Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-16
w. D. STEPHENS
CHOSEN MAYOR
NEW EXECUTIVE TO HOLD Of
FICE UNTIL MARCH 26
RECALL FORCES SCORE GREAT
VICTORY IN APPOINTMENT
Rousing Cheers Greet Action OF City
Council, Which Was Unanimous.
Hundreds Present to Pre-
vent Obstruction
tContinued from Page One,

minutes with having seconded the
nomination, which he did, but half
dozen others tried to claim the credit
as we'll. However, Dromgold was the
only one who made a speech in second
ing the nomination, and probably Tor
| this reason his name is on the ofnclal
minutes. Others distinctly heard Healy
and Wren second the motion as soon as
| 1t was out of Mr. Blanchard's mouth,
and Healy argued long for this honor
with Minute Clerk Carroll after the
| session.
| Councilman Wallace declared he was
gratified that the council had del1ber-
ated over the matter instead OF taxing
action last Friday, and that the OFF,
| ciaI representatives of the city had
done just what the citizens had right
to expect they would do.
Councilman Clampitt Endorsed Ste
phens in a few sincere words, and Pres
| ident Pease said the man the council
| had selected for mayor was one in
whom the whole city had confidence.
He declared that Stephens deserved
great credit for stepping in at the
critical moment and taking charge of
affairs.
The chair declared the nominations
closed and the roll was called on the
election of Mr.. Stephens. Every MEM
Der of the council voted aye" in tones
that showed he meant it.
First to Congratulate
AS soon as the vote had been declare
Councilmen Lyon, Yonkin and Clam
J pitt all former Smith men, were the
| first to offer congratulations to Mr..
Stephens. He was sitting on bench
| in the council chamber with j. ..
Koepfi, and as soon as the crcwd-saw
he was present speech was de-
manded.
President Pease introduced Mr.. Ste
phens as the mayor of Los Angeles"
The first words. Mr.. Stephens said
caused a little chill of apprehension in
the audience.
ST have never told one living soul
would accept this place." he said.
you all we'll know the interest l have
taken in affairs of this city for the
| last twenty years. We are confronted
with a situation that must be wisely
| considered. The city attorneys reso-
| luton meets with my approval in every
respect. If 1 accept this office"-and
| here the crowd again grew little ner-
vous, fearing he possibly might not ac-
cept, st will perform the duties of the
office to the best of mysability. For the
short time I am in the office 1 will be
mayor for every one of you. No strings
are held on me by any man on earth,
and I shall be fair and square always.
With Bated Breath
"And (here that great assembly
waited for the next word almost with
out breathing) land am pleased to ac-
cept."
The cheers that followed this were
deafening.
Mr.. stephens still kept his place on
the platform, and when the din had
subsidized asked to be permitted to take
the oath of office before the assembled
citizens.
A recess was taken for five minutes
to give the city clerk time to worm his
way through the crowd with the oath
of office book. At 10:45 the oath was
administered and Mr.. Stephens was
escorted to the mayors office by a
number of city officials.
Three cheers were given for Stephens,
three for the council, three for the city
attorney and three cheers for about
every one else the crowd could think
of, for it was one of the best natured,
| if most crowded. crowds that ever
gathered in the city hall.