The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-05
THE MAYORS CONVENTION.
What Was Done Yesterday-A Banquet at
the Denison-The Belt Road Inspected.

The visiting mayors met at 8 o'clock yesterday
morning, and, in the charge Of Auditor Ijams,
we're entertained with a ride around the Belt
road. They returned about noon, greatly pleased
with the trip. 1t was the intention to take n
ride about the city in the afternoon, as guests of
Frank Bird, but the Indictment weather rendered
such a project Incompatible with bodily com
fort, and it was decided to continue the business
session at the Council Chamber. During the day
new arrivals appeared in the persons OF Mayors
Harvey r. Harris, Michigan city, and W. ].
Sparks. Greenield; City Clerk ]. W. Thompson,
Jacksonville, and City Assessor z. T. Goguse,
Fort Wayne.
The first business of the session
was the favorable action on a motion
TO amend section 1870, by substituting "may at
their option" for shall" IL was decided to rec
ommend the permission to collect city taxes in
the same manner as county taxes.
Mayor BridwelI of Evansville, who is strenu-
ouslv opposed to an increased tenure of office for
mayors, expressed a desire to have yesterdays
action regarding that matter reconsidered. A
motion to that effect was accordingly made and
carried. A resolution tnat the term of all elective
city officers, except councilmen, be for three
years, was lost. The identical motion, with the
substitution of "four' for ''three years" was car
ried by a bare majority. Several men,
DcT5 u buG COuNeuIlOu COubIu0T II
immodest to an increase
in the tenure of their own office. and put them
selves on record as emphatically opposed to such
action. This request does not, however, refer
TO unexpired mayoralty terms.
1t was that the law regulating
dog licenses be amended to authorize cities to
annihilate all dogs whose owners are recreant
in paying the prescribed tax.
A successful motion was in favor of adopting
a provision authorizing the levy of a tax ON
street cars, omnibuses, and other vehicles used
for hire.
The motion was adopted unanimously to COM
pei any person injured by reason of any defect
in streets. highways, ETC., to give notice of his
intention to nring suit within thirty DAYS of re-
ceiving the injnries.
A resolution offered by Mayor L.. T. Warder, of
Jacksonville, that the Legislature be requested
TO 50 amend the law as to authorize a city to as
sess and TAX all and every species of property,
Doth real and personal, within its corporate
limits, was lost.
By motion. it was inc that section
3,l6l be amended by inserting "to build" with
reference to bridges outside the cities.
The Legislature will be asked to repeal section
81, and make a conviction of either a bar to
prosecution by the other.
The convention decided that section L, act of
1897, should be amended so as TO require a ma-
jOrity OF both town and city to effect annexation.
1t was recommended that cities be allowed to
loan their sinking fund on the same terms as
the State loans the school fund.
The matter of requesting the adjustment of
the offices of city assessor and city treasurer
has come up several times during the conven.
ton and has excited a great deal of spirited
discussion. A resolution was finally offered and
carried by a comfortable majority, ''That this
convention put itself on record as opposed TO
aholishing the offices of city assessor and city
treasurer" AS a kind of palliation it was
finally decided to recommend that in cities of
less than 5000 Inhabitants, the assessment may
be made by the township assessor, ana the taxes
collected by the county auditor, leaving The mat
ter optional with each town.
It was intended to appoint a legislative COM
mlttee yesterday, but 1t was finally left with
Mayors Bridwella aud Grubbs to report the names
OF i've this morning TO serve as such committee.
Last evening, by the courtesy of Messrs. Dick
son Brothers, the distinguished bcdy were en-
tertained at the Grand Opera-house, At 1880
O'Clock am elegant banquet was rendered by tile
local municipal authorities at the Denison House.
Mayor Grubbs presided, and members of the
Board Of Aldermen and Council, and the city Of
fciais, assisted in the eptertainment. and a
most pleasant season of good cheer was
enjoyed, and the number of responses to
toasts was almost identical with the
number present, and short speeches were made
by the following gentlemen: Mayor
Zollinger. and City Attorney Cole
rick, Fort Wayne; Mayor Unsinger,
Huntington; Mayor Spark, Greenfield; Mayor
Warder and Hon. William Lee, Jacksonville;
Mayor Lynn, Terre Haute; Mayor Pierce. Leb-
anon; Mayor Grubbs, City Attorney Denny,
Isaac Thalman, John r.. Pearson, Brainard ROri-
son, Edward H. Dean, James A. Pritchard, In-
dlanapolis. ana a number OF others.