The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-29
CITY ELLIG ENCE
For Additional city Intelligence see FIN Page.

meeting OF councils was nelu yesterday after.
noon.
Select Councit-Mr. Gray, from the Committee
on Water, reported o resolution, authorizing
contract with D Cramer & Son, for building the
engine and boiler-house for the water-works at
Roxborougb. Agreed to.
The following communication was received
from the Mayor:-0n the 26th instant l was
officially informed by the Committee on Street
Cleansing that the northern district of tue city
OF Philadelphia is in hlthy condition. At the
same tine they furnished me with a copy OF
resolution adopted by them recommending that
the contract with Messrs. Hill Il Smith should
be annulled. Accepting the statement and
adopting the suggestion of the Committee |
Immediately notified Messrs. Hill d Smith that
on the lst day of July proxImo their contract
would cease and determine. After that date,
therefore, no provision will exist for cleansing
the northern district of the city; and as il is
matter of the first Importance that this state OF
things should not be permitted to continue, |
respectfully and earnestly urge upon Councils
the necessity of adopting immediate measures to
meet the emergency. In this connection it is
proper to add that, although Messrs. Hill q
Smith have failed to comply with the covenants
OF their contract, the experience Of the past
four months has satisfied me that the system of
cleansing the city by competent contractors is
decidedly the best that can be adopted" Re-
ferred to the Committee on Street Cleansing
The Committee on Water reported an ordi-
nance making an appropriation of $65, 900 to
lay main on Columbia avenue. Postponed.
Mr.. Spering, from the Committee on City
Property, to which was referred the applica
tion OF the City Solicitor for additional room,
submitted report. The committee say that the
complaint OF insufficient accommodations is q
general one, the only public office buildings
owned by the city being the small Row offices
occupied by the county officers, and built more
than half century ago, when the population of
the city was not one seventh OF its present
number. The wants OF these officers have long
since outgrown their accommodations, and the
committee find it literally impossible to accom-
modate the City Solicitor in any building at
present owned by the city. The committee re-
port that the only remedy for this state of things
Is the erection OF new public buildings, and
would long since have recommended the crea-
ton OF loan for the purpose but that the diff
cultles In the city finances growing out OF the
war induced them to withhold such recommen-
dation; but as the necessity for such buildings
is more and more pressing, they recommend
that the whole subject be referred either to one
of the joint standing committees of Councils
or 10 JOINT special committee, with instruc-
tons to procure plans, specifications, and esti-
mates,of the cost OF proper buildings, such
committee to report to Councils as soon after the
summer recess as possible. The committee also
recommend that, with view to provide funds
for the erection of such public buildings with
out increasing the permanent debt, there be in.
serted in the tax levy for the next year an item
OF one-tourth of one per cent. for public build
ines This would yield on the present assess.
ment the sum of about $4OO, 900 If that amount
should not be enough, q further sum could be
levied IN subsequent year for the purpose.
The report closes with resolution for the
appointment OF special committee Of five men,
bers from each Chamber to procure plans and
the estimate of the cost of new buildings, and
report after the summer recess. Agreed to.
Mr.. Barlow, from the Committee on Street
Cleansing, reported against granting the con-
tractors for the Northern District $4,000 addi-
tional.
the Chief Inspector of Streets to cleanse the
Northern District until new contract for the
work has been entered into.
After considerable debate, Mr. Barlow said
hat a ftpr fhn dinoTl ho uUoo
OF opinion that the Committee on Street Cleans
ing had power to act. The resolution was then
postponed.
Mr. GRAY, from the Committee on Water
reported that, after examination it was believed
that the subject OF supplying the city with water
,trom the Perkiomen was worthy of more
extended investigation. The committee report
an ordinance appointing James f. Smith, Will
liam b. Morris, and Chief Engineer BIrkenbine
commission to examine and report upon the
subject. An appropriation or $4,000 is made to
meet the expense.
Mr.. Hodgdon introduced resolution authori-
Zing the Mayor to advertise for proposals for
cleansing the Northern District of the city. Re-
ierred to the Committee on Street Cleansing.
Mr.. Hopkins introduced a resolution that the
Mayor be requested to withhold the money due
to Hill Smith, street contractors, until salts
factory evidence is received that they hsYe paid
the laborers employed by them. Referred to
The Committee on Street Cleansing
Mr.. Marcus offered resolution instructlng
the Committee on Police to report an ordinance
10 prevent VagranCy. agreed TO.
The resolution from Common Council ap.
pointing special committee In reference to the
contract of Hill q Smith was concurred in.
Adjourned.
IN Common Councl-A communication was
presented from Hill Smith, asking to be re-
leased from the contract for cleansing the
northern part ofthe city, on the ground that
there was great~hostillty manifested to Hards
them. They also state that the streets in the
District have been cleansed, as we'll as the
inlets, and at cost Of $4,000 beyond the
amount allowed by the contract.
On motion OF Mr.. Harper, the communication
was referred to joint special committee OF
three from each Chamber.
Mr.. Derbyshire offered resolution requesting
the Mayor to withhold any moneys that may be
due Hill Smith, contractors Tor cleansing the
Northern District of the city, until he the
Mayor is satisfied that the laborers have been
paid. Agreed to.
communication was received from the
Schuylklll River Passenger Railroad Company,
asking the consent OF Councils to lay their track
N lie streets named in the act Incorporating the
| SAID Company.
Mr. Frauciscus submitted a resolution giving
| the consent asked for.
Mr.. Miller desired to know il this would inter.
| tere with the privileges granted the Hestonvllle
| Passenger Railroad.
| Mr.. Franciscus replied that the difficulties
| between the two companies had been settled
Mr.. Hancock desired to know in what way
| the matter had been settled-whether the ar
rangement was for the benefit OF the companies
or the citizens?
Mr. Franciscus said the Arrangement made
between the two companies ls, that each shall
use the tracks laid, and each bear proper
tionate expense of the work.
After some further discussion the resolution
vas adopted. Adjourned.
RELIEF OF CoLoRED FREEDMEN -
| ANNUAL REPoRT.-The third annual report o