Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-21
CITY GOVERNMENT.
DOINGS Or OUR VENERABLE LEGIS-
LATORS YESTERDAY.
Licensing Hacks for the State Fair-Como
Avenue Up Again-It Almost Dies, But
Finally Wins-The Forty Foot Grade
Rejected and the Eighty Foot Grade
Adopted-A Host of Miscellaneous Bust
ness.

petition from j. 3. Cook. asking the privi-
1ege of running extra omnibusses and hacks
during the State Fair, elected considerable
comment. The general sentiment was that
those who were already paying licenses ought
to have the privilege of increasing their vehi-
eles without extra charge, but that there ought
to be some protection against sharks coming in
from outside the city for that week. The mat
ter was finally referred to the committee on
licenses and the city attorney.
PETITIONS.
The usual host of petitions was presented.
Smith & Lewis want sewer on Tenth
street, from Cedar to Wabashaw; large
number of citizens desired the grade of Rice
street to be lowered from University avenue to
Rondo street; residents on Dayton's bluff wish
an extra policeman in that locality; Tim De-
laney protested against paying 1913 for a lateral
sewer from Wabashaw to Fifth street. All was
referred to appropriate committees.
petition was presented setting forth that
the grading OF Willius street. from Fourth to
Seventh, is not being prosecuted, and an order
was passed directing it to be done.
CONDITION OF SEWERS.
A report from the city engineer on sewers
was presented stating that the new sewers
all right, but the old sewers needed re-
modelling to make proper drainage.
COMO AVENUE.
The report of the board of public works (Which
has previously appeared in the GLoBE) against
making Como avenue but forty feet wide, was
read and brought on general discussion. At
the outside Aid. Smythe did not agree with the
board.
Aid. Allen sustained the board quite strong
ly. He spoke of the importance of having this
avenue, and it a discredit that it had been
delayed so long. Only last week he had I'M
tertaken to direct three intelligent gentlemen
who were guests at the Merchants, to Como.
and after driving three hours they returned
without being able to find it. 1T would greatly
improve the property to have the avenue
built, and the board of public works
had found sufficient property benefited
to construct it, He was in favor of assessing
the property for the full grade of eighty feet,
and include the park in the assessment. He
believed the engineer had overestmatad the
expense and the work would not cost over
fifteen or sixteen thousand dollars.
Aid. Dowlan thought perhaps the board
OF public works was right. He had
favored the partial grade to save expense,
assessed and the money come out of the
general fund he would support it. What was
needed was mpetent engineer to lay out the
work and it would be found that the present
estimate was too high. Sewall is so busy
building bridges at Shakopee, Henderson and
Fort Smelling that he has not time to attend to
this matter.
Aid. Smyth said if one-half of the expense
could be assessed on the city park it would re-
move one objection he had to sustaining the
board. He thought there might be large
area found benefited and the assessment made
correspondingly light.
Aid. Sanborn opposed the eighty-foot avenue
on the ground that it was too expensive and
practically confiscated property.
Aid. Allen denied that it confiscated any
ones properly. His gardener had twenty acres
of land and the avenue took nearly two acres
He was willing to give that and pay his assess
ment beside, and was anxious to do so, while
the rich man along side of him said that he
could not stand it-that it was confscation.
Engineers were liable to differ just as ministers
do. The city engineer said that if we built up
Rice street right through a swamp it would
cost $4,000, but now that it was only going
through 4o0 feet OF swamp
Hewitt only working to make a report to
send down to his clients. He had said to him
(Allen) as they walked down street together
that he had got it down pretty we'll.
Aid. Smith thought it was question whether
there could not be a cheaper street made than
this
The vote was then taken on the order of the
board of public works directing that the ave-
nue. be made eighty feet WIDE and it was lost
there being eight yeas and three nays, three
lOuTUu VOUe Delllg necessary. Inc NAYS were
Aid. Dowlan Sanborn and Smith.
After some desultory remarks relative to the
Importance OF some action at once, Aid. Sanborn
moved to reconsider the vote by which the
order of the board was rejected, and with the
understanding that the contract could be re-
jected if the bids showed the cost too be too
high The order was unanimously adopted.
And there will be proposals invited for
grading an eighty foot avenue to Como.
A SEWER NITISANcE
w. F. Mason called attention to the nuisance
created by the sewer at the corner of Wabashaw
and Fourth streets. 1t was ordered that a shaft
and trap be put in a remedy.
MISCELLANEOUS
The report of the chief of police for the
month of July was reported back from the
committee.
The report of the committee on the petition
of John Peters for damages to his property by
the grade of Ninth street, was against the al
lowance OF damages. Report adopted
The chief engineer OF the fire department re-
ported the resignation of MIR. Klein as hoseman
on No. l, and the appointment of Peter
Harmes IN his stead, and also of John Bell as
driver for hook and ladder company No. l.
Approved. The resignation of John b. Muir
phy as driver OF No. was also submitted to-
gether with the appointment of Michael I'm
holt IN his stead, and of Anton Francois as
driver of hook and ladder No. l. Approved.
The petition for fire engine at the State
fair ground was granted
resolution was adopted authorizing the
lease OF Lake Como park for term not exceed
ing five years.
Chief Strong reported that the old match
factory was In dangerous condition. Referred
TO the committee on fire department..
The committee on the petition of Carl Geiser
for damage by a fall to his wife, on Dayton
anenue, reported against the allowance of the
claim. Adopted.
resolution for the change of grade of
Fourth street between jackson and Wabashaw.
was passed.
An ordinance providing for the release of
prisoners after having worked their fines out.
was passed.
An ordinance exempting a certain lot in,
Rices subdivision, was referred,
resolution was passed authorizing the en-
ployment of additional policemen during the
State fair.
An order authorizing the construction of
sewer on Fort street from the Seven Corners to
Douglass street was referred to the board of
public works. Also for sewer from Wabashaw
street along Ninth to point ITO feet east of
Wabashaw street.
resolution vacating the lease of the public
market was referred to the proper committee
after some discussion.
Aid. Smyth offered a resolution providing for
the appointment of a committee consisting of
the mayor, president of the council and three
members to receive the President on his visit
to st. Paul. Adopted, and Aid. Smyth, San
born and Griggs were appointed.
resolution was offered appropriating $1,000
to Mr.. Sewall to carry on work ON the Rice
street sewer.
Aid. Dowlan opposed the resolution. He
didn't approve of doing business in that way.
The resolution was adopted-yeas 9, nays /.
Adjourned
Hotels, boarding houses and restaurants will
report to VIM. D. Rogers, secretary chamber of
commerce. the number OF persons they can ac-
commodate for dodgers during the State fair
week, and what their terms will be per night.
Also, all private citizens will report how MANY