The sun., 1900-05-30
VACANT CHAIR IN
COUNCIL CHAMBER
HEAVILY DRAPED
City Fathers Speak With
Pathetic ElOquence ON Dead
Councilman.
WILL NOT PARADE TODAY
Councilmen Decide to Attend Fun
eral of Jonathan Groves Tomor-
row and will Act as Honor
ary Pail Bearers. Conn
mittee Will Secure
Floral Tribute.

Beautiful indeed was the tribute paid
to the memory of Councilman Jonathan
Groves at the special meeting of Council
held last night to take action on his
death, which by its suddenness had
shocked every individual member.
Mr.. Groves was general favorite with
the members, as was shown by the eulo-
CYSTIC remarks made by various mem
bers. They seemed to dwell particularly
on the fact that he wore on all occasions
a cheerful smile and had hearty. pleas
ant greeting for one and all. Thomas
M. Monaghan spoke first, and referred
to Mr.. Groves sterling character and his
continual cheerfulness. On his motion
a committee OF five, to include the presi-
dent, was appointed TO prepare resolu-
tons. The committee appointed was as
follows: Thomas NJ. Monaghan, John f.
Healy, Henry Il. Smith, George NJ.
Fisher, Hamilton Stewart and President
Alexander.
The committee retired and Council
took a short ieress. Upon reassenbling
the following resolutions were pre-.
sented:
"Whereas, This Council has learned
with deepest sorrow of the sudden and
shocking death OF our friend and COL
league, Jonathan Groves, whose beauti-
fl" traits of character and lovable dis
position were so much cherished by us
and
Whereas, BY the death of Mr.. Groves
this Council suffers the loss of a true and
faithful comrade, an intelligent and zeal
ous co-worker, this city C faithful and
conscientious official and the community
an upright and sincere citizen, therefore
be it
Resolved, That this Council in
special meeting assembled, tender to the
wife and family OF our deceased friend
our sincerest sorrow and our heartfelt
sympathy in this The time of their be.
reavement for our association with him
was such as to enable us to fully learn
those characteristics Of his nature that
could not but make him the good, gentle,
loyable husband and father as well as
nub!e, patriotic citz,n. And be it fur
ther
"kesolvtd. That this Council attend
the funeral uf our late colleague in
body. That his chair and desk now vac
ant be draped in mourning for the space
OF thirty days, that the city Offices be
closed on Thursday afternoon, the day OF
the funeral, aiId that these resolutions be
spread upon the minutes of the Council
and a copy be sent to the family OF the
deceased and also published in the daily
papers,"
President Alexander sad he had heard
with great sorrow of the death OF Mr..
Groves and felt that they had lost noble
fellow citizen and an honest, faithfu
colleague.
George A. Willis said, looking over to
the chair of Mr.. Groves, which, together
with the desk, has been beautifully
draped in black, that he yiewed the
vacant chair with deep sorrow and de-
plored the fact that Mr.. Groves had been
cut down in the full bloom of his man
hood.
Henry R. Smith said it was very sor-
rowful occasion, that while death was
something we must all look for, Mr.
Groves death had been so sudden and
unexpected. James B. Oberly said Mr..
Groves was a truthful, honest man.
George NJ. Fisher said he had known
Mr.. Groves for fifteen years, and even in
the heat of the last city campaign had
not heard one word said against him.
The resolutions were then adopted bv
a rising vote.
On motion of Hamilton Stewart, Coun-
Gil rescinded its action taken of two
weeks ago in accepting an invitation to
turn out in the Memorial Day parade to.
day.
George M. Fisher Henry R. Smith
and John +. Healey were appointed
to secure floral tribute for
the funeral. The courcimen will act as
honorary pail bearers at the funeral.