Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-07-04
THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
He NEW COUNCIL OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
OLE CITY oFFICERs. &C

THE NEW COUNCIL OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
| OF CITY OFFICERS, &C.
Under the provisions of the city charter, the
Council elected in May holds its first meeting
on the first day of July following except when
that day occurs on the Sabbath, which was the
case this year, and then the meeting occurs on
the following day.
The members elected assembled in the Coun-
| Gil Chamber at IL NJ, on the End instant, all
present, toswit Messrs. Bargamin, Berkeley,
Butts, Bell. Craig, Crewle, .Crimmens Nc
| Quaide, Oberdorfer, Summerson, Tams and
| Weller.
On motion of Mr.. Bargamin, Mr.. McQuaide
was appointed Temporary Chairman, who ex-
planned that the meeting was for the purpose
Of organizing the Council and the appointment
of city officers, the first being that OF President
| of the Council.
Mr.. Bargamin placed Mr.. Oberdorfer, the
| former President of the body. in nomination,
but Withdrew 1t at the request of Mr.. Oberdor-
fer, who placed Mr.. Berkeley in nominatio n
and he was unanimously elected.
On assuming the duties of the Chair, Mr.
Berkeley returned his thanks to his fellow
members for the manifestation of esteem and
confidence implied by their action: He would
| accept the office with misgivings of his entire
to perform them as to meet all that would be
required ofhIm. The associations of the past
had been kind and pleasant and he trusted
the future of their deliberations would be
marked with like decorum and public benefit.
and then he declared the Council organized
and ready to proceed with further business
the first to follow being that of elect1ng the
Clerk of the body; and accordingly, Mr.. New
ton Argenbright was unanimously reelected.
Messrs. Peyton Hutchins, Messenger OF the
Council ; Jno. W. Bryan, Overseer of the Poor:
and DIR. Jno. w. Harris, City Physician. were
reelected to their several offices.
The next office to be filed was that of Super
intendent OF the Water-works.
Mr.. Bargamin referred to the fact that since
the electric light plant had been established,
the superintendent of it had devolved upon
the Superintendent of the Water-works, and
he would therefore offer resolution for sepa-
rating these duties and for appointing super
intendent OF each of these departments.
Mr.. Butts objected to the resolution upon
the ground that it was out of order at this
meeting, which was only for the organization
of the Council and the appointment of city
officers already created in the charter and
ordinances, and not to appoint an officer when
the Office to be filled had not been created, and
Mr.. Craig read from several sections of the
Charter, and thought the proposition of Mr..
Bargamin was in order-referring to the law
and precedents for the correctness OF his views
The matter was further discussed by Messrs.
and Bell against the resolution
The latter was opposed to it especially because
no ordinance had been passed defining the
duties of Superintendent of the Electric
light service. The matter had been placed in
he hands of the Committee on Ordinances,
put nothing had been determined in Commit |
zee, nor had any report been made, and there |
ore he would move to pass the subject by. |
which was concurred in by recorded vote as |
ollows
Ayes-Messrs. Berkely, President Bell, |
Butts, Crowle, Crimmens, Tams and Weller.
Nays-Messrs. Bargamin. Craig, McQuaide,
;ummerson and Oberdorfer. The President
lad during the discussion ruled the resolution
,ut of order.
The election of Superintendent of the Water
works was then, on motion of Mr.. Tams,
passed by.
The election of the Police Force was then
aiken up, and Captain ]. H. Waters was
reelected Chief
At this stage of the proceedings, commune
cation was read from the retiring Mayor, con-
;uTTeu III ny Inc new mayor Cu1e1 Vi
Police. concerning the necessity of a work
house for class of offenders for whom confine-
nent in jail had u terrors. Also recommend
ng that two additional Policemen be added to
he force. There are at present, Chief
Simpson. Newman, Policemen,
md Hamilton. Water Policeman.
The Clerk also read applications from G. A.
Grafton and R. F. Hoseys for appointments on
,he Police force.
The election of Policemen was then con-
,inued, and Simpson and Hamilton elected,
followed by the election of G. E. Gregory, W.
B. Collins and John Fretwel. Then followed |
several Intellectual ballots there being six |
votes each for J. B. Lickliter and Joseph New |
man, of the old force, after which further bal |
loting was postponed. 1t is supposed the
Council agreed to the recommended that
two men be added to the Police force, ard
having already placed three new ones,
Gregory, Collins and Fretwell on it, leaves but
one vacancy and two old Policemen without
appointment and at the adjournment the con-
test for the vacancy was between them, sew
eral ballots having been taken with six votes
each time for Lickliter and Newman respec-
lively.
Dr. B. NJ. Atkinson for Ward No. 1. and DR.
H. II. Henkel for W ard No..2, were reap
pointed on the Board of health.
M. sHounihan was re-appointed .Overseer of
the street hands, and ]. L. Sutler retains his
office of Weigh master at the Public Scales