The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-11
A NEW Topeka.
1t Was Started Last Night at
the Council Chamber,
With Flags, Flowers and Hand
some Decorations.
ALL THIS SHOW MEANS
That Topeka Has Decided on
Municipal improvement.
New Parks, an Auditorium, Its
Own WaterwOrks,
MORE GOOD PAVEMENT
And 1t May Be Further Good
Things
For the People to Be Provided
by the City.
That Topeka Has Decided OF
Municipal Improvement.
New Parks, an Auditorium, Its
Own WaterwOrkS,
MORE GOOD PAVEMENT
And 1t May Be Further Good
Things
For the People to Be Provided
by the City.

The new administration of Greater To-
peka was inaugurated last night amid
a profusion of flowers and palms. The
council chamber was crowded with an
interested throng and hundreds were
unable to gain admittance to the room.
Several ladies were among the specta-
tors.
The Inauguration marks an epoch in
the history of Topeka. 1t was a fitting
celebration of the era of progress and
advancement that has been started.
All day men were busy decorating the
council chamber under the supervision
of Paul Torrington of the city engi-
neer's department and Capt. A. M.
Robinson of the fire department. Bunt-
ing was artisticaIly draped around the
walls and festOOns hung from the chan
delierS and were caught at the corners
of the room in red, white and blue stars
Upon the mayors desk stood two pot
ted Easter lilies and on either side
were gorgeous palms so that when
Mayor Fellows took his seat and raped
for order he was almost obscured in a
sylvan bower Palms. large and small,
were arranged about the room and the
council chamber was completely trans
formed from the dingy little room in
which the city council of Topeka is
compelled to meet into a conservatory
with the air laden with the perfume of
flowers.
Mayor Fellows was in full dress and
as he stepped to his old place behind the
mayors desk there was a murmur of
applause which was suppressed by the
fail of the gaVel. Councilman Drew sat
at his accustomed place as a council
man representing the Fourth ward. Up
on his old desk was a handsome floral
horse shoe in cream roses and pansies
on a back ground of ferns. Upon the
card attached to the floral piece was in
scribed, w S. CLANCY, councilman
Fourth ward. From the Hot Foot So
LNrait h 11IS
A large bouquet of pink, white and yell
low roses was also addressed to Mr..
CLANCY, From a lady constituent"
Mr.. CLANCY, who is Mr.. Drew's success
scr in the council sat at his right hand.
Upon the desk of Councilman Round
tree of the Fifth ward were two hand
some bouquets presented by adIniring
friends Both were made up of red
and white roses and carnations.
Upon the mayors desk was a floral
horse shoe addressed to Mayor Drew -
the gift of the American Labor union.
a bouquet of carnations also stood on
the desk.
Each councilman and retiring officer
was presented with a boutonniere from
members of the fire department.
The preliminary business was dispOs-
ed of when Mayor Fellows arose and
took from his pocket small roll of
manuscript which may be called his
farewell address. He was listened to
dntentIy as he read the address and was
occasionally interrupted by applause.
He said:
I'VE are now approaching the end of
the last chapter, and while 1 would not
inflict a farewell address upon you, 1
feel it incumbent upon me to return to
you and through you to the people Of
Topeka, my most sincere thanks.
Thanks for twice honoring me with the
chief official position within the gift of
the fairest and most progressive city in
this magnificent domain between the
Missouri river and the Rocky mountains.
Thanks for giving me loyal support
good advice and generous assistance in
filling to the best of my ability the hon
bred position from which 1 am about to
retire.
ITO you, gentlemen of the council, I
want to return thanks for the Sener-
Gus consideration and kindly courtesy
you have ever extended to me- You
have been untiring in your duties to
the public and true to the pledges you
gave the people. Public matters have
been dealt with intelHgently and doing
things for effect has been an unknown
Quantity in all your proceedings. and /
sincerely believe that a great majority
of the people of Topeka are convinced
that this council never had superior,
and 1 hope that the people of Topeka
are satisfied that this administration,
which is just coming to a close, has at
least done the best it knew how. Econ
omy has been the controlling principle,
and the consciousness of we'll doing and
the approval of our fellow citizens has
been the only reward hoped for.
surely the affairs of the city are in
a fattering condition. Many costly inn
provements have been made during the
past four years and without one dol
lar of borrowed money. Taxes have
been reduced and there is now in the
city treasury $133, 600 in cash
The bonds issued for paVementS and
sewers are nearly all redeemed. To-
peka'S credit was never better as is
evidenced by the fact that our funding
bonds readily sold at 334 per cent, a less
rate than bonds have ever been fioated
by the state or any county or city
therein.
Topeka has always been the pride of
our great state. and there has never
been a time when the sunshine of pros
perity has been brighter. Every branch
of industry is in a flOurishing condition.
Property values are advancing. Money
from every quarter is seeking invest
ment here, and the gloom of depression
OF a few years ago has been displaced
by the glad laughter of confidence and
hope, and the realization of all the
comforts of life viii soon be a joy in
every household.
Now as to the coming administra-
sterling character, of strong convictions
and in his love for Topeka, is not ex-
celled by any man. To me the returns
from the election board were most
gratifying I am glad Topeka is my
home. As to her future, there can be
no doubt Grand opportunities for ex-
pansion present themselves. and with
this strong, Intelligent business admin
tstration they will be handled wisely.
The pleasure of acquiring what To-