Daily Republican., 1886-03-12
CITY COUNCIL.
THE Park PROJECT BEFORE
COUNCIL AND THE PEOPLE.
An Effort Co Reduce the Hours OF La
bor-Mr. Farrell Vigorously
Opposes the Park.


Opposes the Park.
-SS-----
The City Council met last evening
with full attendance OF members
The Street Committee reported in favor
OF rejecting the award of the commits
sion composed OF William Bush, james
Bradford, p. N. Brennan and George
3. Oapelle In the matter of widening
Front street, from Broome to Clayt ton
street, aud by which award Philip
Plunkett was allowed $500 damages.
On motion of Mr.. Adele to accept the
report aud to draw AN order In favor OF
the members OF the com m issi0n for the
fees due, Mr.. Murray argued that the
award was not too much and should be
allowed. After the report had been
discussed for some time, Mr.. Murray
raised the point of order that the re-
port having been withheld over the
prescribed fifteen days would be OF nc
avail.
This point was supported by Mr..
Newell, who said that any approval oi
the award now would be illegal, and
the chair being of the same idea, de
cided accordingly. Merris Taylor goi
Council out Of Its dilemma by moving
the reference OF the report to the Law
Committee. which was adopted.
II. 81. Law and James Dougherty
each having petitioned Council, asking
for damages accrued by building the
b. and p. Railroad, motions were made
for Council to meet at the City Hall on
Saturday evening at B O'Clock TO pro
oeed to the premises and view the dam
ages complained Of.
Mr.. Murray wanted to know what
Council WAS to meet for when there was
no money to pay damages with. 1t was
no use, he thought, to incur additional
expense by holding extra meetings.
Mr.. Adele said that whenever dam
ages were claimed against that railroad
and reported to Conn oil 1t became the
duty OF that body under. the charter to
meet on the premises, and to appoint
one of the three commissioners to assess
the damages.
Mr.. Latimer agreed with Mr.. Abele,
and said this was the only defence the
citizens had against the railroad com
pany.
Mr.. Murray then withdrew his obisc-
lions when he found the meetings We're
provided for, and thu motion was agreed
10.
Mr.. Mention Of the special committee
appointed J Jnne %. 1885, to confer with
4 committee OF the Board of Park Com
In reference to the purchase
1f lands for q city park, made an ex.
haustive report. The first prices set
upon the lands desired aggregated $685.
396 68, $239 140 for lands on the Brandy.
wine and $17, TAG 66 for four squares In
hs Eleventh ward. These prices being
too high another attempt
was made aI d reduction OF $133, ,013 68
was secured, making an aggregate Of
5l23, ,872 o8, of which Sill 1928 are for
ands on the Brandy wine, and Sl1, ,949 98
n the Eleventh ward. This cuts off a
portion of the property on the north
tide OF the Brandy wine and places the
park line at Seventeenth street from
Washington street to Snuff Mill lane
instead of Eighteenth, as originally in
ended. 1t has In 1t twenty-five build
ugs, including st. James Catholic
Church. The committee expresses Its
OF the liberal offer Of VIM.
P. Bancroft, but found 1t impossible to
accept 1t on account Of the high price
lsked for the Law property.
They recommended the purchase Of
he following lands for park purposes:
The property known as the Barley Mill
ot; the land extending from Van Buren,
street along Lowering avenue TO Dupont
IT,, thence northeasterly along DUPONT
street; along Wawaset TO Scott, along
Riddles road about 100 feet to Crooked
Run, and thence to the south bank of
.he Brandywine. OR the north side of
The Brandy wine, the lands beginning
It Washing gton, thence along Seventh
street to Snuff Mill lane, thence TO the
B Il Z. Railroad, along said road to
The north bank OF the Brapdywine
Also the four squares in the Eleventh
ward bounded by Broome, Franklin,
Maple and Beech streets. All these
lands can be purchased for $157 ,97298.
They asked to be continued until their
services are no longer necessary.
Mr.. Mention moved that fifty copies
Df the report be printed and that action
be postponed until the next meeting or
some other future meeting OF Council.
Mr.. Black offered resolution AS an
providing that the report
be- accepted ard that the question be
submitted to q vote of the people at the
next election In June.
Mr.. Farrell, earnestly supported the
Merris Taylor moved that
action upon the amendment be post
poned one week.
Mr.. Farrell vigorously opposed the
motion, saying In substance that while
q park would be very good thing to
have, the people had something to say
about 1t. The city needed paved streets
worse than 1t needed parks.
Mr.. Taylor said that while he admir-.
ed the eloquence of the gentleman from
the Fourth Ward, and his extreme
anxiety for "the dear people," he would
yield nothing to him In his devotion tc
the interests of the city and the people
He wanted the report to be printed JUS
as It came from the committee and theI
ths amendment could be adopted. Mr.
Bake also strongle advocated th'
amendment, and SAID It was offered II
good faith. Mr.. Baynard, Mr.. Murray
Mr.. Mention and Moore while al
favoring q submission Of the question
to vote of the people, opposed MIR
Blake's motion as being premature
They favored first action by the City
Council and then leaving 1t TO q vote Of
the people. The amendment was re-
rejected by vote of to II.
Mr.. Farrell moved that a vote oi
thanks be rendered to the committee fol
the performance of their arduous duties
Mr.. Mention said the committee die
not want any thanks.
Mr.. Taylor said it was premature tt
thank the committee before their work
was completed.
The motion to print fifty copies ther
prevailed.
City Treasurer Shippers reported 6
balance on land to the account of cur
rent expenses Of $67,077.0a, q specia
deposit for sand lot purposes Of $S,68l.
SO and the following receipts: Johr
w. Hawkins, salary returned, 81; City
Tax Collector Kane, $3.50; City Ta1
CollAotor Mnndx &3nn. OitH Auditnl