Buchanan County, Missouri - Chapter 12: Municipal Offices and Their Incumbents. - the Board of Town Trustees, and the City Council. - President and Mayor, Clerk, Register, 1900

And Auditor, Collector And Treasurer And Office And Duties

MUNICIPAL OFFICES AND THEIR INCUMBENTS. - THE BOARD OF TOWN TRUSTEES, AND THE CITY COUNCIL. - PRESIDENT AND MAYOR, CLERK, REGISTER AND AUDITOR, COLLECTOR AND TREASURER AND COMPTROLLER. - THE ENGINEER. - THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. - ASSESSOR, COUNSELOR, STREET COMMISSIONER, LICENSE INSPECTOR, SUPERINTENDENDENT OF BUILDINGS, BOILER INSPECTOR, AND MINOR OFFICERS. - SALARIES, TERMS OF OFFICE AND DUTIES.

The municipal affairs of St. Joseph, like those of other incorporated communities, have always been administered by men chosen by the people. As a town the administrative function was vested in a board of seven trustees, who selected one of their number as president. Hie first board, elected in 1845, was composed of Joseph Robidoux, president; Isadore Barada, John F. Carter, Johnson Copeland, Wiley M. English, Sinclair K. Miller and Benjamin Powell. The next board, in 1846, was composed of Wiley M. English, president; Preston T. Moss, Johnson Copeland, Allen G. Mansfield, Posey N. Smith, Henry S. Creal and Joseph Robidoux. The board for 1847 was composed of Henry S. Creal, president; Wiley M. English, Johnson Copeland, Preston T. Moss, Edward Searcy, William H. High, Aaron Lewis and James B. Gardenhire. The board for 1848 was composed of Lewis Tracy, president; Joseph Smith, William Ridenbaugh, Preston T. Moss, Samuel D. Overstreet, Thomas Wildbahn and James A. Anthony. The board for 1849 was composed of James A. Anthony, president; John Whitehead, Henry S. Creal, Thomas Price, Wiley M. English, Thomas Wildbahn and Lewis Tracy. The last board was composed of James A. Anthony, president; Lewis Tracy, John Rhode, William M. Carter, James B. Pendleton, Abraham M. Dillon and Lewis Stigers.

As a city the chief executive has been the mayor and the legislative powers have been vested in a council composed of two representatives from each ward.

THE COUNCIL. - The first council, elected in 1851, was composed as follows, there being but three ward^: First ward, John Angel, James Pendleton; Second ward, William M. Carter, James Pendleton; Third ward, James A. Anthony, John H. Whitehead. For the ensuing years the representation was as follows :

For 1858-59 - First ward, J. N. McAshan, John Rhode; Second ward, O. B. Knode, J. A. Chambers; Third ward, John J. Johnson, Samuel G. Floyd.

For 1864-65 - There were now five wards, represented as follows : First ward, Thos. H. Ritchie, Wm. Z. Ransom ; Second ward, John R. Bell, W. L. Chadwick; Third ward, John Corby, George T. Hoagland; Fourth ward, J. D. McNeely, A. Andriano ; Fifth ward, FT. N. Turner, Jeremiah W halen.

For 1869-70 - First ward, Florence Kiley, J. C. Kessler; Second ward, Robert Gunn, I. Van Riley; Third ward, John A. Dolman, J. A. V. McNeal; Fourth ward, D. H. Winton, Phillip Pinger; Fifth ward, Patrick Early, M. Fitzgerald.

For 1887-88 - First ward, Chas. Nowland, Thos. R. Ashbrook; Second ward, George W. Morris, (Mr. Lewis resigned and his place was left vacant); Third ward, J. C. Gregg, Ewald Padberg; Fourth ward, Wm. H. Jones, O. M. Spalsbury; Fifth ward, Wm. E. Jamieson, John B. Ryan.

For 1890-91 - In 1890 the city limits were extended and the territory divided into eight wards. There were sixteen aldermen as follows: First ward, Hans Nelson, Wm. Dersch; Second ward, James M. Hall, D. E. Marshall ; Third ward, Samuel Ostrander, J. W. Lancaster; Fourth ward, John L. Zeidler, T. W. Hackett; Fifth ward, Patrick Martin, Henry Ellinger; Sixth ward, Joseph Hermann, Edward B. Felling; Seventh ward, Stephen T. Pendleton, A. E. Arnell ; Eighth ward, Charles A. Pfeiffer, James W. Mansfield.

The council passes laws for the government of the city, authorizes the expenditures of money, levies taxes, grants franchises, confirms or rejects appointments, and exercises a general legislative power over the corporation. One of the members is elected president each year. For the purpose of facilitating business, the president appoints standing committees, of three members, on finance, streets and alleys, public improvements, public health, fire department, workhouse, public buildings, water and gas, ordinances, street lighting, claims, rules, auditing, judiciary and legislation. When a measure is introduced it is referred to the committee which has in charge such matters. This committee makes a report at some future time, after consideration, and the council is generally governed by the report. It requires a majority of the members present to pass a measure. The president of the council is authorized to act as mayor in the absence of that official.

CLERK, REGISTER AND AUDITOR. - The late General Ben. F. Loan was appointed clerk and attorney at the first session of the town trustees, in 1845. Levi T. Carr was clerk in 1846, James B. Gardenhire, afterwards attorney general of Missouri, in 1847; Ben F. Loan in 1848, A. D. Madeira in 1849. I*1 1850-51, the late Joseph

Under the city charter which went into operation in 1851, the city register's office was -created. The register was a combination of secretary to the council and city accountant. The office was first held by Milton H. Wash, who served 1851-56, and who compiled and published the first city ordinances. William C. Toole succeeded Mr. Wash and served 1856-64, when the late John A. Dolman was elected. Major Dolman served 1864-66 and was succeeded by Thos. H. Ritchie, who served 1866-68. Col. Robert C. Bradshaw, who had distinguished himself in the war, was elected in 1868, and served two years. In 1870 W. W. Brown was elected and served four years, being succeeded by Hardin A. Davis, who served until 1877, when he was succeeded by Enos J. Crowther, who served until 1880. The late James H. Ringo was elected in 1880 and was succeeded in 1882 by the late Francis M. Tufts. Mr. Tufts was the last register. He was elected in 1884, for two years. When the new charter was adopted he resigned and was made auditor.

Purd B. Wright was the first city clerk. He was appointed in April, 1885, and served continuously until April, 1896. Mr. Wright created numerous features of this office and brought order out of a wilderness. His work, his indices and his classifications are of immeasurable value to the city. He was succeeded by Charles S. Shepherd, the present incumbent. Mr. Wright is now librarian of the free public library. The city clerk is appointed by the mayor and council. The register was elected by the people.

Mr. Tufts was succeeded as auditor by Harry C. Carter, in 1888. Oswald M. Gilmer was elected in 1890, and served four years. He was succeeded in April, 1894, by Thomas R. Ashbrook, the present incumbent, who has twice been re-elected by the people.

COLLECTOR AND TREASURER. - The constable collected the taxes under the town organization, and the marshal under the city organization, up to 1866. Thomas Henry was the first collector, serving 1866-70. He was succeeded by H. R. W. Hartwig, who served 1870-72. George M. Hauck served 1872-74; Daniel T. Lysaght, 1874-76; James A. Millan, 1876-78; H. N. Turner, 1878-80; Joseph Andriano, 1880-84; Harry C. Carter, 1884-85.

The collector paid the moneys over to the city treasurer, who was generally connected with one of the local banks. Robert I. Boyd and John Curd kept the city's moneys in the town days, and John Curd was city treasurer from 1851 to 1863. George Lyon succeeded Mr. Curd and served three years. In 1866-68 Samuel Mc- Gibbens was treasurer, and was succeeded by W. H. Collins, who served one year. Ignatz G. Kappner served 1870-73 ; H. N. Turner,

1873-74; W. B. Johnson, 1874-77; George C. Hull, 1877-79; George W. Belt, 1879-81; Christian Frenger, 1881-82; Thomas W. Evans, 1882-84; John Colhoun, 1884-85. The collector was elected by the people and the treasurer appointed by the mayor. Under the charter oi 1885, these offices were merged. Harry Carter, who had been elected collector in 1884, for two years, resigned and was appointed collector and treasurer for the year 1885-86. The collector received fees under the old system and the treasurer received a salary. The office is now elective and the salary is fixed bv the council. Harry Carter was elected to succeed himself, and served 1886-88, when he was succeeded by George C. Crowther, who served 1888-92. Joseph Albus served 1892-96, and was succeeded by Rice D. Gilkey, the present incumbent.

THE COMPTROLLER. - This office is a check upon the auditor and treasurer. Nor can any money be appropriated by the city unless the comptroller certifies that the amount is in the treasury to the credit of the fund from which it is to be drawn. He also countersigns all warrants upon the treasury, redeems outstanding bonds, pays interest coupons, and is the city's fiscal officer.

Gen. James Craig was the first comptroller, the office having been created under the new charter. He was appointed in April of 1885 and served two years. In 1887 he was succeeded by William B. Johnson, who served until 1895, when he was succeeded by John P. Strong, who served two years, and was succeeded in 1897 by M. M. Riggs, the present incumbent.

THE CITY ENGINEER. - In the early days there was a town surveyor. The first man to hold this position was Capt. F. W. Smith, whose plat of the town Robidoux had accepted. He was succeeded in 1846 by Simeon Kemper, who had also made a plat, that was rejected, which is to be deplored, more at this late day than ever, as Mr. Kemper's plat is said to have been provided with wider streets than Captain Smith's plat. Mr. Kemper served until St. Joseph became a city. Charles Schreiber was the first city engineer, serving 1851-54, when he was succeeded by M. Jeff Thompson, who served 1854-56. Simeon Kemper served in 1856-57, and was succeeded by ChaPes Hausding, who served 1857-59. P. K. O'Donnell was engineer in 1859-62, and was in turn succeeded by Mr. Hausding, who served 1862-66. John Severance served 1866-70, when he was

1870- 76, and was succeeded by Thomas Long, who served 1876-77. M. J. McCabe was engineer 1877-82, and was succeeded by Frank Fanning, who served 1882-85, when he was in turn succeeded by M. J. McCabe, who served until 1891, when Charles W. Campbell, Jr., took the office. Mr. Campbell served until May of 1898, when he was succeeded by J. R. Rackliffe, the present incumbent.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. - During the California emigration days, when St. Joseph was filled with a miscellaneous population that lived principally out-of-doors, waiting for the grass to come, it became necessary to have a health officer to enforce sanitation. Dr. Daniel G. Keedy was appointed by the board of town trustees in 1849, and served one year. He was succeeded by Dr. Josiali H. Crane, who held the office for two years, being the first appointee of the mayor and council when St. Joseph became a city. The place has been held by the following physicians since then : Dr. James Sykes, 1852-55; Dr. John A. Chambers, 1855-56; Dr. Crane, 1:856-57 ; Dr. C. F. Knight, 1857-58; Dr. J. G. Meacher; 1858-60; Dr. Knight, 1860-61; Dr. Hugh Trevor, 1861-62; Dr. W. I. Heddens, 1862-64; Dr. James F. Bruner, 1864-66; Dr. F. T. Davis, 1866- 67; Dr. A. V. Banes, 1867-69; Dr. J. D. Smith, 1870-71 ; Dr. Knight,

In 1890-92, Dr. W. T. Elam was assistant health officer to Dr. Berghoff. In 1894-96, Dr. J. R. A. Crossland (colored) was assistant to Dr. Geiger. In 1896-97, Dr. Levi Long was assistant to Dr. Davis, and in 1897-98, Dr. Graham was Dr. Davis' assistant.

In 1890, a city dispensary was established and the office of city chemist created. The dispensary was located at the city hall. The duties of the chemist were to analyze milk and food, to compound charity prescriptions, to act as clerk of the board of health, issue burial permits and to keep vital statistics. Logan D. Currin was the first city chemist. He was succeeded by Ed E. Hunter, who held the place continuously until the office was abolished in the first part of the present fiscal year, 1898-99. The office of assistant health officer was also abolished at the same time. Under the present plan the steward of the hospital, who is also required to be a physician, fills all of these places.

COUNSELOR. - Prior to 1877 there was no regularly employed attorney to give advice to the mayor and council and to defend suits against the city. At least none is mentioned in the chronicles. The first regular counselor, as near as can be ascertained, was Benjamin R. Vineyard, who was appointed by Mayor Beattie in 1877. Mr. Vineyard served until the spring of 1879 and was succeeded by Andrew Royal, who served 1879-80. Mordecai Oliver was counselor to Mayor Piner in the first year of his administration, 1880-81, and Samuel B. Green in the second year, 1881-82. Vinton Pike held the position under Mayor Posegate, 1882-84, and was succeeded by James Limbird, under Mayor Hartwig, 1884-86. Under Mayor .Doyle, 1886-88, Thomas F. Ryan was counselor, and he was succeeded by Morris A. Reed, who served 1888-91, two years under Mayor Englehart and one year under Mayor Shepherd. Samuel P. Huston served 1891-95 and was succeeded by William K. Amick, who served 1895-97 and was succeeded by Benjamin J. Casteel, the present incumbent. The office is filled by appointment in the oddnumbered years.

LICENSE INSPECTOR. - This office was created in 1885, and James W. Fowler was the first incumbent. He was succeeded in 1889 by Joseph E. Cook, who served until 1893. Edward Burns served 1893-95. John D. Clark served 1895-97, and was succeeded by Louis Herwig, the present incumbent. This office is charged with the enforcement of the license ordinances and the incumbent is also the inspector of weights and measures.

SUPERINTENDENT OF BUILDINGS. - This office was created in 1886 and Seymour Jenkins was the first inspector, serving two years. He was followed by Myron Lytle, 1888-90; Joseph Massard, 1890-92; Thomas Winn, 1892-94; George W. Bulger, 1894- 96. Lyman W. Forgrave is the present incumbent. This officer issues permits for the erection of buildings. He is charged with the enforcement of the ordinances relating to construction, and has the power to condemn unsafe or unsanitary buildings. He is appointed, holds his office during good behavior, and receives $900 per annum salary.

MINOR OFFICERS. - The city weighmaster is stationed at Patee market. At one time there were public scales at the workhouse, at the cast end of Frederick avenue, at Tenth and Francis streets, and at Seventh and Messanie streets. These have all been abandoned.

Fhe sidewalk inspector was formerly part of the engineer's corps, but is now appointed by the mayor. The sewer inspector is an employe of the engineer's office.

The boiler inspector, appointed by the mayor, is charged with the inspection of steam aparatus. Phillip Hart, the first inspector, was appointed in 1886 and served until 1892, when he was succeeded by George Zipf, who served two years and was in turn succeeded by Phillip Hart, who served until 1887, when he was succeeded bv Gustav Geis, the present incumbent. In connection with this office there is a board of two examiners, appointed by the mayor, who pass upon the qualifications of steam engineers.

During the days of steamboat traffic there was a wharfmaster, whose duty it was to regulate affairs at the landing. During the latter 6o's and 70's there was also a wood inspector, whose duty it was to certify to the quantity of wood in a load.

TERMS AND SALARIES. - There is a city election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in April of each year. The mayor, collector, auditor, police judge, city attorney and eight aldermen-at-large are elected in the even-numbered years. A local aiderman from each ward is elected in the odd-numbered years. The other city officers are appointed by the mayor and council. The terms of all officials except the building inspector and attaches of the fire and police department, are two years. The salaries are fixed by ordinance before the term of office begins. At this time the mayor receives a salary of $2,400 per annum. The treasurer receives a salary of $2,000 and five per cent on all delinquent taxes he collects ; he is authorized to employ one deputy. The auditor receives $1,800 per annum and is provided with a clerk. The police judge receives $r,200 per annum and the prosecuting attorney $1,000. The aidermen are paid at the rate of $4 for each meeting they attend, but cannot draw to exceed $300 per annum.

The following are the officers appointed in the even years, together with their compensation: Superintendent of streets, $1,000; superintendent of workhouse, $600 and 15 cents per meal; health officer, $1,000; steward of hospital, $900 and 15 cents per meal; impounder, fees; market-master, $600; weighmaster, $600; sidewalk inspector, $900.

The following are appointed in the odd years : Counselor, $2,000 ; engineer, $2,300 ; comptroller, $1,800 and deputy; city clerk, $1,500 and deputy; assessor, $1,000; license inspector, $900; boiler inspector, $1,000; two examining engineers, $75 each; chimney-sweep, fees.

The park commissioner, one member of the charity board and three members of the library board are appointed each year, the terms being three years. No salaries or emoluments are attached to these places.

The engineer appoints his deputies, who are paid out of an expense fund provided for his department. The assessor is also authorized to employ deputies during January, February and March of each year.

The chief of the fire department is appointed by the mayor and holds his office during good behavior, as do also the employes of the fire department. He receives a salary of $1,800 per annum, and his assistant receives $1,200. Foremen receive $75 per month, and firemen receive $60 per month for the first year of service and $70 per month for subsequent years.

The superintendent of electric light is appointed by the mayor and holds his office during good behavior. His salary is $1,800 per annum. The attaches to his department are appointed by the council committee on street lighting.

The superintendent of streets and the council committee on streets and alleys employ the men engaged in cleaning streets. The repair of streets, however, is with the engineer's department.