The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-01
WAS MONEY USEnl
Alleged Corruption in Councils - The
Public Building Tax,

Public Building Tax.
At noon to-day the special committee Of
Select Councili appointed to ascertain the truth
of the charges that members of that Council
bad been bought mp to vote to overslaHgh the
message of the Mayor vetoing the ordinance
authorizing the levying of special tax for
public building purposes held a meeting. Mr..
John shermer, chairman, presiding.
The messenger was examined as to whether he
had subpenaed the witnesses. He replied that he
He wps then directed to call out their names aud
to asctl cain whether they We re present.
In stentoran voice he cried:-
James McManes!
wiliiam u. Kemble!
No answer.
Robert H. Beatty!
No answer.
Francis Wells!
No answer.
The Messenger-Mr McManus said that he was
not very well, and could not therefore very well
come.
Committeeman thiRk sir, that we ought to
get Mr.. Wells here somehow. Let the messenger go
over to the Bulletin and summon him.
This the messenger started to do, and then soon
"He win not come, said he
Mr. Shoemaker move that the chairman OF this
0e SeSr we nave phe Ut 'e re
enforce the attendance OF witnesses upon a sub
p9na issued by this body.
Mr. CochIan-We have now had three meetings,
and have examined but one witness. We have had
proper subpoena, signed by the Mayor and by the
chairman Of this committee, and by resolution
passed last Thursday, Councils gave us all the
power they could. Thus we have exhausted ali our
power, and II, after having been subp9naed, these
gentlemen will not come, we have no further busi-
ness but to adjourn. The opinion OF the City Soil
citor cannot better our circumstances. We have
not the authority to enforce witnesses to attend,
and should not squander our time any more.
Nr. Shoemaker believe, asimy brother Cochran
we had the City Solicitors opinion in support OF
ours, that we have no such power, then we might
adjourn without having the public infer that we did
not want to proceed with this investigation. II men
make reports in the papers about misdoings in pub
lie bodies assert that they will substsntiate their
charges whenever an opportunity is given, or such
substantation is required, and then refuse point
blank to DO SO when asked, committee OF lnVest-
that I am opposed to the further efforts by
this committee. No person wishes to know the
truth OF the charges in the editorials OF the Bulletin
more than myself. But believe that if the editor
OF that journal refuses to appear before and
tain his charges is OF no use for us TO waste our
time in the matter.
Mr. Shoemaker modified his resolution as follows:
That the chairman obtain the opinion OF the City
Solicitor as to the power Of compelling the attend
ance Of witnesses before the committee, and upon
the receipt Of the same TO call the committee to-
Mr.. Rice, President of the Building Commission,
was present, and when he took his departure
General Coils said I'll would like to have the
committee remember that Mr.. Rice has been faith
full in his attendance"
Alton, yts!"
The committee then adjourned.
THE MORTALITY OF THE CITY.-The number
of deaths in the city for the week ending at
noon to-day 261, being a. decrease of "a
from those of last week, and 55 less than those
of the corresponding period of last year.
OF these 140 were adults and 121 minors. 1913
were people of the United States, and Sc were
foreigners. "a were people of color. 13 were
from the country. The principal causes OF death
were:-C Cons umption of the lungs, so; disease of
the heart, 12; marasmus, z; old age 9; con.
vulsions, IA; congestion he brain, 2; and
debility, 10.
The deaths were divided as follows among the
different wards