Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-01
CITY COUNCIL
: :. AND DEMOCRATS
! : HONOR GORGAS
Resolutions of Respect Passed
on Death of Former
z Commissioner

. Resolutions of respect in honor o
william Luther Gorgas. former Cit!
Commissioner and Acting Mayor
and widely known in banking ant
masonic circles, were passed at
special meeting of Council, held TIM!
morning. The members decided alse
to attend the funeral services OF
Monday in body. The Rev. j
Bradley Markward. pastor Oh Beth-
q. lehem Lutheran Church, will off1ciate
1 .at the services at the home so4
North Third street, at 2-So CLOCK
while the Masonic Order will conduct
an impressive. service at the grave
At the Council meeting this morn
King following the passage OF the res
Ssnolution. which, was introduces U!
70. Commissioner W. II. Lynch, Mayor
Daniel L. Keister made sno.t az, az
dress, in which he paid tribute TO the
,T7Seryice and integrity of the eX-Com-
missioner as an official and pusi-
nessman. He also called attention 10
the honors conferred upon MI 1or
gas and mentioned his political and
fraternal activities.
Commissioner f. u. Gross also
made a few remarks before the reso
luton was passed. He mentloneu
! particularly the services OF MI
Corgas and his work in connection
with charitable institutions. notably
the Harrisburg Hospital, OF whlch ne
was treasurer for years.
The complete tribute and resolu-
ton as passed unanimously oy
Council, and as it will be placed on
he official record of councilmanlc
, procedure, follows:
whereas, william Luther Gorgas
mas been called from service TO re-
ward. and the good that men do Is
oft inferred with their bones, there-
p fore it is fitting that a record Oh ms
municipal work be made while these
matters are still fresh in the memory
of those who. were associated with
him. Now, therefore,
BE 1t Resolved. BY the Council OF
the City of Harrisburg. that the tol-
lowing minute be spread upon the
records of the Council, that copy
thereof be forwarded to his family,
and, as mark of respect, that we
attend the funeral in a body.
William Luther Gorgas, ousl-
nessman. banker, philanthropist and
/ citizen, began his active service Tor
the City of Harrisburg upon his cleo
tion as a member of the Select Coun-
Gil from the Fifth ward in 1888. lie
served in this capacity from 1883
TO 1886 and from 1887 to 1880. Ills
diligent and faithful service, aoillty
and interest were so appreciated by
his fellow-members of that body that
he was elected president thereof dur
ing the years 1888 to 1886. In 1902,
when the original Board OF Pubic
Works was created. he was select
ed as a member, and rendered signal
service in assisting that board to eX-
hn iTNn
TO it. In 1918, when the Clark act
went into effect and four members
of Council came to be located on the
bipartisan ticket, although he was
s@known to be stalwart member or
the minority party, he was so high
~ esteemed by the electors OF the
.city that he was nominated and elect
ed with the largest vote received by
tany candidate. Recognizing his fit
{ mes IS in character, learning and eX-
pc rience, he was by his associates
E placed in charge of the department
E of accounts and fiance. which de-
8 uartment he organized and conduct
z ed for two years with his usual effici-
+ ency. In recognition of his services,
T. he was in 1915 reelected as MEM
Z Der of City Council, and again placed
at the head of the department of fl
+ nance and accounts. During the year
19t7. on two occasions and for con-
siderable time, he served as Acting
Mayor of the city by reason of va
+ cancies in that office. lie was also
rvice-president of the League of Cities
!. e.of the Third Glass for two terms.
He brought to every position in
s the municipal government which he
filled a trained mind and a charac
ter rich in experience, which enabled
him to transact business with a COM
!. plete grasp of the situation, accuracy
and dispatch. lie was always a shin
ing example OF a successful business
zman, ready to sacrifice his own time
and interest in carrying on the mu-
-nicipal government"
The Central Democratic Club also
met and passed resolutions honor
z1ng the banker and formea, city off,
u cial. They are as follows:
= Whereas, Almighty God, in His
4 wisdom has seen fit to remove from
sour midst William l.. Gorgas, and
Whereas, BY his unexeptecd
tzdeath the city of Harrisburg has lost
"a public-spirited citizen who always
Elabored to promote the best inter
ests in our city governments and
Whose wisdom and sound Judgment
Will be sadly missed in our municipal
sAaffairs, and
Whereas, He has always Loyalty
sHdefended the principles of the Dem
socratic party and sought to main
tain its glorious traditions. be it
Resolved. That the Central Dem
'zocratic Club hereby expresses its pro
found sorrow at the death Of Will
ssliam l.. Gorgas and extends its
heartfelt sympathy to the members
@of his family, and be it further
Resolved, That these resolutions
abe spread upon the minutes and n
copy be forwarded TO the family of
tzthe deceased
y (Signed)
lk EDWARD MOESLEIN.