The Elbert County tribune., 1907-01-10
spEgR TEsTIMcNlAL.
Tho Mayor of Denver Banqueted by
Business Men.

Tho Mayor OF Denver 6anqueted oy
Business Men.
Denver.-In testimony Of their re-
gard for Mayor Robert w. Speer; g
large number Of citizens. including bus
mess men, professional men and Off
cials, gathered at the Brown Palace
hotel Monday night. The occasion
was a banquet rendered by them in
honor Of the city's chief executive.
A few minutes after s o'clock the
march to the banquet tables com
menced. There were present 405
guests.
The speechmaking began about 1896
o'clock, and lasted until after mid
night.
G. s. Morey, who presided. delivered
a short address, saying he was glad he
came to Denver in the early days.
While he did not own stock in the
Tramway company of the Gas com
pany, he voted for the franchises, be-
lieving that the companies deserved
them. There has been too much criti-
cism of public enterprises and "it is
time to stop kicking"
It had been reported that sugar is
higher in Denver than in the East, but
it is also true that newspapers are
higher In Denver than elsewhere, said
Mr.. Morey.
The speaker said he had not voted
for Speer, but was ready to vote for
him as often as he was nominated as
long as he kept up the line Of policy
he had adopted.
Mr.. Morey introduced Caldwell Yea
man as "the greatest toastmaster on
earth" Judge Yeaman read a note
from Governor-elect Buchtel, who re-
gretted his inability to be present, but
who sent a message of congratulation
and good cheer.
Hon. Joel F. Vale. upon the theme.
1.-THE Mayor of Denver" delivered
polished address. He discussed the
history of Denver, dating back to the
horse car days. Great things had been
accomplished, said he, and the people
had been constantly pushing for some
thing better. To the mayors of the
early days in Denver was due the
credit for starting the work which now
had reached such consummation.
Judge Leaman then read letter
from Rev. Christian Reisner which
praised the present municipal admins
tration.
A telegram from Charles ]. Hughes,
Jr., who now is in New York. also was
read. Mr. Hughes spoke highly in his
message of the administration of Mr..
Speer.
Thomas F.. Walsh also telegraphed
regrets.
The address of A. D. Lewis was
short, but to the point. He declared
that the business men of Denver be-
lieved in Mr.. Speer and his admins
tration. "The city beautiful" he
added, was fast becoming a reality,
and the business men of Denver were
going to see to it that the present
mayor was to be kept out of the
United States Senate long enough to
finish the job
Mayor Speer responded to the COM
plimentary speeches in a long address,
in which he recounted the many
achievements made during his admin
istration and the great improvements
now under way or contemplated. He
said:
"One year ago Denver had fourteen
parks containing 603 acres. During
the year 1906 seven new parks were
purchased, containing 429 acres. at
cost of 1921 300. Not protest against
their purchase was lodged with the
park department. During the past
year the city established its first chill
dren's Fairgrounds, which have proven
a success.
"The Board of Public Works ex-
pended during 1906 over 100000.
ornamental street lighting will be
added to another street during the
year.
"a public bath and swimming pool
will be erected in the neighborhood of
Twentieth and Curtis streets Larimer
street from city hall to Nineteenth
street, and Sixteenth street from Lar
inner to Broadway will be resurfaced
with asphalt, and paid for from gen
eral taxes.
"a new steel viaduct across Twenty
third street will be erected by the
Tramway company, as per the terms of
their franchise.
Progress is being made in having
the railroads build a viaduct across the
railroad tracks and Platte river, on
Nineteenth or Twentieth street. We
hope in the next few months to have
all details arranged. This viaduct will
cost between 100000 and 100000
and we feel confident it will be built
much quicker by negotiation than liti-
cation. The railroads show disposi-
tion to act fairly with the CITY,"
He went on to mention the public
comfort station, the walling of Cherry
creek, now in progress, the new audi
torium the contract for which is let,
the ornamental street lighting and
scores more of improvements that are
to maintain the reputation of Denver
as THE City Beautiful"
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