The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-06
NEW MAYOR GOES IN.
c. A. Fellows Formally Sworn Into
Office.
he MAKES A SHORT ADDRESS

In Which He Advocates Economy in
the Administration Of City Affairs
New CounciImsn Take the Oath.
The new city officers were inaugurated
last night without pomp or ceremony.
They stood up in a row before City
Clerk McFadden and promised to sup
port the constitution and do all things
for the good of the city. Some of them
who have never had taste of the honors
of political life were little abashed and
did not know what to do with their hands
Councilman Elliott was not present
and City Attorney elect Bird was also
absent. aud they will be sworn in today.
The new council organized by electing
Councilman Fulton of the Fifth ward
president Of the council The affair was
complicated by the fact that Mayor Har-
rison was not present to introduce his
successor or declare the result after the
canvass of the votes had been made.
This left Mayor elect Fellows in pre-
dicament, for he was president of the
council, and as such it was MS duty to
announce the result and declare himself
elected He avoided an embarrassing
situation by allowing the city clerk to
declare the result though in doing so
Clerk McFadden had TO do for himself
WHAT mayor 4 S1lOW5 nOuA0 An0 " A@fO
done
When Mayor Fellows took his seat he
delivered the following address, which
was enthusiastically received:l
Gentlemen of the Council:
"a few years ago, when Topeka was
enjoying prosperity. her citizens respond
ed generously to a demand for public i'm
provements. In the way of paving, sew
ers, street lighting and sidewalks we are
probably ahead of any other city of the
same size in the United States These
improvements were nearly all made
upon the petition and demands of
the taxpayers. l refer to these facts
for the purpose of showing that
our property holders are enterpris-
ing and willing to contribute to
that which will promote the comfort and
health of those that live in our city to the
fullest extent that their financial condi-
ton will justify. But we all realize that
times have changed. The people who
were most anxious few years ago to ex-
pend money freely for public improve
ments now come to US and ask that we
conduct the affairs of this city in an
economical manner until the condition
of affairs is such as to JUS tify a more
liberal expenditure. l believe the
mayor and council fully appreciate
the situation, and l am satisfied
VIII 10 All lucy can 10 Ilgnten
the heavy burdens of the taxpayers. A
year or more ago the council inaugur-
Rted a system of economy that has great
ly reduced the expenses of the city, and
/ believe a greater saving can yet be
made by equalizing and reducing the
salaries of our higher paid city officials
The mayor will join with you in max
ing every possible effort to run this city
upon the same economical basis that we
Ia
private business affairs.
obligation is now in progress that
will determine the matters in dispute
between the water works company and
the city. Our city attorney will faith
fully endeavOr to protect the interests of
the city, and there is every reason to be-
lieve that the water com pany will be
compelled in a short time to fulfill its OBJ
legations to the city.
There Is large unexpended balance
of the money that was voted to prospect
for coal The courts will soon settle the
respective rights of the parties aud it
will devolve upon you, gentlemen, to say
whether the money shall be covered into
the treasury, or whether further effort
shall be made to discover whether there
is coal in this vicinity or not
I'm conclusion l want to say that it is
to the best interests of the city that there
buOuA0 10 Hal AAOuf DGbW66l the men,
bers of the council and mayor. l do not
mean that they should always agree upon
subjects that may come before them
affecting the interests of the CITY. but
that there should be an unreserved ex-
preston of opinion. free from all bias
and captIous antagOnism want your
help and advice and will labor with you
TO make this creditable and satisfactory
administration of the city's affairs"
Following is the personnel of the new
council:
First ward-J. D. Pattison, o. D. Skin
ner.
Second ward-F. L Stevens, W. c.
Stephenson.
Third wards B. Bradford, John
Elliott
Fourth ward-James Burgess, c. ].
Drew
Fifth ward. 7. Fulton Fred Round
tree.
The old council held a short session
aud allowed few bills and passed an
appropriation ordinance
The appropriations were for election
expenses amounting to $346 % and sala-
ries of councilmen $12125
An effort to reconsider the resolution
granting the new dam company an ex.
tension of time pending action on the
contract, was defeated.
A. Owens was given permission to ped
die without license.
A resolution renting $19 sidewalk