The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-04-13

lily ought to own water Norks anu
Light PIaDt-Electric Lights on Resi-
iencs Streets May go Outflow the New
Mayor Thinks the City Should be Run
Economy.
The last session of the old council and
the first OF the new met last night. The
attendance of citizens was large. Not
OILY were all the chairs in the council
chamber filled but the galleries were
well occupied.
Long rounds of applause greeted the
appearance of Mayor Cox and City
Clerk Smith as they escorted the newly
elected mayor, Mr.. Finlay Ross. into the
council chamber.
The roll was called, the minutes read
and Mayor Cox rose and said that the
business Of the council was over, but be-
fore the meeting of the present council
closed he wished 10 express his appre-
,iatiol IF the kindness ana the courtesy
which had been extended TO him by the
members of the council during the four
years in which he had the pleasure of
presiding over the proceedings of that
body. He also thanked his fellow-offi-
Gals for their Wiling and ready support
IL all the undertakings in which they
had worked together and the different
committees, but especially the finance
committee, for the good and effectual
work done by them in their labor for the
welfare of the city. He further pointed
TO the fact that none of the members
need apologize for any stand that they
aad ever taken on any of the questions
which had come up for discussion, as all
had been honest in their convictions and
That none nedd be ashamed of any act of
the council for each of its acts would
bear the closest scrutiny. Those acts
and those proceedings had become his
tory Mayor Cox's manner was elo-
quent and as he spoke all present fol-
lowed him with the closest attention.
At the end Of his remarks he gave an
opportunity 20 each of the retiring mem
bers TO speak and introduce his success
sor. The incoming counc;lmen, 5. G.
Crib. W. T. Shell, J. n Allen, w NJ.
Sutton and John Reese, were introduced
in turn by their respective predecessors,
knoblauch, ShultZ, Frances, Throck-
morton and Burton. Each made short
and appropriate speech. Two of the re-
firing members speeches were of inter
est as expressing their feelings in re-
gard to the results of the recent election.
Mr.. Throckmorton spoke of the conflict
ing sentiments which strove in the part
ing members breast. The one joy al
-
sponsibilities and cares which vex his
spirit the other the sorrow of parting
from the fellowship of his fellow-menl-
bers. He referred to the committee on
public improvement, Of which he was
chairman, and that during the past two
years the city had saved in that part of
It's expenditures s., 500.
DR.. Shultz's talk provoked laughter
and applause in his reference to the cleo
ton. lie said he had prepared a speech
TO deliver on his Reelection and bought
box Of cigars on the strength of treating
his friends. all Of which could be found
az his desk and which he turned over to
mis- successor. He said that when the
returns came in and he tossed and
twisted over the shock of his blasted ex-
pec5ations, his wife sought to comfort
him with the thought that as Shultz
and Shell both began with the same let
ter perhaps $50 people had made a mis-
take and voted the wrong way. He was
glad of one thing, however, that he had
not ran in the Fourth ward for While
now he was frozen he there would have
been crystalized.
When all the new councilmen were
seated Mayor Cox again arose and said
that "a now the business of the council
vas all concluded, and as each of the
incoming members had been introduced
he desired TO introduced, for an introduc-
ton was not needed, but 10 present 10
the council their present and distinguish
ed mayor, Mr.. Finlay Ross.
MAYOR ROSS SPEECH.
Mayor Ross then rose amidst a pro-
ionged applause and read from manu-
script the following able remarks on the
policy which he considered best for the
city 10 adopt for the coming two years:
Gentlemen OF the Consolidating
been elected 10 the office of chief execu-
i've % this city, and by virture Of the
office thereby becoming your presiding
officer. remembering my inexperience in !
parliamentary proceedings, knowing how
important and embarrassing are the du- |
ties of the chair, therefore at the COM
nencement of our official relations I !
shall reed your constant encouragement !
an6 support, and l rely with confidence |
upon your lenient judgment Of any er-
rors into which 1 may fall In return, be |
assured Of my earnest purpose 70 preside |
,ver y0uf deliberations in a spirit OF alb |
soluJe fairness, and TO treat every mem !
Der of the council with courtesy and |
lust consideration. And now, gentle |
men, in assuming the great trust which |
has been committed 10 my hands for the |
lexe two years, during which time there |
will be many important questions to be |
served, probably the most importan; of |
which will be in regard to the water |
works service. 1t is the belief Of many /
" oar fellow citizens that the city |
should own and control its own system |
u water works. Personally. I am in IA
-or of the city owning the same and al
Ways have been of that opinion. There
'oro, / would recommend for your consid-
.ratioa the purchase of the present sys-
EN-, provided the same can be obtained
IS a Just valuation. or TO DE more ex-
,licit, : am not in favor of paying any
more than what the present plan. could