Evening journal., 1911-07-03
NEW COUNCIL A
BUSINESS BODY
Republican SOIOnS Transact
City Business in CredltabIe
Manner
HANDSOME NEW
GAVEL FOR PRESIDENT

The first meeting Of the Republican
City Council held on Saturday night
was marked by an absence of i'll feel
ing, squabbling. recesses, whispered
conferences, etc., which were domi-
nant features Of the meetings OF the
recent Democratic Council. What
business there was. was transacted in
business-like Kramer and the large
number of spectators were favorably
impressed with the smoothness Of it
all
The desks of the new members of
Council were filled with flowers on
both sides of the chamber and on
President Benson's desk were so many
flowers that it was hard to see the
new presiding officer. In addition,
there was a pleasant surprise for Mr..
Benson. He was the recipient of an
ebony silver mounted gavel, the gift
of some Of his friends. The present
came as a surprise. Mr.. Benson just
previous to the presentations was no
ticed looked for the old gavel which
had been removed. He was interrupt
ed in his search to receive the new
one.
Councilman Downs, of the Eighth
ward, asked the privilege of the floor
/ for Joseph Knox The latter walked
to the Presidents desk and presented
Mr.. Benson with the gavel. 1t is suit
ably inscribed with the Presidents
name. also with the date and who pre-
sented it, The handle was decorated
with a red. white and blue ribbon.
Mr.. Knox said President of City
Council Samuel H. Benson, It is a
great privilege 1 enjoy to here repre-
sent your friends, especially your
staunch friends in the western end of
the Seventh ward. On their behalf
I want to present you with this gavel.
We give It as a small token of the
esteem in which we hold you and
with 1t goes our heartiest wishes for
your success. We have the greatest
faith in your ability and integrity and
we know you will conduct yourseli
in your new Office and at the same
time guide and watch over the des.
tlnies of the city with the greatest
care"
When Mr.. Benson recovered from hi
surprise he said:
This is indeed a surprise. | hop
the confidence you and my friends hav
reposed in me will not be misplaced
thank you"
Clerk of Council George H. McGov
! ern called the Council to order AM
! called Mr.. Benson to the chair, tn
latter presenting his credentials. Thes
were read and Deputy Register O
: Wills William Lyons. a notary public
administered the oath of office Clerl
I McGovern then read the certificates o
/ election received from the Board O
Canvas after which he called the roll
all members responding.
Councilmen Downs. Conner and Hig
gins were appointed a committee ol
credentials and later submitted thei
r report, which was accepted and fled
The Councilmen then took the oatl
of office, four at a time Mr. Lyons ad
ministered the oath and all signed it,
o ministered the oath and all signed il
4 Councilmen Stover, King, White
? Downs and Kane were appointed
3 committee on rules. This committe
. reported after a recess. The rule
+ were adopted without objection The
+ are practically the same as the rule
\ governing former Councils.
i While Clerk McGovern was readin
r the rules Mayor Howell entered tn
# chamber and was greeted with an
4 plause. President Benson invited hir
) to a chair on the presidents platform
He remained until the meeting wa
K over.
el Councilman Downs presented a CON
4 munication from the Mayor, annOunC
Z ing the appointment of Charles r. Nil
a Ter as Water Commissioner and DAME
r O. Hastings as City Solicitor, an
= Herman b. Bothum as clerk to tn
8 Mayor. Councilman King presented
& communication from Treasurer LED
s mum notifying Council of his appoint
e ment of George II. Mccall as clerk /
his office and Council confirmed tn
2 appointment.
d After the meeting John ]. McGover
e was sworn in as Sinking Fund Con
It missioner.