The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-04-14
The Old Out, the New In.

Shortly after eight o'clock Monday
night Mayor Thos. Kerwin called the
old council to ORDER then after asking
the clerk if the proper acceptances had
been filed with him, called the newly
elected members to take seats with
their predecessors and called Mayor
elect Hume to the chair. AS the Doctor
came forward Mr.. Kerwin stepped aside
taking a chair at the left of the
mayors chair and became Elk Mayor
Kerwin as DR.. Hume, stepping into his
place, called the council to order, in
structed the clerk to call the roll, and
became Mayor Hume. Such was the
Inauguration of the new republican
mayor, quiet, transformations and with
no fuss and feathers. The ex-mayor
and ex-aldermen retained their seats
with their successors during the session
but otherwise took the part of specta-
tors only.
In looking over the work of the re-
firing council it must be confessed that
much has been done in the way of pub
lie improvements which will long cause
it to be remembered by the citizens
of Owosso. These improvements are
too recent to need more than mere
mention here. The great increase in
the efficiency of the sewer system and
the large area throughout which sewer
privileges have been extended is but
one matter for congratulation to the
city at large and is familiar to all. The
building of a new girder bridge across
the Shiawassee river on Main street
and the erecting of the old bridge over
the river near the water works, thereby
providing another way of entering the
city and further uniting it Is another
matter for congratulation. 1t may also
be said that the high water and ice of
few weeks ago gave as good test as
the new bridge is ever likely to be
called upon to experience, as it is
quite unlikely that the water will ever
become higher than it was then. The
third great improvement consisted in
making good beginning in paving by
laying some ten blocks of fine Trinidad
asphalt pave ment. Steps which were
taken for the rebuilding of the Wood
ard furniture factory, the creation of
the Office of city assessor, and the re-
newed determination to stand by the
Owosso Telephone Co., which has re.
duced the extortionary price charged
by the monopoly, to living figures, are
all to be placed to the credit of the re-
firing council.
The new administration enters the
field with no program of sweeping
changes and with no charges against
the old. Indeed it is frankly admitted
that there are some things in which the
new council is unlikely to excel the old.
There will be changes, however, and
unless all signs fail there will be marked
improvements in some lines. These
will come along common sense lines,
however, and with no reform admins
tration." hue and cry. The passage
by the people of the deficit loan propo.
sition will give the council the advan-
tage of starting even," and will consid-
erably simplify the matter of meeting
expenses One marked change in the
running of the city business which is
now part of the program is the refer
ence of all matters of supplies and ex-
penditures to the committe on supplies
and expenditures, which Is as it should
be. If this part of the program is car
ried out this committee will be one of
the most important ones in the council
and with Aid. f. II. Gould as its chair
man will save many dollars to the tax
payers during the coming year. The
other committees are well made up and
place the various aldermen where their
experience can be used to good advan-
tage. Aconsiderable amount of routine
business was done during the evening,
all of which was carried through in a
prompt, business-like way. The in
augural address. the new mayor prom
ised, should be on the installment plan,
as occasion for 1t arises. The policy,
he announced, would be in brief,
Everything that's best for Owosso."
The beginning of the new administra-
tion is in every way suspicious.