The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-05-04
THEY'RE ALL At SEA
Aldermen Elect Trying to Figure Out
Where They are At.
THEY MET MAYOR THOMPSON
For Four Hours They Masticated
the Remnant and When They
Got Through the Other
~ Fellow Knew II All.

Butte. May 3.-The aldermen who met
with Mayor-Elect Thompson last night
In response to his invitation to discuss
matters polite, have been trying to fig-
ure out to-day just what they were
called together for. After a consulta-
ton lasting four hours they were left
as much in the dark as ever concerning
the probable appointees and they have
decided that all Mr.. Thompson got
them together for was in order to learn
their opinions of and feelings towards
the leading applicants for the various
offices, as was stated in this mornings
Standard. The meeting was called for
a general discussion of the offices and
applicants. but the aldermen soon dis
covered, considerably to their disap-
pointment, that he did not propose to
commit himself to any person. While
the aldermen vigorously discussed the
applicants MIR. Thompson kept his
mouth tightly shut and his ears wide
open and he did not manifest the
slightest preference in any direction.
The first Office taken up was that OF
city attorney and Mr.. Thompson stated
that he was anxious to secure good
man for this Office on account OF us
importance. He said that he could not
reappoint the present incumbent. Mr..
direct information that he vouchsafed
In regard to the appointee for any office
although he is also known to have in
formed one of the aldermen some time
ago that he positively would not ap-
point either ID. Robertson Barlow or
]. II. Grice. The aldermen then went
through the list of applicants for the
city attorneyship and 1t is learned
from a perfectly reliable source that
the sentiment of the meeting was al
most unanimously in favor of the APP
pointment OF l.. J. Hamilton. 1t was
also the sense of the meeting that
Andy Daum should be made chief OF
police and IL is about as good as set
tied. ttift-'
There were so many applicants for
the city clerkship that IL was impossi-
BILE to tell who had the best OF II. ana
this appointment was left all In mud
die after a prolonged discussion. Mr..
Thompson stated that as he will be In
close and constant relationship with
the city clerk he thought that he
| should be allowed to.use his own pleas
ure in this matter and appoint the man
whom he thought he could get along
with the best. He assured the aldermen
| that his selection would be one with
which no fault could be found and
| they were perfectly willing to turn the
matter over to him. There was a
l. strong feeling among those present In
! favor of either abolishing the office of
/ assistant city clerk or compelling that
officer to also serve in the capacity OF
| court officer There was also an al
most unanimous sentiment in favor of
| the retention of +. w. blackboard as
4 city engineer in accordance with q
general public demand to that effect.
The fire department was not dis
cussed TO any extent. as Mr.. Thompson
| stated that he desired more time to
\ IL hA N mr.
chief. and assistant. These offices will
probably not be filled on Monday night
/ although all of the other principal ap-
| pointments will be made at that time
| Mr.. Thompson stated that he pro-
posed to consolidate the Offices of as.
/ sistant city engineer and building In
| spector, or of building inspector and
| sanitary policeman, thus doing away
4 with one mans salary. He announced
mis- intention of cutting down the ex
penses at very point to the greatest
extent consistent with an efficient ad
DEMONSTRATION in all departments ii,
4 stated that he desired a clean anc
economical administration and showed
a surprising knowledge OF the cit,
finances, which he secured from som'
OF the ex-mayors and from the treas
urer's books. He pointed out that tn
| city's annual expenses are now con
siderably in excess OF its revenue ans
said that IL would be impracticable 4
reduce the number of policemen at thi
time, but at the end OF two or three
months he hoped to be able to Gu
down the force somewhat.
The matter of removing the disgust
ing dens of infamy from Wyominl
street was not discussed at all, but on
OF the aldermen stated to-day that thi
would be done as soon as the new
council takes charge.
| All of the aldermen were present a
last nights meeting except knowlton
Byrne and Walsh. and IL Is UNDERSTOOD
that they assured Mr.. Thompson
their hearty support. tsEs,.
| Another caucus on sunday Afternoon
was talked OF. but this idea wa
finally abandoned and no one WI
know just who all of Mr.; Thompson
appointees will be until ne announce
them on Monday evenings.