The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-07-02

large majority OF even the Legislators
which disqualifies bin for seat I'm the
council while be conducts his present
business. In other words, he had to
give up his seat in Council or lose many
OF his valuable customers. who are con
traitors, often doing contract work for
the corporation. His action Is. OF course.
approved by the public, while the neces-
sity OF such action is greatly regretted
by il.
Col. Coles has been "A long and efficient
service In the Council. for which he
should, and We feel assured will, receive
the lasting gratitude of our people. In
Der his wise management as chairman OF
the Finance Committee. with his advis-
ers OF said committee, when our city was
grooming under heavy financial burden,
S2OO,OOO OF which was evidenced by
bonds bearing seven per cent. interest.
nearly all OF our bonds have he, tioated
AZ Tour per cent. ct or above par, while
the seven per cent bonds were exchang-
ed Tor TOURS. and il AN he truthfully said
that our city credit Is today as good
a. that oil any other city in the coun-
try. And II l. gratifying To- property
owners to know that all this has been
done with but slightincrcs e In taxation.
which isnow even lower than that of
our sister cities.
When Col Cole entered the Council IN
1879 the term Of office was for one year
I'm lNSO the time was extended 70 two
Years, the mayor being president If the
tity Council and pr, siding over its meet
/ ings. The new Constitution placed the
term OF office az four yrArs, and provided
that the Couacil should elect one 90 it's
own members "a president OF the body
Al the organization Of the first Council
under this new order of things Col. Cole
was elected PRECEDENT, which office he
held 10y unanimous Reelection until HE
resignation WAS presented and accepted
Monday night
| Col Cole. from nis first entrance into
the Council, has been an active member
OF that body. ever looking out for the
Interest ui the taxpayers. oiten u the
neglect OF his own private business. He
has probably served the Council ia the
capacity OF Councilman logger than any
other citizen In all OF the past. and
certainly since the Civil War, and il is
but just To him, and Will be d matter OF
interest to the public, that we should re-
Ter 20 the imp lrtant committees OF which
he has been chairman OF member Thereof,
This We DO briefly:
Col. Coles services began July l, 1873
tie was plneed third on Committee on
/
Ia 1850 he was made second ON Streets
and second on Gas. In 1881, chairman
ot the Street Committee, and be opened
Washington avenue from Amelia "a
| Hawke street. He was also second on
Gas and Special Committee on Agricul
tural Fair, and during that term ar.
rangements were made FOR purchasing
the almshOusc and erecting additional
buildings He was "a member of this
committee also. The poor of the town
were placed at the almshouse, where
they were more comfortable and better
cared Tor at Il saving of more than 90
per cent. In 1882, 80 and 81 he wae
chairman OF Streets, second on Gas and
second on Almshouse. In 1885 he was
chairman OF Almshouse, second on
Streets and second on Gas. In ISS6.
chairman OF Almshouse, second on Com
merce and Navigation and second on
Gas. In this year the term OF Office was
extended TO two years. In 1883 he was
chairman OF AlmshOuse, second on Fl
nance and second on Public Property
Ia 1870, chairman of Public Property
third on Finance and third on Public
Schools. He was not elected In / S92 be
ing defeated by Ia votes, the issue being
as TO whether cows should run at large.
which he opposed; but was returned to
| tue NouuCli IN 1874, when he was chair
man OF Water Works, second on Finance
and second on Gas. In 1896 he was
chairman of Water Works, second on Fl.
nance and third on Streets. in 1898
chairman OF Water, second on Finance
and second on Streets In 1900. chair
man on Finance, second on Streets and
third on Water. In 1902, chairman on
Finance, third on Streets and ee .ond on
Water. In 1904, chairman on Finance,
second on Water and third on Fire and
Police. In 1906. chairman on Finance
second on Water and third on Aims
house, which positions he was holding
at the time he severed his connection
with the Council.
With such a record as this, and with
various other important duties perform
ed not connected especially with these
committees, all of which are duly record
ed In the Council proceedings, Col. Cole
can retire from his official relations to
the city with the proud satisfaction that
be hasiully discharged his duty and met
every obligation to his people. And
looking over this splendid record, the
public will say, "Well done, thou good
and faithful servant"