Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-04-09
THE MAYOR
STIRS up THE
MENAGERIE


majority of the property owners had
petitioned for 1t, Mayor Lachmund de-
scended from the mayorallty chair
long enough to tourn the tide in fa-
vor of the property owner and a reso-
luton was finally passed directing
that the street be improved from Mill
street to Bush with bitulithic.
Incidentally the mayor soundly rap
ped the chairman of the committee on
streets and ordinances and members
of the council opposed to the resolu-
tion-rapped them hard enough to
awake them from the peaceful slum-
Der in which they have reposed for
months and spurred them on to make
some warm replies.
1t was after matters pertaining to
street improvements had been dis
posed of that the mayor discovered
that a resolution calling for the pave
ment of South High street had not
been introduced despite the plans and
specifications were introduced a week
ago.
"Why has not this resolution been
introduced" inquired the mayor Of
the street committee. Councilman
Jones, of the ordinance committee,
stated that he and the chairman of
the street committee, Councilman Laf-
ky, had agreed to hold 1t up for a
week. The mayor demanded an ex-
planation, and Jones attempted to give
one, but the mayor replied "that his
was an explanation that did not ex-
plain"
Discovering that the resolution had
been prepared, and was in the arch
ives of the clerks office, Councilman
Townsend moved that it be sent for
and the motion was carried. When II
was read Councilman Townsend
moved that it be postponed indefinite
ly, and then the fireworks for the
evening were set Off
"This resolution is surrounded by ;
most peculiar procedure" declared
Mayor Lachmund, after leaving thu
mayorality chair, and taking a posi-
tion among the councilmen.
1T do not expect that whatever
may say here will have the remotes
influence upon the council. Time ant
again ! have left the chair to talk II
favor OF some bill, but have founC
as a rule that the councilmen's mind
are usually made up, and that any re
marks l might make would not chang
them. l am, however, going to maxi
a little record.
"The people on this street are clan
oring for this improvement, and tn
original petition has now been emas
culated until 1t now but extends Il
Bush street. There are possibly few
people opposed to it, but are We t,
strangle an improvement just becaus
a few are opposed to it? What kin,
of tactics would that be-what klnt
Of principle?
"The plans we're adopted a weel
ago, and for years the people hav,
wanted the Improvement. Now W
find the resolution filed away in tn
archives Of the clerks office, where |
has no business to be. And there 1
not one word of explanation with re
lation to 1t, from either Chairman Laf
ky or Councilman Jones. don't lik
that kind of tactics; they are not fair
but dishonorable. II we are to depent
on the minority we will never hav
any street improvements. If / hav
offended any one by making a mis-
take in my remarks l will apologize
but If not then take back nothing.
Councilman Townsend, by way o
reply stated that he was championinl
the cause of a poor woman, and tina
he was not particularly opposed to tn
pavement.
Councilman Jones stated he resent
ed the reflection made upon him b.
the mayor, and that it was at the in
stance of Lafky that the resolution
was held up, but he did not seem Il
have nerve enough to say so"
Councilman Lafky stated that 1t wa
held up for the purpose Of arriving a
a better understanding Of the sltua
ton. He favored the improvement, h
stated, and would vote for it.
Senator Carson, one of the interest
ed property owners, was then give
the courtesy of the floor, and, afte
few remarks by him in favor Of tn
resolution, the council passed 1t.