The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-21

OF tue PRESIDENT or the Councii, the city attor-
ney and five members Of the Common Council,
and that the Board Of Aldermen appoint a like
committee.
The report of the city civil engineer showed
awards Of contracts for improving sidewalks
and alleys amounting to SI1, 731. 81. The report
OF S Loftin as city treasurer showing receipts
from Sept 5 to July / amounting to S574,-
482.3 30, and an expenditure of $40. 5l0. 40. leav-
inc q balance Of $50. 81. 50. was received and
adopted.
A communication from the city civil engineer
was read bearing upon the negligence of j. B.
Gibney 81 Co, contractors for the Consumers
Gas Trust Company, in leaving their trenches
untitled and in q condition dangerous to travel
ers. They have received repeated orders from
the engineers inspectors. but such have hsen
utterly disregarded, although the officers of the
company have shown themselves desirous of
having their contractors regulate the matter. This
makes the only resort possible TO be the prose-
cution of the Consumers Trust Company
itself. The communication further favored
the passage OF an ordinance that would
reach them. Counc.!men Darnell, Hicklin, and
others expressed themselves as favoring the
recommendations * necessary, but the city at
t0rney stated that the ordinance passed last
November is sufficient for all practical purposes
in the pursuance OF the law. Councilman Trus-
Ter moved to amend the original motion BY in
structing the city attorney TO proceed at once
with action. Carried.
Upon request. Chief Webster. OF the city fire
slucut, was kEdutcQ ouo Voc ioovo "a
absence from the city. and the ASSISTANT chief
was appoint ted to fill his position temporarily.
The contract for improving Washington street,
from Mississippi to Alabama street, transferred
from the National Vulcanits Company, of New
Jersey, to the Indianapolis Paving Company,
was considered aud received.
A communications from the city sexton, recon-
mendine the purchase of additional lots in
Greenlawn Cemetery, was referred TO
the committee on public property.
tom fro now" Undertake. c {. Kreeeio was
read, setting forth the insuficiency Of Green
lawn as q cemetery. DR.. carp, Of the city
Board OF Health, who was asked to address the
Council upon the subject. stated that the Gem
etery now contains bodies buried three deep in
many places, and that their removal Is causing
a great danger of spreading infectious diseases.
The matter demands some action by the City
Council as a question Of public health. 1t was
referred TO the committee on public property
and the city Board Of Health.
Councilman Darnell offered the following res
~olution:
Whereas, It has been openly charged by individ-
uals on the streets and insinuated by articles In some
auences have been used with members of this body in
connection with its recent action in letting the con-
tract tor the Lighting of this city,
Resolved, That We demand that an immediate in
vestigation be made as to such charges aforesaid, and
tEat a committee Of two be appointed by the chair,
and one by the Board OF Aldermen, who shall con.
DUCT 6lcn inveSLgatiOn.d IL meetings o I sucn com
mittee shall be public, and any and all reputable citi-
zens, who have any inf rmation on the subject in
consideration, shall be admitted 10 testify under
oath. as also shall all members OF this body testify.
under oath; and said committee is hereby empowered
TO incur any necessary expenses desired TO make such
investigation full and complete.
Immediately after the reading of the resolu-
ton Councilman Trusler offered a substitute,
stating that the Indianapolis News had willfully
misrepresentsd the City Council by asserting
that q valid bond had been offered TO is by the
Fort Wayne Jeoney Company for lighting the
city. and by falsely stating that he himself had
declared that the above-named company had
begun its operations by sugaring the council
men. and further. that the members who voted
for the report of the committee were unfaithful
public servants and agents OF the company"
The substitute further ended that the
Council ceDsure the Evening News for its disre-
gard Of the truth.
For one hour a lively discussion epsued, in
which CouncilmeE Darnell. Trnsler, Hicklin,
Marley. Swain and others figured very promi-
nently. In explaining his purpose in Offering
the resolution. Councilman DarDell said that the
business of the City Council should be SO con-
Quoted thas an investigation involving personal
character would not be feared. de was fol-
lowed by Councilman Trusler, who was very
severe In his denunciation OF the News and its
editors.
Councilman Swain said: "Any editor who ac-
cuses Us as being against public interests is a
liar and a malicious liar. We should not permit
these articles TO pass unnoticed. Ii will be
against our reputation
Councilman Stuckmeyer remarked: 81 am one
of .be original eleven, and I am heartily in favor
of an investigation"
Councilman Cummings opposed the ;nvestiga-
ton. because such action would involve the vote
of the men accused. Councilman Marley con-
sidered an investigation unnecessary, but Coun-
ciImen Kelly, Thslman. Finch and others OK
pressed it as their opinion that an Investigation
at least would do no harm 10 the members IN
less they were guilty. In such q case the truth
should best be known. On motion, Councilman
Truslers Substitute was laid upon the table,
aud a vote was taken upon Mr.. Darnellis
original resolution. 1t was unanimously carried.
The Trusler substitute was then reconsidered
and carried, Councilmen Elliott, Long, McClel-
land. OConnor, Smith and Stuckmeyer voting
In the negative. The Mayor appointed Council
men Darnell and Johnston as the to
act in accordance with the resolution.
The remainder Of the evening was spent in
routine business relative to the grading and paw
ing of sidewalks, establishment of a danger
light over natursl-eas trenches. and similar pro-
visions. After a continuous session of four
hours and q half the Council adjourned.