St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-19

tive part in the hot debate, and insisted
that the property planked is railroad prop,
erty, and furthermore that the original
motion ordering it planked specifically
stated that it should be paid out OF the
permanent improvement fund.
BUT YOU CAN'T DO IT.
Aid. johnson raised the point tina the
money could not be taken from the perman-
ent fund for the purpose unless by special
act of the legislature, and the clty attorney
decided legal point. He said the money
cannot be taken from the permanent fund,
but it can be taken from either the general
fund or the ward fund.
Aid. Cooley moved that the permanent
Improvement fund be stricken from the
motion. and that general fund be inserted
instead.
The city attorney finally arose and con-
fessed that he thought his opinion was er-
roneous. He then said he thought it pretty
clear that it must be paid from the ward
fund. After some tillibustering the money
WAS ordered paid out Of the Fifth ward
fund.
PAYING BILLS.
The bill of 81. 0S7 from w. F. Leeds and
two or three other bills were ordered paid.
New hose was ordered purchased for use
at the city hall. and the committee on pub
lie grounds and buildings was authorized to
remove the city hall.
The committee on streets, grades and ad-
ditions reported in favor OF adopting some
proposed platS of additions to MINNEAPOLIS.
The committee on fire department re-
ported III favor Of putting in steam-heating
apparatus in Cataract engine house end
that proposals be advertised for. After
Al hon 70
the committee.
THE sTONE-ARCH BRIDGE.
The committee on roads and bridges, to
which had been referred the matter OF the
bies for building the stone-arch bridge
across the Mississippi river adjoining the
suspension bridge. reported the same back
with the recommendation that all the bids
which had been received be rejected.
Adopted.
a large number of gas lamps were Or
dered placed at street corners in various
parts of the city. There were 1870 in num-
Der, all globe.
Aid Haugan. from the committee on
railroads, reported back the matter of an
ordinance granting the St. Paul IL Northern
Pacific Railway company the right to lay
side-track on North First street. The Or
dinance was placed on its final reading and
passage under suspension of the rules. 1t
was explained that the side-track was in
tended to run to the planning mill to be
erected by J. H. Conkey. The mill is to be
the largest i'll the city. -
The claim of Ed Wilcox for hack de-
moished by the fire department was re-
ferred to the committee on fire depart
ment.
OPENING STREETS.
The plot and survey in the matter Of
opening and extending Eighteenth avenue
south was adopted and commissioners were
appointed. The same action was taken
in regard to the matter of opening and
laying out Third street to Plymouth avenue
and in opening Dindley avenue from West
Nineteenth street to Franklin avenue. an
alley in block IA in Harman's addi-
ton from Twelfth to Thirteenth streets,
Sixteenth avenue south from East Twenty
seventh street to Lake street, Plymouth
avenue to western city limits, First avenue
south from East Seventeenth street to East
Twenty second street, Seventeenth ave-
nue. south from East Twenty-fourth street
to Lake street, East Twenty-eight street
from Chicago to Cedar avenues.
ENCOURAGING HIGHER WAGES.
Aid. Walsh moved the following:
time past there has been strong rivalry
among contractors bidding for work from the
city, and as result of which rivalry, said
contractors in order if possible) to keep their
prott3 as satisfactory TO themselves as pos
sible, are, and have been during the last
season, securing laborers at Sl.25 per day,
price at which no man can live and support a
family, and that compelling laborers to work
at u price less than the cost of an honorable
livelihood would eventually work against the
best interests of our city, it is the sense of
this couacil that 81. 80 per day is the lowest
amount that contractors will be allowed to
pay for labor during the season of 1856, and
that contractors be directed to govern them.
selves accordingly.
Mr.. Walsh in justice to the council,
wished to state his reasons for introducing
the resolution. He disclaimed any trace of
demagogy. He had taken the action as
the result of much observation. He found
the cost of living was the same now as in
past seasons, and every candid man must
admit that no man can live on S1.25 per
day and support family. The result is to
impoverish every employe of the city.
While the council has no legal right it has
moral right to say that labor shall be
properly paid 1.-THE effect of pay
ing low wages Is getting so
pronounced that our people
are getting ready to rebel against it and
preeipitate the city into serious trouble.
Aid. johnson thought it was matter of
great importance and moved consequently
that the matter be referred to committee
of five, Of which Aid Walsh shall be chair
man. Aid. Downs opposed the referring
to a committee. He said he was ready to
go on record with his vote. He stigmatized
the present competitive system of contract
ing as a damnable outrage. However,
Aid. Johnson'S motion prevailed.