The daily gazette., 1876-08-24
FIRST EDITION
Mr.. McMenamin,s "Extr.vAc.n.s.. ).

Mr.. McMenamin's Extravaganza"
HOW HIS APPROPRIATIONS COMPARE WITH
PREVIOUS APPROPRIATIONS.
In view Of the fact that Mr.. McMena-
min, chairman of the City Council Street
and Opening Streets Committees, has
been charged with official extravagance
and mismanagemant. a glance at the fol-
lowing figures. gathered from official
sources by our reporter, will show how
compare with the appro-
priations expended by previous commit
tees.
In 1873, when Mr.. VIM. Candy was
chairman of the Street Committee, and
Mr.. c. Febiger of the Opening Streets
Committee, the appropriations under
the care of these two committees were
as follows:
For repairing and cleaning sts. $40, 900
For repairing and grading streets 10000
For sewers. ....".......... ......... 10000
Total, $4,000
These appropriations were not lncrea-
sed during the year, the immense aggre-
gate Icing sufficient for all the work
done.
In 1874, when Messrs. VIM. Candy and
John ii. Adams controlled the two COM
mittees, the appropriations were:
For repairing and cleaning sts...S30, 900
For opening and grading streets. 10000
Total, $43, 900
On January % q, 1874, note for 49,,
993.53 was given to Quigley and Bro., on
account of repairing and cleaning streets,
and in October the sum OF $1,000 was ta-
ken from the appropriation for sewers
and added to the appropriation for re-
pairing and cleaning streets, leaving the
aggregate amount $43, ,993.53.
In 1875, with Messrs. VIM. Candy and
VIM. M. Candy in charge, the appropria-
tions were:
For repairing and cleaning sts $50, 900
For opening and grading streets. 5000
For sewers..'.. ......"..."... 4.OOO
Total, $4,000
Towards the close of the year it was
found necessary to increase the first ap-
preparation 5000 and the second $4,000,
by extraordinary appropriations taken
from the lamp, centennial, police, print
ing and other appropriations. This in
creased the aggregate to $4,000.
In 1876, with Mr.. McMenamin in
charge of both committees, the following
appropriations were made:
For repairing and cleaning sts $30, 900
For opening and grading streets. 5000
For sewers .."".... 5000
Total, $39, 900
The second appropriation was reduced
by notes given, and outstanding claims
due, for work done the previous year, to
"a, 200, leaving the actual amount apph-
cable to this years work only $37, 200.
In September, 1877, 1.-the balance to the
credit of the three named
was $50. .703.97, and about S12 600 Of this
balance was transferred to other appro-
prio.ions.
In September, 1874. the balance was
$11 .O30.03s
In September, 1875, the balance was
SC 603 IA.
The present balance of the appropria-
tions, is $9.199.33, counting the entire
amount at $37.700, which was the exact
sum. Considering his appropriations at
$50 600, las they were made, and as they
existed before the payment of claims for
the previous years work. he has an ap-
parent balance of $40, 400 ,33.
1t will thus be seen that the present
condition of Mr.. McMenamin's appropri-
atoms is far better than the appropri-
atoms for previous years were at the
same time of the year. And this, too
when his appropriations were much
smaller than those spent by previous
committees. He still has enough to dc
the remaining work of the year, without
asking for an extraordinary appropria.
tion,
During the year Mr.. McMenamin made
some important reforms, which saved
considerable money to the city. Formerly
gutter paving where the bricks wert
laid edgewise was charged at double
measurement Mr.. McMenamin allowed
only inglemeasurement. Formerly tn,
regular charge for resettlng curb wa
Is cents per foot. Mr.. McMenamin onl.
allowed IL cts. per foot, and gave no worl
at any higher price. Mr.. McMenamil
also refused to allow any compensation
} for tearing up cutters which work had
previously been charged and paid TO
without objection.
In regard to the bills of Nj. VIM
, Davis of which 30 much has been said j
can be proved that very few of the item
contained in them are for work whic
should have been done by contract. Il
his last bill only one such item appears
-$53 AZ cents for resetting curb, all tn
other items being for small jobs costin
from 81 to $40.
In all his course Mr. McMenamin ca
never be charged with such recklessnes
as was evidenced in the course OF pre-
! NOUS Councils; as when for instanc
: Mr.. w. w. Simmons was awarded tn
Z contract for paving Sixth, Madison an
Robinson streets, at 10 cents per squai
yard, while Mr.. Davis, whose bid for tt
same work was only IA cents. was put
!, by Mr.. Pickles with the bold reply, Nv
: care nothing for your bid, sir what al
= you going to do about it?