Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-04-06
MINNEAPOLIS COUNCIL.
An Illegal Bill of the City Attorney
AllOwed-Dave BlakeIy's Cedar Block
Pavement Sat Down Upon With Granite


AllOwed-Dave BlakeIy's Cedar Block
General Business.
Especial Telegram to the Globe
M1NNEAPoLIs, April 5 "A regular meeting
of the city council was held last evening. The
committee to witness the testing of the iron
to be used in the construction of the
Plymouth avenue bridge, made at Canton, O.,
reported that they had found, with one excep-
ton, the material perfectly satisfactory.
The special committee appointed to canvass
the returns OF the city election made an oflc-
ial report.
Alderman Watt, from the committee on
claims, reported back, certified to as correct
by the omptroller, q budget of bills amount
ing to s4,S79.S6 and warrants were ordered
drawn for the same.
P1ats of Hawkins addition and Byer's sub
division were referred. The committee
on ways and means, to whom was
referred the matter OF the bids upon the
S125, 900 four and half per cent. bonds; re-
ported that Chas. McC. Reeve had bid par.
mended that 1t be accepted. Adopted.
The committee to whom was referred the
claim of City Attorney Benton for services in
doctoring the city charter, $3.50, recommend
ed that $3.50 be paid. Alderman Glenn be-
lieved that the bill was Illegal, under the char
ter regulating salaries, and wanted the cpn
ion Of an attorney otherthan that of the city
attorney. He thought it was appropriating
money illegally and would oppose the bill. He
be paying deal Of money for little, inasmuch
as enc article in the charter would not hold
water, and the courts had so ruled. The result
was that the city would soon be called upon
to pay several hundred thousand dollars to
get it corrected. He thought the city attor-
ney was getting a competent salary, for
which he was expected to do all the legal
work of the city. 1t had been the policy Of
the city attorney to advise contrary to allow
ing other bills just as legal, and he insisted
that 1t receive the investigation of a disinter-
ested attorney.
Aid. Pillsbury explained at length what the
bill was for and wanted itpaid.
Aid. Glenn again took the floor. He could
not understand how the council could
pay the bill without a special act
of the legislature. The ordinance speciA-
can not be raised within the year. The salary
OF the attorney was fixed at 1900 per year,
which was fair remuneration for his time
and it was manifestly his duty to perform
work as directed by council. The report be-
ing put to vote was adopted and war
rant was ordered drawn for the same.
Plats of Haywood 81 Stevens addition were
adopted. The ordinance relating to the licens-
ing of dogs came up for second reading.
The ordinance placed the license at Sl.20 for
each male and SO 90 for female dogs. Adopted.
The committee on street pavements reported
in favor of laying granite blocks upon Wash
ipgton avenue, from Fifth avenue south to
Second avenue north. Adopted. Aid. Stolcher
moved that the street railway company be re-
quested to pave between the rails and between
tracks on Washington avenue with granite
blocks. Breen g. Young's bid for furnishing
paving blocks was rejected. The city attorney
was instructed to ascertain the amount of
rent due the city for one room on the third
floor ana basement of the city hall, and col
lect the same. Aid. Pillsbury moved that a
contract be executed with j. Fl. Nevins for
furnishing 100000 granite paving blocks at
S67 DER thousand delivered. Adopted.
The city engineer was instructed to advertise
for proposals for furnishing and laying Is, 900
yards OF cedar blocks.
Aid. Barge moved that the city attorney be
instructed to report what steps are necessary
to compel the railway companies to bridge
their tracks at once. Adopted,
Aid. Glenn moved that inasmuch as
it had been currently reported
that certain city. officers had
kept saloons open last Sunday contrary to
on police m9Ke a thofough investigation and
report such facts az trey may ascertain in
the matter. He explained that he could fur
nish necessary information. Adopted. Aid.
Glenn gave notice that he should move a re-
consideration of the city attorneys bill at the
next meeting. Adjourned until Tuesday at
$50 .. m.