The Wichita daily eagle., 1895-04-04

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The committee of six that was ap-
| pointed night before last by the COM
mittee of fifty, commenced work yes
/ terday.
| -Four Of them, Messrs. w. S. Corbet.
Oscar Barnes, Whitney Tucker and
John Davidson, called on Mayor Cox
yesterday and asked him when il
would be convenient for him to consult
with them about the management of
municipal affairs.
! Mayor Cox, it is said, proceeded TO
roast them in his quiet way. He said
that he was not ready to do anything
till be became acquainted with the new
council as they had been elected by the
people of their wards, and presumably
knew more about what the people want
ed than anybody else. He thought that
they will be able to run the city as they
are fresh from the polls, and perhaps
would like to have something to say
about 1t as they We're the ones to be
| held responsible by their constituents
He advised the members of the commit
tee to wait until at least after the first
meeting OF the new council as he did
not ike 10 say anything about muni
! copdl matters in advance of the or
ganization OF the council. He indicated
that he desired to get along with the
men who are to work with him during
the next two years.
The above, in substance, was what
Mr.. Cox told the committee in his usual
cool and serene way, and if there was
anything singing about il the COM
mlttee did not appear to feel it, as il
was uttered in a very affable manner
The conversation then turned to the
necessity for economy, and Mr.. Cox
seemed to agree with the committee
He indicated to Mr.. Barnes that he
was particularly pleased to hear him
advocating economy, and reminded him
In most gentle manner that the city
could be run on cheaper basis last
year If he (Mr. Barnes) had not EN-
Joined the city from collecting asphalt
paving taxes after being one of the
men that so strongly advocated the
laying of the said pavement He re-
minded him also of the fact that the
city was put to the expense of a vast
sum of money in the line of attorney
ices and other expenses in fighting this
same suit that Mr.. Barnes instituted
In response TO these honeyed remarks
1t is said that Mr.. Barnes simply blush
ed. Mr.. Cox informed Mr.. Corbett that
he was also very glad to see him take
Such an interest in the welfare of the
good people of Wichita, and reminded
Mr. Corbett of his work in the quiet set
tlement OF a certain freight rate case
that was Instituted i'm the interest of the
freight burdened people of this city
The meeting ended shortly after a re-
porter for the Eagle arrived on the
scene.
When Mr.. Cox was asked what had
transpired he said he had simply re-
minded Mr.. Barnes and Mr. Corbett of
a Tew facts, that the meeting was a
pleasant one and that he hoped ap-
p!icants for positions would go TO the
committee of fifty instead Of worrying
the life out of him. He said there We're
twenty-one candidates for the Office of
dog catcher. and then delivered a bril-
liant eulogy on Kansas weather.
1t is said in administrative circles
that the mayor and the new council do
not take kindly to the committee of
fifty. One official said: 1T looks too
much like IA committee of safety
standing over the men elected by and
responsible to the people, with a club
We have no objection to taking advice
from any citizen, but we cannot look
with favor on a committee organized
to dictate policy for us, and that will
not take the responsibility if it is
wrong. 1t is my impression that the
new city government will he for
economy and that its work will be
governed by the sentiment of ma
Jority of all the taxpayers regardless
of whether they are members of the
committee or not