East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-01-09

With a full attendance Of council
men and the best of feeling prevail
ing the new city administration began
its career last night Brief addresses
were made by Retiring Mayor James
A. Fee and his successor, Mayor Muir
phy. some remarks Of the latter be-
ing especially significant. The entire
set of present city officials was re-
elected unanimously and the treas
urer's bond reduced from $4,000 to
$4,000.
Retiring Mayors jest.
When the council meeting opened
Judge Fee took his accustomed seat
at the head Of the aldermanlc table,
much to the surprise of some who did
not comprehend his motives. He
then addressed the council and de-
clared that he still held office and
that they could not oust him. Al
this a look of blank astonishment oc-
cupied the face OF Councilman Joe
ELI. while some others shifted ner-
yously in their chairs, fearing they
were in for one more round with the
retiring mayor However, he quick
" dispelled all fears by introducing
Mayor Murphy, for whom he vacat-
ed the chair.
Gambling Is Barred.
Upon taking the chair Mr. Murphy
addressed the members Of the coun-
ell briefly. outlining some OF his pol
icies and offering a word or adVlce
IN the different committeeman. He
assumed the chairmanship Of the po-
,ice committee himself and announc-
ed that as during the past two years
gambling would be strictly barred
within the city According TO MS
statement the police committee IN
tends to see that there is no gambling
within the city during the present
administration
In speaking of the different COM
nfitteemen the mayor called attention
10 the difficulties before the finance
committee because of the financial
strain and asked all members of the
council to cooperate with that com
mittee. He then urged that the IL
cense committee act with care In the
granting of liquor licenses so as TO
avoid subsequent trouble and he
warned the street committee tha'
they had much headache In store
Later on during the meeting, May
or Muphy stated that in his judgment
all the present city offices should be
retained and each councilman assent
ed to such course. so 1t is prob
able no further action will be taken
in the matter, all of the present men
holding without interruption.
Treasures Bond Reduced.
Through the action of the council
the bond to be furnished by Harry
Thompson, new city treasurer, was
placed at $4,000 instead Of $4,000
as in the past. This was done be-
cause the balance in the treasury is
usually less than the lower bond. Mr.
Thompson was present at the meet
ing last night and was granted
months leave of absence. He re-
turned to Spokane today, where he
has been for several weeks.
Bids for city printing are also to be
called for and last night commit
tee composed Of Councilmen Strain
Stroble and Montgomery was named.
Separate contracts are to be left for
and job work.
A petition asking for a street light
at the corner of North Main and
Wilson streets was referred to the
street committee. Another petition
asking for the grading of Wilson
street between jefferson and Madi-
son was granted. The liquor license
held by Jesse Sellers & Co. was trans
ferred to Ben Morton, while that held
by Striker & Co. was transferred to
Ed r. Strahorn.
The annual report of the city re-
corder and the monthly reports of
that officer and of the treasurer
were read and filed
An adjourned meeting of the coun-
ell will be held Saturday evening to
hear the street committees report up
on work being done by Newport &
Son.