Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-11
STORMY COUNCIL.
Political Assessments Cause Breeze in the
Common Brauch-0ther Matters
Make Some Lively Talk


Minor Matters.
Both branches of the Pittsburg Council met
yesterday afternoon. In the Select branch 3
resolution was passed extending the sympathy
of the city to the Johnstown sufferers, COM
mending the efforts of Mayor McCallin and
Chief Brown, and expressing the opinion that
the State should take up the work of clearing
up the wrecked city. Appropriate resolutions
were passed on the death of David Aiken, Jr.
Among the ordinances passed was one au-
thorizing the erection of police station in the
Thirty-sixth ward; one authorizing the City
Controller and Treasurer to close up certain
accounts with deficient repositories and Street
Commissioners, and one making it illegal TO
distribute advertising matter from wagons in
the street, and fixing the penalty at s5. MI.
Paul and Mr.. McCord presented remonstrances
from property holders against the oDenlng ana
widening of Williams street. dispute be-
sDective remoDstrances ended humorously, tne
Council voting TO leave the whole matter to
committee of two, and placing MI. faul and
Mr.. McCord on that committee.
An ordinance regulating street parades was
opposed by Mr.. Warmcastle, and defended by
MIR. Keating. The former thought that no one
man ought to have so much power as the ordl-
nance would delegate. Before action could be
taken, a motion to adjourn was carried.
QIarrels in, the Lower House.
In the Common Council yesterday there were
two characteristic squabbles. The first was
over the ordinance for the widening of Dia-
mond street After contest to which neither
Shiloh nor Antietam is worthy to be COM
pared, action on this ordinance was postponed
until the opinion of the City Solicitor could be
obtained on the city's liability in the matter.
Some felt that Council lacked information on
this subject, and condemned the Board of View
ers for not responding to their request for de-
tailed statement Some made eloquent ap-
peals for property owners on Diamond street,
and others urged deliberation on the ground
that it was common talk about the city that
the Council was always rushing into things,
and spending public money without knowing
what it was doing.
The second squabble was precipitated by
motion to reconsider action in concurring with
the Select house in its refusal to pass Mr.. + err
guson's resolution to investigate the polltlcal
scandal over the assessments upon fremen and
policemen. The motion prevailed, but by this
time there was almost pandemonium, and
motion to adjourn was carried, amid great con.
fusion,
The Last and Liveliest Fight.
Of the two fights the last mentioned was
possibly the breeziest 1t was introduced by
Mr.. Kerns, who said that Mr.. Ferguson
thought the Council had trampled on his feel
ings, and with the same feeling that wouldlead
him to aid the Johnstown sufferers he would
move that Council reconsider its action.
Mr.. Carnahan wanted to know what those
resolutions were based on. Mr.. Ferguson an
swe.ed Common report" Mr.. Carr said. at
is said that Foreman Hopkins, of the South
side, was discharged for refusing to pay his
assessment. He got work in a mill and was
killed. That is common talk. If it is not true
let US clear the skirts of the department of this
charge"
Mr.. Mullin said: sit is equally well known
that each fireman pays per cent of his salary
year as political assessment"
Mr.. Ferguson and President Holiday had an
animated discussion after the meeting. Mr..
1,afA
jority was for adjournment when he had l9
members with him to only against him. He
vowed that his day would come yet, and left in
a wrathful mood.