Part 71 (2/2)

SEC. 11. The said corporation shall have power to regulate all streets, alleys, sidewalks, drains or sewers, to sink and keep in repair public wells, remove nuisances, and make other such needful regulations not incompatible with the laws of the state as shall conduce to the general interest and welfare of the inhabitants of said town. To provide for licensing, taxing and regulating auctions, retailers and taverns, theatrical and other shows of amus.e.m.e.nt, to prohibit tippling houses, gaming houses and other disorderly houses.

SEC. 12. The by-laws and ordinances of said corporation shall be published in a newspaper in the county or posted up in some public place in said town fifteen days before taking effect thereof, and the certificate of the recorder upon the town records shall be sufficient evidence of the same having been done and every annual election herein authorized shall be preceded by five days' notice thereof put up in three public places in said town.

SEC. 13. That the streets and alleys of said town shall const.i.tute one road district including the several roads leading from said town for the distance of one mile from the corporation limits.

SEC. 14. That the mayor or a majority of the councilmen may call a meeting of the town council whenever in his or their opinion the same may be necessary. The mayor and councilmen shall receive such compensation as shall be voted them by the inhabitants of said town in legal meeting a.s.sembled.

SEC. 15. This act shall take effect from and after its publication.

SMILEY H. BONHAM, Speaker of House

JOHN J. SELMAN, President of the Senate

Approved January 15th, 1849.

ANSEL BRIGGS, Governor

Secretary's Office, Iowa City, Iowa, March 27th, 1849.

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original act now on file in the said office.

JOSIAH H. BONNEY, Secretary of State

FIRST CITY OFFICIALS OF CEDAR RAPIDS

At 1 o'clock of April 4, 1849, the citizens of Cedar Rapids met at the school house, in accordance with the requirements of the law, and proceeded to elect town officers under a charter issued by the legislature and approved January 15, 1849 (for text of this doc.u.ment see Laws of Iowa, 1849, p. 116). The first election was in the nature of a ma.s.s meeting. William P. Harman was made chairman and Arven Kennedy, John H. Brooks, and John G. Cole selected as judges of election. Eber L. Mansfield was clerk of election. These judges certified to choice of votes as follows:

Mayor, Martin L. Barber.

Councilmen, Joseph Greene, Stephen L. Pollock, and James Leverich.

Recorder, Homer Kennedy.

The mayor immediately took the oath of office before John L. Shearer, justice of the peace.

The first meeting of the council was held May 11, 1849. Action was taken appointing Lowell Daniels treasurer of the town, to give bonds of $20. It was resolved that the munic.i.p.al seal ”shall consist of a raised circle nine-tenths of an inch in diameter, enclosing an equilateral triangle.” The first ordinance in preamble declared, that ”there exists in the town divers unwholesome cellars, dung heaps, horse stables, cow stables, barns, yards, hogpens, and other nuisances.” The object of the enactment was to abate these conditions. In July, 1849, Homer Kennedy resigned as recorder and Porter W. Earle was chosen in his place. A sort of omnibus ordinance was pa.s.sed October 23, 1849. This prohibited the sale of spirituous liquors, required that shows or other exhibitions should pay license of not less than one dollar nor more than ten dollars. A further section fixed penalties for disturbance of any public meeting. This ordinance was given effective publication by being ”posted at G. Greene & Bro.'s store.” Other ordinances, we find, were ”posted on John Coffman's door.” John H. Brooks, marshal of the town, was on November 8, 1849, allowed the sum of $16.73. Getting possession of so much money he immediately resigned, presumably to enjoy it without official cares.

THE SECOND ELECTION

The second election was held at the school house April 3, 1850. For mayor Martin L. Barber received 39 votes and Johnson Hill 27. For recorder John Palmer received 63 and Lawson Daniels 1. Stephen L.

Pollock, Thomas Downing and Charles C. Cook were the successful councilmen, the defeated candidates being George H. Ely, Joseph Greene, Isaac Cook, and W. P. Harman.

This new council on April 11, 1850, resolved to form a board of health, but at the next meeting this action was rescinded. In its stead an ordinance was pa.s.sed for preservation of public health. Enforcement of these provisions rested with the marshal. In May an ordinance was pa.s.sed permitting Harvey C. Higley to retail ardent spirits, upon giving a good and sufficient bond ”to keep a good and orderly house, not permitting any gambling, drunkenness or rioting about his house or premises.” Such bond Mr. Higley refused to execute, and the employment of counsel was authorized to commence suit against him for violation of ordinance. July 24 a health board was appointed consisting of Drs. J.

F. Ely, S. D. Carpenter, and J. C. Traer. The marshal, under direction of the board, was to abate all nuisances. The first recorders of the city were evidently not of fixed mind or habitation. John Palmer resigned as such December 8, and S. C. Koontz was chosen to fill the vacancy. Isaac Cook was made attorney for the city in pending litigation.

THE FIRST TAX LEVY

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