The Indianapolis journal., 1889-06-25

Various Important Matters from the City
Council Considered and Approved.

Beyond concurring in the action of
Council on many minor matters, the Board
of Aldermen did but little business last
night. The Council resolution extending
the boundaries of the city on the north by
the annexation of all that territory be-
tween Meridian street and Central avenue
north to Fall creek, was unanimously APP
proved. This territory is being improved
rapidly, and now that it will receive fire
and police protection, and be given
water service. those interested in this
annexation predict that the city will be
built up to Fall creek in a short time. By
this action the city's population will be
increased several hundred. An improve
ment in the same locality was provided for
by the final passage of the ordinance order
ing the construction of a levee along the
south bank of the creek, from Tennessee
street to a point two hundred feet east of
Central avenue. The levee will be built
under the law enacted by the last Legis-
lature, which directs that the expense
shall be collected from the landowners
benefited. When the work is completed the
territory annexed will be well protected
from an overflow from Fall creek. danger
to which it has been subject iii the past
Another COuncilresOlutiOn approved, and
one of some Importance. was that ordering
John w. Cooper and others to remove OBJ
structiOns from the State ditch. Recently
Cooper and some other prOperty-owners
laying tiling for the water to run through.
and then filling up the excavation. The
city attorney called the Councils atten-
tiOn to the fact that the ditch was dug by
&l.x 90. nVaHf hot fhnR
was law providing severe penalty
said, was insufficient to carry the volume of
water that came through the ditch at times.
flow that would result in much damage to
property. Acting upon his advice the reso-
luton was prepared for passage by the two
municipal bodies. 1t provides that if Mr..
Cooper and the other offenders do not re-
done by the city civil engineer at the ex-
pense of those who violated the law by
filling the ditch.
Sim Coy's resolution directing the city
attorney to prepare an ordinance
gas Inspector, by whom all plumbers
doing work on natural gas pipes shall be
licensed, was also adopted. The ordinance
will be introduced at the next meeting of
tions ordering the natural-gas companies
to extend their mains to parts of the city
not yet supplied with the cheap fuel were
passed. Quite a number. of resolutions
were passed declaring for the improvement
of streets. Among them were two declara-
tIOns for asphalt pavements, one for
Meridian street from Seventh to Twelfth
street. and the other for College avenue
from Christian avenue to Seventh street. :.
About half of the evenings session was
consumed In discussion of the action or
the Council in authorizing the chief fire en-
gineer to employ four more firemen to man
the new extension ladder, and in confirm
ing the appointments made by Chief
objected to the board indOrsing this action
not because there was no need of
additional men, but on the ground
that there had been bad faith
shown in the appointment of the
men. Alderman Connett charged that some
of the members of the fire committee of the
two bodies had entered into an agreement
with Chief DOugherty, the terms of which
We're that if DOugherty should appoint the
persons whose names had been sent in, the
members of the cOmmitteeinteresred would
see that the Council and board would
authorize the appointment of the addi-
tional men. The Alderman also charged
that Alderman Reynolds was a party to the
ably absent from the meeting, President
Wright suggested that. in justice to him,
the matter should be deferred until he
could be present and answer for
himself as to the charge. Aldermen Rail.
Wright, Taylor and Tousey all expressed
the opinion that the resolution ordering
the appointments, and the one confirming
them, should be passed. but they were will
ing that the whole matter should be con-
tinued until the next meeting. On motion
of Alderman COnnett, the question at Issue
was referred to the committees on fire and
finances. with instructions that a report be
submitted at the next meeting of the board.
The effort of few persons to have
the Metropolitan Police Board pro-
vide covered patrol wagon was
checked by the adoption of a report
from the committee OH police stating that
such an idea was impracticable. and could
not be carried out without placing in dan
ger the lives of those who had to manage
unruly prisoners. In compliance with re-
quest made lat a former meeting of the
board, the city engineer reported that at
the present time he had no natural gas in
speetors in his service. and would employ
none until the companies again began the
extension of mains. The bond of Treasurer
elect Osterman was accepted, and the
board then adjourned.