Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-10-23

The publication IN the REFLECTOR
of the situation in which the city was
put by Mayor Matteson's self-consti-
tuted dictatorship in withholding from
publication the waterworks ordinance
caused an immense excitement. The
streets were filled last evening with
earnest and indignant business men
and citizens who were determined that
the Mayor should not stand in the way
of Abilene's progress in the present
crisis.
Their interest in the matter took
the form of an impromptu indignation
meeting at the city hall which was
attended by over 100 leading taxpayers
of the city, all determined that the
matter should be settled then and
there.
A committee was sent for Mr.. Mat
teson, and D. R. Gorden was selected
as chairman.
For two hours the meeting was in
session and the most stirring speeches
were made. Messrs. Burton, SIAM
baugh and others outlined the situa-
tion and demanded of Matteson who
were his advisors in his action. He
named J. p Campbell as one. Mr..
Campbell
INDIGNANTLY DENIED q
that he had advised him TO not pub
liSh the ordinance. No others present
could be named.
City Attorney Culbertson in STIR
ring speech showed how he had tried
TO help the city in the matter and
advised the Ma or to help us through.
Mr.. Burton asked MattesOn to ex-
plain what he wanted. He replied
that Mr.. Pierson had at the first meet
ing, before the matter went into the
hands of a receiver, promised that
there should be no water rental and he
wanted the promise held good.
1t was pointed out that while at that
time he could have so promised, after
the court had taken it he was power
less and it must now be left to the
court, as Mr.. Pierson had before told
the council.
Still the Mayor could not see it.
Then strong speeches were made by
the president of the council, j. N.
Shane, G, C. Sterl, w, S. Stambaugh
and others
DEMANDING THE ORDINANCE
and declaring that the Mayor was not
the whole town by himself. The
agreement made by Receiver Rogers
that he would recommend to the court
that no back rental should be paid was
read. 1t was in consideration of this
that Matteson promised to ''sign" the
ordinance-which he did do but pock-
eted it, keeping the letter but not the
spirit of his agreement
The assembly grew quite excited by
this time and there was an earnest
feeling that no adjournment should be
taken until something was done.
Mr.. Burton in one of his talks said
the Mayor should understand that he
did not own the town, he was but the
creature of the people, and the men
who voted for him were there. Matte
son surlily responded, "Where are
they?" a perfect chorus of "Here,"
Here, "''I psi" went up from all over
the room, showing that his own friends
were disguised with his actions.
A division vote was then called for
and al taxpayers in favor of the Mayor
allowing the ordinance to be published
went to the east side of the room. Is
included all present. Then all who
thought the Mayor was acting right
were requested to stand forth but
NOT ONE RESPONDED.
This settled it. MaLteson realized
the force of public opinion and con-
sented to give up the ordinance this
morning to Mr.. Burton. The meeting
then adjourned. 1t is rather unusual
for cities to force their executive Off
GERS to perform their duties by means
of indignation meetings but in this
case it was necessary.
This morning according to agree
ment Matteson
DELIVERED THE ORDINANCE
to the committee and it will be pub
lished when the weekly official paper is
issued and it may now be considered
that the improvements will go on. We
understand thst Mr.. Pierson has gone
on with the work again as intended
and that matters will be pushed.
Mr.. Pierson has acted in a gentle
manly and business-like manner
throughout aud the citizens of abb
lene generally are pleased to have so
genial and competent a gentleman in
charge of the matter. The entire his
tory of his work here has been COM
mendable and straightforward. The
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