Evening journal., 1889-10-25
SWIGGETTS SANDWICHES.
COUNCILMAN LAWSON lNTlMATES
THAT HE SWEARS FALSELY.

And, Contrary 10 the tharters ShArkeH
the City More for Prisoner Meals Than
He Pays for Them-To be Investigated.
Bills Passed.
Last evenings session of City Council
brought up the old question of the Chief
Of Policies compensation for feeding
prisoners, and grave charges were made
against Chief Swiggett.
The regular business was opened by
the Finance Committee, which made a
report on the petition Of Heald & Co,
asking that taxes to the amount OF
$39 80 on the property at the southeast
corner of Front and Market streets.
caused BY excessive assessments, be
refunded. The committee reported
that after consultation with the
city solicitor, it was Of the opinion
that Council had no authority TO
grant the request as the property has
been legally assessed and the assessment
had been opened for examination and
could have been corrected by the Board
OF Assessments, Revision and Appeals,
ns 4 the petitioners appealed to it. The
report was adopted.
Mr.. Lawson objected TO the bill Of
the Chief Of Police William Y. Swiggett,
for feeding prisoners during the month
Of September, amounting TO $63 go At
his request It was read in full, showing a
charge Of Is cents meal.
Mr. Lawson then had READ a part Of
page 65, section As, Of the city charter,
which is as follows.
1T shall be the duty Of The high con
stable Of said city or other person who
may be the keeper Of the prison cells in
said city, or In charge thereof to receive
I and lock up and safely keep in said cells
any person committed by any judgment
or sentence OF the Municipal Court OF
said city, or of any justice Of the peace
said city, for the violation of any laws OF
this state, or Of the provisions OF this aci
or Of the ordinances of said city, for TEN
perary confinement, until such person
committed as aforesaid may be taken I,
the common jail Of New Castle countl
by the officer TO whom such person MAJ
have been committed, and the actua
costs for all meals medical attendano
and medicines furnished such person 81
committed as aforesaid by the said higl
constable, or other person, keeper OF sail
cells or in charge thereof shall be pai
by the Council, after an itemized bill
thereof verified by the affidavit of th
person furnishing the same, audited b
the city aaditor in the same manner a
other bills against said city are now paid
shall have been presented TO the sal
city"
MIR Lawson then said that it WAS hi
, duty to accuse the Police Committee o
, approving what the members Of the cen
mittee knew was not correct.
t Mr. Baugh said that all the committe
did. and could do, was TO take the oil
; davit of the chief Of police; though the
! had always considered the bills high. no
. only for the present chief, but for other
in the past
Mr. Lawson intimated that the chief
police was paying less than be charged
Mr.. Chambers said that if Mr.. LawsC
= had any knowledge of such fact he Ia
better make statement.
I Mr. Lawson then said that Mr. SaS
Z, don had complained of the excessi'
0 charge for meals, and he and other mer
o bers Of the Police Committee knew
e well as he Mr. Lawson) did, that q
, chief OF police took the check that he n
Il ceived for his bill and had it divided
half, giving one half to the person wi
, | provided the meals.
j. Mr. Roberts, as usual, wanted to vo'
intelligently He said IL was a seriou
b matter to make such charge. IL wa
g equal to saying that the chief of pOli1
0 took false oath Mr.. Roberts defende
7 the chief.
:, Mr. Beugh moved that the bill be r
d ferred back TO the committee. The chit
+ of police had been accused OF seriol
t matter and he should be given an oppo
= tunity TO be heard in his defence.
j -. q,
o against the motion.
S The Printing Committee recommend do
y the payment of $i5 additional to u
e Democrat Printing Company on aecoui
n Of the late disputed bill for tax receipt
n II was allowed.
The special committee having In char
t. the arrangements Of the late James
d McGonigals funeral reported bills
It expenses as follows Gloves, IS 80 .ca
riages, etc. &3S; draping Council chambt
$16S5; total, f53 13. The bills we're Z
deled paid.
The city treasurer reported a balan
st in bank 20 the credit of current expense
/ $159, ia 27 park fund, 81, 50004
! City Auditor Newell reported asses
ments for laying curb at 81 ,4s2 SO. n
assessments were approved by the Sire
ID and Sewer Department They were a
Us cepted and the auditor instructed to ent
them on his lien book for collection.
T. Orders were directed to be drawn
lt payment of the interest on bonds d
s. November 1, amounting to S3, 100; Al
y in payment Of city loan No. 20, amour
\, ing to "a, 006, also due November /.
4 Mr.. Curran gave notice Of an amen
ment to the ordinance in relation to {
numbering Of houses and Council q
n journed.
Bills were passed as follows: f.
'. Moody. 1886 co. w. J. Leonard, s
Gamewell Fire Alarm Company, $50
" Jester & Me Daniel, $52; Finn Bro
Is 1882 50 Democrat Printing Compan
q $15 James NJ Griffin, IS; A. G. Tuck
81 OF; Adams & Bro, IS 83; Andr,
+. Traynor, $3S; Mccartney & Co, $40 50.