Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-11
A GIGANTIC UNDERTAKING.
Governor Beaver Will Have the Conemaugh
Valley Cleaned.

PHILADELPHIA, June 10.-At the confer
ence between Governor Beaver and Mayor
Filter, at the latter's Office on Saturday
afternoon, the question of placing Johns
town ana vicinity in good sanitary con-
dition was thoroughly discussed. The
governor contended that the Conemaugh
river and Stony creek should be thorough
ly cleaned, the debris removed from the
now famous railroad bridge. The mayor
suggested that an extra session Of the
legislature be called for the purpose of
making an appropriation of 100000 for
the prosecution of the work. He claimed
that the money subscribed by the people
of this city and other places was SUBJ
scribed for specific purpose, that of feed
ing and clothing the sufferers, and that
it was the duty of the state to place the
towns in good sanitary condition.
Governor Beaver conceded in these
views, but thought that it was unneces-
sary waste of money to call an extra ses-
sion of the legislature, as it would cost at
least $780, to do so, and suggested that
some plan be adopted whereby the state
treasurer could use the amount required
and be guaranteed by citizens of the state,
In the event Of the next legislature failing
to make an appropriation of money ex-
pended in the work The mayor thought
that this was an excellent idea and an
nounced that he was prepared to go on a
bond, as one of 200, for g, 900.
A rough draft of bond was drawn up
and taken by the governor to Johnstown
yesterday.
Governor Beaver returned to this city
from Johnstown this afternoon and held
MqVOr a
the close of the conference the following
CODY of bond of indemnity. prepared by
the two gentlemen, was given out for pub
lication:
Whereas, James A. Beaver has this day
given his bond to William b. Hart, state
treasurer of the commonwealth Of Penn
sylvania, in the sum of Sl,0O0,000, condi-
toned for the payment of whatever mon
eys may be advanced by the said William
B. Hart for the purpose of clearing the
streams and abating public nuisances
which threaten the health and safety of
the people of the commonwealth, caused
by the late floods which have destroyed so
much of life and property in the Cone
maugh valley, and. whereas, there is not
sufficient time to assemble the legislature
in order to secure a regular Appropriation
for the work which is.absolutely necessary
to be done for the preservation of the
health and safety of the people, now there
poratious of the commonwealth of Penn
syivania, each for himself, and no one for
any other, hereby guarantee the payment
of the said bond TO the amount of 5000
and no more upon the following condi-
tionS:
''First-This guarantee not to be bind
ing until signed by 200 individuals or COR
porations.
"Second-If more than 200 persons sign
this guarantee, then the liability of each
signer under the same be proportionatey
reduced.
"Third-The liability of each to be for a
pro rata share Of whatever amount may be
expended by the said James A. Beaver for
the purposes aforesaid, not exceeding the
penalty of the bond.
Fourth-ThiS guarantee TO be binding
only in case the legislature should fail to
make an appropriation for the work uh-
dertakeu TO be carried by the governor
through the state board of health, under
the police powers of the state.
Witness our hands and seals this 10th
day of June, A. ID. 1880"
when first thought of this scheme"
said Governor Beaver at today's confer.
cnce. Il came to Philadelphia TO see Mayor
Filter, and was SO thoroughly backed up
by him that went ahead to carry it out.
While in Johnstown yesterday | consulted
with the Pittsburg authorities and found
them heartily in accord with ii, and on my
way back | arranged with a contractor
named O'Donnell 70 so ahead with the
work on general business PRINCIPLES and
with one or two thousand men, remove all
all the debris in the Conemaugh at Johns
town and purify the water in the stream
don't think we will have any trouble in
getting two hundred citizens 10 so on that
guarantee
Il have that many Philadelphians al
ready" interrupted the mayor land en-
pect TO have five hundred before it stops"
That's good rejoined the governor.
almost every Pittsburger l met who had
any money was willing TO so on the bond.
] think myself that the amount necessary
for the work is greatly exaggerated, but so
much is to be done that it will cost any
where from 500 600 to 500, 900 to complete
il. The bond is simply one of indemnity
and / regard the thing only in the light of
g sanitary precaution. In other words, |.
operating under the police power OF the
state, declare the Copenaugh river pub
lie nuisance and direct that the nuisance
shall be abated as quick rs possible 1t is
my opinion that the amount OF money that
would be required for an extra session of
the legislature will pay for all the work
that is TO be done; but | think that the
legislature will make an appropriation at
the next session to pay for ali that Is nee
essary."
EVENING UP THE TRAFFIC.
CHICAGO, June 10--The executive board
Al