Morning journal and courier., 1883-09-10
Board of Public Works.

The Engineer MuddIe-A Long Discus siop Among the Members of the Board
 The Trouble Tided Over For a Month.
 A special meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on Saturday evening. The meeting was called by Mayor Lewis, the pur- pose being, if possible, to break the dead lock existing between the Republican and Democratic members of the Board in regard to tke election of assistant engineers. Work in the engineers department had been at 8 standstill since last Wednesday night owing to the Board failing to elect assistant engi- neers to fill the places of those made vacant by the resolution of the Board. Mayor Lewis presided and every member of the Board was present. After the min utes of the previous meeting were read and approved Mir. Coleman gave notice that he should leave promptly at 9 o'clock as he had private business that demanded his at- tention. He said he should probably be ab- coming month and MT. Sargent said he would be absent on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs day.
 In reply to an inquiry by Mir. Coleman the Mayor said that the object of the meeting was to settle or tide over the difficulty re- sulting from the dismissal of the assistant sn ngineers "The public work" continued the Mayor, "is seriously embarrassed. Con- tractors on sewer work are threatening the city with suits for damsges~ There are near ly 1000 feet of curbing which has been ordered, but which cannot be laid because there are no engineers to give the lines and grades. The city's interests are suffering seriously and I therefore felt it mE-duty to call the board together in order that some provision might be made for relieving the present em- barrassment" The stoppage of public i'm provemonts was particularly unfortunate, as it was desirable to finish up many jobs now under way before cold weather interrupted.
 MT. Pond said that he and his Democratic colleagues were ready to listen to any propo- sitIon the "other side" had to make. He thought that tthis side' were not at fault for the present state of affairs.
 Mir. Sargent called up the resolution ap- pointing Charles A. Ferry first assistant engi- neer. Mir. Pond then moved his former sub stitute, inserting the name of Sylvanus But Ter for that of MT. Ferry, and called for a viva voce vote, remarking as he did so that he wished the members to show their hands when they voted. The vote on the Substi- tute motion resulted in tie, Msssrs. Pond, Coleman and Holcomb voting for Butler, and Msssrs. Sargent, Gilbert and Feldmsn for Ferry. "There is no choice," said Mayor Lewis Git is three and three, as it was at the previous meeting"
 Mr. Sargent then moved that the board proceed to vote for second assistant engi- neer. ''Isn't that getting the cart before the horse?" observed MT. Pond sarcastical- ly. "Perhaps se," rstorted Mir. Sargent, "but we seem to do business in that way very often"
 Mr.. Sargents motion was not seconded Mfr. Pond then proposed that the board go into executive session. Mir. Sargent pro- tested. He said he had all of executive ses- not disposed to shirk any re- sponsibility in the matter be- fore the board, but on the contrary was willing that his votes and remarks should re- ceiVe full publicity. MT. Pond disclaimed any disposition to evade responsibility for his actions. He proposed an executive ses sion because he thought solution of the difficulty might be the moro readily reached in that way.
 Mir. Sargent subsequently, offered resolu tion that the board refer the whole matter of assistant engineers to a committee consisting of Professors Sumner, Newton and Trow- lessor Newton of Columbia col lege. The resolution was lost by tie vote, MT. Holcomb remarking that if the members of the board were not capable of doing their business without calling in out side assistance they had better resign. After some further discussion MT. Coleman offer ed resolution that oity Engineer Hill be authorized to employ the necessary help for carrying on the city improvements for one month from date The resolution was car ried-the three Republican members and MT. ColemAn voting 'tyes, :" and Messrs Pond and Holcomb mo"
 Resolutions were passed instructing the city engineer to make temporary repairs on Eha RQFnAavillo a 6Froo ovpd T41 Reynolds superintendent of'the stone crusher for the ensuing year.