Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-23
THE poAuD OF ALDERMEN.
A REPORT on the city Accounts Put Out
of sight-Proposcd New Building OF
the Ethan Allen Engine Company
A Muscular Arr ument.

the Ethun Alien EnHluc Sonphhy-
A Muscular Argument.
Alderman Woodbury. again occupied the
presidents chair at Monday nights meeting
of the Board of Aldermen, and was forced tt
start the business of the evening by inquirnl
| of Treasurer Weller why he had not in obcdi
cnce to the Boards order, as member o.
the committee of three appointed for that
purpose, reported to the Board on the cond
| ton Of the city finances, for while Alderman
Alger had handed in his minority report
Nlessrs. Taylor and Weller signidcd their ina
bilty to do likewise. Alderman Taylor sale
he bad been unable to agree with Mr.. Algcr
"Why didn't you make report" asked the
president. Mr.. Taylor responded that in the
present condition of the accounts 1t was very
difficult TO make q report. The president
thought that the minority report couldn't
come in until the majority were disposed of
Mr.. Weller asked to be excused from hi.
task. Alderman Peck claimed that Messrs
Taylor aud Weller had made their report il
returning the statement that they couldn't
report. lie however moved that they be
excused from further reporting. The wore
further" was struck out by vote, on Alder
mans Brink's motion, and the two. were
excused.
Alderman Peck then called for Alderman
Ayers report, which now became the report
of the committee. The report stated that moth
ing had been found to change materially tue
figures given on the treasurer's recent report
Mr.. Alger held that the excuses were moi
well founded which set against the overdrafts
stock on hand, ETC., in the various depart.
mcnts. These matters could not be consid.
cred in statement of the department ac-
counts, and no department has right, by
the ordinances, to overdraw the limit set by
the appropriations, except by special
consent of the council. Yet some depart
ments have for years been accustomed to
overdraw. He then gave statement of the
various departments finances as they appear
ed on the treasurer's books. The street and
sewer department has n percentage of the
receipts besides the appropriation, and there
is reason to believe that by the end of the
year the receipts from tax collections, ETC.,
will overbalance the ovc-draft. AS to the
work on the sewers the disposition of the
funds is not known to the treasurer, vouchers
not being filed till the end of the year. The
overdraft last year. by consent of the coun-
Gill; was over $4,000. This year there
is small overdraft apparent. The
water department is in about the
same condition as stated in the
treasurer's recent report. lie recon-
mended transfer of funds from the con-
struction account TO relieve this. The
appropriation for the criminal department is
.much too small. The expenses last year were
considerably over $4,000 and the money
available this year is only about $780, The
reform school expenses are increased sew
nra1l lao, Irnl ILL a. Il.
is to pay the deficiency. For the health
department an overdraft of $50 should lie
authorized. Not enough money was appro.
priated. The public buildings department
accounts are kept as in previous years, but
should be changed so that gas and fuel bills
would be charged TO the incidental account.
The department should be relieved thus this
year. There is an overdraft OF $3.50, but if
the recommendation is adopted there will be
go odd dollars for additional work.
Alderman Drew moved that the report be
allowed to lie on the table.
Alderman Peck suggested tina. this might
he considered as an attempt TO smother the
investigation, and the motion had the ap-
pearnnce OF an insult to the author of the re-
port, though doubtless not so intended.
Alderman Drew said he intended no insult
to Mr.. Algcr but there was other business to
Cpilc DelOIc tlc Iltcllub anu tHtTc WIS DOl
time to discuss the report.
Alderman Taft thought the report mildly
worded one, aside from the hard facts; SO
much SO that Alderman Taylor might have
signed it. The courtesy of accepting the re-
port did not compel discussion, if it was
desired to avoid that. There must be some
other reason for Alderman Drew's motion.
Aldermen Brink, Drew, Drury, Siblcy,
Taylor and Woodbury. voted in flavor of the
motion to lay the rcrort on the table and AL
dermen Algcr, Peck and Taft against it,
Alderman Richardson was absent from the
meeting.
Alderman Brink offered resolution
authorizing the treasurer TO borrow not over
$1,000 for laying the iron water pipe on
Pine street, recommended awhile ago for the
better protection Of the lumber yards at the
south end, larger sized iron pipe replacing
the unreliable cement. Alderman A!ger
objected to the practice of relaying in
portions the 90 miles of cement pipe in the
city If S75, 900 is to be spent in replacing it,
he didn't believe in this way of going at the
job.
Alderman Drew asked what could be saved
by delay in this matter.
Alderman Taft-"A 800 per cent tax next
year"
Alderman Woodbury. stated that he wasn't
going to act with view to the effect on the
election. lie figured that if the contemplate
ed improvements are made tile tax will be
between Sl.40 and sl.5O next year.
After long and desultory discussion the
resolution was adopted.
Ga request Of some members of the Ethan
Allen engine company a committee, includ-
ing the mayor AMI city attorney, were
appointed to confer With committee OF the
Ethan Aliens in regard to scheme for
building three-story engine house, 80 by
" feet. on the ground of the present build
ing, the city giving the company the right to
build there and rsserving the right to buy the
building in the future; the city also to give
the company $500 year. A plan for good
looking house was exhibited, tall tower
for drying the hose being prom incnt
feature.
Alderman Peck moved to take the report
of Alderman Alger from the table and the
motion was lost-G to3. The three voting
In favor of the motion were Aldermen Alger,
Peck and Taft. Another season of rambling
talk then set in, which wound up in n tilt be-
tween President Woodbury. and Alderman
Peck, in which something bordering on the
lie direct was exchanged. Alderman Alger
called President Woodbury. to order.
President Woodbury. called Alderman
Peck TO order, and said "St down"
Alderman Peck-"I won't sit down."
President Woodbury. (very emphaticaly)
--''Sit down !"
Alderman Peck-"I WON'T
President Woodbury-'If you don't 81,
down III make you"
Alderman Peck "Well, won't sit down
President Woodbury. then rushed around
the table, seized Alderman Peck by his col.
lar and pulled him into the chair The Board
then adjourned. Messrs. Woodbury. and
Peck then renewed their alteration, when
Colonel Woodbury. struck Alderman Peck
a violent blow, knocking him three
or four feet against partition which saved
him from falling to the floor. Alderman
Peck kept his temper sufficiently to restrain
him calf from aIintip, in, bind al,