, 1886-04-25

tA((hata - ~ . httkEa - $1,000
house was in order.
Tie bids, six in number, were her
opened and read as follows:
Z. Ii. Spoor~....~.-."-...."... 81, $50
NJ. p. Keefe.. 9,047
Geo. McSwain. 1925
Isaac Smith 1929
Holloway Bros..,....-~....... 1910
George East........ .............. 9,4s9
All but two of the above bids exceeded
the limit, which had been announced in
the advertisement that of 5000.
Prior to any motion being made regard
ing the bids the members Of the council
INDUCED in an informal discussion and a
comparison Of notes between themselves
aud continued in this way until at length
the acting mayor became a little impati-
ent and inquired two or three times what
the council proposed to do with the bids.
Councilman Riner stated that he supposed
the council would have to do something.
and moved that the contract be awarded
W lShhC Dulllni Nut lONtct DiuutI. On
his giving the necessary bond. Mr..
Keefe seconded Mr.. Riner's motion. Mr..
Draper expressed himself upon the sub
ject. He considered that the city was
paying altogether too much for the cree
ton of a hook and ladder house and
moved that all bids be rejected by the
council. Mr.. Griffin seconded the
motion.
A long but somewhat informal discus
sion then ensue1, but it was principally
carried on by the members among them
selves without addressing the char. This
made President Harrington a little ner-
vous-he wanted to have a chance to say
something which, as a presiding officer, he
could not very well do.
Finally Mr.. Harrington remarked on
the side, II wouldn't give a cent to have
this chair. III was down on that floor |
would stir matters up a little.
City Attorney Riner finally went TO in
vestigating the charter to see what steps
it was necessary for the council to take,
and eventually read a portion of the city
charter in which it is provided that before
any contract can be let for the erection Of
any building by the city au estimate must
first be made by the city engineer. and
the estimate must be made a matter of
record. He wanted to know whether that
had been done or not before the city clerk
had advertised for bids.
Clerk Richards said no such estimate
was made, and later on read from the
records where the city council had by
resolution placed the whole matter in the
hands Of the fire committee.
This created a sensation. and it was APP
parent at ouce that something must be
done, or, perhaps, more properly speak
ing, that nothing could be done under the
situation as it hen was. There was more
discussion among the members, during
which Mr.. Draper wanted to know wheth-
er the committee had ever been called to-
gether to consider the plans which the
architect had prepared. Considerable fur
Their discussion occurred, in which it trans
pired that there was a committee of the
Pioneer hooks present. and that they did
not want such a building as the plans con-
templated.
Finally President Harrington resorted to
the gavel again and said that if the coun-
ell wasn't going to do anything a motion
to adjourn was in order.
Mr.. Draper-"1 move the council do
now adjourn.
A volce-"Second the motion
Mr.. Rincr-"I nov that all bids be
rejected and that the city engineer be in
structed to prepare an estimate, and that
the city clerk advertise for bids Mr..
Keefe seconded this motion.
Mr.. Draper here went out and did not
return.
President Harrington-'Are you ready
for the question:
Mr.. Murray-''rhere is a motion to adj
journ before the council"
President Harrington-''The mover Of
the motion has gone
The motion OF MIR Rincr was put aud
carried. and after a further consultation
the same motion virtually was put and
carried again, after which the council adj
journed.
This leaves the matter of building the
Pioneer Hook and Ladder house right
where it was some Eve or six week ago.
and the matter of making the estimates