The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-06-19

Councilman For Upper Ward and Law
renee Perry FOR Lower Ward
At the request OF the Light Commit
tee the Oouncil was called Friday
night 10 receive she report OF bids for
the erection OF new electric light
plant. There were present Recorder
Willis, Councilman Embrey' Bradley
Rowe, Cole, Hurkamp. Knight, On n.
cellor. Lane and McOrackon.
After Recorder Willis had called the
Council 20 order, Councilman koiRht
arose and said that while the Council
had been called 70 receive the report OF
the Light Committee, there was an
other matter Of importance when al
fected the welfare OF the city which
should have immediate consideration
and shat was the election OF "a Mayor
to ill the unexpired term OF the late
Mayor A. z. Rowe, and moved sus'
pension Of the rules for that purpose.
This was seconded by Councilman
Cole Mr. Knight said 10 was without
precedent that Fredericksburg should
be without Mayor for so long time,
when il was in the power Of the Com
Gil 90 elect He SAID that he womb
much prefer being able o. say Mayor
Willis instead of Recorder Willis, and
aside from this there were important
matters for the consideration OK
Mayor from now until July. Az TINS
iuncture Recorder Willis vacated the
chair. which was filed by Capt Nc.
Oracken and said. az Mr.. knight had
referred to him as Mayor Willis. he de-
sired 10 make a statement-that he
thought it unwise for the Council &c
elect a Mayor until July lst that II
might create complications In the Is
sue Of bridge bonds, and that be was
not candidate and did not desire to
be elected and asked Mr.. Knight "a
30 Withdraw his name Then Mr..
ST. George r FitzhuRh, who wa
present, asked 20 be heard, which was
granted He said as attorney for the
oity and ia view Of some financial mat
ters now pending he did not think 1t
wise 20 elect Mayor for the fifteen days
between now and July, and it might
produce complications which would be
unpleasant.
MIR Knight replying TO Mr. Willis
said, ordinarily IL would give HIM
great pleasure TO respect the wishes OF
Mr. Willis, but In view of the situa-
tion az he saw it, he could not consis-
tently do 80 and insisted on his mo-
tion.
The motion TO suspend the rules was
then put and resulted for aud
against as follows: Ayes-Messrs
Rowe. Cole. Knight. Chancellor, Lane,
and McCracken Nays--Messrs vii
lis, Embrey, Hurkamp and Bradley
Capt McCracken decided the rules sus-
pended
Mr. Willis was then nominated by
Mr.. knight for Mayor aud unanimous
" elected for the unexpired term 60
July lst Mayor Willis was then sworn
in, and In resuming the chair thanked
the Council for the honor and said II
il was found that his election created
any complications be would resign.
Mr.. Cole then moved that the Ooun'
Gil elect a Recorder for the uuexpired
term. This was adopted, and he nom
mated Capt McOraoken who declined
the honor, saying it gave him much
pleasure TO nominate his friend, Conn-
Gilman Knight and hoped the Council
would elect him Mr. Knight was
elected receiving all votes except one
cast for Capt. McCraoken.
Mr. Embrey moved that the vacan-
cies ia the Council be filled which was
adopted.
Mr.. Bradley nominated NJ. S. ;
Bradford for the Upper Ward and Capt.
McCracken, Mr. Lawrence Perry FOR
the Lower Ward, both Of whom were
elected unanimously.
Chairman McCracken. Of Light, then
made the report Of his committee 10 re-
gard 60 the new electric plant. He pre-
sented three bids for doing the work, az
follows. j. +. Buchanan 81 Co., Of
Philadelphia sl3 ,65S Kingsby. samuel
& 90, Of Baltimore sl3 700; W. ID.
Morrow, Of Richmond, $ll.384 66.
It vas resolved by the Council that
Whereas the Committee on Light
has reported three bids In writing fOI
the construction Of an electric plant fOI
lighting the streets of the city.
Resolved, That the said three bids
be referred back to the committee with
authority to accept for the city either OF
the three bids that said committee may
deem proper, or 20 reject al three OF
said bids If they deem such rejection
expedient.
Resolved further, That said com
mittee shall not accept any one Of saic
bids until a contract for the faithful
performance Of the work. drawn by the
Oily Attorney, shall be approved by the
party whose bid it Is proposed to accept
and until some thoroughly responsible
guarantee company shall agree 70 guar
antee the faithful performance Of sale
| contract.
Resolved further, That said contract
shall designate a suitable person TO pass
on the work and 20 approve the same
and the Committee on Light is hereby
authorized to execute said contract or
behalf Of the city. "
On motion of Mr. Cole the following
was also adopted
Resolved by she Council That the
resolution heretofore adopted in rela'
tion TO the issue Of bonds with which
to redeem the bridge bonds be modified
so that the said bonds shall bear date
on July 2, 1900, and shall be payable on
July 2, 1920
Mr.. Embrey asked that the street
committee be authorized TO pave the
gutter around the Enterprise Building
on Main street, which was ordered.