The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-24
THE LOCAL LEGISLATORS.
Mr. Hamilton's Pertinent InterroSato-
ries to the Board of Aldermen.
street-Car Matters Engross the Councils
Attention-A Large Number of Street.
Improvement Ordinances Passed.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
r,usiness from the Common Council - a
Number of Pertinent Inquiries NIscella-
neous.
The Board Of Aldermen met last night II regu-
lar session. all the members present
The action of the Common Council in APPROX
ing estimates of the city engineer and awarding
final estimates on street improvements made by
James Mahoney, was concurred in.
Also action of Council approving contract
and bond of Thomas Cummings for rebuilding
the north stone abutment of Reed street bridge
over Pleasant run; bond 1000, with Hamilton
Baltic surety.
The action Of the committee on contracts, de-
elaring the contracts of Michael Fiaherty and
F. ]. Blume, for grading and graveling Vermont
street. from Agnes street to the mill race, for
feited, was concurred in.
The first quarterly reports Of the board of
health and the chief fire engineer were concur
red in.
The petition of James @. Ferguson, was, on
motion of Mr. Rorison, referred back to the
Council judiciary committee, to which the jul
dietary committee of the Board of Aldermen
was added This petition showed that the firm
of James @. Ferguson in their return for taxa
ton for 1882 included 700 in money, which
same amount, for the same year, has been re-
turned on their tax list in Chicago, and asking
that the same be stricken from the tax dupli-
cate and from the assessors books.
The report of the joint committee on selection
of ground for cemetery, recommending the
acceptance of the offer of Albert Gall, Vajen and
others, to exchange the Neinberger farm of fifty
acres for the Sellers farm, gave rise consider
able discussion. On motion, special commit
tee of five members, consisting of Messrs Lay
nd
we're appointed to confer with committee to
be appointed by the Council, to see what offers
OF ground for a cemetery may be made, and as
70 whether the county commissioners will bear
portion of the expense in buying such ground,
and such other matters as are connected there
with.
THE cITYs BONDS
The city attorney submitted the following re-
port. which was received:
You ask my opinion as to whether or not the
city has the right to call in her bonds before
their maturity and pay or fund them by reissue
answer that she has no such right or power I'M
less it is stipulated in the contracts or bonds
themselves. have seen copies of most of the
issues, and do not find such provision in any of
them and am Informed that no snch right was
reserved to the city as to any of the others. OF
course If the holders will consent the debt can
be refunded ut any time by the Issue of new
bonds. but under the provisions of the act of
1877 (see Sec. $3.50 R. S. 1881 the interest can
not exceed 6 per cent. Q. s. DENNY,
City Attorney.
were concurred in.
Ordinances were passed appropriating 81 ,615
in part payment OF Peter ROutier for the cree
tion of the east wing of the City Hospital, and for
payment of sundry claims of salary, station
house. etc.
INQUIsITIyE MR.. HAMILTON.
Mr.. Hamilton submitted the following inter
rogatorles;
1. Is it the duty of the city or of the police
commissioners to provide public pounds ami TO
see that estray COWS and other animals are duly
1mpounded2
2 Why are merchant policemen required by
the police commissioners TO be uniformed, when
they are smployed and paid at private expense
What has become of general ordinances In
troduced by this board in the Common Council
providing for the taxation of corporations; that
telegraph, telephone and electric wires be laid
under ground etc.f
A. What has become of the car shops that the
Cincinnati & Lafayette Railroad Company was
TO build at great expense" provided the city
wonld vaeafe certain street in the southeast
part of the clty2
s. Is Unnecessary "to stand in with the boys" and
vote for all propositions and contracts proposed.
II Won think OF being a candidate for 0fiiee2
6. When will the city adopt system for perma-
nent and substantial Improvement of streets and
alleys, dseardlng wooden blocks, mud and poor
graye2
z. What will the city do after while for funds
TO conduct the government, when she is not only
anticipating her revenues, but continually eX-
ceeding her estimates2
On motion, the first Two interrogatories were
stricken out and the remainder were referred to
the committees on Judiciary, finance, and streets
and alleys.
Mr.. Tucker introduced a resolution, which was
adopted, that the board pass further appro-
priation ordinances for the pay of city en-
'plOyes and contracted debts until the several
departments shall show disposition to reduce
expenses.
The action of the Council in awarding the con-
tract for bowldt ring Indiana avenue from West
Street to Fab rreek concurred in
The streetcar ordinance, as passed by the
Council, was read hv title and referred to the
committees on the judiciary, streets and alleys,
and railroads.
The board then adjourned.