The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-08
THE NEW COMMON COUNCIL.
Much Important Business Transacted
at the First Meeting Last Night.
The AppointaMe Offices Declared Vacant
The Regular Reports and Recommen-
datiOns-Personnel Of the Body.

last night, and the beginning lightly foreshad-
ows some of the Kilkenny scenes which may be
expected from closely divided body of legisla-
tors with troublesome and garrulous members on
both sides The last Council was harrassed with
divided discussions, and more than one-half
the time occupied in their sessions was
consumed in the exercise of jaw
The new Council is likely to be afflicted with
fully as much prolxty of speech, and wrsngling
will be aggravated by the close political division.
Two or three amateur statesmen popped up last
night, and others are expected to be heard
from before many more meetings. One appeal
was made last night from the parliamentary rnl-
ing of Mayor McMaster but ii was withdrawn
at the suggestion of one of the old members.
before being pressed to a vote At no time dur
ing the term of the retiring mayor was an appeal
made from his ruling presiding officer. The
beginning Of last night, generally considered,
gives no assurance that the proceedings of the
new municipal body will be harmonious. The
rulings of Mayor McALaster were strictly parlia-
mentary. and were made without discrimination.
PERSONNEL OF THE COUNCIL.
The personnel of the body attracted very
favorable comment There are more young
men than there were among the old members,
and as body they make n decidedly good APP
pearance.
Flowers were placed on the desk of the Mayor,
and among the members who received floral
tributes from friends were Councilmen Thalman,
Pearson, Edenharter, Bowling, Curry, Coy,
Cowie and Downey.
From indications, the leaders on the Demo
cratic side will be Bowling and Coy, while
Downey will figure rather conspicuously Thai
man. on the Republican side will command
spectful consideration. Spahr is a member who
will be on his feet great deal There are a
half dozen on more among the Republicans who
promise to become useful and influential mem
bers.
The Republican eouneilmen are Benjamin,
Cowie Gallahue MeClelland. Newcomb, Pear
son. Rees, Reynolds, Smither, Spahr, Thalman,
TfusleT, and Wharton.
The Democratic members are Coy Curry,
Bowling. Doyle Edenbarter, Haugh, March,
Moran, Sheppard and Wolf The east half of
the Council Chamber is occupied by the Repub-
Gcalas and the west half by the Democrats. The
only old members who retain the seats which
they have occupied during the last two years are
Messrs. Thalman and Pearson.
Mayor McMaster called the Council to order
sponded to the call of their names. The at
tendance of visitors was large. and a number of
the members of the old Council were psesent.
THE MAYORS INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Following the call of the roll Mayor McNIaster
addressed the Council as follows;
Gentlemen of the Council: .
I shall not occupy yourtine with any extended
remarks on this occasion. l take my place as
YOUR presiding officer with but limited lnbWl-
edge of parliamentary rules and usages, but Ihope
that possess disposition to learn the duties of
the position and that with the exercise of this
disposition on my part and that Of patience and
forbearance yours We shall soon get along
reasonably we'll Our city has grown until it is
now one of the great railroad and commercial
centers of the country It's manufacturing in
dustTies and business enterprises have increased
until they are many in number great in import
ance and diversified in their character; and
need hardly remind you of what l am certain
you all feel and appreciate that your duties as
part of the lawnlalling power Of the city, and in
- locking after It's business interests and general
welfare. are of the Utmost importance An in
telgent and faithful discharge OF them means
good city government; negligent or indifferent
discharge of them means bad or at least an in
different city government.
.-o Each of you will have more or less of com
& y tee work to perform during your term of of
flee, and wish most earnestlyto call your atten-
ton to the Importance Of doing this work in a
prompt and efficient manner All matters re-
ferred to committees shOudreceive amost careful
and thorough consideration at their hands The
Council as body must necessarily rely very
largely upon the reports of the committees, upon
measures referred to them, for the information
that is to guide it in its action. Hasty legisla-
ton is very apt to be bad legislation, and unless
there is a pressing need for immediate action it
is safe rule to have all important measures
take the usual course of reference to the appro-
pirate committees for consideration and report
that time and study can be given to such matters
in committee which it is impossible to give by
the full body. Beneficial measures, as a rule,
can await sucha course of procedure, and as to
bad measures they should be compelled to stand
such test. The severest economy in expendi-
lures must be practiced if we would keep them
within the city's revenues, even with the tax
levy fixed at the maximum limit allowed by law.
In this connection | would urge upon you the
Importance of a careful scrutiny of small claims
and demands against the city, as we'll as those of
la1sopr amounts These claims coIOAfinaS
in and allowed because of theirvery insignifi-
canoe in amount, when, if their aggregate sig
ni6cance were considered, they would be prompt
1y rejected. One hundred items of $40 each
saved to the city will affect the treasury lust as
benefcially Single item of 81 900 so saved.
As rule those who have dealings with the city
government, and ask favors from it in the shape
of legislation, or who have claims to present
against it, citizens residing in the city whose
relations to the members of Council are fire.
quently quite intimate and personal in their char
aeter. and it is an easy matter to yield to their
opportunities without exercising that care and
scrutiny which would obtain if these relations
were otherwise. While in such cases great care
should be observed to see that no injustice is
done to such persons, yet at the same time no
less caution should be exercised to see that the
city is not imposed upon, and that its interests
do not suffer. One other observation may not be
out Of place here, and that is that questions of
purely party character seldom, if ever, prop
efly have any place IN our proceedings here. We
have nothing to do with the shaping Of the
political policies, either State or national of our
parties. The Incidental benefit that may come
to our respective parties by zealously and faith
fully guarding the best interests of the city in
whose government we form, for the present,
such an important factor, is the greatest benefit
we can confer. sincerely hope that our rela-
tons TO each other may always be cordial and
pleasant, and that all our acts NAV rebound to
the prosperity of the great city which we repre-
= sent.
Mr.. McMaster concluded his remarks by
thinking ex-Mayor Grubbs for his assistance
and courteous treatment in assuming the duties
of his new position.
Ey-0rAYoR GRUBBs's REMARKS.
D: W. Grubbs, the retiring mayor, was then
i1ltrndl,cad anh lz.nA1. addnnssnd the Council