The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1882-03-22
Organization OF Town Council of
DeLand.

The Mayor convened the members
elect at his residence on Monday
evening 18th inst, for purpose of or
ganizatlon. The oath of office was
duly administered to the Mayor elect,
by j. Y. .Parce, J. p. Upon assum-
Ing the chair, the Mayor said "This
seems fitting moment for me to ad
dress few remarks
TO members elect Of the Tom Cou1a-
eli Of DeLGod::
With pleasurable emotions, not
unmingled with feelings of gratitude,
and savoring of pride; we may all be
allowed to indulge in mutual con-
gratulations on this occasion, meet-
ing as we now do in this cabin, the
first erected in this attractive and
fourishing town; for the purpose of
organizing municipal government;
feelings of pleasure that we have
here met to pledge our mutual faith
to each other in the organization and
maintenance OF such local govern
ment as shall command the respect
and approval of all who may share
its benefits, and thus reflect credit
upon ourselves; feelings of gratis
tude that we have been attracted to
this lovely spot, where we enjoy
climate OF which so many heretofore
invalids now in our midst, are
living evidences of its salubrity;
feelings of justifable pride that must
involuntarily rise in the breast of
some of us, when we review the six
short years that have elapsed since
with axes on our shoulders we here
pitched our camp with only the wild
woods about us, and commenced our
onslaught upon the sturdy pines.
Some of those present have
witnessed step by step the
changes that have been made.
1t was our intent to contribute our
share towards making this wilderness
not only blossom as the rose, but
TEEN with the fragrance OF the trop-
ical fruits for which Florida is famous.
How we'll we have succeeded I may
leave you ali TO judge by our SUR
roundings, when on these premises
you may now see the ripe fruit and
the orange blossoms upon the same
tree, where stood those monarchs OF
the forest so recently.
1t seems to me eminently fitting
that on this occasion we should cons
memorate the time when in this same
cabin, less thar five years since, the
few persons then residing here, met
to take the initiatory steps towards
laying out a town and otherwise
turthering the interests OF such social,
educational and moral organizations
as follow closely new settlements in
all civilized communities. Subsequent
ly in this cabin also was held the first
public religious service within the
town. In the minds of many OF us
those associations will live never to
be forgotten. Conscious of my own
unhtness for the position that has
been given me unsought, 1t is with
no ieigned difidence that accept
its honors feeling that the office
honors the mau rather than the man
the office, and trusting that l will
have your support in the discharge
OF its duties. | may be permitted to
express the belief as l confidently
hope that with the guidance of an
oyer-rpling Providence, your success
in this effort may be commensurate
with the success OF our first under-
taking here; and may you all, and
your successor be endowed with g
degree OF wisdom that will ensure
such results
AT the close Of his remarks the
Mayor administered the oath of office
to the Aldermen also to the Secretary
and Treasurer and the Marshal and
Collector. The council then proceed.
ed to elect j. j. Banta their president
when the Mayor proclaimed the or.
&anlzation complete.