Untitled Document

MONMOUTH UNDER THE CHARTER.

Monmouth was organized as a city in 1852. Previous to that year it had been only a town, but it had grown to such a size that a more formal organization, and one which would permit of greater powers and privileges, was needed. Consequently a movement was set on foot which resulted in the passage of a special charter by the Legislature, approved June 21, 1852.

Section 1 of this charter provided "that the inhabitants of the town of Monmouth, in the county of Warren ana State of Illinois, be and they are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of 'The City of Monmouth,' and by that name shall have per petual succession, and may have ana use a common seal, which the} may change and alter at pleasure." Section 2 fixed the boundaries at one mile from the center of the public square in each direction, making the city cover four square miles of territory. Section 3 directed the President and Trustees of the town to divide the town into two wards, as nearly equal in population as practicable. Other sections related to the officers of the city, and their duties and powers. The charter also provided that an election be held on the first Monday in September. 1852, to vote for or against the adoption of the charter. If adopted, it was to take immediate effect as law.

An amendment to the charter was passed and approved February 16, 1859, curtailing the limits of the city to all ol Section 29, the east half of Section 30, the northeast quarter of Section 31. and the north half of Section 32. Another amendment changing the manner of the management of the public schools was approved February 21, 1863; and another, in 1865, gave to the council the power to "tax, regulate, prohibit and suppress tippling houses, dram shops, gambling houses, bawdy houses and other disorderly houses, within the city and within one mile thereof." It, however, forbade the licensing of any house or place for the sale or giving away of intoxicating liquors as a beverage.

The election to vote upon the charter was held as provided, on September 6, 1852, 139 votes being cast in favor of its adoption and only one against. This made Monmouth a city, and its limits were extended to include one mile in each direction from the public square—four square miles in all. October 4, 1852, the trustees divided the city into two wards, as re quired by Section 3 of the charter. The first ward composed all that part of the city east of East street (now First street), and the sec ond ward all west of that street. The voting place in the First ward was at the school house, and the voting place in the Second ward at the court house.

The election of officers was held October 23. Samuel Wood was chosen mayor; E. S. Swinney and William B. Rodgers, aldermen in the first ward; and N. A. Rankin, alderman in the second ward; James Thompson and Elijah Davidson being tied for the other aldermanship in the second.

The first session of the city council under the charter was held November 3. The first action was to appoint James G. Madden as clerk pro tern. An ordinance was then presented and adopted providing for the settling of tie votes on mayor or aldermen by drawing from a hat or box. At the next meeting the tie in the Second ward was settled and James Thompson declared elected. This first council elected B. F. Corwin, clerk; James Thompson, treasurer; George W. Savage, city attorney, and James Finney, city marshal.

History of Warren County

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Illinois Ancestors

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