Austin Council Fines Absent Aldermen 1883
• Attendance Problem: Multiple city council meetings in January 1883 were poorly attended, with numerous aldermen absent each session. The council imposed $1 fines on absent members to encourage participation.
• Sparse Quorum: Only 2-3 aldermen showed up to meetings, making it difficult for the council to conduct business. At least seven aldermen were regularly absent.
• Repeated Adjournments: Unable to accomplish much with limited attendance, the council kept rescheduling meetings, pushing business forward to the following week multiple times.
• Enforcement Measures: The city took a firm stance by levying fines against non-attending aldermen—an early attempt to enforce accountability on elected officials.
Full Transcript
244
Jany 4/1883
Called meeting of the City Council Austin Tex Jany 4th 1883. Hon W A Daylor mayor Presiding Roll call Present aldermen Lawrence and Plath. Absent aldermen Metz, Kinney Schuber, Bruggerhoff, Radkey, Kupperz, Moreler Wilson A fine of one dollar was entered against aldermen Metz, Kinney, Bruggerhoff, Radkey Kupperz, Moreler and Wilson for non attendance at this meeting. On motion the Council adjourned until Monday January 8th 1883.
Jany 8/1883
Adjourned meeting of the City Council Austin Texas January 8th 1883 Hon W A Daylor mayor Presiding Roll call Present aldermen Bruggerhoff Moreler and Plath Absent aldermen Metz, Kinney, Lawrance Schuber, Radkey & Kupperz. A fine of one dollar was entered against aldermen Metz, Kinney, Lawrance Schuber Radkey & Kupperz & Wilson for non attendance at this meeting. On motion of alderman Bruggerhoff the council adjourned until Friday Jany 12" 1883. Read and approved Jany 12 1883 S. E. Purnee City Clerk
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245 Adjourned Meeting of the City Council Austin Texas Jan 8th 1853
Hon W A Taylor Mayor Presiding
Roll call present Aldermen Brueggerhoff Morell, Stork.
Absent Aldermen, Katz, Kinney, Schuber Lawrance Radkey Huppertz Wilson
A fine of one dollar was entered against Aldermen Katz, Kinney Schuber Lawrance Radkey Huppertz and Wilson for non attendance at this meeting
On motion the council adjourned subject to the Jany 11/53 Call of the mayor Read and Approved Jan 16th 1853 D L Burnell City Clerk