The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-02-05
PROVO POINTS.
A VERY LIVELY MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL.
Sentiment Appears to Be Against
the Arbitrary Action of Mayor
Standardization Farrer Talks
to Him.


PROVO, Feb. A long and inter
esting session of the city council was
held last evening.
A communication from the mayor
was read which was surprise to the
5olons, a portion being a plea to
have the appointments which had al
ready been turned down, reconsidered
and confirmed. The name of J. w. N.
Whitecotton was resubmitted for the
position of city attorney, and that of
w. 3. Searle as city surveyor. Both of
these appointments were as promptly
rejected as they had been previously.
With the exception of the appointment
of Nels Johnson as supervisor of
streets (Which was also voted DOWN
the balance of the mayors appoint
ments We're confirmed:
William ]. Taylor, Watermaster;
James Hardy, provision inspector;
Hyrum Hatton, dog tax collector; Har
~ Boshard, scaVenger. The above Of
ficials are all Republicans, and, accord
ing to an agreement heretofore entered
into between the members Of the city
council We're confirmed.
1t was also agreed at the same time
that the position of attorney, super
visor of STREETS and one or two others
were to go to Democrats. The mayor
has repeatedly ignored this agreement
and persists in appointing Republicans
to the positions. The Republican mem
bers of the city council, except Tan
ner, are with the Democratic majority
in their stand for Justice.
TOLD HIM.
Whitecotton was present at the meet
ing but this fact did not deter the
members from expressing their opin-
ions. Some of the members told him
if he had any self-respect at all he
would get out. He had been turned
down twice within a month, and if that
was not enough to let him know that
he was not wanted they would use
other and more severe methods to get
rid of Objectionable off1ceholders. This
view was concurred in by all the mem
bers present, except Tanner, who
voted against every fair proposition.
When it came to allowing bills for
work done in January, Tanner object
ed to paying $3.50 per day and made
as his excuse that he could hire men
for 60c. per day and men had offered to
work for him for that amount.
The rules were suspended and Mr..
Whitecotton was given the freedom OLE
the floor. He said the city would suf-
fer if he was not allowed to carry on
the cases already in the courts.
THE MAYOR.
The mayor was then accorded the
privilege of speaking. He stated his
position, which was to the effect that
two caucus meetings had been held, at
which he was present and the appoint
ments were talked over and partially
agreed upon, but between the two
meetings the members of the council
had held meeting to which the mayor
was not invited and this was his eX-
cuse for using his appointing power.
He thought at one time that the inter-
ests of the people demanded that both
parties be represented in the admins
tration of the affairs of cities, but now
it was different. He thought the best
policy would be to appoint all of one
political faith. The evidence before the
people now, (and the all powerful mayor
gave that evidence last night is that
The Herald was right when it said
that he was being led around by the
nose" by ward heelers and politicians.
All through this fight, the mayor has
shown a disposition to rule with an
iron hand
The meeting last night is the talk Of
the citizens today, and the mayor is
censured by all classes, and to his door
us laid the responsibility of the dead
lock.
FARRER'S ROAST.
President Farrer called Councilman
Beebe to the chair and took the floor.
In an impressive speech he gave the
mayor and council to understand Just
where he stood. He said that the ma
jOrity had been ignored and they had
had appointments showed at them not
only once, but twice, and he would give
the mayor to understand that the ten
men elected by the people to look after
their interests were just as capable of
selecting men for these appointments
as the mayor.
Mayor Holbrook has resided in
Provo only short time, and all of the
corncilmen have been residents from
twenty to forty years. We claim" Mr..
Farrer said, Ito know what is for the
best interests of Provo and we will not
submit to this one-man power which
the mayor wants to exert"
OTHER BUSINESS.
The treasurer's report showed 1924 80
on hand January 1, 1896; received dur
ing the month of january, $2,O85.05; dis
bursements during the month, $41771;
leaving a balance ON hand February 1,
1896, of $5,SS9.S6.
Councilman Newell introduced a
resolution declaring the offices of at
torney, supervisor of streets and sur
Veyor, vacant
"A petition asked the countil to not al
low the use of the mill-raoe for the
outlet Of sewer pipes.
The committee reported adversely ON
the sewer question.
The committee from the chamber of
commerce asked the council to appoint
committee to meet with them in re-
latfon to the consolidation of all canals
taken out of Provo river on the south,
Referred.
Council adjourned for one week.
JOTS.
Judge E. A. Wilson who has be.An
very sick for some time, returned TO 70
Provo last evening. -