The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-01

| also ln iavor OF passenger railway on Twelfth
MI Hill offered a. resolution directing the Citv
Solicitor TO ascertain n the city has the power to
| prevent loads Of undue weight passing over the
| city roads and bridges. Referred TO High way
| COMMITTEES. This 10 Intended 10 prohibit wagons
| hauling four and five tons from the suburban
roads where their heavy burdens destroy the road
beds-Rep.l
Mr.. Mersnon presented an ordinance making the
penalty for using salt upon railway track in the
city one thousand dollars for each offence.
A motion to table was lost. The ordinance was
referred to the Committee on Law.
The petitions were sent 10 the regular committees.
The appropriation TO the Fire Department was
The appropriations to the Empire Hook and
Ladder, Congress and Kingsessng Companies
were increased from $500 TO S4OO and the bill
passed. The total outlay is $li3,3l6 %.
Mr.. Simpson called mp the bill 10 promote pub
lie cleanliness and health. II provides that by
permission Of the Department of Surveys, any
premises can be connected with sewer for the
sum of 81 so for premises under sixteen feet in
width, and $40 for all other properties, unless
owners Of premises have paid proportionally for
the sewers when SO shall be the fee. II also pro-
vides that a competent person be appointed TO
mrke connections where they may be within street
lines, the parties making connections to pay for
the cost OF reaching the sewers
The bill passed after nearly two hours debate.
Mr.. Evans offered a resolution instructing the
City Solicitor TO commence suit at once against
the parties emptying offensive matter into the
Schuylklll. .. ...-.- -. ,
Solicitor to restrain the parties from corrupting the
waters Of the pool from which the city derives It's
supply Of water
Mr.. Potter moved TO refer the subject TO the Oom-
mittee on Law. Agreed to.
The select Council resolutions of request to the
Legislature for certain important changes to the
city government " ere called up.
Mr.. Harper offered the following substitute;
Resolved, by the Select and Common Councils
OF the city Of Philadelphia, That highly appreci-
ating the superior intelligence high moral stand
ing, and rreproachable integrity OF the Legislature
Of the State, and humbly acknowledging our own
deficiencies we do most respectfully request your
sovereign bodies to enact such laws these Ooun-
Section L. That from and after the passage of
this act the Legislature shall fix the rate and levy
the taxes now authorized by law within the limits
Of the city OF Philadelphia, and place the same in
Section Q. That no salary OF any officer elected
by the people Of the city of Philadelphia shall be
increased or paid during the term for which he
Section 3. That it shall not be lawful for the
Councils TO exercise any discretion or Judgment as
10 the pay or compensation of any of the employees
Of the civ and II extra services have been rem
dered they shall not be paid for.
Section g. That any member Of the Councils Of
Philadelphia shall be ineligible TO any office of
honor, trust or profit either under the city, State
or general government for the balance of his ma
tural life.
Section g. That each member of the Councils
shall be sworn affirmed once month TO sup
port the Constitution Of the United States and Of
the commonwealth Of Pennsylvania, and that ne
will not receive any gratuity, enter In or be inter-
ested In any contract, and that he will in all re-
spects discharge his duties with fidelity.
O.. III
member Of Council 10 contract for furnishing sup
plies OF materials, even should the city be enabled
to contract with him nifty per cent. cheaper than
Section T. That from and after the passage of this
act the people of the city OF philadelphia shall not
have the right Of choosing their municipal Legls-
lature but the Judges OF the District Court and the
Court of Common Pleas shall appoint such officers
as may be necessary to carry on the city govern
ment together Win the directors OF tns Pu3Iic
schools so that the people OF the city OF Phiadel-
phia may understand that the dogma "tnat all
power springs from the people," heretofore con-
sideTed good Republican, Democratic and Amerl-
can doctrine, Is for the future ignored.
MIR. Harper said that the intention of the substi-
was to defeat the original bill. 1t is time for
Councils TO meet this matter squarely in the face.
The practice Of going 70 the Legislature for legts-
laton upon which Councils should themselves act
should be now snmmarily checked. If Councils
incompetent TO act for the city, and II they must
continue TO go TO Harrisburg for all manner Of
bills which can be enacted by Councils then Ooun-
ellis had better Rt once confess their own inefh-
cheney and request the Legislature TO put an end 70
Councils. 1t will be far better for Councils TO at
once end their sessions than petition the Legisla-
ure 10 do that for which the Legislature especially
MIR. Littleton said Mr. Harper had always been
the opponent OF the important measures of Select
Council. Two weeks ago he argued against the
proposition. When his argument failed he gives
the Chamber piece of pleasantly for the amuse-
ment of the members. II MIR. Harper has another
week for operation he will probably present spe-
cimen in the style OF Artemus Ward or Petroleum
V. Nasty. But the Select Council propositions
are just and wise measures. The amendments de-
sired simply mean an annual revenue equivalent
TO an annual expenditure. II is a return 70 the
safe ana wise policy Of the ante consolidation
times. The public debt Is simply an accumula-
ton of annual deficiencies. Had there been no
deficiencies the debt Of the city would be less by
about ten millions than IL is to-day. The Select
Council desires that no public officers pay shall
be increased during the term OF his office. This
was provision Of the old consolidation law, but
IL unwisely repealed. Another clause Of the
resolutions is for no extra appropriations. THIS
should be made law. There should be no more
appointments given 20 the courts. In time, IL the
appointing power be there vested, IL will break
down the courts, by subIecting them TO political
influences
Pending a motion 10 make the subject a special
order OF the day next Thursday, the Chamber, at
seven o'clock adjourned