The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-05

I
men. At last Mr.. Jordan tossed the
matter up and suggested that the
WhoIe question be left with the mayor
and asked that he give his ideas to
the council. Mayor Green grew fu-
rlouS at this point and raising his CAV
| ell as if in warning he Numbered: 1.-THE
| policy of the council is the policy OF
the mayor and he said nothing more.
Then Mr.. Kutz jumped from his
corner and told in hOWery language
how the increase in pavement brings
Improvement to the city and was dis
guSted with the action of Mr.. Horn in
trying to subdue the pavement. Coun-
Gilman Stanley took the floor and
of Mr.. Horn But Councilman Blakely
cracked the real joke of the evening.
He said: Mr.. Horn has the reputation
of being the watchdog of this council.
Let him continue to be the watch dog
if he wishes-but we will let him
watch and go on just the same. !"
These sentiments were taken up by
every councilman present and cries of
bravo" give it to him." down with
the watch dog prevailed.
When this excitement had dwind1ed
to a murmur Mr.. Jordan made his
last plea and suggested to the city
council that City Attorney Dreaming
be called upon to give his expert tes-
timony on the subject, and with arms
loaded with law books the city attor-
ney entered the council circle from
the rear. He cleared his throat and
when everything was quiet he COM
menced.
Gentlemen, we must commence
the new year right. We must have
peace in this council. We must have
no more strife and have nothing but
harmony. (tAh, cut it Short said
BlakeIy) This new resolution is one
of the new ones of the year and one
that we must take in hand at once.
CHOW about Howard's smoking act?
interrupted HORNY. Gentlemen, if you
don't allow me to continue with this
duty to which you have called me I
will call in the chief of police who is
standing over there in the corner and
he will preserve order" Then Mr..
Dreaming got dreamy. He told of one
time when he heard the beautiful
church bells tolling "My Country it's
of Thee" and how his heart throbbed,
his pulses grew nervous and after
talking about these church bells for
some time he gave the council to un-
derstand that he grew patriotic. This
was clear off the subject and Mayor
Green made an audible movement in
his chair and with his gavel Then
the city attorney picked up book
of Tennyson'S poems and read piece
of ''In Memoriam'' for the benefit of
the council. Mayor Green could be
seen to give a nervous tWitch but he
restrained from relieving himself of
his thoughts. Then putting down the
ward a few steps and looking straight
at Mayor Green said:
Never has a man sacrificed his
time, his business and his health to
Mayor. Topeka has never enjoyed
the administration that you have
given her" And in a series of we'll
chosen and kind words the city attor-
ney dropped his thoughts of law and
told the mayor of the respect and
honor the council and people of To-
peka had for him. 1t was as quiet as
a church yard in the big council
chamber and even the guests in the
rear who came with blood in their
eyes changed them to tears and never
said a word. At this point Council
man General J. W. F. Hughes en-
tered, vest, trousers and all and the
scene was getting dramatic in the ex-
treme. Then Mr.. Dreaming com
again on his tribute to the
popular mayor and as if by magic the
south entrance of the chamber was
cleared and in came three big husky
city officials straining every muscle
under the weight of a huge leather
ried to the side of the mayor and
placed on his throne next to his
official chair. The different express
sions that came over the strong face
of the highest official in the gift of
the city was interesting to watch
and still they were almost pathetic. |
1t is said that nothing can move a |
man like another man and with the |
whole council, composed of some of
the strongest men in the city of To- |
peka today looking at him. in an
atmosphere of deathlike stiffness, |
Mayor Green dropped his eyes to his |
1esk and dropped his head in his
hands And with these beautiful /
words: ''When strife is over and you |
are at the sunset of life we want you
10 rest in this chair with ease and |
think of the days when your council
and your Topeka looked upon you
with an awe of honor and respect"
Mr.. Dreaming ended the speech.
Then the city attorney picked up his |
books and crept out of the chamber |
n far different manner than when he |
eft like a lamb. Mayor Green slowly |
arose from his chair and with throat |
;hoked with gratitude he proved that
I'D saying that factions speak louder
what Mayor Green said-and no one
was what he thought that |
made the effect upon the listeners and
lis thoughts were displayed by his |
actions.
1t was the prettiest and most i'm
pressing little scene ever enacted in
he council chamber of the city of To-
)eka and like the law of humor re-
ieving the tension of strife and passion
n Shakespeare, Councilman Lannan
rose and suggested that Mr.. Horn
withdrew his motion which was done
With much laughter and applause. The
whole fight was blind for the pre-
speech of Mr.. Dreaming.
The following city officials presented
he chair to Mayor Green: G. E. Jor-
Ian, w. NJ. VanNess, j. J. Lannan,
Peter Miller. G. G. Blakeley, H. B.
Howard, E. w. Horn, L. E. Fraser, C.
4. Kutz, w. M. Tandy, E F. Stanley,
T. W. F. Hughes, NJ R. Mitchell, H.
Titus, C. o. Wilmarth, John P. Rogers,
Watt Ora rfnrG q z II. iltnr1 n