The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-12
CITY INTELLIGENCE.


The lobby attendance was limited The weather
outslde was too pleasant, and the usual lobby
members were summing themselves upon the toad
stools in Independence square. This wasthe busi-
ness transacted.
Select Branch.--President Spering was in the
chair; quorum present
Voluminous batch of private petitions were
presented. They mainly ask for facilities OF gas
and water paving and grading They were re-
ferred to committee.
Twenty eighth, and other streets, in the Twenty
sixth ward; also, one for permission to erect a
wooden building at Sixteenth and Fitzwater.
One was presented for the construction of a sewer
at Seventeenth and Fizwater. This is named as
Especial claim, as II Is necessary that oulvert
should be run from Seventeenth street to Twenty
fnh.
ESQ, Chief Engineer of the Water Works, rela-
tive TO leasing for refreshment purposes the house
OF Paramount garden. Mr.. GraefT suggests that
the mansion may be needed by the city before tho
end Of a year.
Mr. Hodgdon offered a resolution that the Chief
Engineer Of the Water Department be authorized
to rent the Tefreshment saloon at Fairmount at
such rate as he may deem proper, and for such
time as he may consider that the Water Depart
ment can dispense with its use. This resolution
A resolution was offered that the contract for
supplying iron pipe for the city be awarded to r.
ID. Wood & Co., as thus:
For inch pipe, y feet long, $40 for 9e4O lbs.
one:halt OF o,inOh pipe (adveFtlsed fOr se7 90 60
Branches sleeves, &c, 4 cents per pound.
Mr. King objected In earnest terms. He said
that he had received credible information that
lower bid had been made and he wanted little
light on the subject
Mr. Hodgdon admitted that this was the case.
gentleman last year having the contract failed to
perform it. His place was burned down, and he
could not fulfil his contract His time was ex-
tended, and when the pipe did come 1t was OF
much inferior quality. Besides this, there was
streets were prepared to receive the pipe.
Mr.. Shermer explained that the difference in the
cost of the pipe last year, between the two lowest
bidders was but 5000. The city had lost great
deal more than that, first by delay, and second, by
the interior quality of the iron.
Mr.. Smith said that this was the first time ne
had ever heard that Mr.. Middleton's pipe of
inferior quality. But the extension given to him
by Councils has not yet terminated Councils
dealt hardly with him. In the midst of his Gala
nifty he went out and bought pipe that he might
fulfil his contract. If it was of inferior quality,
he obtained the best he could.
MIR. King claimed that Mr.. Middleton's bid is
$22OO lower than that of the Messrs. Wood, and
the Committee is bound to give it to him: He has
filed ample security, and has ground for action
against the city in case the contract is not awarded
to him. Mr. King earnestly urged reference or
Water.
Mr.. Cattell explained that he was one Of the
committee who awarded the contract TO Mr Mid
dleton. He was now in favor of giving 1t to Mr..
Wood because he did not believe that Mr.. Mid
dleton could by any possibility fulfil the contract
He had encouutered misfortune, and for this the
speaker was extremely sorry But the city wants
the pipe very badly, and the contract should be
given 10 the person best able to fill 1t. Mr.. Mid
dleton is virtually released from his late contract
and it is well tor the city to render itself liable
to second disappointment in the same manner
After a long debate note was received from the
Chief Engineer, explaining that, even with the
cash difference against it, the offer of Mr.. Wood
was the most advantageous for the city. Mr.. Mid
dleton has not yet recovered from his disaster,
while Mr.: Wood is all ready to begin the WORK
Besides, the pipe should be cast vertically, and
this Mr.. Middleton is not able to do.
The matter WAS recommitted
A note was received from the Oity Solicitor rela-
tive to the extension of Fairmount Park reporting
the late setting aside by the District COURT of the
award made by the jury OF damages on the extern
sion of the park TO the owners of the property to
be taken. He suggested the appointment of a new
committee to settle all claims before new legal pro-
ceedings shall be commenced
Mr.. Wagner moved that Joint special commit
tee of three from each CHAMBER be appointed to
adjust all these claims.
Mr.. King said that four out OF six OF the jury in
that case had been impeached by the Court. He
would not take the judgment OF that jury. The
awards made that were low were very low; those
that were high were very high. The one was as
unrighteous as the other What was the cause for
the low awards the speaker could Judge. The
cause for the high awards was equally palpable
The speaker thanked the City Solicitor for his sim
cerity, but he (Mr. King) would not serve upon
such q committee, and hoped that none OF mis-
brethren in the Chamber would do so.
Mr. Kerr thought that committee of Councils
could best do this duty because, after all, the en-
tire Councils would act upon the matter.
A motion to postpone, and make the subject the
special order for next meeting, was not agreed to.
The resolution was agreed 10.
The bonds of Messrs. Hill and Smith, street con-
tractors, were released.
A petition of the West Philadelphia Fire Com
pany that they may cross this side the Schuylkill
in case of fire, was referred.
a pill to pay sundry long pending claims against
the city was passed.
Mr.. Hodgdon reported the condluon OF the Olty
Treasury, as follows: 80 -
Cash balance on hand April L, 1907, Sl,24l,3ll 70
To payment of interest
on city loans, SOO4,2oo 10
To payment of U. S.
fund securities, 236,357 w
To payment of sundry ,oo .. .,o,,o,, ,o
claims, 34O,OSS lu-DliSfl'oll 20
A resolution instructing the Committee on Sur
veys 10 inquire to the expediency OF construct
ing a culVert oyer Oohocksink Greek, ana opening
Columbia avenue, was referred.
A batch OF police appointments were tneh con-
frmed. ...,- ,,--,-
sioner of City Property erect a fountain in each
square, of halt an acre in extent, and one foot
deep, for the special use of Young America.
MIR, Smith read an extract from some newspaper,
which he said embodied his views. Such foun-
tains exist in Paris and in them the children sail
their boats miniature ships bearing the flags OF
all nations.
The subject was referred to the Committee on
City Property. ~,
The resolution Withdrawing the request to the
Governor not TO sign the South Street Bridge Dill
Col Page said that he owned much real estate
in South street, near Nineteenth. IL would be
much enhanced in value by this movement, and
so would all the property in the city. The city
had sadly neglected this porton' Whlch mas no
outlet save the miserable Penrose Ferry Bridge
vet the speaker would never vote for the erection
of this bridge outside of the city authority, and
given over 10 jobbers and speculators' lie could
we'll understand how such Jobbers and railroad
companies should advocate the building OF the
bridge, no matter now II IS done. ,-.,- ~,
Mr. Kerr said he had authority direct from tine
Governors lips to say that he woula Yeto the oll
nniess Conncils directed him 70 do other wise. He
Iii do IN the matter exactly as Councils desire
II Councils stand firmly, this bridge VIII not tnii
year be built, and the treasury Will h0Ve hIl'
yest nom the proposed phlebotomy'
Srta snbIect was indefinitely postponed
a resolution to advertise for supply OF tram