The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1852-09-22
81 eAs Cssy Usnnssl ON Mssaay
Lat

Proceedings ~ sAs Cssy Cssnssl ON AEesaay
last.
Alderman Burt, MeHenry, Pelan, and
McNamara we've oil the members present ., the
lass meeting Of the COUNSEL.
In the absence Of the Mayor, and Mayor pro
ten, Alderman Pelan was elected to the
Chair.
A committee Of two. consisting Of MessFs
Burt and McHenry, was appointed 10 adopt
plan, and TO receive proposals tor the improves
ment Of streets north Of Tenth and West Of
Iowa.
A commanicatioA was read from the CITY
Treasurer with account sales furnished By Cook
Sargent 4 Co Of sale Of City bonds, amount
ing nett to Slo,lsSs9
The following 10 the communication in full:
TRxAsuRrR's Orricx !
DUBUQUE Sep 18TH 1852.
To tbs Hon. TIE Mayer and A.dermea Of TIE
Cityof Dubuque.
In laying before yon the account sales Of the
ten thousand dollars City B,nls, furnished by
Msssrs Cool, Sargent & Co., Of this City, which
please find enclosed, permit me to Offer q few
remarks on certain circumstances connected
Herewith.
1t may be proper first to state, that Mr. Hig-
gnson Of the firm Of Cook, Sargent & Co., in
formed me that in addition TO the "A per cent
paid Z. w. Clark, Dodge 4 Co, for negotiating
the Bonds, they, Cook Sargent & Co., were to
have the difference in exchange between here
and New York say ! Per cent. making in round
Numbers Sl25.o which to gc.her with the q
per cent Com, makes $375,oo.
Mr.. Higginson also informed me, that they
were to have the use Of the Money, whilst it
was being dsbursed by the City Council Such
being A. Mr.. Higginson stated MIR. Farley's
contract with them.
This would make Cook, Sargent 4 Co, De-
facto City Treasurer as far as the proceeds Of
the sale Of the B .nds was concerned whilst the
Charter Of the City Of Dubuque. Says Sec {.
"Therc shall be elected by the qualified Electors
of said city on the hrst Monday of April annually
a treasurer, who shall hold his Office for the
term Of one year and until his Successor shall
be elected and qualified" The Chart1r further
says, Sec l9--"That all moneys raisei, recover
ed, received or collected, by mean. Of any Tax,
license penalty, hne, forfeiture, or otherwise,
under the authority Of this act or which may
belong to said City shall be paid into the City
Treasury, and shall not be drawn therefrom ex
cept by ORDER or under the au hori,y Of the City
Council.
hriv IN fho nj ~ iaau L r an 4
see by what authority Mr.. Farley could make
any contract making any party Treasurer for
any sum Of money belonging 10 this City, other
than the one elected by the People. The City
council collectively don't possess that power,
much less one Member Of that council, though
that Individual should be Mayor look upon
this contract Of Mr.. Farley. as far the keep
ing of the money is concerned, direct viola
ton Of the City Charter, and consequently lille
gai--an imputaton on my integrity and rrspon
sibility a. man and my standing as "a citizen
in this community, to neither or which | am
willing to submit.
If there exists the shadow Of cause, for this
unwaranted stretch OF authority, respectfully
but earnestly demand, an investigation OF my
whole course Of action during three years tina,
have acted a. treasurer and to which have
been elected by a Majority of my fellow citi-
Gems.
My Bond with Hon. John G. Shields Of this
city as security in the penal Sum of Ten Thous
and dollars, has been fled in the recorders Of
fee for the faithful discharge Of my duties as
Treasurer. If that amount was not consid
cred sufficient or if the security was not enough,
why not call for an additional amount and fur
ther security, before thrusting me as i were out
of Office uncourteously and unceremoniously-
what the cause, the motive or the purpose was,
am unable to say.
It carries on the face Of it want Of conf
dence that wish to zee corrected, at least de-
mand a test.
have been elected treasurer Of this City by
the free choice Of the People, have qualified
and given Bonds for the faithful performance Of
my duty, and that duty wherever it may lay
shall continue to discharge.
Very respectfully your
Obe't Serv't
B. j. O'HALLORAN,
Treasurer Of the City Of Dubuque.