The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1908-04-23
Retiring Mayor Praised by Mem
bers of His Council for Long
Service for the City
SALOON PETITION TABLED
Last Meeting of the Old Council Brings
Report on Petition for Closing
Of the Sunday Saloon
In Kenosha

at the last meeting of the old Council
on Monday evening and while the meet
ing was a sort of swan song of men
who had been active in the affairs of the
city for years, it showed the good fell
lowship that prevailed among the men
who had been in charge Of the affairs
Of the city. James German the retiring
mayor was highly praised by the mem
bers Of the Council and just before the
old Council adjourned sine die, Alder
man Zievers, one Of the retiring alder
men, presented the following resolution
which was adopted by unanimous vote
of the Council
"Whereas, The Honorable James
German, our respected retiring mayor,
having served the people long and faith
fully as the chief executive officer of the
City Of Kenosha, and having well earn
ed and deserved the honor, never before
accorded in the history Of our city, of
serving the city in that capacity for
seven years: We the members of the
| Common Council, who have been asso-
ciated with and labored with him during
some Of those years and who are quail
| fed by experience to speak of his good
qualities, his efficiency and loyalty,
hereby publicly manifest our apprecia-
ton Of the grand work he has done for
, the city of Kenosha, his nobleness of
purpose, his steadfastness and devotion
to duty, his untiring energy and zeal for
the accomplishment of that which was
for the best interests Of the City of
Kenosha and it's citizens, his fair and
impartial rulings as a presiding officer
and hereby tender to the retiring mayor
the Honorable James German our most
sincere and heartfelt thanks for the
noble service by him rendered with the
best wishes Of the citizens of Kenosha
and the Common Council for his future
success and prosperity
The most important business to come
| before the old Council was the report
of the committee on police on the law
and order petitions which have been be-
fore the Council for many weeks. The
report is decided victory for the sa-
loon men as the Council by it's unani-
nous adoption of the report of the com
mittee has taken the rather unusual
course Of placing itself on record as be-
ing in favor Of the Sunday saloon. The
report Of the committee follows:
| =" Your committee On police with the
city attorney added to whom was re-
ferred the petition Of z. G. Simmons
George Hale, John O'Donnen and 873
others, praying the enforcement of the
laws in regard to the closing of saloons
on Sunday and the enforcement of the
city ordinance requiring the closing of
the saloons at II 'clock at night re
spectfully report that we have carefully
examined and considered said petition
That we have been importuned by many
OF the signers thereon, to, withdraw
. their names from the petition and have
been informed by many other signers
that they were ignorant Of the contents
OF the petition or it's nature or purport.
Your committee is satisfied that the
promoters of said petition acted in good
faith and fully believed that said petit
ton represented the sentiment Of the
people of Kenosha, but are firmly Of the
opinion that they were mistaken in the
premises.
That the, enforcement of the Sunday
i law can be accomplished when support
ed by a strong, healthy, general public
sentiment. Recent action by the people
would seem to indicate to all fair mind
ed men that public opinion at this time
will not support rigid enforcement
/, of the Sunday law and that the senti-
ment Of the people wonld be an indica-
ton to sanction the quiet orderly Sun
day saloon during reasonable hours and
whatever opinion yonr committee may
personally and individually entertain
our action should be guided by the ex-
pressed will of the people.
eve recommend that the ordinance
for closing the saloons at IL O'Clock at
night be enforced; that the PRAYER of
the petition for the strict enforcement
OF the Sunday laws be laid upon the
table; the right Of any citizen or per-
sons to invoke the remedy provided by
law not being thereby impaired
There was a great deal of business in
the hands OF the committees of the old
Council, but most of this was laid over
tor the new committees. The matter
OF purchasing street signs came up and
the street assessment committee report
ed in favor of the purchase Of a sign
offered by B. I. Carter, but the mem
bers OF the Council decided to,refer the
matter to the new body. Carter seemed
to be considerably angered at the action
OF the Council and he at once withdrew
his bid.