Bridgeton pioneer., 1897-03-18
THE OLD AND NEW.

The Regular Business Precedes Sine die
Adjournment and the New Council
Assumes Charge of Affairs.
Inc passing of the old and the coming
OF the new in the City Council chamber
Tuesday night was interesting to many
people and the new council OF 1897 be-
gan IT'S work in the interest of the city.
Every member of the old Council were
In the chairs when President higgins
called the body to order for the last time
at half past seven o'clock. Business was
transacted with rush and soon entirely
disposed of.
Minutes were first read and approved.
David G. Davis, late candidate for
Mayor, asked to be relieved as bondsmen
for Dog Catcher Wells and the request
was complied with. A resolution pre-
vailed compelling the dog catcher to pro-
vide sufficient bonds before continuing
with the work.
A number of bills were presented and
passed. Among the bills were those of
the election officers. Most of them were
made oRt for $25 per man. An opinion
was read from the Solicitor in which he
stated that he construed the law to give
them 373c per hour for actual time. The
bills We're referred back for correction.
Tax Collector Betchner, complying
with the request of Council, presented a
list of delinquent tax payers for the years
1894. '95 and '96. The list was not read
but We're received and ordered filed.
MrsBacon presented a resolution which
was adopted, authorizing the City Solici-
tor to issue warrant for the collection
Of these taxes
Inc standing committees were aske
for reports, but they had made annual
reports at the meeting month ago, and
had nothing to present.
1t was decided that the City Supervisor
should at once proceed to culvert Penn
street.
There was no further business, and the
recently elected members of Council
were administered the oath by President
higgins. Mr.. Moore, of the Fiast ward,
was the first sworn, then Mr. Ottinger
Mr.. Bowen and Mr.. Butler. Council
man -at-large Stevenson was last sworn.
Mr.. Bacon arose and said that he was
about to retire from Council, and desired
to take this opportunity to thank the
members for the uniform courtesy
shown him, together with the many
favors. He hoped that the same treat
ment might be accorded his successor,
Mr.. Bowen, who was in every way fitted
for the position. Mr.. Bacon moved that
the Council adjourn, sine die.
President Higgins neatly spoke of the
treatment that had been accorded him,
as President of Council, and sincerely
thanked the members for the kindness
shown him. In leaving the chair he was
happy to say that he did so without the
slightest ill-feeling toward any one, and
with best wishes for all, and hopes for
future successes of all the members, he
adjourned Council without delay.
The New Council.
There was Misunderstanding among the
old and the new, and the members of
Council for the coming year, began select
ing their seats. The Council is made up
as follows:
President at Large, Chas.
Stevenson.
First ward-David S. Sellers, Albert
Ottinger, VIM. ]. Moore.
Second ward-Stacy w. Matthews,
Fred Conner, Romaine B. Butler.
Third ward-Daniel Elmer, Edward
Woodruff, George A. Bowen.
Fourth ward-David S. Blew, Isaac
B. Dare, Joseph higgins.
A rap on the marble block with the
ebony gavel, and Councilman at-large,
Charles Stevenson, now President of the
Council of 1897, requested the members
of the body to come to order.
The members took their seats, an addi-
tional chair being provided for the extra
member, fourteen persons, including the
City Recorder, being obliged to gather at
the large desk.
The first official act of President
Stevenson was the swearing in, as a
member of the new Council, ex- Presi-