Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-05-09
OTHERS MADE BACK DOOR EXIT
Aldermen Drew for Long Terms
Brassey Elected to Fill Vacancy
in Third.

'ssa
dermen were very derellct in theirdu-
ties and their lack of action caused
much annoyance, as well us delay to
the new officers. Instead Of assem-
bling and completing their business,
including the approval Oi the min
utes OF the previous mpcti z, they
had made II sort of back door exit
and when half after eight had ar
rived only Alderman Culver was on
the scene. Mr.. Barnes had left town
and the Others were at home or at
least paying no attention to their
duties, tn say nothing OF the amcni-
ties nj the occasion.
A dispute ros as to the status OF
+. G. Stiles, clerk under the old re-
gime, Mayor Cook holding that heno
longer had authority to net, but this
point wns merged into the matter Of
the approval of the minutes of the
last meeting Of the old council, and
finally n messenger was dispatched
to summon Matt Regain and j. NJ.
Parent, who responded.
Mr.. Iicgan, as acting mayor, took
the chair, called the old council to
order, the minutes were read and ap-
proved and the expiration OF their
tarptl nf ntian mud tha an tfApl taoa 80
their successors made To appear on
the minutes, whereupon Mr.. Regain
retired and the old council was a
thing of the past.
Mayor Cook INDUCED in no speech
making, but Immediately brought up
the matter OF the vacancy in the
Third ward. l.. w. Eldridge nomi-
mated Edward Brassey, j. l.. Corco.
ran seconding, and he was unani-
mously chosen.
The status OF the clerk was then
settled by the appointment and con-
firmation Of Arthur. Harvey, whose
bond was at once filed and approved
and he replaced +. G. Stiles at the
desk. the latter lingering with mem.
bers Of the old council for "A few mo-
ments.
Mr.. Brassey, who vas present, filed
his oath of office and formally be-
came a member Of the council.
The next in order was the deciding
by lot the length Of the term of the
aldermen, the law providing that
one from each ward should hold for
one year and one for two years, their
SUCCESSORS to each hold two years.
Slips Of paper were prepared with
the words "long" and ''short" writ.
ten thereon and one man from each
ward drew, Eldridge, Hill and Stod,
dard getting the two-year terms
and C%orcoran, Shields and Brassey
the one-year terms.
Mr.. Stoddard placed l.. W. Ed
ridge In nomination for president
pro TEN and Mr.. Eldridge reciprocal
ed, the ballot resulting Eldridgefour,
stoddard two and the former was
declared elected.
For marshal and street commits
sionvr Mayor Cook nominated ID. j,
Kane AMI for treasurer he nominal
ed A. T. Wright, both appointments
being unanimously confirmed.
The bonds of these appointees
which had been already prepared
were filed and approved.
Clerk Harvey was instructed tt
notify the proprietors of the Fergu,
County ARGUS, Lewistown Publish
ing Co. and the Lewistown Demo
crat that Monday evening, May 18th
bids for the town printing for thu
ensuing year would he received ant
a contract awarded.
1t appears that upon the new
council and town officers much worl
will devOlve concerning which theil
predecessors had no trouble. TIL,
first year all taxes were collected by
the county officers and the proceeds
turned yer to the town treasurer
but this year the town officers hav,
many duties In that connection, I,
just what extent has not been ascer
tanned and it il probable that for
month or less 1t will be necessary FOL
the council to have the advice Of {
lawyer that they may be informed al
to their duties concerning that anC
other matters. 1t Is not the lnten
tiun of the aldermen to employ {
regular town attorney, their desire
being to save 10 the people that ex
ppndi ure Of S25 per month which
the Democrats so generously pait
out during their term.
The report of the secretary Of tn,
fire department concerning the fir,
at L. L. Smiths saloon last Friday
morning was received and accepted
and a warrant for $50 ordered drawn
on that account.
Next Monday evening the council
will meet to receive the report OF thu
treasurer, determine upon the mat
ter of legal advice, town magistrate
and undertake the regular work q
administration. At that time Mayor
Cook will probably announce hii
committee appointments.