The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-07
New City Officials Go Into Of
flee This Morning.
Jay E. House, Retiring Mayor,
Swears Them In.
CEREMONIES WITHOUT DISPLAY
Commissioner McGiffert Was
Unable To Be Present.
New Mayor Says Slogan of Ad-
ministratiOn Is "FOrward..

Herbert j. Corwine, mayor, and the
new city commissioners took their
oaths of office this morning at, the last
meeting of the city commissioners pre-
sided over by Jay z. House. retiring
mayor. The next meeting will be pre-
sided over by Corwine.
The ceremonies inaugurating the
new regime were very simple. Sergeant
Robert McGiffert, new commissioner
of parks and public property. was the
only commissioner not present to be
sworn in. He is in military hospital
! in the east.
House Administered OatIls,
| Following the regular run of Off
cial city business. the new commission
ers were given their oaths of office.
/ Mayor Corwine was sworn in by Jay
| E. House, the retiring mayor. Since
House would cease to be mayor from
the time Corwine took the oath of Of
flee and the other commission MEM
bers would then have had to take the
oath from Miss Eta Covell. city clerk.
House administered the oath of office,
starting with the commissioners and
working up to the new mayor.
Corwine on Job.
| The oath of office was admins
L. McEachron, Frank G. Drenning, w.
II. Wasson, w. A. Stanfield, w. S.
Hancock and Herbert ]. Corwine.
Corwine Says Forward"
Following the completion of the in
augural ceremonies, Mayor Corwine
took the chair. Just one word" said
Mayor Corwine. "Just one word-as a
slogan for this administration. That
word is Forward p" The new COM
mission was then assembled and after
planning to meet tomorrow morning
at IL O'Clock, was adjourned.
Three of the newly elected officials
were unable to be present at the cere-
mony. L. M. Penwell was called tc
Manhattan this morning and did moi
attend Robert D. McGiffert, elected
commissioner of parks, is still in the
Pelham bay naval hospital No in.
formation has as yet been obtained a.
u to when McGiffert will be able to ge
hhis discharge from the army anc
come home. Senator Curtis. is work
ing with that end in view. H. w
Bomgardner is sick with pneumonia
McGiffert Has Ten Days.
McGiffert was notified by mail o.
his election Immediately after the of
ficial canvass held Friday morning
He has ten days from the time of no
tification to appear to take the oatf
of office. According to members o.
the commission, however, there is nC
chance that McGiffert will lose the
prize he won in the elections by no
the time limit. Should he fail to ap-
pear, w. l.. Porter will continue to di.
rect the business of the park depart
ment until such time as McGiffert re-
turns. Porter will then turn in hi:
resignation and the commissioner.
will appoint McGiffert commissioner
of parks. By taking the office on The
city commission McGiffert will lose al
the benefits otherwise given to sol
diers who have suffered as he has
The new commissioners are firm in tn,
position they take that nothing will
be permitted which will lose for Nc
Giffert that which he has won in tn,
elections with so strong majority.
Closing up the last few bits of bust
ness, Jay E. House, w. L. Porter, w
G. Tandy and Frank Newland cease,
to be connected with the city in al
official capacity. Commissioner w. H
Wasson was the only member of tn
old commission to retain his position
as member of the new commission.