New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-04
CITY's COUNCIL ORGANIZED
IT'S CHAMBER AT THE FIRST MEETING A
VERITABLE FLORAL BOWER.
JOHN T. OAKLEY ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT AND
OTHER OFFICERS CHosEN-THE OTHER
BUSINESS TRANSACTED MOSTLY rop-

JOHN r. OAKLEY ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT AND
OTHER OFFICERS CHosEN-THE OTHER
BUSINESS TRANSACTED MOSTLY ron-
MAL-THE TIGER IN EVIDENCE.
The Municipal Council organized yesterday in a
veritable bower of flowers. Floral tributes or all
kinds and all sizes had been sent in great quanti-
ties 10 the members by their friends. and n Brook
lyn florist with a number OF assistants. had been
engaged for the greater part OF the previous
night in arranging the pieces about the chamber
Every few miutes before the Council convened
more flowers arrived TO swell the number already
in place on every desk and In every corner where
they could be placed one OF the florists esti-
mated that the whole display had cost over 5000"
Tho Hons share OF the flowers was sent 10 JONI
j. McGarry. but not a single member had peeh iof-
gotten by his friends. on President dusgen-
heimer's desk. In addition to the flowers sent 10
him. was an imitation tiger In the side OF which
WAS a clock The head OF tiger moved Tor
a pendulum The figure was sent by Herman
Sulzer and tcketed "Our Guardian.
When President Guggenhcimer raped for order
the space allotted to the public was crowded
Prominent among the spectators was ex-senator
Calvin s. Brice. whose is member OF the
Council T. J. Scully first elected temporary
clerk Of the Council. The members then answered
to roll-can. John r. Oakley was next unanimously
elected vice president OF the Council, Mr. sculiys
election was made absolute, and Michael 1. rad
den elected sergeant-at-arms.
Next President Guggenheimer read his address,
After alluding to the changes In the city govern
ment and the regret at breaking up old associa-
lions that would be felt by some, he passed on TO
speak OF the problems which would confront the
Council as a legislative body. The tax question:
he said, is Of paramount Importance. To meet the
yearly expenses of administration we have seen
the valuation greatly increased and the rate. IN
stead OF being lessened thereby has year after
year during the last three years likewise grown
larger The Indebtedness of the city, caused by ne
issue of bonds. has in the opinion OF some puDilc
officials almost reached It's constitutional limit;
Tho rigid economy I'm every department. ana
In public expenditures Is not alone demanded but
some relief should be accorded 10 our property
owners and those affected by taxation by a thor
ough examination and rcadjustment OH sound prin-
cipes OF methods OF taxation" system OF
taxation the workings oil which would encour,
age the formation Of domestic corporations ana
promote home industries. as well as bring back
citizens who had secured homes elsewhere, and
with personal taxation could be devised said Pres
ident Guggenhe In closing.
Messrs. Lee, Evarts, Allen, Boiine, van Nos
trand and Murray were later appointed committee
Council In session and prepared to receive
any communication he might desire TO submit. and
brought back the Mayor message The reading
OF this document by the reading clerk, JosseIn
Johnstone, occupied nearly an hour. 4 motion TO
have 1000 copies OF the message printed was
adopted. and a Committee on Rules was appointed.
on the motion of Mr. Doyle the clerk directed
TO request the clerks In the annexed boroughs 10
send all the papers and records in their possession
be filed here. 1t also resolved not
hold meetings each Tuesday D. m, and the
Council then adjourned