Wichita eagle., 1888-10-02
DULL SESSION.
4 LONG EFFORT WITH COMPARE.
lively LITTLE DONE.
Contracts for Douglas Avenue Curb
and Guttering -.warded--S Sewer
Right-of- Way Discussed.

y
English, Pratt, Downing, Bucridge, Glaze,
and Slower present. The mayor stated
that the meeting was mainly to consider
sewerage, curb and guttering. and public
Improvements.
In the curb and guttering, Mr.. English
stated that most of the contractors were
axious to have the contract awarded as
they desired to know who would do the
work.
A communication was read from Mr.. j..
E. Flower stating that due to sickness he
would not,,be able to construct the curb and
guttering awarded to him.
A petition was read asking to pave A.
G. and d. avenues in Sherwood's addition
from Waco to Rochester avenues. 1t was
signed by property owners interested, For
paving they wanted to use four inches
broken stone, two inches gravel and two
inches shay.
The plan was submitted, including park
and fountains, as was mentioned some
days ago. The city attorney thought the
petition was not definite enough concern
ing the per cent of property owners who
interested had signed the petition.
Buckrdge said he was very anxious to
view of the city attorneys objections,
moved that it be referred to the city attor-
ney and public improvement committee,
to report at the next meeting. Carried.
A petition from G.. II. Sheridan asked to
be given leave to put street scales on the
corner of English street and Washington
avenue. The move was a private enter
prise. The matter was referred to the
scale committee with power to act.
A petition from East Central avenue
asked for new bridge across Chisholm
creek, declaring the present one is unsafe
and they had not received anything in
the way of improvements except
two ':blinker" light When it had been
read theclerk stated bill had been sub
mitted for having made repairs already.
The bill was something near 500 and some
of the members thought it was bad in
vestment. The petition was referred to
public improvement committee
Mr. Healy stated that the Kellogg street
bridge Chisholm creek was not wide
enough and should be improved. He NOV
ed the public improvement committee
take steps to widen the bridge at least ten
feet. The motion prevailed.
Some petitions for side walks were read
coming from tbs car works and referred to
the councilmen from that ward.
The following communication was read
from the board of trade. SAT a meeting
OF the directors of the board of trade, held
this day, the following was adopted by
unanimous vote:
Whereas, The present status of affairs
in this city indicates the approach. in the
near future of great degree OF prosperity
and there are demand for the sewerlng of
the city, therefore be it
Resolved, That in the judgment Of this
board city council should at once push for
ward with all possible speed the work of
sewering the city in accordance with the
plans already adopted"
The communication was placed on file.
The parties working on sewer right of
way submitted a report stating that deeds
had been secured and gave list of parties
not giving right of way. Some asked time
to consider, some owners could not be
found, while others were reported as mot
giving satisfaction" The report was
spread over several pages and proved very
tiresome matter.
When it had been read the city attorney
stated the report was very unsatisfactory.
In cases where right of way was
refused it would be best to open alley by
regular condemnation proceedings. Bad
method to go through block woen any
one objects without regular condemna-
tons.
An agreement for right of way was sub
mitted by VIM Mathewson which the
mayor was instructed to sign. 1t places
the question of damage IN the hands of a
committee of three.
1t was moved that the sewer committee
be empowered to negotiate with owners
for right of way.
Buckeridge opposed the motion with the
observation that RICH of way should not
cost the city cent
English thought the motion did not
mean giving money for damages but to
get the right of way without money.
Healy said only few asked for damage
and may be in some eases damages will
result
The mayor suggested that condemn
ing committee might meet with more sue
cess than any other body assigned the
work.
The motion carried and the sewer COM
mittee agreed to meet tomorrow to COM
mence work on the work assigned.
There was a discussion about bond of
sewer contractor English moved that
contractor be required to give bond of
same amount of contract.
Healy thought it was not necessary to
have such large bond.
Pratt thought the bond question was a
little premature, as there is plenty OF time
for that.
The city engineer said he though it was
of great Importance that good sized bond
be given so the city would be thoroughly
secured from bad workmen, tricky con-
tractors with bad material.
The mayor stated that the matter was Of
great Importance. Did not want any
straw bonds.
A motion carried to place the bond at
contract price with Pratt in the negative.
Healy submitted a resolution TO compel
contractors to get CRATES and manholes in
the city if costing no more than two and
three-fourth cents per pound.
Buckridge seemed 10 oppose the Healy
motion when Healy stated that the specifi
cations called for Sedgwick county brick
and the members looked at Buckridge
who was connected with the brick
scheme. Healy intimated that supporters
of brick schemes would not be
logical in official record if they
opposed his resolution. 1--WE hear a
great howl" said Healy, 'about getting
money to laboring classes. This would be
a good round sum from fifty to seventy
five thousand dollars among Wichita
fouldries-"
Pratt said he could not vote for the mo-
ton intelligently, ''as l don't know what
| it would cost"
Glaze suggested an effort at the time of