The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-03-17
CITY COUNCIL,
THE OLD BOARD RETIRE.
Bailey Davenport Sworn in as Mayor.
HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
THE NEW COUNCIL IEAUeURATED.
b. H. KIMBALL, CITY MARSHAL.
At . O'Clock p. NJ. to-day, (the 18th, the
retiring CITY Council met, and after about
an hour spent in hearing reports of City
officers, Mayor Murdock announced that
C. Lynde, Jr., had resigned as library
Director, and he appointed Alvin Hull to
ill the vacancy.
1t would have been a graceful act in the
retiring Mayor to have left this appoint
meut for the new Mayor, under whose ad-
ministration he was to hold Office, but as
the appointment was not legally
made, Of course it falls The law
requires all appointments to be
acted on by yeas and nays
which was not done, aud neither Mr.
Hull or any of the balance of the Board
have been legally appointed. 1t may
/ therefore, be necessary for the new Mayor
to make up an entire new Board, il it is Of
any importance that their acts should be
legal
An ordinance u license Scales was
also passed After some unimportant
/ business. Mayor Murdoch announced
that all unfinished business had been
attended TO- and asked the Mayor
elect Hon Bailey Davenport if he was
ready to take the oath OF office. Being
answered in the affirmative, City Clerk
Barge then stepped forward and admins
tered the Mayors oath, after which the
Aldermen-elect were sworn in and took
their seats amidst the conugratulations Of
the retiring Mayor and Aldermen, and by
vote the old Council adjourned sine de-
The new Council were then favored with
the following
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
MAYORS OFFICE.
Rock ISLAND, March Il, 1873.
| Gentlemen Of tie city CouHeH'
/ By free expression Of the will Of nv
]
! this as well as many former marks Of their
confidence. | am again called t. act as
their Chief Magistrate for the coming
year. and have taken the oath Of office
prescribed by our Amended Charter
That oath requires me tn support the
Constitution OF the United States and see
IN it that the Constitution and laws of thi,
State and the Ordinances OF this city are
duly enforced, respected and observed
within the city
Our charter. among other things. re
quires the Mayor u see to it that all officers
Of the city faithfully discharge their re
spectIye duties, and t. cause negligence
and a violation Of duty u be punished. Ii
is also made his duty, from time to time.
T. give the Council such information and
recommend such measures as may seem
advantageous to the city. And in the
/ discharge Of his duties the Mayor
/ Is fully empowered To require any
and all officers Of the city 70 exhibit to him
/ all Of their books and papers at any time.
BY law Of this State. approved March
9Th, 1872. and applicable 10 all cities. it Is
made the duty of the Mayor 70 appoint all
officers acting under the city government.
who are not elected by the people or an
pointed by the Governor. and to submit
such appointments to the City Council tor
confirmation or rejection by yeas and NAYS,
to be entered on the journal Of meetings.
The Mayor is also fully empowered hr
this act 10 remove, without previous trial.
any city officer or any member of any
Board, not elected by the people or ap-
( pointed by the Governor. and repnrt hi,
reasons therefor at the next regular meet
ing ct the Council In case of removal
from or vacancy in any such office or
Board. successor may be appointed by
the Mayor, as III case of an original an-
pointmeut,
This act also declares that the Mayor
shall be held responsible for the good
order and government Of the city, he shall
have and exercise within the city limits
the powers conferred by law upon sheriff.
OF counties to suppress disorder and keen
the peace, and IN the exercise Of such
powers he may direct and control the Off
GERS and members Of the police and fire
departments Of the city.
4 Tie Is also authorized by this act t. veto
any portion or the whole of any bill or or
dlnance approprlatlng money, and it will
require a majority Of all the members
elected 70 the City Council ~ to pass such
vetoed bill
These and many other duties. devolve
upon the Mayor, rendering his position at
all times one OF grave responsibility. and
sometimes difficult and delicate Toprop-
erly discharge these duties ] shall have 10
ask OF you, gentlemen your kind co-opera-
ton IN such acts as may appear To be nee
essary Tor the welfare Of the people we are
called to represent, and for the interests
and prosperity Of our city generally
/, Should we differ upon any matters per
tanning TO the public welfare ! am conf
dent It will be with that kindly spirit which
should characterize all our intercourse in an
official capacity and that we shall ALWAYS
bear IN mind that the interests Of the pub
lie generally are paramount to all others
Among the first duties devolving upon
me will be the appointment of suitable
persons y fill the various subordinate city
offices 1t Is a task Of no small difficulty
70 ind perfectly competent men. of good
character and ability, 70 fill the offices at
the salaries now auth0rized-but | hope
to do So without any increase Of salaries.
| trust that in considering the appoint
ments ! may make from time to time.
/ You will be governed alone by con-idera-
]
/ The financial affairs of the city
/ will demand our best attention
during all the coming year. The
city is, heavily in debt, about half
OF which was caused by the establishment
OF Water Works 1t is hoped that bv
rigid economy in their management. the
works may be made self-sustaining. Our
taxes, too. are unusually and oppressivelv
burdensome To reduce the burdens Of
taxation and at the same time somewhat
reduce the debt Of the city is a prob
lem which demands our earnest and well
directed efforts The people are never IN
reasonable when they understand the stu
alton, and they will not expect impossi-
blltles OF Us. But they will expect, and
think with reason that we shall cut
down the taxes considerably, and at the
same time make some reduction in the
debt OF the city. This can only be done
by careful attention to our expenditures;
by a refusal to expend one dollar in
money, anywhere, not absoluteIv naces-