At an election held on the 26th April, 1854, T. D. Brewster was elected Mayor, Antoine Birkenbuel, Alderman for the First Ward, David Dana for the Second Ward, and John P. Thompson, Police Magistrate. The Council elected Henry Jones, Clerk; Geo. W. Gilson, Treasurer; James Cahill, Collector; Geo. Low, Assessor; W. H. Foot, Marshal; William Lopstater, Street Commissioner; and A. F. Powers, Sexton. A question arose concerning the validity of this election. By the Constitution it is provided, that at all elections voting shall be by ballot on white paper. In this case ballots were found for Brewster for Mayor, printed or written on paper having a blue tinge--the ordinary blue tinged writing paper. It was contended that this was not white paper within the meaning of the Constitution. The former Mayor refused to surrender the seals and books of the City, and Aldermen Coffing and Coates abstained from the meetings of the Council. The question was carried by mandamus to the Supreme Court and decided in favor of the validity of the election. No provision was made for the payment of the interest on the Railroad bonds due on the 1st of May, until the 26th August, when a loan for that purpose was authorized. In this, as on former occasions of paying interest on these bonds, a loss of about $300 was sustained by the City which was made up from the general fund. This arose from the depreciation of the interest scrip issued by the company, which did not bear interest, and which was not convertible until the completion of the Road, and from exchange. In April of this year, the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad was opened to Rock Island, its entire length. No particular improvement in business took place in consequence. By a census taken on the 1st June, the number of inhabitants was found to be 3,036. In January, 1855, the new Market House and City Hall was completed. On the 10th February $2,600 of eight per cent. bonds were issued to pay the balance due the contractors. CHAPTER IX. Elections in 1855--City indebtedness--Issue of $5,000 eight per cent bonds--Resignation of the Mayor--Establishment of the "Peru Sentinel"--Elections in 1856--Railroad Round House burnt--$20,000 bridge bonds authorized--Appropriations for damages for flooded stores--Extra Railroad dividend--Hoffman House burnt--Chair Factory burnt--Geo. B. Willis--Extension of the City limits--Recorders Court--Elections in 1857-- Non-payment of interest on City bonds--Financial revulsion-- Fitzsimmons & Beebe's Foundry and Machine Shop burnt-- Elections in 1858--Issue of $5,000 ten per cent. interest bonds authorized--Rainy weather and bad roads--Revival of business.