The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-09-23


the council. And never during these
terms had any veto of his been multi.
fed by being afterward voted down. 1t
was a remarkable record 1t was a
record that justified the council in
giving him a grand farewell banquet
by the entire body, and showing that
party preference had no weight in de-
termining questions of individual ex-
cellence.
Aldermen quite frequently voted
against one another even when from
the same ward. As there were two
from each ward. and often one Demo
crat and one Republican, there was
sometimes shrewd rivalry as to which
should most nearly suit the constitu-
ency. A new alderman was elected
every year and one alderman held
over" the terms being for two years.
and elections for the "incOmer" being
held each spring.
Whenever a very important or
dinance came up, 1t was a battle roy
al. The measure had always been
first offered and then referred to COM
mittee, and then discussed and
threshed out in the newspapers. Mass
meetings in the various wards had
been held, and a good many of the al
dermen had been publicly and private
ly feeling" out their .constits" Com
mittee meetings sometimes were held
in public. and even witnesses and
experts examined as to the why's and
wherefores of the proposed measure.
OF course the champions of both the
measure itself and the opposite side
had been busy log-rolling. persuading,
threatening, writing letters, denounc.
ing. praising, and otherwise making
things lively. and aldermen by singles
and doubles and in groups had been
discussing the ordinance with the
mayor and various heads of depart
mentS
When the night came to take up
such an important measure there
was a sort Of invisible feeling of war.
fare in the air. The gallery gods"
hung far over the railing and front
seats were at a premium. All the
reserved seats were occupied, and
even the empty space behind was
damned with spectators. The door
keeper was on the alert to keep out
the mob that surged to get in after
the gallery was filled. The officers in
the gallery had been increased in
number and admorished as to keeping
order. Special newspaper represent
alton was present and photographers
fully bent on taking all sorts of
CHASTITY snapshots" were on hand.
And when the proceedings COM
menced, after the perfunctory roll
call and waving of the reading of the
minutes of the last meeting, there was
something doing" from start to fin
ish. 1t was then, at times, that the
men grew bitter. elimination and re-
elimination were banded back and
forth. and real ginger was injected in
to the speeches, charges; and counter.
charges. Yet even then some witty
retort would occasionally clear the at.
moSphere.
Don't ever ask me for any more
money to help out the party" said
one indignant young alderman of pa.
ternally-descended wealth, If that is
your vote" pointing his finger scorn-
fully at a certain alderman who had
accumulated large gobs of filthy lucre
by means Of the contracting route
The retort came as quick as light.
ming: 'Oh, l guess I've got as much
money as you have, and I didn't in
herit it: either"
1t was solar picks. and the dis
comfited ard youthful alderman sank
back in his seat amid the bowls Of
the gallery ERNEST M'GAFFEY.
Copyright. 1905. by Iasenh n Bovles)
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