The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-10-11

and in consequence the aldermen nobly did moth
ing except spend money
CRAWLING JOLIET STREET.
Buffers, Carpenter & Co., and Il few others
wanted Joliet street gravelcd from Columbus to
Post-one block. Phelps SAID that all the stock
shipped over the Rock Island road had to go over
this piece of road, which was generally SO bad
that farmers grumble "like everything" Muir
ply said it could not cost much; the gravel could
be had near at hand--at his coal beds-and he
generously consented to give the gravel if the
work shall be done. The committee were Or
dcred to gravel the street.
MARsHAL's REPORT.
| The marshars report for September showed
fines collected, IS; arrests, 4; only one man was
lodged in Jail to serve out q fine and he got sick
and had to be discharged.
CIsTERN IN SECOND WARD.
| Phelps said many citizens of the east side liv-
ing in the west end Of the ward, bad framed a
petition asking for the construction of cistern
somewhere in the neighborhood of VIM Thorn
ass dwelling, who agrees to furnish the water
from his we'll The matter was ruled out OF or
der and was taken up later.
SIDEWALKS
During the call of reports from committees, at
the committee on Local Assessments, the Mayor
suggested this committee had the work OF con
sidcring what is to be done about the sidewalks.
Hull said he thought the sidewalk law could not
be enforced The Mayor differed with him.
Griffith said but few had repaired their walks on
notice; the next thing was to make the assess
mcnt, and satisfy those who think there is no
| a. "a .,Dt
could be made under the law Of 1872 adopted by
the city, which has been declared valid Catlin
would like to see. the law tested and suggested
that some one be proceeded against according to
law to see If there is one ordinance the city can
enforce. II we can't enforce the law, let us tear
up the bad walks. The Mayor said it could not
be enforced against single man. but general
| list of bad walks must be made; the damages as
sessed against them, which must be returned,
certified to the county clerk, who must extend
the tax with the other taxes. Logan thought it
ought to be tried with some one who was unable
to carry it up to the top courts He is also much
put out because merchants take so much room
on the walks with their goods
| HEALTH.
| The Mayor suggested that the state and gen.
eral governments desired this city to make a
Sanitary inspection of the city, the rest of the
country "a doing; and a 70 would no publisliod,
he thought it would be good thing. Catlin
moved that the inspection be made according to
the rules of the state board. Hull wanted to
know what they were. No one knew exactly.
Petit said however, that it was ordered by the
state board but was entirely discretionary and
the city has to pay the cost Yet when it shall
have been done, the report will be complete
sanitary map of the town and very useful, and
likewise show the council the necessity for better
sanitary measures. Hall asked il the proper way
to clean this city is not by sewers. Petit said it
was, of course, but was expensive. The duty,
however, of the state, is to make suggestions for
sanitary work and to create public opinion. As
there was no second to Catln's notion the in
spection was not ordered.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The fire department committee presented a
written report, which will be found elsewhere.
A letter was read from the Hose Company asking |
that no attention be paid to the petition asking
Estcrline's appointment as driver. The company
also asked that their foreman be made special
police during fires, and it was so ordered.
EAST SIDE CloTERN.
The petition for cistern in second ward coming
up again, Mr.. Phelps said the present cistern was
too far from the western end Of the ward and |
moved that new one be built as stated above. |
The Mayor wanted to know if itcoud be afforded |
whether the city could pull through without bor-
rowing. Phelps thought not The motion was
adopted. 1t was thought that cistern could be |
built for less than 5000; and that brick is better
than stone. And the street and alley committee |
and the aldermen of the second ward were given
full power to locate the cistern and let the con
tract.
BILLS.
Among the bills were: SIS for washing hose, |
S2249 for repairs by gas company, $3.50 for bay
mare $3.50 for stoking at fires s1O2. 6S for gas,
s43.75 for lighting and cleaning street lamps, |
$3.50 for making and painting new lamps, $3.50
for burying dead animals, $3.50 for extra police,
Sl0.S0 for boarding tramps and prisoners s57L75
for salaries, sl0O for livery bill to clerk for col
lectlng Barnum license, s604.36 for street labor |
DEAD ANIMALS.
The burying of dead animals is a steady item |
of expense, and Murphy said he had discovered
that the parties hired TO do the work buried them |
so carelessly that some had to be buried two or
three timcs-each time charged for. The mar
shall was instructed to see to 1t that the ordinance
on the subject be enforced
After miscellaneous business, recorded in the
the council adjourned.
The weather for the past week has been a most
fruitful theme for the use Of explosives. Every
day has been "scorcher," and even the rains of
Tuesday have had no effect toward cooling the
atmosphere. Many seem to think that when the
cool weather does begin the cold will come with