Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-04-28

uict vi Auuisuay cfeuihS' Jrcsiucnt MATS Ill
tho chair.
Mr.. Candy, chairman Of the street commit
tee, reported In favor Of curbing cutters on
Logan street, at an estimated cost of $40.
Also In favor Of swa-ding the contract tor
mason work at culvert on Monroe street, to
Washington Cox at $l.50 per perch, and the
brick WORK TO Robert Lee at $21.25 per 1000.
Mr.. Febiger, chairman Of the water commit
toe, reported that fire plug had been ordered
to be placed in the yard of Pussy, Jones & Co.
The committee on Public Buildings, report
ed adversely on petition Of Edwood Walton
asking permission to erect stand for sale of
CONNECTIONS, &C., In front of city hall.
The same committee reported adversely on
petition Of Chandler Lamborn and others ask
ing to rent certain space on the street for sale
Of country produce.
The committee reported that the contract for
altering tbs old Washington Engine house had
been awarded to John u. Haddock, at $129S.
Also that the contract for laying drain 10 the
city ball yard had been awarded to Michael
Dougherty at $3.50 per lineal yard.
Mr.. Febiger, chairman of the street commit
tee, reported IN favor of placing part Of old
Ferry load upon the city map, q, asked for
by the Messrs. Townsend, and the clerk was
directed to inform the chief engineer OF this
action.
He reported adversely on proposition of Gam
&c, for opening Vandever avenue.
On motion OF MIR. Febiger the finance COM
miltee were instructed to draw notes amount
ing to 5000 in favor of jeremiah Winslow.
payable in four MONTHS for rebuilding mill at
the Brandywine.
On motion the Clerk of the Council was d.
rected TO make application to the Judge for a
commission on James Whites property On
Railroad Avenue.
The Paw Roll of a.. IVata. n.u.A..
amounted to $l<2.l9.
MIR. Febiger presented au ordinance author
izng the Finance Committee to issue bonds,
to meet the expenses Of widening Water street.
MIR. Quinn introduced an ordinance author
izing the appropriation Of $500 to steam Fire
Company, and $3.50 to each hand company, the
ensuing year. 1t was read twice and referred
to the committee on law.
The Pay Roll of the Street Department amoun-
ted to $2S0.13.
Mr.. Candy gave notice that he would intro
,luce an ordinance at next meeting to provide
for the widening Of payements on Fourth Street.
Proposals Tor grading and paving the bed OF
Conrad stree. We're read.
Martin he g.io Sill, Quiglay Il Na,ls 10 ler
square yard, Il. ii. T.. Snnino.ls ~ per squ,i,
yard, WV. Simmons 80 81 do, ". ID. rayi,
W do. They were referred 10 the street COM
miltee.
Proposals for terra Gotta drain on King street
between Fifth and Sixth; Speakman 4 Bro,
SOS per lned yard Charles Maguiie 3. IL per
lineal yard.
Referred to street committee.
The Pay Roll IF the Miscellaneou, Depart
ment amounted to $l233.2S.
Alr. l'ickels presented a communication from
George V. Massey acknowledging the draft of
$7I5, stating that he only claimed 500 for his
services to the city, and that the remaining
part OF the sum was due TO four other gentle
men for services rendered, and he would on
instruction from Council TO pay over the sum,
otherwise he must return the draft.
II. MIR. Pickels offered u. resolution in,trlicting
Mr.. Massey to pay over the same to the parties
entitled for service rendered.
Mr.. Finhegan introduced resolution de-
nounclng the payment of any sum of money to
any party for efforts to influence legislation on
any subject.
He denounced the entire action as illegal and
said suit against the Council would be In.
stituted 10 recover said sum.
Mr.. Quinn defended Mr.. Pickles In procuring
Counsel, and remarked that the funding of the
100000 was an important measure which
alone would save the tax payers from imme-
date taxes that would counterbalance the
loss Of $3.50.
Mr.. Pickles said he had been advised to en-
ploy counsel by Democrats as well az Republic
cans, and he believed that the City had been
saved from measures which would have been
seriou, loss to the treasury.
Mr.. Hayes favored the direction OF the reso-
luton to the city solicitor for his opinion in re-
gard to the legality of the appropriation to Mr..
Massey.
Mr.. Baker made very clear and lucid argu-
ment in regard to the management of the af.
fairs of the cty,and showing the necessity of all
the appropriations which had been made.
Mr.. Febiger said that when he was chair
man Of the Street Committee he received con-
tracts for grading for 10 to 2j cents per cubic
yard for grading. lie was succeeded by a Dem.
octatand Immediately the price went up from
as $3.50.
BY change ofthe political scale he came into
the craftsmanship, and Immediately the price
went down to the old rate from Is to rs per
cubic yard.
MIR. Pickels replied that in case of the Audi
tor TO which MI. Hayes had alluded, that what
ever money was due was paid over to the treas
ury, as soon as the Finance committee had as.
certained the amount. AS to other insiuuations
he said the books of the city Treasurer and Aud
tor were open in business hours, and he defied
the strctest scrutiny.
Mr.. Maris called Mr.. Baker to the chair, after
which he gave short history of,he action of
the Legislature. After the visit of the members
10 TINS city they all seemed very friendly dis
posed, and he was led to hope that the meas
ures asked for by the council should pass. This
hope was dampened by the action of the SEN
ate on the introduction of the bill to appoint
water Commissioners. He thereupon advised
Inc employment of legal gentlemen to defeat
this bill, as he believed that the interests oftbe
city required 1t. They were employed and he
had voted to pay the bill. If it should be shown
tnat the money had been taken Improperly from
the treasury he would willingly pay his proper
tion ofit. The conduct of certain gentlemen
had made the course pursued necessary. Had
u not been for their opposition the measure
would have passed without the expenditure of
uoilar. lie was anxious that the people of
Wilmington should have better water TO drink.
anu snihciency to extinguish fires and he be-
iieVeu Mr. Massey and other gentleman had
rendered. valuable services in procuring the
passage ofthe necessary bills.
MIR. Quinn stated that while he was chair
man OF the Street Committee, every con.
tract was let to the lowest bidder Willie he
did not boast Of political honesty, lie deficd
any man 10 lay his hand on a single personal
| action cf his OF Il dishonest character.
There may however have been contracts Inv
| other committees of a questionable character,
/ put lie was not responsible therefore
| MIR. Febiger explained that he alluded to the
Committee on opening streets.
ar. Foulk said that certain committee n,
winch MIR. Hayes was chairman visited Dover a
rev years ago, and they returned with bill of
$500, and TO this day they had never shown
what became of the money.
Mr.. Hayes claimed that lie had authority to
act IN the case and in the proper place could
Alter other remarks of personal character
| ny Mes6rs Baker and Hayes, the resolution of.
iered by AIR. Pickles was adopted.
The resolution of Mr.. Finepan was inde6n;,..
| ly postponed
proposals were received from hurry & Nc.
Elwee to sledge rock on certain streets.
petition was received from G. G.. Lobdel
anu u Il. Townsend asking that Christians
Avenue DO put in travelling order.
| A communication from Chancellor Bates
| Thanking Council for an nrlinnnna hael. ~ =,