The log cabin Democrat., 1916-04-12
OLD COUNCIL OUT::
 NEW FAKES OFFICE MAYOR READS MESSAGE
STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS PLEDGED BY NEW
 CITY EXECUTIVE.


 business transacted was the allow ance of some accounts, the new city administration was sworn in last night. The decision for a strict en- forcement of the municipal laws and plans for a general cleanup of the city during the week beginning April 24 featured the first meeting of the new council.
 The council voted to continue Night Marshal John II. Durham in service for one month at the same salary. and did not take up consideration of several other applications for the po- sltlon at last night meeting. Mar shal J. k. Piercey was elected for one month as street commissioner and committee composed of Aldermen J. w. James, Opie Hartje and Wm. J. Drummer was appointed to take up the matter of employing a city attor- hey. The same commiee was in- structed to ascertain the cost of di- gestlng the city ordinances, no digest having been made since 1900.
 After Mayor ]. C. Dawson, Mar shal J. R. Piercey, Recorder George Shaw, Jr., Treasurer W. A. Gbbon and the new members of the board of aldermen had taken the oath of of flee, Mayor Dawson read a message to the council in which he pledged himself to strict enforcement of the city laws and an earnest effort to build up the city. Mayor Dawson said:
 In assuming the duties and re- responsibilities of the office of mayor, l do so with no purpose but to serve the town in this capacity, to make as much progress as we are able to make, to look after the financial in terest of the town as 1 would look after my own, to impartially enforce lall laws, and to do just what 1 think 1 is right in all matters in which have to act.
 As stated above l expect to use my own judgment, still 1 will be glad to have your counsel, and at any time you see any thing the mayor should look after l will be glad to have you call my attention to it. One thing | though l would have you bear in mind and that is, the mayor is not a peace officer. He is the tribunal be- fore which criminals are brought that justice may be dealt to them, and if you will keep this in mind you will not get the work of the mayor and the marshal mixed.
 There is one other thing that I want to impress upon you and that is the fact that officers can go no further than public sentiment, and if you want the law enforced you will have to keep sentiment in favor of law enforcement.
 Speeding. Human life is too val uable for us to lose any of our citi- zens just to satisfy some reckless auto driver, and we are going to in force this law. If you don't want to pay the penalty you had better drive lin accordance with the ordinance. And while on this subject I wish to suggest that inasmuch as we are get Iting so many cars and there is so much traffic on our paved streets, that pedestrians take time to look be- fore crossing streets. 1 would also suggest that the car owners of the town get together, form an associa- tion, get up rules and regulations governing driving, adopt them and have copies printed for each driver In this way each party would know how to drive himself, and would also know just how the other party would drive at all crossings.
 Sunday Laws. I expect to en- force the Sunday law and will allow nothing to be run open except eating houses. Meat markets may keep open until 9 o'clock for the convent ence of those who do not keep ice, land ice deliveries should not be made after that time.
 Riding Trains. We are going to take especial interest in looking after violators of this law. It will be hu- initiating for your boy to be fined and perhaps have to work out his fine on the street, but this will be much bet ter for him than to have him run over by a train, killed or perhaps maimed for life
 "Gambling. Numerous complaints are made in regard to open gamb- Hing, and if this is true it must be stopped Matching coins and betting on ball games may seem innocent to you but it is a violation of the law, and it sets very bad example for younger boys, and there is not man in town but should be ashamed to set such an example. was told that just a few Sundays ago a small boy who had hardly reached his teens, was looking for crap game, l am