The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-06-06
Council PROCEEDINGS.
REGULAR MEETING.

Minutes of the last meeting were read and
approved.
city council to rescnd the order passed at last
meeting directing City Attorney to prosecute the
suits commenced against p. DOnaghus and others
for trespassing upon Guyon street. was pre- esented
Carroll's motion that petition be ordered to lie
on the table was lost
Motion Of Calkins to receive carried
Burke moved that prayer Of petitioners be
granted.
Amendment by Carroll. to refer to special CON-
mittee for report to next meeting OF council, was
carried and motion as amended adopted.
Mayor Brewer appointed Calkins, Brunker and
Carroll said committee.
Proposal Of Justin Doran, to tend Columbus
street bridge. on motion of Burke, ordered to
lie on the table.
Report BY Supervisor Butler OF receipts for poll
tax aud money expended for street labor in the
Third Ward to date, was on motion of Calkins,
accepted.
City Surveyors report of grade established for
sidewalk, recommended for construction on Main
street, in front of block No. e. in Norris addition
to Ottawa. was presented.
On motion of Calkins, report received, and
the following order was passed:
Belt ordered BY he city Council Of ne city er Gts1'oa:
That the grade for sidewalk on Main street in
front Of block No. 6, Norris Addition to Ottawa,
be adopted.
The following communication was then read by
Mayor Brewer:
To the Board Of Atdernen Of the city Of OAaua,
IL, council assembled:
GENrLENKx--At the last meeting Of city council,
on motion of Alderman Rowland, order was
adopted by vote of seven ayes to six noes to re.
scind the resolution, passed April 1th 1858, in
relation to the acceptance Of bridges built by COM
missioners across the Main canal on Columbus and
Walnut streets which said resolution is follows:
"That the city council receive no bills or propo-
stions to attend said bridges, or either Of then,
I
whatever assume the care or control Of said
bridges either Of them, unless it shall be found
by Judicial determination, that the city Of Ottawa
is liable TO maintain and repair said bridges and
open them for the passage sfboats.'
At the time Of the passage of this resolution
deemed the action of city council judicious and
wise, and therefore gave 1t nay approval.
have always entertained the opinion, that the
law authorlsng the construction Of these bridges.
! and the levy of's tax the town for the payment
of the same, and requiring the city thereafter to
| take charge Of and keep said bridges in repair
was unconstitutional.
The reasons for my opinion have already been
| given in the opinion Of City Attorney, recently
submitted to city council, and think it unnecessary
| for me to embsdy them in this communication.
! The people Of the city never consulted in
regard to the construction OF these bridges, their
cost or location. Avery large majority OF property
! owners upon whom the burden of taxation for this
purpose comes, believe the action of the superv-
SOTS Ia levy OI tne thA lnNhllu MS
law was carried through the legislature without
reference to the wishes or interests OF those who
are required to bear the expense. not only for
building but for keeping IN repair and tending for
all time to come. The prevailing sentiment seems
to be that the city council ought not TO accept the
bridges unless compelled to do so after judicial
investigation.
! Sympathisng in this feeling. and believing the
| law unconstitutional, as before stated, do not
| think it would be right for the city council to
| accept and assume the care and custody of these
bridges until after the liability of the city in the
matter shall have been judicially determined.
| therefore return to you for reconsideration the
order passed At last meeting TO rescind the resoiu
tion adopted April 7th, 1868. Also the order pass
ed appointing special committee to report to city
council, whether or not the bridges had been prop.
! ery and substantially constructed, and had been
| fully paid for 7. F. BROWER,
Ottawa, May es. 1865. Mayor
Bruuker moved that the orders returned for
reconsideration be adopted, the veto OF the Mayor
| to the contrary notwithstanding.
! The vote on the motion for adoption was as fol-
lows:
| Ayes-Howland, Thomas, Strobel, Brunker, Mur.
| ray, Carroll. Leonardo.
Noes-Bell, Colwell. Burke, Miller and Calkins
| There not being two.thirds of all the aldermen
authorised by law to be elected IN favor OF the
orders returned for consideration, the veto Of the
| Mayor was approved.
Committees on ltreet and alleys and sewerage
were by request. granted time until the next ses
sion of council for report on sundry matters refer
| red at former meetings.
Burke, frsm financial committee, reported Tn
amended bill of Osman Hspemsn. for the sum Of
&lci.45. endorsed as correct and on his motion.
Clerk was directed to issue an order for amount Of
! bill.
| Strobel, from license committee, recommended
| change in the "Ordnance to license shows aud
| exhibitions" so that sll exhibitions given under
! canvass and combining theatrical, musical, gym
nsstic aud slight Of hand performances, be subject
| to pay the same license rs is now required from
circus or menagerie, and his motion, the matter
was referred to committee on laws and ordinances,
I Tor report 70 council ut next meeting.
| On motion of Rowland, Supervisor OF streets
was ordered to cause to be drained the alley in
| block No. "a, States Addition, from Washington
! street to Superior street
On motion OF Miller street and alley committee
were requested to report to city council at next
meeting, some plan for the improvement Of ditch
| to rSvine east az Bissell street.
On motion Of Colweli. Supervisor Of streets was
| ordered to notify owners Of property frOutiug ON
square in block number 50, States Addition to Ot-
tawn, to remove the manure and rubbish deposited
| in SAID square.
On motion of Brunker, Ordered that a special
committee Of three be appointed to confer with the
conmittee.representedb by X. Is. AcPhersON. Chair
man. in verbal communication submitted to
council, in relation to soldiers celebration, pro
isss.
| Brunker. Thomas and Burke were appointed said
committee.
| BILLS ORDERED rAiD.
| Justur Harris. marshal e74 30
JAS. FDerty. Madison Ut. bridge, 20 90
| II. 4. McCslet, Jaiier, ss 20
X. A. Smith, tire dept't sc:., "
Pat Ryan, masonry, 90
n. Numas, do 100
| NJ. Kcischell, street labor 30
Coprad kpishchell dn Sn