The Oskaloosa herald., 1901-10-10
Mayor wray,s Address.

The opening session of the League
was called to order shortly after ten
o'clock in the K. of P. hall and the
assembled members and visitors of
the cities of Iowa were addressed as
follows by Mayor Wray of this city:
ut affords me unfeigned pleasure
on behalf of all of our people to well
come you to Oskaloosa. In the name
of citizenship of $4,000 hospitable
souls, l hereby open our gates and
hurl the keys at your devoted heads.
Do as you please, beware of only
one danger, beseech you not to get
on or off our trolly cars while in mo-
ton. Indulge in all other boyish
sports and passtimes but this, ouI
hospital facilities are limited, besides
our entire police force is off duty and
will be while you stay in the city.
They said that they could hardly
exist with one mayor around and pro-
ceeded to flee from the town in dis
gust when they learned that there
would be about fifty mayors here. ]
tried to talk them into the idea that
possibly there might be some differ.
ences in mayors but they have all re-
fused to trust me.
But really, my friends, 1 am re.
ioiced to greet and welcome you not
only as officers of Iowa Municipal.
tiles, but also as representative citi-
zens of our beloved common wealth.
1t is a source of thankfulness to our
great ruler that death has not invaded
our ranks since our last annual meet
ing. Our numbers have increased
and we have been strengthened by
helpful intercourse with each other
We have come to know each other
better and we have taken counsel
with each other from time to time
and we have been enabled the better
to discharge our public duties.
Gentlemen: 1t has been said that
we are the guardians of the safety oi
the people. 1t is true that we stand
as sentinels over the homes of our
constituents. l know that / voice the
sentiment Of all when declare that ii
is our supreme desire to faithfully per,
form and conscier ciously discharge
every known duty. Not only are we
the care takers of the person and
property of our people but we are also
charged with their protection in q
moral way No executive officer is
fully alive to the responsibilities OF
his position VIII fails to stand guard
day and night over the wives and
children of his people.
Gentlemen: We have met on this
occasion under distressing condi.
tions. We are bowed with grief over
the loss of our beloved President
Mckinley. The nations tears are
falling at his cruel raking off, but
time does not wait upon our grief
The realities of life and our duties to
home AID country crowd up from
the grave Of our fallen chieftain to
meet the problems tnat are forced
upon US. ours IL idle task. Per.
feet city government has never been
attained, but the wisdom of the wis
est and bet minds in our county is
rapidly deVel ping and government
of cities and owns into that of the
topical state 20 US remember the
adage that "as the cities are so will
the nation be " May our ambition
lead us then to make our several city
govern ments the best that is attain.
able. We are confronted with the
problems pertaining 70 the moral
welfare Of the people, but the vexa,
tious questions OF sewerage, lighting
heating, sidewalk and paving, al