The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-15
NEW COMMON COUNCIL
1T ORGANIZES WITH IT. j. MONT
GOMERY AS PRESIDENT.
Golfer Chairman of Franchise Com
mittee, and Costello Heads the
One on Finances.

The inauguration of the newIy-elected
city officials was completed last night when
the Council met at 1880 o'clock to organize.
There had been a caucus of the seventeen
Democratic members the night before, at
which it was decided to elect Thomas j.
Montgomery. of the ticket at large, presi-
dent, and George r. Golfer, of the Tenth
ward, vice president. Last night City Clerk
Stuckmeyer called the Council to order and
after the roll-call, which showed every
member present except E. d. Moffett, of
the Sixth ward, he stated the first thing
was to select a president Retiring Presi-
dent Costello nominated Mr.. Montgomery.
On behalf of the four members of the mi
nority, Mr.. Shaffer seconded the nomina-
ton and moved that Mr.. Clark be in
structed to cast the vote of the Council for
the nominee. The motion to make the cleo
ton unanimous prevailed. Mr.. Montgomery
made a brief speech, thanking his asso,i-
ates for the honor conferred on him and
promising to be fair and impartial in dis
charging his duties. Mr. Montgomery said
that in selecting the committees he found
it little difficult to give the Republicans
representation on the important committees
particularly that mr. Allen had been re-
tanned in his old place on the finance COM
mittee. while Mr. Shaffer had been reap
pointed on the committee on contracts and
franchises. Mr.. Montgomery said that he
had respected the wishes of the members
themselves as nearly as possible in select
ing the committees His remarks were APP
plauded.
President Montgomery announced the fol-
lowing committees:
Accounts and Claims-Merrick, Bernauer,
Grail
Contracts and Franchfses-Colte Knight,
Scanlon, Rauch, Won Spreckelson, Costello
and Shaffer.
Elections-H Higgins, McGrew and Grail
Fees and Salaries-Bernauer, Moffett and
FTnance-Costello, Clark Moffett, Smith,
Mahoney, Madden and Allen.
Judiciary-Rauch, Clark, Scanlon.
Ordinances-Von Spreckelson, Madden,
Printing-Harston McGrew, Allen.
Public Health-Moffett Mahoney, Shaffer.
Public Morals-Smith, knight Bowser.
Public Property and Improvements-Mc-
Grew, Scanlon, Merrick.
Public Safety and Comfort-Clark, Rauch,
Smith.
Railroads-Knight Golfer, Higgins.
Rules-Montgomery, Mahoney Grail.
Sewers, Streets and Alleys-Mahoney,
Investigation-Ma Costello, Allen.
In each instance the name of the chair
man of the committee appears first
THE REPUBLICANS SIGHTED.
1t will be observed that but one Repub-
lican is appointed on each of the two most
important of the committees, the finance
committee and the contracts and franchises
committee. Last year there were two Re
publicans on both. There was also one Re
publican on each of the other committees.
The Republicans have no representation on
five of the most important committees in
the list published above. They are given
places on some of the committees that
hardly meet once in the life of the Council,
for instance, the investigation committee.
This committee, however may have some
thing to do after the grand jury disposes
of the Clark case. 1t will be observed that
the councilman from the Ninth ward is
placed one of the two most important
committees of all-the finance committee.
However, he was not asked to resign from
that position after the Gamewell scandal
under the old regime. Surprise ex-
pressed that either Mr.. Grail or Mr. Bowser
was not given representation on the con-
tracts and franchise committee as they are
both men of business qualifications. The
committees were discussed and practically
agreed ON in the caucus Wednesday, night
at the mayors office in the City Hall.
When it came to the election OF vice
president Mr.. Madden nominated George r.
Golfer, who held the office under the last
term. On motion Of Mr.. Shaffer the cleo
ton of Mr.. Golfer was made unanimous.
Mr. Golfer has a reputation for making
brief speeches. That of last night was
strictly to the point. MIR. President and
members of the Council" said he, Il thank
you for the compliment"
Mr. Golfers motion that the old rules of
the Council govern until the new rules were
reported by the standing committee pre-
vailed. The Council adjourned shortly
after 8 o'clock. E. d. Moffet came in at 8
o'clock and was shown to his seat by
Bailiff Kurtz There was some confusion
as to the hour Of meeting, and the Council
convened a half hour earlier than usual.
There is to be a regular meeting next Mon
day night Controller Johnson is interested
in having an ordinance regulating the sal
aries of all city employees not now covered
by the salary ordinance of 1895 passed. SO
that the various departments will have no
discretion on this subject. Mr.. WOicOtt
had undertaken to draft such an ordinance.
but did not get it introduced before his re-
tirement "A salary ordinance Will doubt
There are many new faces in the Council
1t was difficult last night to determine any
thing as to what kind of legislators the
new members will make, but as whole
they appear to be intelligent and business
like. Whether or not any of the new MEM
bers will be able to fill the places made
vacant by the retirement or MeSSrS VOL
colt and Dewar-tWo of the most solid men
the Democrast have ever been fortunate
enough to elect to Council-remains to be
seen. Commodore Higgins was very
much in evidence last night, although ne
had no opportunity to display mis- oratorical
powers, and spent most OIL the tune Trying
to ''catch on to his new job John II.
Mahoney one of the new councilmen at
large, has the appearance of man of af-
fairs, and seems to be pretty well posted on
topics of the day. Mr.. Mahoney will try to
demonstrate what can be accomplished by
1.-THE sculptor in politics"
Below is given a list of the new council
men:
Councilmen at Large-Robert M. Madden,
Albert e. Rauch, John II. Mahoney, Thos.
J. Montgomery, James ii. Costello, Albert
Harston.
Ward Councilmen-First ward Willis F.
Smith Dem.); Second, John r. Allen
Rep); Third, John H. Grail Rep);
Fourth. Thomas A. Bowser (Rep); Fifth,
Richard Merriek (Dem.l; Sixth. Edward D.
Moffett (Dem); Seventh, George w. SHAFT
fer (Rep); Eighth, John A. Won Spreckel-
son (Dem) Ninth, Frank S. Clark (Dem);
Tenth, George r. Golfer Oem.); Eleventh,
John H. Scan!on Den); Twelfth. James
w. McGrew (Dem.); Thirteenth, Edward p
Bernauer Dem.); Fourteenth, William w
knight Dem.); Fifteenth, John M. Hig-
gins (Dem)
nnDCDT I uMR TEMTDV