Sacramento daily record-union., 1889-09-03
MUNICIPAL MATTERS.
THE POLICE SALARIES CASE BEFORE
THE TRUSTEES.
License Reform Considered and Laid
Over for One Week-Yiison's
Accounts Settled.

The regular weekly meeting of the
Board OF City Trustees was held yesterday.
Present-Mayor Gregory and Trustees Nc
Laughlin and Wolf.
The Chief Engineer of the Water Works
reported that during the past week Al 1,374,-
600 gallons of water had been pumped, the
Holly engine working lis hours and the
Stevens pump 142 hours.
An extension of two months time was
asked by the Central NJ. E. Church in
which to lay concrete walk in front of
the property on Eleventh street, between
II and I. The matter was referred to Trus-
tee Mclaughlin.
RIVAL scAvENGERs
R. NJ. Clarken appeared before the Board
IN behalf OF Jesse Slaughter, the present
City Scavenger. He complained that ever
since Slaughter had been installed in office
other parties were removing dead animals
with permits given them by one of the
veterinary surgeons of the city, and this
was in violation of the ordinance, which
stated that no one other than the City
Scavenger shall remove dead animals with
Health Officer or from the Veterinary In
spector. The party of whom Slaughter
complained did not receive any such per-
mits, and he (Slaughter) thought that the
Board should see that he was protected.
Action postponed week.
ARTHUR WILSON'S ACCOUNTS.
William NJ. Lyon, who was employed
by the Board to expert the books of the
late Superintendent of the City Cemetery,
A. ]. Wilson, submitted his report of the
condition of affairs. In it he stated that
he found every account correct, and could
trace everything. However, there was $50
due the city from Mr.. Wilson, on account
of the latter's insufficient charges in some
cases for burials. He had charged 81 when
81 and So should have been the amount.
Mr.. Lyon explained this by saying that
sometimes poor people would come to Mr..
Wilson and complain of poverty, and in
manv cases he would give them a grave
for 81. On this account there was a short
age of $50, and the Board might or might
not-just as il chose-compel Mr.. Wilson
to pay this amount out of his pocket.
Mayor Gregory stated that he was salts
fled with the report, and moved that it be
received and that Mr.. Wilson be directed
to make good the $50. The other men,
bers apparently agreed with the Mayor,
and the motion was carried.
OFFICIAL REPORTS.
r. W. Parker, Superintendent of the
City Cemetery, submitted his monthly re-
port for August, which showed that in
this city there were "a deaths and II
brought here for interment, making in all
80 bodies inferred. The collections for the
month were 1886 90.
N. A. Kidder, Harbormaster, reported
$l67 so as recapitulation for the month of
August.
Chief Of Police Lee reported that the
total number of arrests made by the Police
during the month was 311; dodgers accom-
modated, %; meals furnished, !, ,346; amount
on hand September 1st, So.
Tbs report of the Pouudmaster for the
month of August showed that four horses
had been impounded and five redeemed;
four COWS had been impounded and five
sold; sixty.six dogs had been killed and
twenty-four redeemed; receipts, $55 so.
THE PoLIcEMEN's SALARIES.
George E. Blanchard appeared before the
Board and presented a writ of mandate
from the Court of Judge Armstrong, order
ing the Trustees to levy special tax to pay
the clsms of the policemen, pursuant to
the decision of the Court. Mr.. Blanchard,
as attorney for the policemen, made quite
an extended argument to the Board, urging
the levying of the tax. He referred to the
petition, signed by hundreds of taxpayers,
urging the Board to go ahead and do their
duty by levying the tax to pay the police
men. The petition was representative of
the feelings of the people, and the Trustees,
who were elected by these very people,
ought TO be influenced in their judgment
by the will of the people. The policemen
were now five months without their sal
aries, and there was no doubt but that the
money would have to be paid them, even
II the case was dragged into the Supreme
Court
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Blanchard's s re-
marks the Mayor asked that City Attorney
Church be called in, that the Board might
get his views on the subject. Mr.. Church
addressed the Board, and said he did not
know whether or not it would be Just the
right thing to appeal the case. He was de-
Tending the city, together with Grove L.
Johnson, and felt safe in saying that were
the case appealed to the Supreme Court,
the judgment rendered by Judge Arm
strong would undoubtedly be reversed.
However, the petition presented to the
Board and signed so numerously by the
taxpayers was thing in the case not to be
overlooked. 1t spoke plainly for ITSELF and
to great extent showed how the people
felt on the question. The case could be
appealed, but whether or not that would be
the proper thing to do he left for the Board
" uSCLuC ne ulu DOl WISH 10 ADVISE lD6
Board one way or the other in the matter
Of appealing the case, but stated that if they
intended TO make fight and not let the
matter rest where it was, they could win
their case on the appeal.
Grove L. Johnson was then called upon
for his opinion. 81 am here gentlemen of
the Board, at your request, and am ready
to answer any questions you may ask of
me- said Mr. johnson. Il will answer as
aNg, .;,,t H., a
wise you as to what to do. You will re-
member gentlemen, that told you knew
Judge Armstrong would render the decis-
ION he did, and | also told you ii would be
OF 40 avail for me 10 argue the matter before
him. did argue it somewhat at the re.
quest OF City Attorney Church, and he will
bear me out in this assertion. | knew the
Court would rule as it did, for Judge Arm
strong had shown his will in the matter
long before it came into Court ! didn t
like to argue the matter for the simple rea-
son that knew ! would be beaten and my
prophecy, as you all know, came true. ]
have not the slightest doubt in my mind
but that the Supreme Court would reverse
the decision. | think they would do so
even without hearing arguments at all, so
plain is the question. l have appealed the
case already, but if you gentlemen wish it
dismissed l can readily have your order
that he was not giving his opinion as a
private citizen, but as lawyer, and was
simply speaking on the points of law in
question.
Don't you think" asked Mayor Greg
ory, that if the Supreme Court reverses
the decision our whole police force will be
disbanded?"
To this question, Mr.. Johnson said that
he did not think it would have auv effect
on the old members and that there vxonId
still be fifteen on the force.
Several citizens gave their views on the
subject, but they were of those who are op.
posed TO the paying of the salaries
{. f. Adams was one of those who did
not want 10 see the police get their money
He was opposed 10 the levying of tax
and thought the additional policemen on
the force didn't help it a bit. He hsdnr
seen one near his place of business for &
long time.
How much taxes do you pay" came &
voice from the crowd.
Adams replied that he guessed he pait
enough, anyway"