Lowell City Council in 1924 – (PIP #63)

– Louise Peloquin

Dick Howe’s weekly “Lowell Politics” post keeps us abreast of City Council meetings and local events.

Let’s peek into century-old City Council meetings. More in the coming weeks.

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L’Etoile – December 23, 1924

FAVORABLE TO A SPORTS STADIUM IN LOWELL

     The City Council adopts the report recommending building an athletics stadium – Veto of the Plain Street playground overridden, but not of the John L. Durkin ground – Exchange of compliments on the occasion of the year’s end.

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McNABB,  AS CITY TREASURER STAYS ON THE TABLE

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     Last night, the City Council overrode the Mayor’s veto on the question of a John. L. Durkin playground. The Council also adopted the recommendation to build an athletics stadium in Lowell. On the other hand, the Council refused to act on the name of John H. McNabb, submitted by the Mayor for the position of city treasurer. Finally, the Council closed 1924 with flowery rhetoric.

     Yesterday’s City Council was the year’s last, except for a possible special meeting before January 1st to discuss the Beaver Brook Bridge issue if the electorate commission finishes counting the number of petitioners hostile to this project.

     Most of the session dealt with congratulating the new District 5 counselor John P. O’Connell, with expressing condolences and finally with saluting the end of the year and welcoming in the new one.

     After counselor O’Connell took his oath of office, counselor Daly, president of the sub-committee named by the Council, reported that his committee recommended building a public stadium in Lowell. This resolution invites the Lowell representatives to the State House Legislature to present a bill to create a five-citizen committee responsible for the Lowell stadium construction proposal. The Council adopted this resolution.

     The Council then adopted, by 11 votes, the appropriation of $3000 for the purchase of a playground on Plain Street, something which the Mayor had vetoed  because it was too expensive. Counselors Fitzgerald, Genest, McFadden and O’Connell did not vote.

     On the question of the $18,000 for the John L. Durkin playground, the following six counsellors voted against: Chrétien, Daly, Fitzgerald, Genest, Hennessy and Lambert. As the Mayor had already vetoed, the vote was sufficient to prevent the appropriation to pass because only eight votes were in favor. Counselor O’Connell did not have the right to vote because he had not participated in the first round.

     Counselor Daly, seconded by O’Connell, proposed nominating John H. McNabb as city treasurer. The verbal vote was welcomed by a salvo of NO’s. Only five counselors- Chadwick, Chrétien, Day, Fitzgerald, and O’Connell – wanted to act on the McNabb nomination. The name was therefore left on the table.

     The session ended with City Council members ceasing insults, exchanging bouquets and reestablishing friendly relations. (1)

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1) Translation by Louise Peloquin.