The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-07
THE COMMON COUNCIL.
The Usual SQuabble Over the Fire Board
Matter-An UnimpOrtant Session.

The regular meeting of the Common Council
was held last night, but the session had no feat
ure of special Importance.
The mayor reported that, during September,
he had collected, in the City Court of fines, ST.. 30;
marshals fees, $3.50. co; mayors fees, $208. 20;
total, $4S6. 10.
The city civil engineer reported final esti-
mates, which were allowed, upon work done I'M
der contract, as follows: To A. Bruner, 81, 525. 81;
j. L. Spaulding, $40 60, and $279.12; George
W. Seibert, 81, 1875. %; George w. Buchanan, 81
30, IS; Charles S. Roney, 1901 70; and Hanway
& Cooper, 50, 171.24.
The report of the city treasurer for September
showed a balance to the credit of the general
fund of $+4, 81. IS; Tomlinson estate, $66, 81. "A;
additional City Hall fund, $40, 1894, and sink
ing fund, $3O,697.6Z. The city clerk reported
the payment of bills during the month to the
amount of $97, 426. SO.
The resolution granting the city ~bill=posting
privileges to John R. Foil was adopted upon the
recommendation of the committee on contracts.
The city attorney reported that in the injunc-
ton suit of the Benjamin w arton-Spahr fire
board against Chief Fire Engineer Webster,
Judge Taylor had sustained the plain
tiffs demurrer, thus holding that the council
men named cannot be disturbed in their
control of the fire department during their term
of office, practically annulling the ordinance of
July IA, 1884. There were some heated remarks
over the report, Mr.. Spahr charging that the
city attorney had been unduly Jealous in urging
the case, under the influence of certain members
of the Council, which was denied by Mr.. Trusler,
who spoke of Mr.. Spahr's course in relation to
the matter with some asperity. The report of
the city attorney was approved, and he was di-
rected to represent Chief Webster IN the trial OF
the injunction suit upon appeal.
Coffin e Co, the agents of the West market
space, having agreed to the desired amendments
in the lease, it was, upon the recommendation of
the judiciary committee, approved by the Coun-
Gil
The committee on water, in compliance with
instructions, reported that the number of feet
of mains which the water company were re-
quired, under the contract with the city, to lay
during 1883 and 1884 were II, $50. They have al
ready laid GA feet more than they are required
to, while resolutions have been passed directing
them to lay q, 697 feet more.
Objection was raised to three items in the
general appropriation ordinance-one a bill of
ST. so for chamois skins and sponges; S. for print
ing, and $S for repairs-and they were referred
to a special committee of three, together with
the city attorney, who were instructed Ito re-
port to the Council as to the powers Of the police
board to incur such expenses, and what is the
liability of the Council"
An ordinance prohibiting smoking on street
cars was introduced by Mr.. Newcomb, and was
referred to the railroad committee.
Mr.. McClelland introduced an ordinance pro-
viding for the construction of a brick sewer
along Massachusetts, avenue, from Bellefontaine
to Alabama street.
An amendment was offered to the ordinance
regulating the granting of theater licenses, pro
viding that the license shall be fixed at 500, and
shall not extend beyond the date of Aug. 81 fol-
lowing its issuance.
A petition was presented urging the building
of a bridge over Pogues run at Eddy street, and
a motion was offered directing the award of the
contract for its construction, which was
adopted.
Mr.. bowling introduced a motion directing
the superintendent of police to remove the
boilers on Missouri street, near the Richards &
Butler mandatory, for the reason, he eX-
planned, that thieves and footpads were sleeping
in them, and that in consequence the locality
had become dangerous.
Mr.. Newcomb objected, because, he said, that
sit was the only thing, so far as he had heard,
which had caught a thief in indianapolis"
The water company was directed to lay water
mains on New York from East to Noble street.
Permission was granted for the erection of a
drinking fountain at the intersection of Vir
einia avenue, Coburn, Shelby, Dillon and Pros
pect streets, at the expense of the citizens living
In the vicinity.