Great Falls tribune., 1888-12-12
ALDERMEN BUSY.
THEY MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME
IN THE NEW COUNCIL CHAMBER,
salaries are Discussed Without Comm.
to any Conclusion The Alder
men Adjourn to Meet Again
.m..... on Wednesday. ~

the first time in the new city hall as the
Dunn block might now be called since
the offices Of the council, police magis-
trate and city attorney are all tn herein.
The council chamber had been arranged
conveniently for public business. There
was platform with desk for the mayor.
In front Of it we're chairs for the eight
aldermen and the city officers. A railing
divided the aldermen from the public at
| large who are to have benches. There
was long table for general use. 1t is
wide as well as long SO that motions can
be laid on it without difficulty. The
chamber was illuminated by the electric
light. The aldermen were all pleased
with their surroundings and went to work
| with will.
There we're present at the meeting Of
the city council last evening, Mayor Glib
son, Aldermen Fairfield. Beachley, Veg
ner, Matthews, Mitchell and johnson.
Mayor Gibson called on the respective
committees and the city officers for re-
ports regarding the public business
There were no reports from the com
mittees on ways and means Or ordinances
Mayor Gibson said that he observed,
with regret, that there was no report
from the committee OIL ordinances, as
there were some that ought to be adopted.
Some important ordinances should be
presented. The ordinance which regu-
lates the use of sheet iron chinneys, for
instance, should be acted upon while the
weather was fine, for when snow comes
it would be hard to enforce it. He had
observed lately throughout the city many
stovepipe chimneys which were afruitful
source of danger. If the, ordinance were
passed the city marshal could give notice
as to what changes were expected to be
made in accordance with it.
Alderman Wegner moved that the
Mayor and city marshal be authorized to
designate a public dump ground where
rubbish could be deposited. Carried.
Alderman Wegner asked if it would be
in order to- reconsider the salary ordi-
nance, and on learning that it would he
moved that the city marshal be, paid 800
per month. Alderman Dickinson seconded
the motion which was lost by vote of 4
to 8, as follows: Aye-Wegner, Mitchell
and Dickinson; nay-Falrfeld, Beachley,
Matthews and johnson.
Alderman Fairfield moved that the Or
dinance as read at the last meeting be
adopted.
Alderman Wegner moved that the
poliseman shouiuiecelve the same salary
as the city marshal.
An animated discussion followed
Mayor Gibson resigned the chair and
taking the floor spoke emphatically upon
the good policy of paying fair salaries
for efficient work. He believed that a
proper man to do the work expected from
the night watchmen could not be had at
$40 per month. He found that Helena
pays her policemen 800 and 800 per
month. He held that the city shouldpay
fair wages, exact efficient service and
discharge any officer who was incompe-
| tent. .5~-
Aldermen johnson said that he and
Alderman Beachley had studied out the
salary question and he believed that the
report as submitted, was all right, but Al
derman Wegner had caused the arrest
fees to be struck out In Helena where
he had served deputy sheriff and watch
man some years ago, the salary was $50 a
month. He was willing to pay what was
fair and as much as the city could afford
Alderman Fairfield said that at present
Great Falls could not pay as much as
Helena. He found that the people CON
sidered the salary list to be high enough
as 1t stands.
On motion Of DR.. Fairfield further con
sideration of the matter was deferred
until next meeting. -.-.-
On motion of Alderman Dickinson the
committee was directed to report wha
salary the fire marshal is to receive.
The council then adjourned until Wed
nesday evening next.