The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-03
MUNICIPAL LEGISLATION.
The Proceedings of the Common Council
at Last Nights Session.
Treasurer PattisOn Asks the City to Accept
His Collateral Security for the Money
Lost in the Suspended Banks.

The City Council met last night The COM
mittee on contracts recommended that Augustus
Bruner, as the lowest and best bidder, be al
lowed the contract for the market-house and
city hall sewer connections, which was adopted.
The city treasurer reported balances on hand,
Nov ], as follows: In the general fund, $780,
95; Tomlinson estate, SIS, 82l S3; additional
city hall fund. $63. 878. %; sinking fund, SAG,
81; sewer fund, $27,6s761.
The city clerk reported orders drawn on the
treasurer for October amounting to SO, O97.54
The Mayor pres ented the following resolution:
Resolved That the Board of Commissioners of
Marion county be, and they hereby, requested to
receive and admit into the Marion county work
house the prisoners from the mayors court com.
mitted under the penal ord nances of the city of In
oianapolis, and that upon the granting of said re-
quest by said Commissioners, said prisoners
mtted shall be confined and kept in said house.
Provided That the city shall be at no expense for
the maintenance of said prisoners and the county
shall pay nothing for the work and labor of said pris
The resolution was adopted, Councilman Coy
alone voting in the negative.
The city clerk reported the official bond OF
Caleb ). Denny, mayor-eect, who has otherwise
election and oath of Office. The bond bears a
penalty of So, 600. with James P. Baker. Moses
q. McLain and David " Burns as suretes.
The usual monthly appropriation ordinance
was passed. The ordinance included provision
for the payment of the expenses attending the
city election, which amount in the aggregate, to
So, 600.
An ordinance was introduced Sy Mr.. Thalmar
investing the Electric Lighting. Gas. Heating and
Illuminating company, or assigns, with the
privilege OF SsocJlng and maintaining towers and
masts necessary for the purpose of supplying
the city with electric lights and power.
FROM THE CITY TREASURER.
To the Honorable Mayor. Board of Aldermen and
Common Council of the City of Indianapolis:
Gentlemen-Upon the 14th day of July, 1884 Fletch
er q Sharpes Bank of Indianapolis closed its doors
suspended payment and went into the hands of a re-
ceiver And afterwa ards upon the 18th day of the
month, Harrisons' Bank of said CITY, also
closed its doors, suspended paym ent, and went into
sion of said banks, had deposit to my credit as
treasurer of the city of Indianapolis in Fletcher &
Sharpes Bank, the sum of 81 825. 81, and in Harri
sons Bank the sum OF 1860 70. l respectfully
ask to submit to your consideration the following
facts in relation to said deposits There was no pro-
vision of the statutes of Indiana ordinance of the
City Council and Board of Aldermen directing where
the funds of the city should be deposited and
vision had been made by the city for their safekeep-
ing in the Office of the treasurer
1t has always been the habit of nv predecessors in
office to deposit the funds in their hands in the differ
ent banks in the city, and when went into the office
received from my predecessor the funds of the city
then deposited in different banks in this city The
fact that the different city treasurers, including my
self. have kept the funds deposit in the different
Common Council and officials and the public general
w. have had in my hands large sums varying at
times from $50 600 to $3.50 900. In the absence Of
some place designated by you for to deposit the
funds was compelled to exercise my Judgment in
their safe keeping. l could not, with safety keep
them in my office at my home and it therefore
necessary that should select of the banks used
or recognized by the citizens of indianapolis safe
places OF deposit In order that might exercise due
and reasonable diligence in the safekeeping of the
funds in my hands, did not select bank alone,
but have distributed them around in the following diff
ferent banks of this city, The First National Bank
the Indianapolis National Bank, Fletcher's Bank.
the Indiana National Bank, the Meridian National
Bank, Ritzingers Bank the Merchants National
Bank. Fletcher g. Sharpe's Bank and Harrisons'
Bank.
In selecting Fletcher & Sharpe's Bank and Harri.
sons Bank took into consideration at the time that
they were recognized by the public safe and solvent
institutions and that they had done business so long
and that their credit was not disputed At the time
of the failure of Fletcher & Sharpe they had more
than four thousand depositors and deposit of more
than 81, 800 600. AS to Harrisons Bank they
had among their depostors the Vandalia Railroad
Company, Charles Mayer & Co.. Mr.. Haueisen. George
w. Stout William Haerle, John T. Pressly and
Others having total deposted at the time of their
fa!--ree about 5000, 600
In order to secure the deposit in Harrisons' Bank
received from A. and j. @. s. Harrison S5I OOO
capital stock of the United States Encaustc Tile
Company of Indianapolis This was the only security
of any kind that able to get for the deposit in
said bank considered that it was not nv fault that
the losses sustained by the failure of said banks
respectfully ask that be ordered or allowed to
credit myself with the amount of the sums on depos.
1t IN said banks at their failure, having procured
certificates OF the receiver of each of said banks for
the amount due from them, said certificates being
payable to my order city treasuror and having IN
dorsed the same payable to the City of lndianapo-
lis. and having assigned said capital stock of the
United States Encaustic Tile Company over to the
city. Respectfully submitted,
!. N. PArTrsoN, City Treasurer.
Mr.. Thalman moved that the communication
be ferred to special committee of five and the
city attorney, which was carried. The mayor
named Messrs Thalman, Newcomb Sheppard.
Edenharter and Spahr the committee.
Mr.. Pearsons ordinance making it unlawful
for any person over the age of ten years to run
any bicycle. tricycle.. velocipede, hand-cart or
wheebarrow on or along any sidewalk in the
city was passed. yeas 13, nay Mr. Trusler
voting in the negative
Mr.. Truslers ordinance for the relief of mem
bers Of the fire department-providing that in
certain cases, when they become sick or disabled
from exposure accident in the discharge of
duty, it shall be the duty of the superintendent
OF the City Dispensary to attend upon them and
render them medical service free of charge-was
passed
Mr.. McClellands ordinance was passed. reouir-
ing fiagman to be stationed at the crossing Of
the tracks of the Wabash, Bee line and Indiana.
Bloomington & Western railways, at St. Clair
street.
The Council then adjourned.
Contesting Will.