The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-15
CITY INTELLIGENCE
Eor Additional O.tg Lntei.genoe see min PAGE.


dering the thanks OF the city to members OF
the House OF Representatives, especially those
from the city OF Philadelphia and State of Pen
nsylvania, for their exeItlons in behalf of
League Island. Thanks we're also rendered to
the Secretary OF the Navy Tor his interest IN the
subject. The resolutions we're adopted.
Mr.. Van Cleve, from tl G special committee on
the reception of the State flags, submitted an
ordinance making an appropriation of $4,000
TO meet the expenses.
Mr.. Van Cleve SAID that the amount was fixed
alter careful estimate Six hundred color SER
geante and twelve hundred orphan children I
will have TO be cared Tor, in addition to the ex-
pense of staging and decoration in the Square,
$500, and fireworks, $1,000. The amount origi-
Dally reported was much larger than this, but 1t
was cut down, and was nov as low as II could
be made consistent with the magnitude of The
display.
The ordir ance was adopted by unanimous
vote.
Mr.. Gray, from the Special Committee on
the improvement OF Broad street. submitted
report, with the proceedings of the meet
ing OF citizens (alreauy published). An
ordinance was also reported, authorizing the
paving, grad ing, and macadamizing of Broad
street, according 10 The plan referred to.
Che bll does not make any appropriation,
and enacts that the work shall not be com
menced until the appropriation is made by
the.city for chat portion OF the cost adiudged to
fall upon the corporaton.) The ordinance was
adopted.
A communication was received from the Trus-
tees oil the Cuy Ice Boat, stating that a contract
had teen made with George Cramp Tor an iron
ice boat, for the sum of S92,500. Referred to
Committee on finance.
Mr.. Bumm introduced a resolution, instruct
ing the Committee on Port Wardens to report
an ordinance prohibiting the leasing Of wharves
on the Delaware, between Poplar and Almond
streets, for the deposit of manure. Referred to
Committee.
The ordinance from Common Council appro-
priating 81 075,0O0 to pay the interest on the
debt Of the city falling due July l, 1866, was
The ordinance from Common Council appro-
priatlng a site Tor new station house in the
Eleventh Ward, and designating the present
station house Commissioners Hal) tor school
purposes, was concurred in.
The resolution from Common Council with
reference to the adjournment. of Councils on
the l2Ih OF July, wa, concurred % in. Adjourned;
the City Solicitor, in reply to communication
from the Commission appointed by act OF Legis-
lature for the erection OF a bridge over the
Schuylkill at South street, was presented by the
President, Mr.. Stokley;-
The City Solicitor says:-I have carefully con-
sidered the act, and have arrived at the follow
ing opinion as to the power and the duties OF
the Commission
The authority conferred by the law is unusual,
and il construed as removing from Councils their
ordinary control over q great public improve
ment would naturally excite the strong eppo-
sition OF the city aud its departments.
law requiring the Commission to commence
the erection of the bridge within twelve months
from April s, 1866, and yet allowing the Councils
until July l, 1867, to enter into contract and
commence the erection of the bridge, would
seem to involve contradiction. If the Com
mission don't CONNER ce before 9th April, 1867,
they violate the law which requires them to pro-
ceed, and if they do ter into a contract, it is
liable TO be utterly set at naught by the action
OF Councils any time prior to July l, 1867 But
if the statute is 10 be acted on it should receive
construction which shall grant it the boon OF
life, not infict death upon the law or any of its
members.
Chief Justice Mexican, as long ago as 1876,
ruled that 'where the inten Ion of the Legsla'
ture or the law is doubtful, and not clear, the
Judge ought to interpret the law TO be what is
most copsOnant to equity, and least inconve-
nientn The propriety of that rule Is well illus
rated by the present case for unless it is applied
here the proviso might, as repugnant to the
enactlng clause, be declared void. Is Pennsyl-
vania Law Journal, 60l.)
am, therefore, of the opinion that, under the
law, 1t is the duty OF the commissioners to COM
mence some time before April 8, 1867; but that
before proceeding they should enclose copy OF
the act to Councils, and calling their attention
to its provisions, invite their direction or CO.
operation.
contest the law, or that, on the other hand, they
might at once proceed to enter into contract.
II the latter course should be adopted, the
power and duties of the Commission at once ter
inmate.
do not know that any fuller expression OF
opinion is desired. If so | shall be happy to
reply to any particular points or questions
which may be suggested.
The opinion, and the documents accompany
ing it, were referred to the Committee on
Finance.
Mr.. Marcer, of the Finance Committee, re
ported an ordinance appropriating 81, 5000 to
pay interest on the funded debt of the city TALL
ing due July l. ADOPTED.
MIR. Harper offered a res luton instructine
the Committee on Police to report an ordinance
10 prevent the erection of heavy signs on the
tops of buildings. Referred to Committee on
Police.
Mr.. Ellington submitted an ordinance pro
viding for the erection of a school-house on the
site of present Northern Liberties Hall, in the
Eleventh Ward, which was agreed to.
Mr.. Grifliths, OF the Committee on Trusts anC
Fire, reported an ordinance making an appro
priation OF $500 TO pay salaries OF two additiona
bell-ringers tor the State House, so that the
Slate House tell can be at all times of fire.
Not agreed to--yeas, IL; navs, 20.
The ordinance from Select Council, dividing
the First and Second Police Districts into three
was considered and adopted.
The ordinance from the same Chamber ap
propTiating $4,000 to pay expenses incurred il
reception OF flags, was taken up. Ado pied
yeas, 25; nays, 8.
The iollo wing resolutions and ordinances frou
Select Council were concurred in:-Returnin
thanks to members of Congress; for erecting
river wall at Farmount Park; to pay damages t
trees, etc., IN laying pipe; 10 renew the lease
rooms for Recorder OF Deeds office; providing
Tor the purchase of lois in the TWenty-third an
Twenty seventh Wards.
The resolution from same Chamber, instruc
ing the City Solicitor to commence prosecutio
ae ainst the City Commissioners for misd
meanor in office for unlaWfully purchasing SUI
plies in 1885, was agreed to.
The ordinance from tie same Chamber, pr
vIding Tor the Improvement of Broad street, wf
taken up, but the Chamber adjourned before au
final action was taken.
ARRIVAL OF EMIGRANTs.-The packe