The Democratic advocate., 1900-05-05
CORPORATION AFFAIRS.
Two Tickets Nominated DeclInatlOns, &C.

Last week the following circular was issued
by the Mayor aud distributed through the city:
CITIZENS MEETING.
A Citizens Meeting will be held on Tuesday even
Ing May LIST. 1900 at o'clock. in the City Council
nominating one person for Mayor and persons for
Common Councilmen of Westminster, Nd. for the
o M l
FRED. D. MILLER,
H. B. GRAMMER. Clerk. Mayor.
On Tuesday afternoon another circular was
distributed through the city, unsigned 1t
was as follows:
ATTENTION CITIZENS.
meeting of the citizens, taxpayers and those
interested In an Economical City Government Will
be held at the Odd Fellows Hail. Thursday evei'-
ing May 1900, to take into consideration tne oess
interest OF the city, and nominate candidates for
Mayorand Five Councimen TO serve as such for the
ensuing year. Prominent speakers will address the
meeting Doors open at 73O, meeting at p m-
On Tuesday night about thirty or forty per-
sons met at the City Council Chamber in re-
spouse 10 the first circular. Mr.. William +.
Derr was called TO the chair, and Mr.. VIM. ii.
Vanderford acted at secretary. Mr.. Derr
stated the object of the meeting and asked for
nominations for Mayor and Councilinen. Mr..
Fred. ID. Miller, the present Mayor, was
placed in nomination, but before vote was
taken Mr.. Miller asked the privilege Of read
ing a paper he held in his hand, which was
granted. Herewith follows the paper
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND FELLOW CITIZENS =
Before proceeding to make your nominations
for Mayor, beg TO make few remarks OF
interest TO the taxpayers of this city. While
| appreciate the honor that has been bestowed
upon me, by electirg me as your Mayor for
two terms, | beg you as my friends not 10
place my name as a candidate for election,
as will most positively decline the nomina
tion. As you know when this present board
was elected two years ago the first thing that
| confronted us was macadamizing Main street,
which was badly in need. This has been done
at a cost of about 81, 900, about one-fourth of
| what it cost when it was done before. This
without any money in the treasury. We were
compelled at the beginning TO borroao money
to meet the running expenses of the city, and
this should not be the case. There is due the
corporation tonight about $S, 900 uncollected
taxes. Suit is now pending for the recovery
| of over Sc, 600 of this amount. If this money
can be collected think the taxes could be
reduced to 80 cents and the improvements
kept up. We reduced them last year from
| 37} cents to 35 cents. If this money can be
collected, every dollar borrowed by this
Council and former Councils could be payed
off, leaving surplus in the treasury of about
$1,000. If they cannot be collected they
should be abated and not assessed. We have
put 81, 900 each year for the last two years, in
the Sinking Fund, all properly invested. max
ing total of $3285 in the Sinking Fund.
We had passed at the last Legislature a bill
to allow us to refund your improvement bonds
at lower rate of interest, but to first pay off
part of them with the money now in the Sink
ing Fund. This will make saving of inter-
est to the City of about $400 year. These
bonds fall due in July of this year. We have
one of the best little cities in the United
States, and let all of as citizens and tax-pay-
ers help to keep up her reputation. hope
the candidates nominated here tonight will
carry out the work we have commenced. |
have in my hand copy of the bill passed at
this last Legislature to pay the Westminster
Fire Department $500 a year for IA years to
pay off their indebtness of which / am heartily
in favor and hope the succeeding Council will
approve of it.
| wish TO extend my sincere thanks to the
citizens for their cordial support during my
two terme as your Mayor.
Nominations for Mayor and Councilmen
were then made as follows:
| For Mayor, Oscar D. Gilbert; for Council
men, John B. Sayler, Elias w. 0ursler, Or
lando Reese, VIM. G. Rinehart, John IL.
Cunningham.
On motion a committee, consisting OF
Messrs. VIM F. Derr, VIM. Fl. Vanderford
and Fred. d. Miller, were requested to notify
the nominees of their selection, and if any re.
| fused to serve the committee were authorized
to fll vacancies.
The meeting at Odd Fellows Hall on
| Thursday night was largely attended. DR..
Frank T. Shaw presided, and Mr.. Edwin ii.
the object of the meeting. Ex-Judge James
| n Ropd smoke at some lenpth and closed