The Mayor Who Refused to Apologize: A Retiring Councilman’s Bold Farewell

Mayor Towne finally broke the silence by rising and saying that in receiving Mr. Macon from a justice which he had served for so many years, he felt called upon to express his thanks to his fellow-members and the mayor especially, for the uniform courtesy shown him.

Mr. Macon then addressed the council:

"I rather came to take my leave of this chair, as I came into it without any promises as to what I might do, or disclaim as to what I did. I bear the consciousness of having done my duty as a citizen, and doing all I could. Perhaps some of the might have done better. As to that, I don't know. I bear no doubt that I have made mistakes. I did not go through life by the front door; I have no apologies to make. While this present council has hum with us slow, holding back and all that time will show that we did well; that we have done. Indeed, what we should do. Every matter of importance has had fair and most careful consideration, and only such action taken as we deemed wise and for the best interest of this city. And of this I am sure that nothing was done by any member of this council from any improper motive. I have to thank you for the uniform courtesy shown me at all times. Every motion that I have made has received careful attention and consideration. I shall always look back to the period of my relationship with this board, arduous as has been the duty often imposed, with feelings of pleasure and no little pride. A thousand thanks to you."

The Mayor sat down and as no further speaker seemed inclined to take the floor, a motion to adjourn was carried.

Mr. Hymn Miller is one of the retiring members and was the only one absent. J.R. Houghton and J.H. O'Connell, members retiring from the third and second wards respectively, also took leave from out of town observers.

The new council will meet this afternoon, when Mr. J.D. Congdon, of the Second ward, will take the chair occupied for so long by Mr. Kelly. Mr. J.R. Houghton will take that of Mr. R.C. Macon, of the Third ward; and "Jim" Steele, of the Fourth ward, will take that of Hymn Miller if he can get into it.

The opening services will have considerable interest. The council will have to elect at its meeting a city clerk, chief of police, four council-at-law, two aldermen, fire warden, port warden and harbor master.

As always, there are several notable candidates for the two first named offices—but the only two candidates who have developed any strength as City Clerk are E. B. Meade, the present incumbent, and W.H. Fletcher.

Mr. Meade is an acknowledged good clerk. He has held the office formally one year and is of considerable assistance to the committee. His chief weakness in the contest are the facts that he is a Democrat of prominently partisan activity, and also sits on the other side of the mayor during council proceedings so that the reporters cannot hear him and his papers.

Of these two the former will probably prove the stronger against him in the fight. As this was a term of strict party lines and at all the council doors were Republican, Mr. Macon's friends say that he has been none too easy, in view of the fact which has been preached a good deal lately that the Democrats last year, under the guise of 'compromise' took all the petty offices and left the honors alone to the Republicans. However, Meade is claimed to have a good fighting chance on his merits as a good clerk.

W.H. Fletcher is head bookkeeper at the railroad car shops and an excellent accountant. He has figured actively in politics, and is a member of the Republican county committee and treasurer of the Lincoln club.