The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-29
ACTION OF THE ALDERMEN.
The Ordinance Providing for the Improve
ment of the State Ditch Passed

The regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen
last night was notable chiefly for its action in
ordering the erection of new hose-reel house, to
passing the ordinance providing for the improve
ment of the State ditch involving an expenditure
of $25, 900.
The Herdic line ordinance was referred to the
committee on streets and alleys
The ordinance prohibiting the throwing of
wire, iron, boards or rubbish, or the scattering
Of hand-bills on the streets, was defeated
by vote of seven to three, but Mr.. Rorison
gave notice that he would probably move a re-
consideration at the next meeting, "as there
might be something good in the ordinance"
The ordinance granting Samuel Brundage the
right to place boot-black chairs on certain
streets was passed. Mr., Pritchard voted may,
stating that under recent decision of the Su-
preme Court the obstruction of the streets in
any manner is nuisance, and the Council could
not, by the passage of any ordinance, give alb
solute protection against molestation under the
statutory laws against public nuisances.
The motion authorizing the erection of a hose
reel house near the end of Virginia avenue, the
cost of which shall not exceed So, 900, was re-
ferred to the committee on fire, but was re-
ported back to the board later and was con-
Cured in.
The ordinance providing for the improvement
Of the State ditch came up for consideration
and was discussed at some length. Mr.. Rori-
son said that although he was in favor Of the
ordinance-had suggested it, in fact-he re
matter of more importance than the improve
ment of the State ditch. The benefit to
the city by preventing the State
ditch overaows would be nothing in comparison
to the benefit to be derived from the improve
ment of Pogue's run Mr.. McHugh was op-
posed to the expenditure of $4,000 upon the
State ditch until Pogues run had first been
improved. Mr.. Pritchard thought the ordinance
should be passed, and stated that he would be
willing to vote against using the balance of the
special levy fund for any other purpose than the
improvement of Pogues run. The ordinance
was passed, the only member of the board
voting in the negative being Alderman
McHugh.
The judiciary committee reported adversely
upon the proposed improvement of Indiana ave
nue., under the contract awarded to Samuel w.
Patterson, and recommended to the board to not
approve the bond of the contractor, which was
adopted The majority of the property owners
demonstrated against the improvement, and the
committee was of the opinion that, on account
of the Irregularities in the passage of the ordi-
nance, the contractor could not enforce a lien
for his work.
The Mutual Union Telegraph Company ordi-
nance, passed in January 1882, was repealed.
The ordinance requiring signals at the railroad
crossings on Virginia avenue was passed.
The ordinance licensing rife and pistol prac-
tice targets at $50 year, and regulating the
licensing of theaters, were both passed.
In behalf of George II. Thomas Post, ]. A.
Closer invited the Board of Aldermen and City
Council to join in the parade on Decoration Day.
The committee on water was instructed to
learn from the water company the number Of
feet-of mains laid since the making of the last
water contract and present a report to the board
at its next meeting.