The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-02-23
The City Council.
last evening.

The CITY Council.
The CITY Council met in special session on last
TUESDAY evening. All the aldermen, excepting
Mr.. Logan, were present. The meeting was called
10 consider the question of defending Il suit
brought against the city in the |. ). District
Court at Chicago, but by the wording Of the call
any miscellaneous business was in order
Bowman, from the street and alley committee,
said his committee was about to fence the city
lot, as per the order of the last meeting; and rs
some had suggested that part Of the lot might
be used as Il pound, and us most Of the material
to be used was hand, the committee would
like to know what To do. As the ordinances re-
qure that there shall be pound, it was thought
best to have part Of the lot arranged On
Deans motion, therefore, the committee were
instructed to bald pound, and also sheds iof
the protection of the ctys wagons, plows' scrap
ers and other tools now exposed to the weather
Bowman, from the gas committee, Sau ih't
there was Il bridge on Jackson ST., near Chestnut
st., crossing the rayine, which was in danger
GUS condition without light. About yearago
a man drove off into the ravinc there and was
somewhat injured for which the city had TO pay
SD The citizens of the neighborhood had guar
antced to igh and eXtinguish and supply with
oil Il lamp for the place if the city would put up
the post and glass case for the lamp. 1t is fr3
uucntly necessary for the ncighbors to go out
with lanterns on dark and stormy nights to light
travellers across the bridge. The committee asked
for Instructions; and on motion Of Murphy were
given power to act.
The report of the conElittcc appointed to in
a.. .l,,,,
ccived and the committee discharged We shall
notice it in another place.
ID. Ausscn and C. Olcsscn were granted liquor
license to be used in Monroe's old stand.
The Mayor then announced that suit had been
begun in the L. S. District Court at Chicago by
w. HST. IIackctt to recover $4,000 on bonds OF
the city. As the only bonds now out, excepting
$4,000 to be paid next June, are the water power
bonds the question whether they shall be paid
will, therefore, be settled in very short time
The Mayor is Of the opinion that they cannot be
collected, the Supreme Court Of the |. s. having
decided some three years ago in Kansas case,
Of similar nature, that it is unlawful for city
to vote money to II private corporation. How
ever, on motion of Mr.. Hoban, the law and ordi
nance committee were instructed to employ good
ana sulllClcnl COUNSEL 10 uclcnu lHc Guy,
At this point Alderman Hoban threw Il bomb
shell into the camp, by saying that Alderman"
Blake was in the room; and us he was entitled TO
aseat in this council, he did not why he should
sit out of it. He should like to see Blake for
mally rcnstatcd again for the benefit Of all con-
rcrncd. Dead silence-every alderman looked
rs though the concern were about to explode and
blow his head oil. AS there is no notion"
said Mr. Hoban, "if ! were the gentleman |
should walk in and take my seat But Blake
thought differently Then Mr.. Murphy moved
to reconsider the vote on the expulsion Of Aid
Blake As he had not voted on the question at
all, he was ruled out Of order. Then Blake APP
pcared at the rail, and, there being no objection
made a speech on the subject acknowledging his
faults, but denying the supposed guilt in this par
ticuar case; and he said he did not want record
Of this kind hanging over his defcnCclcsss head
lie was opposed to the sword of Damocles or any
other damman, and wanted ii taken away, The
council, he thought, had treated him in this way
for reformatory purposes, and their act having
had its effect, he thought they ought to continue
their good work by cXpunginS the whole bust
ness from the records, especially since the cause
Of action on their part came from no intent OF his
10 violate his Oath-indccd, he believed he had
not violated it, Further, he thought that the
proceedings were irregular and illegal, but he
wouldn't make point of that, only he hoped
this high minded, wise and bcncfccnt council
would do him justice now that he had reformed.
Griffith was glad to see that the young man had
reformed; and now that he had acknowledged his
transgressOns, he thought there was reason for
giving the man Il chance" so that the lesson
will do him the most good possible. Porter
thought the young mans conduct very unbccom-
ing for an alderman; but he had no doubt that
other aldermen had been guilty of " unsccmly
acts" and equally as liable to expulsion, since
any immoral conduct was sufficient cause. Sen
sation. Visions of PodyO-Sn,cho rose up before
the aldermen like bad dreams. Porter, is it l."
was on the lips Of -, -, --, -, &c. But
general feeling of relief all around he doubted
the power of the council to instatc the gentle
man. However he moved To reconsider the
whole matter. Long faces again become num-
crous, pending the calling Of the ayes and noes. !
Phelps TO amend them moved to postpone the
matter till tile next meeting. More signs of re-
lief Phelps amendment was carried by vote
Of six to four.
Bills of Sll, cost of the police investigation
force, and Sl3ij interest, were paid, and the
council adjourned.
young gent from the north end of the conn