Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-06
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
Council Presidency Becomes Subject Of
General Speculation.
ADKINS is IN THE RACE FOR IT
Proposes to See ~ Democratic Ma
jorIty Overrides Precedent-Trens-
urer-EIect Howe's Embarrass-
ment Partially Relieved.

Is being discussed on the streets a great
deal. In the past the custom has been to
name one Of the holdover councilmen as
president. This year Adkin lie the only hold
over member and he is being mentioned for
the place, but with a democratic majority
there seems to be some doubt about the
members agreeing to this. However, Ad-
kins is in the race. During his term Mr..
Adkins has presided at about as many
council meetings as Mayor Kelly and no
fault was ever found with his decisions.
The slatemakers have It figured out that IL
Adkins Is not chosen president the choice
will go to William Queenan, a resident OF
the Sixth ward. Democrats assert that
Queenan is perfectly competent to occupy
the position Of president of the counci and
In the absence OF the mayor would make
a conservative acting mayor. Myles Welsh
is slated for the position Of president pro
tenn. OF course this slate may be broken
when It comes to organization, but a meet
ing is to be held to try and arrange mat.
tiers before the new council is sworn in.
Complaints about the methods pursued In
the counting Of the votes in the Third,
Fourth and Fifth wards continue to be made
and It is likely that several contests will
be started. All kinds OF rumors are aioat
regarding the lax methods Of the election
boards In the wards mentioned and It is as
serted that II the ballots are counted in
court some radical changes in the figures in
the tally books will be made.
Calling Warrants.
City Treasurer Koutsky is preparing to
make two calls for warrants, one on the
school funds and the other on the city
funds. These calls will be made Just as
the expert completes the checking OF the
books which probably will be on Sunday.
When the school warrants are called it
will practically leave this fund exhausted,
but the liquor license money will soon be
coming in and as fast as the licenses are
granted by the council the money can be
turned into the school treasury. 1t will
take quite a portion OF this years license
money to pay the overlap in the school
fund. The city funds will also be very
low when the coming call is made and the
new council will have but little money
to spend until the 1902 levy is available.
Bonds Are Ready.
The issue OF $1,000 intersection paving
bonds which were purchased some weeks
ago by the State bank of Toledo, o., is
ready for delivery and probably will be
turned over to a representative Of the pur-
chaser today. The signing Of the issue OF
$1,450 grading bonds for the alley etween
Twenty-fourth and Twenty-flfth and F and
G streets is now going on and these will
be ready this afternoon. 1t is understood
that the present council has given up the
idea Of trying to renew the $40, 900 gem
eral Indebtedness bonds.
Treasurer Howe's Bond.
Mention was made in The Bee of yester-
day Of the possible difficulties Treasurer
| elect Howe might have in arranging for u
surety bond. Yesterday afternoon the an
nouncement was made that a portion Of
the difficulty had been overcome and that
Mr.. Howe would be provided with a bond
in the sum required by eastern surety COM
panies. The understanding lie that the
bond companies will issue the bond as de-
sired and will leave the matter Of desis-
mating a city depository to the new coun-
ell. This action on the part Of the surety
companies will enable Mr.. Howe to a k
charge OF the ONCE as soon as the new
council can approve the bond.
Meeting of City COunciI.
The city fathers met last night and al
lowed the monthly bills, aside from the
transaction Of a lot Of business of more or
less importance.
An ordinance was introduced providing a
ten-year franchise to Julius X. Martin,
John NJ. Lyle and George P. Moore for the
operation OF a heat and power plant in
this city. The franchise provides that the
gentlemen named, their associates, sue
cessors or assigns shall provide a &c., 900
bond to indemnify the city against loss by
reason of damages during the construction
period.
Veto of the Bond Deal.
Mayor Kelly submitted the following veto
Of the recent bond deal. which prevailed:
Gentlemen of the Council L herewith
ordinance committees report Of March rs,
1902. on bids for the purchase of $140.00 re-
recommending sale to c.. Bevln Oldfeld.
and resolution by Councilman Johnston
presented at special council meeting March
to c. Bevin Oldheld and directing the
mayor TO enter into contract and deliver
said bonds and interest coupons to the said
/ do so for the reason that other bond
buyers have expressed themselves as will
ing to pay more money for the bonds,
claiming that the time provided I'm the no
tice OF sale was not sufficient to warrant
them in making unconditional offer as re-
quired by. said notice. Mr.. Hoobler> of
Omaha and Mrs Holmes of Chicago have
freely expressed themselves on this point.
II Is also rumored that certain taxpayers
claim the sale Is not made in the best In
terest OF the city. while many others con-
slider the sale an extremely good one. II
is probable that the bonds cannot be sold
to better advantage, but in this, as in all
other matters OF public concern, sufficient
time should be given interested parties for
deliberate judgment and action.
I therefore veto the said report and res
olution as passed by you March Is, A. D.,
1902. A. r. KELLY, Mayor.
South Omaha, Neb., March 20, 1902.
The council adjourned to meet Monday
night.
Magic City Gossip.
Mrs. ]. NJ. Tanner is visiting friends in
| Kansas.
Miles Mitchell is contemplating a trip to
| Oklahoma.
j. d. Nethery has Joined the choir of the
Methodist church.
Miss Fay Paddock, 1915 North Twenty
eighth street, is quite sick.
T.. l.. Gustafson is to remain as deputy
under Treasurer-elect Howe.
Ernest Wells OF Maryville, Mo, is the
guest Of Rev. r. L. Wheeler
Grin s. Merrill has arranged to locate
permanently at Pueblo. Colo.
Miss Gretchen PRESS has gone to Column
bus, Neb., TO visit for several months.
Colonel ]. ]. Hurt. a we'll known sheen
man, has returned from an extended south
ern trip.
1t is understood that Mayor-elect Koutsky
will establish his offices in the Murphy
block on Twenty-fourth street.
II is understood that A. r. Kelly intends
/ angaQinR in the live stock anUnnnlaafnn Rtta