Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1913-04-17
NOW MATTER |
OF HISTORY
OLD COUNCIL STEPS DOWN AND
OUT-NEW MEMBERS TAKE
CHARGE-SHORT SESSION


in the city of Williston passed into
history at the city building last Sat
day night at S:45 o'clock when, after
a short session, the old council ad-
journed and the new city commission
headed by Thomas F. Craven, as pres
ident, stepped in, took charge and
organized.
There was nothing spectacular
about the sudden quick change from
the old system to the new. At the
meeting of the old organization .
few minor matters were considered,
and reports from the various heads
of departments were submitted, but
not read. These reports were lad on
the table to be considered by the in
coming organization. In the reports
the facts were brought out that the
retiring administration is leaving
neat sum as balance in the treas
ury for the new members to begin
work with; much better than when
they took charge. Mayor Jackson
stated:-"I am glad of this because
the new council should not be handi-
capped in the matter of finances at
the beginning" Mr.. Jackson stated
further in short talk just before
final adjournment:-1 personally
want to thank you individually for all
you have done. Although we have
had our differences, am sure that W
are all going out of Office as boosters
for Williston, and that we can assure
these men that we are all back Of
them and wish them all the good luck
in the world in the administration Of
the city's affairs l wish also to thank
all of the city employees for their
faithful service during my admins
tration."
To councilman George Marelius fell
the honor of making the final of final
motions before the old council, and
that was to adjourn. The motion on
roll call prevailed unanimously.
After the meeting adjourned there
was hearty handshake between the
retiring officials and the newly elect
ed ones, lasting few minutes, when
the old council members vacated the
room and Thomas F. Craven took tho
chair, called the meeting to order and
proceeded with the business Of or
ganizing Mr.. Craven said: The
first matter to come before the meet
ing will be that Of organizing and the
designating Of heads Of departments.
| Nominations are therefore in order
for Police and Fire Commissioner" "
Jos. Wegley was nominated and -
lected for this position. E. c. Carney
was chosen head of the Street and
Improvement department; John Brueg-
ger, Electric lights, Power, Water and
Sewers; J. H. Cooper, Finance and
Revenue.
The matter of designating meet
ing night, and also the hour was
brought up. It was suggested BY
Commissioner Carney that Monday
evening be designated as the time for
holding regular meetings, as the ma
iority of the commissioners would
perhaps be more at liberty on Mon
day evenings than on any other even
ing during the week. Pres. Craven
said in this connection:-"f we are
going to set an hour to meet, say 3
o'clock on any evening, ! would sug-
gest that it be EIGHT o'clock. !
have never been on council but !
have been on school boards and other
boards, where the waiting for the
other fellow was worse than the work
connected with the affair" On mo-
ton the day and hour was made Mon
day evening at 8 o'clock.
The various matters coming under
the different departments were dis
Continued on page 81