The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-03-09

The regular meeting Of the City Council was
held at the City Hail on last Tuesday evening, all
Al. L.. LII

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The regular meeting of the City Council was
held at the City Hall on last Tuesday evening, all
the aldermen being present
After the reading and approval of the minutes,
a petition signed by some Is residents Of the
sixth ward in the neighborhood, was presented
asking for new bridge across the rayine just
} west of Hamales store on Jefferson ST. Bowman
said of the bridge that there was no doubt that it
was unsafe; indeed, his committee had ordered
it to be closed up but the citizens had kept it
open. Trimble said he had seen propositions to
build the bridge for about $780, S225 had been
asked for by the petition but he thought it could
be built for somewhat less. The petition was re-
ferred to the street and alley committees with
power to act
Mrs. Mary Bliss communication was read.
She says the sidewalks on Court st. are in a
miserable condition" alarming; especially the
hinges of cellar doors which stick up and play
every hob" with the pedestrian. The other
night while walking in front of Reddicks block
she was tripped by hinge and thrown down,
sustaining injuries 'for which the council alone
are responsible" The petition was placed on
| file but the hinges still rule the roost on Court
street. Having examined the hinges on Court
street, we might suggest that the lady lift her
feet when walking.
| Porter, from the law and ordinance committee,
said his committee had employed Charles Blan-
chard to defend the city in the Water Power bond
suit, with instructions to Mr. Blanchard to en-
ploy Judge Charles B. Lawrence to assist him if
necessary, and make as big a fight as crcum-
stances admit Of.
An ordinance was then adopted to permit III.
L. Hossack and II. Rctior to remove the alley in
their block 50 feet north; also throwing the part
of the block south Of the new alley out of the
fire limits.
Porter, from the special committee on Jefferson
st. bridge across the sdc-cut, reported in favor
of building the bridge. The bridge will cost be-
tween $1,000 and $500 OF this sum the property
owners on the street will raise at least 5000
about half. Shuler said he would head the list
with $500 if the Council wonld build the bridge
and could guarantee $1,000. As this Council
would not have time to build it, the report was
received and Il committee, composed Of Dean,
Shulcr and Logan, appointed to report the mat.
ter TO the incoming council
Griffith, from gas company said the lamp ask
ed for by the citizens Of the ncighborhood had
had been put up at the corner of Jefferson and
Sycamore sts., at cost of 50. The citizens keep
it lighted, free Of cost to the city.
Judges of election were appointed and the fol
lowing polling places:
First Wayd-Fox River House.
lSeconm Wdrd-School House
Third Wud-Court House.
Fourth Wd,n-City Hotel.
FUM Wdrd-Schaeler's Hall.
,SLth Taui-Chas. Albcrts House.
Seventh Wal-Esquire Dickens Office.
Bowman said Mr.. Skinner of the City Scales
wanted $50 salary to stay and rum them The
with him was that he should pay /
800 a year rent, and have full control Of the
but since the warehouscmcn had taken
out licenses it paid nothing, and he wanted to
pay nothing. Bowman's report was laid on the
table, which means that Mr.. Skinner is without
much sympathy in the Council on this subject
Everything had moved along like We meander-
ing brook thus far, steering clear of all little
rocks Of discord or passing gently around them,
but when IA gas bill of sl455O came in, the pre-
sumption of presenting the biggest bill of the
year for the shortest month!-wcll, war was at
once declared. Mr.. Ioban couldn't understand
it, but he believed it blamed swinde; his own
observation lead him to believe that less gas had
been burned than any month before; he had
seen lamps out entirely and others burning with
a sickly flame which an energetic lightning bug
could discount. Griffith said about $50 was
''back gas" the bills had been paid each month
Griffith said Perkins could cXplain-hc was il
the Hose Co.'S room; but he was not there, and
the mystery thickened. Trmbc was willing to
pay for the gas for the month s96, but he wanted
more gas on this back gas" Finally the whole
business was sent back to Perkins for explana-
ton.
Bills to the amount Of S9G52O were paid and
the Council adjourned.