Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-04-04

Impressive as was the Inauguration
of the new regime, the passing of the
old was far more so. Probably no
council in the entire history of the city
has worked in more happy harmony
with less attention to political lines
and greater effort for the good of the
whole city.
The spirit which has thus inspired
the aldermen, who as body laid
down the reins Of municipal govern
ment last evening, could not be moro
aptly expressed than in the fragmen-
tary addresses of retiring Mayor
SHUTS, speaking for himself and indi-
and of Alderman Mather speaking for
himself as member Of the minority.
Before the sine die adjournment of
the outgoing council, Mayor SHUTS
made the following brief, yet sincere
and impressive address:
Before retiring from the office Of
mayor of this city I want to thank
this council and all Of the officers con-
nected with this administration for
the kind and courteous treatment that
J you have shown me during the two
years that have had the honor and
pleasure of presiding over you. It
has been my aim to be fair and just
with all of you. We have had no pol
itics in this council All questions Of
importance have received the nuani-
nous support Of this council. / also
want to thank the fire and police de-
partments for their strict attention to
their duties and for their efficient SER
vice.
In exclusion L wish to say that If
1 have, by word or act, said or done
anything to cause the displeasure Of
any member of this council, want to
assure you now that it was not done
intentionally"
Votes canvassed.
The canvass of the vote in the
wards Of the city of Ottumwa in
the recent election, was read as can
vassed by Mayor SHUTS and City Clerk
Nimocks, the canvassing officials. The
official results already announced were
affirmed.
City Solicitor M. G. Gilmore then
presented his annual report showing
the work of his Office during the last
year and during his term. The report
was received and placed on file. On
the motion of Alderman Keyhoe the
reading Of the remainder of the annual
reports were dispensed with, none of
the city officers objecting. and the
council ordered that these reports be
published in full.
Retiring Mayor B. F. Suits then
arose and made the brief
address given above. Alderman
Keyhoe moved that when
the old council adjourn, the mem
bers and the mayor and city solicitor
retire to the clerks office and then
escort the new officers and aldermen
to their seats. The motion was car.
ried.
Mather Speaks.
| At this time Alderman Mather arose
and stated that he wished to thank
the retiring majority members Of the
council for their treatment of him as
e minority member, and also to thank
the city officials. such as the street
and sidewalk commissioners, for the
consideration shown him.
1.-TWO years ago. said Mr.. Mather,
when l found myself member of a
hopeless minority, 1 expected to have
hard shedding. But I found it much
dlHeTeHt lTom tnat winch expected.
shall alweys look back with pleas
ure upon these two years spent as a
minority member of the council
Those are my sentiments as WE'LL"
informally murmured Alderman Wei
denfeller.
The old council then adjourned sine
die.
in that There are few things, how.
ever, I wish to say l wish first of