The new Democrat Mayor speaks April 16th 1881

The following is taken directly from the minutes of the City of Plattsmouth, NE. The occasion was the regular meeting of the Council and the installing of the new Mayor Captain John O'Rourke. Before reading the speech given by Mayor O'Rourke please know that he was a Democrat in a Republican part of the country. Not given high odds to win the election due to the overwhelming number of Republicans in the area he had still managed to win. Today, when I listen to the words of Barack Obama I think of the speech below and wonder how different the Democrats of today are from those of the 1880's. It almost appears that the two parties the Republicans and the Democrats have completely switched sides over the years as I feel I would more likely hear John McCain say these words than Barack. Read the speach and let me know if you think I am right or wrong on this as I am certainly interested in your views. Anyway in honor of the Republican and Democrat conventions I now give to you without further ado the acceptance speech of Captain John O'Rourke as he became Mayor of the city he called home: Council Chamber Plattsmouth Neb April 16th 1881 His Honor the Mayor Mr. Johnson then administered the oath of offices to the Members of the Council and to Mayer elect & declaring said official duly installed in the respective offices. His honor the Mayor John O'Rourke in taking the chair made the following remarks. Gentlemen of the Council In assuming the office of Mayor of the City of Plattsmouth it is with deep appreciation of the burdens that the assumption will impose upon me, made none so by the able and careful administration of my predecessor Mayor Johnson. The future permanent and prosperous growth of our city is on measure assured by the amount of capital now in the city and being continually augmented by business new and capitalists who look with favor upon on advantages of our city. And it becomes the duty of those entrusted with the legislative and administrative interest of our city government to encourage the good completion of work under way by a course of most prudent and economical action. I would especially direct your attention to the adoption of measures for the punctual collection of all back taxes now on the City Treasurers books which if paid to day would give very material aid to our city and which have been allowed to accumulate from year to year without legal excuse or justice to those tax payers who pay their taxes. I direct your attention to the condition of our Main street and the side walks and crossings on those streets believing that their is no burden that our taxpayers and property owners would respond to as cheerfully as having our Main streets in a condition calculated to challenge their attention instead of the ambush of a stranger who chances to visit our city. The law instructs these improvements to be assessed directly to the abutting property and when vacant and unimproved property is worth what it is in Plattsmouth it shall bear this burden. The condition of our city should be improved, and to that end care should be exercised in contracting indebtedness and all reasonable means exercised to discharge all legal outstanding claims. I would suggest measures for an adornment of streets and public grounds and rigid protection to trees, shrubbery each planted per that purpose. I would urge the cleaning of our streets, alleys and grounds, and the alteration of the sanitary condition of our city and thereby add to present reputation of our city for health. I would ask reasonable and legal means of creating the revenue by our levy of special taxes on such business calling and property as are calculated to bear the same and would especially adopt and confirm the collection of tax upon the dog population of the city. I ask in conclusion the individual and unified assistance of your body as well as the hearty cooperation of our citizens in this exercise and discharge of my duties wile knowing that without that aid I can hope to accomplish little. Very Respectfully John O’Rourke Mayor