 While on the council he was instrumental in securing the passage of an ordinance requiring applicants for a saloon license to get the consent of nearby property owners.He was opposed to the idea of civil service in municipal government, telling a reporter that 

Men won't work as hard when they know their jobs are secure as when they are likely to be discharged ... Oh, I know that the applicants have to pass some sort of examination, but that ... only proves they are best in that examination ... Men don't do a good day's work under civil service.They know their positions are secure, and they loaf.