Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-09

nance, passed by two-Thirds vote of
all the aldermen, trustees or supervi-
sors elect of each corporation desiring
annexation, ratified at an election in
each, as herein provided. Such ordi-
nance shall fix the termsof annexation
which shall have the force and efeet of
contract when so ratl led. The ques-
ton of ratification shall be submitted to
the electors Of each such city, village,
and town, at any general or special elec-
ton, of which notice of such question
shall have been given as required for
special elections; the ballots in favor
shall be, ''for union ordinance" and
those opposed 'tagainst union ordi
nance" shall be deposited in separate
box, and canvassed and returned as re-
quired by law at general elections. If
a majority Of each and every such city,
town and village, proposed to be united,
shall be in favor of such ordinance, it
shall be deemed ratified and adopted.
But no such annexation shall effect or
impair any rights or liabilities, either in
favor of or against such corporations;
and suits founded upon such rights and
liabilities may be commenced, and
pending suits may be prosecuted and
carried to final judgment and execu-
ton, the same as if annexation had not
taken place. The result of such elec-
ton shall be certified by the several
clerks and inspectors thereof, and, to-
gether with such ordinances, shall be
recorded by the clerk of such consoli-
dated city, village or town."
The speaker then called attention to
the fact that the common council of the
City of Grand Rapids and the common
council of the City of CentraIia should
each at once appoint committees to get
together and prepare a proper ordi-
nance, and that then the same should
be submitted to the two councils, and
that after proper consideration, if adop-
ted by two-thirds vote of each council
should be submitted to the vote of the
people at special election.
The question Of what the name of the
consolidated city should be, the speaker
thought ought not to be considered
matter of very great Importance, that
the question as to what the name should
be ought to submitted to vote of the
people, and that, if there was to be an
entirely new name, it would be neces-
COZ 70 at Of +,n ,c1O 70
make a new name It would be neces-
sary, however, in the first instance that
either Grand Rapids should be annexed
to Centralia or CentraIia to Grand Rap
ids. The ordinance to be prepared and
submitted would have to be for the an
neXation of one Of the present cities to
the other. The Question of name, if
there was a desire to have a change,
could be settled afterwards.
In closing Mr.. Williams made strong
plea for union, suggesting, if there were
a union of the two cities into one, the
consolidation Of our Water-poWer and
hereafter united action on the part of
all our citizens, there would be no
question as to our future prosperity,
growth and improvement
He suggested as a preamble for the
union ordinance to be adopted, that the
United States Constitution be para
phrased and that the same read as
follows: I'VE the people of the cities
ofCentralia and Grand Rapids, in order
to form more perfect union, discs
tabGsh jealousy, insure peace,
tranquility, concentration of effort and
promote the general welfare, and
secure the blessings of unity, prosperity
to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain
and establish this ordinance for the
union of these two cities"
AFTERNOON.
immediately after the noon hour peo-
pie in large numbers wended their way
to the fair grounds where field sports,
trotting, running and bicycle races, and
a ball game, all contests of local talent,
were provided for entertainment. In
the three-mile bicycle race Harry Rab
lin sustained his reputation as leader in
the twin cities, being an easy winner,
with Eugene Miller a good second. The
one-mile bicycle event was taken by
Royal HavenOr. The ball game was
between rival teams from Grand Rapids
and Centralia. The latter came clear
over to this side of the river to get a
thorough drubbing at the sad tune of II
to ?. 1t was a long seven inning dia-
mond juggle with most all the fun on
one side. Everything was free at the
grounds, excepting at the lemonade
stand, and this fact accounts in good
measure for the unusually large crowd
present. The Germania Band,
temporarily organized for this occasion
with very short time of preparation,
rendered surprisingly good music all
day. They discoursed at the races in
tue afternoon and their efforts were
entirely satisfactory.
EVENING.
Fireworks on the island above the
bridge were followed by great big
dance and jolly time at opera house
which continued until the glorious
national holiday had spent itself into
the calm of Sunday morning Over
two hundred dollars were the receipts
at the dance The music by the Italian
| Orchestra, was as perfect as ever and
/