Norwich bulletin., 1919-06-07

Organization of the common council was effected by the appointment of committees by Mayor J. J. Desmond on Friday night at the first council meeting since election and the appoint ment of several of the city department heads was made.
 Wherever there were contests over the appointments there was a straight party vote, with Mayor Desmond vot- ing. and the ballots standing to 5, indicating the alignment of the demo- crats against the republicans. The republicans were one short of their normal vote as Councilman Clarence A. Barber was absent because he was out of town. Alderman Claudius V. Pendleton was late in arriving through being delayed by oiled roads between Plainfield and Norwich as he was re- turning from an automobile trip to Providence.
 The republican members, elected last Monday, were sworn in by Mayor Des- mond, and the aldermen and council men were seated by City Sheriff George W. Rouse in the following or der, with Alderman Joseph A. George as senior alderman:
 Aldermen-J. A. George q, Pierre Ethier d. C. V. Pendleton r, Charles F. Wells r.
 Councilmen-John R. Fowler d. F. G Aubrey d, J. J. Harrington d. J. T Gleason d, R. C. Perry r. c. E. Barber r, Edward Crooks r. Martin Rozycki r
 Former City Clerk Jeremiah A Desmond was acting clerk for the meeting, while City Clerk William R F'risbie sat by and took note of the customary proceedings.
 Mayor Desmond addressed the coun- ci as follows after the session openeC at S.30:
 Gentlemen:
 I avail myself of this opportunity tc greet and to welcome the newly chose1 members of this body. Under our sys | tenn of government public office is con. | ferred by the free exercise of the cleo. | tive franchise, the power and authorit, vesting in those favored by the major | ity of the voting electors, and contin | ued peace, good order and prosperit! 1 depend upon the willing acquiesence o | the minority and of the fidelity 0 those elected to the duties of their DO 1 sitions.
 It matters little who the individual may be that constitute the member ship of this council; but it is of vita importance they bring to the per formance of their tasks the energy wisdom and unselfsh devotion whicl are required for the proper admins
 tration of municipal affairs; and gratifies me to believe that ever
 member, mindful of his oath of office
 and of the importance of the trus ! confided to him, will be animated an uided at all times during the comin twelve months by a firm and sustaine determination to do all in his powe to promote the welfare of our city. i Tna fo tb1t 1ipec divide th
 membership of this court of commo council needs not and should no prevent or hamper our concerted an harmonious efforts in behalf of tn ! solid and continued progress and de l velopment of this municipality; politi
 cal partisanship is neither objection able nor dangerous: on the contrary, is an indispensable instrumentality
 providing and securing sane. stabl
 honest and efficient conduct of publi
 bushes; but it should be ever kept
 view that the public good should |
 the paramount considera ton, that par
 tisan advantage should never |
 sought at the expense of manifest dut
 and that during our terms of office W
 are the selected trustees of all the pee
 pie of our city. Judgments, indeed
 will differ. and opinions diverge, as W
 confront the problems that are boun
 to demand our attention and to requiI
 solution but so long as We all renal
 sincerely devoted to duty, such hone:
 variances of views cannot seriously (
 injuriously affect our efforts or ot
 work.
 Experience abundantly proves tn; no man, whatever may be his capacit
 or attainments, is absolutely essenti
 in the prosecution of public affair and there may be many in this con
 munity qualified to discharge ehcien , ly the duties of the various position which you have the power and duty 7 filling: but you must make the selet tions: and in dealing with this serio,
 matter it is my hope as well as my b. lief that competent reliable men vi , be chosen.
 I congratulate you all on the posses ) sion of the spirit of good citizensh , which has induced you to assume Il always trying and often arduous r t responsibilities of the offices you hol , and I trust that our efforts will mer