order
ed TO publish the above address Of the Mayor
In the Emporia NEWS.
Mr.. Wheelock moved that the Council adop
the rules and regulations adopted By and cog
erning the forWeT council IN its nsoeeedingi
until otherwise ordered. Adopted.
Adjourned TO meet next Monday evening.
: CopEclL CHAAERzs, April 10, 1874.
} The City Council met In regular session
: with Mayor Jay In the Chair, aud the follow
. ing cOunellmen present, Wig: JOhH esEtsF