The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-01-20
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

Mr. MACE presented the petition of Poultney
Trimble asking permission to erect small steam
engine on Bank street. Referred to the Commit
tee on Fire Companies.
Mr.. JENKINS presented petition from A. F.
Wilson and others asking that a shed be erected
near the Belair market on Ensor street. Referred
to the Committee on Markets.
Mr.. GRANVILLE presented petition from John
Evans asking to be remunerated (S30) for the re-
moval of trees from the Calvert street spring. Re-
ferred to the Committee on Claims
Mr.. NEWMAN offered resolution authorizing the
City Commissioner 10 place gas lamps at certain
points. Referred to the City Commissioner.
Mr.. BEALE presented an ordinance in reference to
the paving Point street from Philpot to Dock
streets. Laid on the table.
Mr.. TALBOT presented the petition of Patrick
Sharkey, asking remuneration (Sl5) for damages
sustained by the bursting of water pipe. Refer
red to the Committee on Claims.
Mr.. GLANvILLE offered a resolution requesting
the Committee on City Property to inquire into the
expediency of disposing of the City Spring Cal
vert street. Referred to the Committee on City
Property.
Mr.. RANDOLPH offered a resolution, That the
Joint Committee on Water be directed to inquire
into the practcability of transferring all matters
relating to pumps, wells and the city springs, from
the City Commissioners office to the Water Engi-
neer, under the direction of the Water Board, and
report to the City Council Referred to the City
Commissioner.
Mr.. RANDOLPH offered a resolution in reference
to the appointment of wharfnger. Referred to
the Committee on HarbOrs.
Mr.. RANDOLPH offered series of resolutions rela-
ting to the reorganization of the Appeal Tax
Court, and to provide for Board of Arbitration,
and asking for special committee to consider the
subject.
MIR. RANDOLPH enforced his remarks by saying
that many grievances were daily complained of in
regard to the collection of taxes, and he knew of in
stances where the costs had largely exceeded the
original tax. The impression was abroad in the
city among many persons that the municipal au-
thorities using their power to defraud the peo-
pie, and instances had come under his knowl-
edge where man was fully convinced that he had
been defrauded. The gentleman had been COM
PEELED to pay bill of taxes in which the tax was
Sl6 and the costs of collection S26. The gentle
man had gone to the Auditors office to inquire why
the costs were enormous, but had received no
satisfaction. He (Mr. Randolph,) had also called
at the Office and the only satisfaction he had re-
ceived was, that it was owing to advertising and
other expenses When asked for the bills of the differ
ent accounts they had not time to show them. He
could not say that he had been treated courteously
by the employees in the Office People aggrieved in
this manner would not 90 to the Mayor and state
their complaints, but they would form the opinion
that they were wrongly dealt with He desired
the resolutions to pass for the sake of giving con-
fdence to the people and of assuring them that err
rors would be corrected and impositions would not
be practiced.
Mr.. BEALE said he was compelled to dissent from
the resolutions He could not the propriety of
their passage. There would be complaints as re-
CARDS the collection of taxes, and they were to be
expected. Persons neglected to pay their taxes.
and when costs accumulated in their collection thev
complained. Besides the Council had no power to
create Board of Arbitration. The act of the Leg
isature would not permit it. He knew who was
the author of the resolutions. They had been pre-
sented before and he was familiar with their OBJ
iect.
1t was also doing injustice to the Mayor, and also
to the Auditors office, to create this Star Chamber
to sit in Judgment upon them If people would paw
their taxes there would be no complaints; but they
allow their negligence to impose costs on the col
lection, and then they cry that injustice has been
done them. The Mayor is the person to whom
complaints should be made. and he knew his Honor
would take pleasure in redressng them. Had not
the Mayor created the Mayors Court for the pur-
pose of doing justice to those who injured by
violence, and would he not also sit in Judgment
where persons had been aggrieved by the officers of
the civil offices? If there were malfeasance in that
office, his Honor would hold the party offending to
a strict accountability. He considered that the re-
solutions infringed on the rights of the Mayor, and
were in conflict with the act of Assembly, and
therefore they could never have his consent.
Mr.. MONTAGUE said he rose for the purpose of
heartily seconding the resolutions. He had been
ANNOYED by the number of complaints which had
been made to him in reference to this same matter,
and no later than to-day he had been shown bill
from that office, in which the costs were enormous
The figures were placed under the amount of taxes
and without any specification for what they were
and requested to be informed of the items compos-
ing the costs, and the only satisfaction which he
received was that they were for services rendered
by the employees of the office. When he protested
against such charges of the clerks took the pen
and scratched them off Now, if they were cor
rect the clerk had done injustice to the CITY: and
II they were not, then an imposition had been at
tempted to be practiced on the individual. He
knew nothing from his personal knowledge as re-
CARDS the manner of doing business in the Office
and he thought that the gentleman who filled the
office of Auditor would be the first to seek vim
dlcation in the manner proposed by the resolu-
ton.
Mr. RANDOLPH said that he had not come to the
Council Chamber to be brow beaten by any mem
ber and he who would attempt such course would
find himself mistaken. If the gentleman from the
Seventh ward Mr.. Beale) was as much mistaken
on general discussion as he was in this matter, he
was certainly a body of errors and absurdities.
When he said that the act of the Legislature forbid
such procedure that proposed, he was in error
The act did no such thing, and when he said the
resolutions infringed on the Mayors prerogative,
he also stated what the premises would not admit
He said that he had come to the Council to do what
he thought was right and to attend to his own bust
ness He could not be brow-beaten. He might be
drawn out or coaxed out, but never could be kicked
out. The gentleman talked about me not paying
my taxes.
Mr.. BEAIE-The gentleman is mistaken. l said
no such thing.
Mr.. BAIN.-I call the gentleman from the Seventh
ward to order.
Mr.. BEALE.-I did not say that the gentleman had
Mr.. RANDoLPH.-Had the gentleman paid atten-
tention to my remarks he would have understood
me to have said that l called for another person.
Mr.. BEALE.-lf the gentleman will allow me-
said that if persons paid their taxes they would not
have costs to pay. | did not say the gentleman
had not paid his taxes.
Mr.. BATN.-Mr. President, call the gentleman
from the Seventh ward to order.
The PprSJDFNT Tho pnntlaman Re NV bo
permission of the gentleman from the Second
ward.
Mr.. RANDLopH.-There is cause for complaint in
this matter and it should be remeded Some of
the employees do not discharge their duty, they
fail to present the accounts and then make parties
suffer for their negligence. This is wrong and de-
mands attention. If committee of three sensible
members on examination, say that there is no ne
cesslty for Board of Arbitration, that the crea
ton of such body would conflict with the Act of
Assembly, no member would rest more satisfied
than he would, but until such was the case he was
determined to press this matter.
Mr.. WooD said that while the wording of the res
buttons did make an attack the integrity of the
Auditor, yet there was a lurking insinuation that
all was not right. He the originator of the bill
which created the Office of Auditor and he looked
upon it as necessity. There must certainly be
complaints when taxes ten years standing were
collected This office benefit to the commu
nifty for it assured person when he purchased
property that there were no long tax bills hanging
over it. He did not like the resolutions and thought
their design impolitic.
Mr.. MONTAGUE said he had no design of reflect
ing on the Auditor.
Mr.. RANDOLPH said the resolutions were not so
intended, but there should be some change made in
the mann er of ransacting the business of that de-
partment.
The resolutions were adopted, and the President
appointed Messrs. Randolph, Wood and Granville
the Committee.
Mr.. MACE offered resolution directing the Com
mi
of opening Chestnut street through to Madison
street. Adopted.
Mr.. HENDERSON offered a resolution requesting
the Committee on Ways and Means to inquire into
the necessity of appointing an additional book keep
er for the City Collector. Adopted.
Mr.. MULES offered resolution authorizing the
Comptroller to pay to the order of the Presidents
OF the two Branches the of $780, to pay for the
portraits hanging in the Second Branch chamber.
Adopted.
Mr.. Balm offered aresolution in regard to paint
ing the cupola Of the spring house in Union square
at cost offs 35. Adopted.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM offered resolution requesting
the Mayor to furnish the Branch any information
In regard to proposed junction to be formed be-
tween the Northern Central Railroad Company and
the Philadelphia Railroad Company. Adopted.
Mr.. WooD presented ordinance in regard to
paving York street. Laid on the table.
MIR. CUNNINGHAM presented the report of the Pa
tapsco Fire Company. Referred to the Committee
on Fire Companies.
message was received from the Mayor vetoing
an ordinance in regard to extending the Port
Wardens line
communication received from the Board OF
Fire Commissioners which was referred to the Com
mittee on the reorganization of the Fire Depart
ment.
A communication received from the Trustees
of the McDonogh Educational Fund and Institute.
Referred to the Committee on the McDonogh
estate.
The Branch adjourned until this evening at five