The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-29
AN INFORMAL MEETING I
THE CITY COUNCIL.
The Bill of T. Cowell q Co.

An informal meeting of the city council
was held last evening at the council room,
all the members being present except Aid.
Yates.
Mayor Butler stated that he had called
the meeting so that the new members of
the council could be informed as to the
bill for extras of T. Cowell & Co., our late
water works contractors, and thus give
them an opportunity to act understanding
ly for or against the bill before the matter
came to trial 10 the circuit court, where it
is now pending. He said the total amount
of the bill was about $4,000, but that he
was in favor of paying only for the first
item, as allowed by the old council, and
vetoed by Mayor Davenport This bill
was for back filling the water trenches and
separating rock from earth, and the con-
tractors had charged at the rate of s cents
per foot for the work. which amounted to
1904 The council only allowed one half
the bill, 1892. but Mayor Davenport
vetoed it, believing that the work done
was covered by and paid for under the
contract. The second and third items in
the bill were for back-flling the trenches
in earth and for cutting out and repairing
bursted water pipes after they had been
tested and covered with earth from two to
fifteen days.
Mayor Butler said that Mr.. Cowell was
present and he could probably explain his
reasons for presenting the bill, and also
under what circumstances the work was
done.
Mr.. Cowell then requested his counsel,
Hon. j. B. Hawley, to explain the several
items in the BILL which he did, in some
what lengthy manner. He claimed that
the items charged were not in the specif-
cations or contract, and that the work had
been done by order Of the city authorities
MIR. Mitchell, late president of the water
board, stated that that body had examined
the bill at the time and that one-half of
the first item was recommended to be
paid, but that the second ana third items
had been referred to the council without
the approval of the board, on the ground
that none Of the city officers had kept any
account of the matter and that the board
considered the prices charged as exhorbi-
tant. In answer to a question from MIR,
Hawley, he said that if it was proved that
the amount of work charged was really
done then he thought the contractors were
entitled to compensation, but how much
he could not say.
AID. Daily here called attention to the
fact that the city had employed men to
fill I'd the water trenches on Illinois
street. along the line of the street
car track, and also on Washington
street between Illinois street and the river
Aid. Lundy enquired of Mr.. Hawley al
to the object of the meeting--if it hac
been called in order to effect compro-
mise.
Mr.. Hawley replied that the mayor hac
called the meeting and that he could prob
ably answer that question better than an.
one else. He said that he had met Mayo
Butler on the street short time ago ant
that they had conversation in referenc
to the bill, and that the mayor had request
ed him to have Mr.. Cowell come to thi
city AMI confer with the new council oil
the subject, and see if the matter coul'
not be settled without going into tn
courts. He would answer MIR. Lundy
however, by saying that if the bill, as pre-
scented, is paid, the suit now in our circui
court will be dismissed The idea tina
they would be so kind and so obliging as t
dismiss their case after the city had pal
all they ask and when they would then hav
no case to dismiss was quite original.
The mayor again stated that his only OF
} ect in calling the meeting was to allow tn
new members to become acquainted wit
, the facts in the matter. A suit had a
J ready been commenced IN the circuit cour
; and he believed there were items in til
, bill which ought to be allowed, and whic
. had been allowed by the council but vetoe
} by the mayor. He believed in allowin
t Just the amount which the council conside
ed due. As it now is, he said,if Cowell
2 Co. prove that they are entitled to only
' the cost of the suit would come on the cit
and these were the reasons why he wante
the council to examine the bill again befol
q rejecting it.
Aid. Lundy then made suggestion
which were agreed to, that the finan'
committee and the mayor consult with Il
city attorney and ascertain how much,
their opinion, the city really owes Cove
& Co., and report at the regular month
meeting, next Monday evening.
Lacking Pubic Spirit.
II ia humiliatinp IN confess that the mi