The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-18


OF Seventeenth, was passed.
Also, an ordinance appropriatipg 500 TO
pay the salary of the Secretary of the local
board of the Twentieth Section.
Also, one to expend $1,000 in rendering
weather-proOf the roof of the Lincoln Gram
mar School of the Fifteenth Section.
A report from the School Committee rec
ommendiDg the creation of a loan of $685.
COO for school extension purposes, was re-
ftrred to the Committee on Finance.
A bill authorizing the purchase of lots on
the northeast corner of Eleventh street and
Lehigh avenue, another on the southwest
corner Hancock and Cumberland streets, and
third in Adams street, was referred TO the
same committee for consideration.
Mr.. Jones, of the Committee on Law, re
ported that, in accordance with specific in
structions, certain matters in connection
with the collection of the militia tax have
been closely investigated. The report repre-
sents that the complaints of so many citizens
of unlawful collection and of unwarrantable
Inconvenience and exactions to parties inter-
ested are most certainly well founded.
More than this, the report says these griev
ances inflicted upon our citizens by the pres
ent deputy collector could, and should have
been, entirely avoided. When the present
Receiver of Taxes entered upon his official
duties, he appointed, at the request of the
Military Board, Edmund Randall as a deputy
to collect the militia tax for the year 1868
The Receiver, Mr.. Melloy, had list of all
the delinquents Tor said tax prepared by his
predec, ssor in office. This was the official
basis for said militia tax. 1t was placed at
the disposal of Mr.. Randall 1t was valuable
because it presented the names of those who
had paid the tax and of those who had de-
cllned to do so. The list was so perfect
that it included the names of those
who, for valid and sufficient reasons, were
excused from paying the tax. The
port states that by that gentleman it was
contemptuously ignored, and that he pro-
cured the list as originally made of all per.
sons liable to military duty, as returned to
the City Commissioner. This, the report
states, includes not only the names of all
who had already paid their tax, but of all
those who, for proper reasons, had been eX-
empted from the payment of the tax. The
report further states that this class of people,
when presenting the documents in the shape
either of receipts for payment, or of absolu.
tion from the necessity of payment, were
treated at the room of the tax-gatherer with
contumely in all cases, with indignity in
some and that the general bearing of the
officials toward them was swinish. People
crippled for life, it is stated in the report, as
well as those trembling in the decrepitude of
extreme old age, were serenely informed that
unless they paid the tax, their little posses
sions would be seized upon and sold. The
committee report that, in one case, man
was informed that the crutches supporting
his mutilated form were liable to distraint
lOC WduI Ol pay menu OF Gn6 mlllJla LAX. Il0
committee regret the apparent absence of
any power in Councils to control the course
of conduct pursued by Mr.. Melloy's sub
ordinates in office, and state that the redress
of these grievances rests wholly in the magma
nimity and conscientiousness of the individ-
ual in question.
From the Committee on Law was received
a report that City Councils do not possess
that degree of canine power that enables
them to put a tax upon dogs.
Mr.. Smith reported an ordinance appro-
priating $4,000 to erect morgue at the juno
tion of COrinthian avenue and Brown street.
Passed.
Mr.. Francscus, of special committee, re-
ported adversely to the experiment of mac
adamizing Rope-terry road at the expense
of the city. The report was accepted, and
the committee discharged.
The resolution from Common Council
notifying the Arch-street and Hestonville
Railroad to remedy the disgraceful condition
of their tracks, was unanimously concurrel
in.
Also, one rearranging the election divisions
of the Twenty-siXth Ward.
The resolution to open Williams, Memphis,
and Sheridan streets was also concurred in.
The one changing the place of voting in the
Second Division of the Twenty y-ffth Ward
was indefinitely postponed.
A batch of highway bills were concurred
in.
Also, one to change the place of voting in
the Thirteenth Division of the Fifteenth
Ward.
Also, one authorizing the City Solicitor TO
employ additional counsel to argue the case
of the constitutionality of the registry law
Adjourned.
COMMON BRANCH.-The Chamber was
draped in mourning in respect to the memory
of David McClaIn, Esq, late representative
in Common Council from the Fourth Ward.
Joseph f. Marcer, President, called the
members to order shortly after three o'clock,
and the following business was transacted:
From the President of South-street Bridge
Commission, Mr.. Moses A. Dropsie, was
received communication requesting an ap-
preparation of 800 for the payment of inter-
est on such bonds as may have been issued
by the Commission prior to that date. Re-
ferred to the Committee on Finance.
Several petitions asking for the laying of
the Nicholson pavement on Broad street.
south of Coates, were received and appropri-
| ately referred.
Mr.. Fareira presented resolution direct
| ing the Chief Commissioner of Highways to
| notify the officers of the Hestonville Man
| tua and Fairmount Passenger Railway to
| have Arch street repaired and put in proper
| condition. An amendment including Race,
| Vine and Twenty-6rst streets was agreed to,
and the resolution passed.
A number of petitions were presented and
| appropriately referred:
One, presented by Mr.. Calhoun, called for
the opening of Sixth street, from Miffltn to
Moyamensing avenue, and Seventh street,
| from Celest to Moyamensing avenue.
| A resolution offered by Mr.. Harrison, to
| have the fence across Sheridan street and the
| DIRT on said street removed, was referred to
the Committee on Highways.