The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-06-16
Our CITY Fathers.

""u oiui"a"'eS vi out CITY, AIT. hampton,
of the Republican, estimating his space to
be occupied in such way alta much lower
figure than we can possibly afford ours at.
These proceedings were always drag upon
our columns, and being wholly uninterestng
to our country subscribers, were on their
part the frequent subject of complaint and
We are now happy in being able to assure
them that the large space they occupied will
be filled with more interesting mattor.
To our city subscribers, however, who
feel some interest in the action of our public
guardians, We would say they shall not be
left unenlightencd We shall be careful to
give, in our local column, always as early
as, if not in advance of, the publication Of
the official journal, an abstract Of the pro.
ccedings of the council, noting every incl
dent and order that can possibly be Of into
rest. In this way, we have already given
the proceedings to May 9th, and below we
give an abstract Of the subsequent meetings,
including that of Tuesday evening.
May 9M-It was ordered that s. be ten
dered to DR.. Hard, as pay for damages to
horse and buggy suffered in consequence OF
the bad state Of the sewer at the southwest
corner Of Washington square. I'VE are
happy to note that the sewer has since been
repaired
A communication, asking the council TO
refuse the north side of the court house
square as place for shows, received no at.
tcntion. The council could have done no
better than act upon the suggestion. We
regard the occupancy of the ground in
question by the big tents of negro mclodists
and mouatcbauks as a nuisance and outrage,
and if the city council refuse to take the
matter in hand, acc pW
Mayor Norris made report TO the council
recommending sundry reforms, to wit the
reduction of the marshal's pay, allowing him
to follow some other business in connection
with the office the reduction Of the tax co.,
lector's per ccntage; the reduction Of the
city treasurer's per centage; and the adop.
ton Of O more stringent ordinance against
hogs running at large; whereupOn the coun-
eli came TO The following resolution: that
\ the per ccntagc Of city tax collector, in view
OF the increased amount TO be collected in
consequence of the new school law, be re-
duced from to q per cent. and that the
per centagc Of the treasurer, on city funds
received and disbursed by him, be reduced
from p to per cent Eut the marshal's
pay was left untouched, and in reference to
hogs running at large, the only action taken
was the voting down Of a motion made by
Aid. Bristol, that the city marshal be rcqui-
red to shoot all hogs hereafter found running
at large. The city pound, however, appears
to have been discontinued, and the finance
committee, at a subsequent meeting ordered
10 sell the lumber of which it was construct.
cd, from which the city, as appears by arc
port made on Tuesday evening, realized
$3775.
Messrs. Thornc and Gibson, who have
purchased several blocks on the fat on the
east side of Fox river, were allowed to en-.
close them, with the streets and alleys sub.
jeet, how ever, to the legal rights of other
owners of lots in that vicinity.
From May 9th to June 9th no quorum of
the council was got together.
June 5th and l2th.-An order was passed
that the city tax for the year 1856 be per
cent, and the amount Of road labor days
for each ablc-boded man in the city.
An ordinance was adopted on the subject
Of city auctioncers, providing for the licens'
ing Of 2 auctioneers for the city at $50 each,
to be allowed commission Of 10 per cent
on sales amounting to less than $50; per
cent. on amounts over $50 and less than
800; and q per cent. on amounts over
$l00 No other auctioneers allowed to sell
within the city, except the sheriff or consta
bles under process Of law, md other persons
on their own premises
The following supervisors Of streets were
appointed for the ensuing year, to receive |
$l.75 per day each for time actually en-
ployed: lst ward, Nathan Sawyer; Cd, My |
ron Dominy; Sd, W. j. Vaughn; 4th, II. !
W. Gridley 9th, Henry Deukert; 9th, j. b.
lIamalle; 9TH, Danl. Post.
The proposals for the city printing were
opened, and the bid of T. Hampton being
found lowest, the work was awarded to him. !
The finance committee were authorized to |
negotiate with the city treasurer for the pay.
mcnt Of all orders as prescntcd, allowing him |
interest at rate not exceeding IL per cent on |
sums paid over and above deposits in his
hands.
II. n. Kellogg and Jno. S. Mitchell were
elected city auctionecrs.
The invitation TO the mayor and council
received a week ago, to attend the celcbra
ton Of the 4th in the city Of Peru, was re-
ierred to committee, who reported in favor
Of its acceptance; but the matter Oh Tues !
day was laid over one week, and in the mean
time the mayor authorized 10 call a public |
meeting at the court house on Saturday eve.
ming, to take the matter Of the 4th into con-
sideration.
The new bridge on Courtney street (ucar
the bridge, south side was reported finish.
cd and accepted, and the contractors order
cd TO be paid therefor,
The keeping Of Madison street bridge was
ordered to be let to the lowest bidder.
Washington square was placed in charge
I'm Morrill,, who is allowed to cut the hay
in it as pay.
The council meets every Tuesday evening.
PicNic.--The score or two of happy ju-
vcnile faces we saw passing our Office on
Wednesday, was the school of Miss LApp,
~. Aac hna,,