Evening journal., 1889-08-09
THE PROTESTED CHECK.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEES
ON FINANCE AND LAW,

From the Union Bank
and the Street and sewer Department
Referred to Committees, which win
Report Tonight.
An audience Of about 100 persons
attended the regular meeting of City
Council last evening, in anticipation OF
hearing the differences between the
Street and Sewer Department and Coun-
ell, and the Union Bank and the Security
Trust and Safe Deposit Company warmly
discussed.
Before the session was called to order
councilmen discussed the business that
would come before them President
Farra studied with knit brow, a copy of
the city charter and ordinances. A mum
Der of contractors and many creditors Of
the Street and Sewer Department were
present. Willard Salisbury, Jr., Esq,
was jealously guarding the Union Bank ;
claim as sole depository of the citys
funds. Joseph l.. Carpenter, Esq, ap-
peared before the meeting opened, and
smilingly handed Mr.. McGonigal a large,
fat envelope. Alfred Gswthrop, D w.
Taylor. h. ID. Walter, n d. Cloward.
1AhN AAtdnuAti otAAiAna AAtl A0AAN'A
Newell and City solicitor Turner were
interested listeners Of the proceedings
Discussion was suspended temporarily
by referring the whole matter to commit
tees. MI McGonigal presented the fol-
lowing communication from the Union
Bank:
The Union Banks side.
WnMINeroN, Del, August q 1888
To the President and Members of City
Council
GENTLEMEN: This bank having been
designated by your honorable body as the
place of deposit for the city moneys, we
have tie honor to submit the following
facts to you for such action as you may
deem proper
Among your annual appropriations for
| the current year was an item of 1920. 0Ol
| for the use Of the Street and Sewer De
partment of this city.
A check for that amount was drawn tC
/ the order of Joseph L. Carpenter, Jr., j
Newlin Gawthrop and James Murray
directors of said department, which
check has been deposited with the Sc
curity Trust and Safe Deposit Company
of this city, and by their treasurer was
rendered us for certifeation or paymen
on August 6, in the forenoon.
Immediate payment was declined b.
the bank and the treasurer of the Trus
| Company was informed that the cit,
officials would be notified of the position
of affairs and a decided answer given t
the Trust Company before the banl
closed on that day.
Before the close Of the bank hours th
following communication was receives
from the gentlemen whose names ar
affixed there 10 in their official capacity
| WILMINGTON, Del, August 6. 1889 =
The Union National Bank OF Whining
ton-GENTLEMEN Having just learne
the intentions Of the Street and Sewe
Department in regard to removing tn
money belonging to the department froI
the city depository to the Security Truf
and safe Deposit Company. which con
pany has not been designated by Counc
as place Of deposit OF the city's money
we ask that you decline to honor an
checks OF the city for such purpose unit
, the waole matter can be brought befol
Council for its action. After the repoi
: of Councils committee on the act pr
Tossing to give said department the rigl
to control its funds, we deem it Of II
utmost Importance that this thing shoul
not be allowed to proceed on its preseI
lines without Councils approval
JoHN c. FARRA, President Of Cit
Council
JAMES F. McGoNIGAL, Chairman F
nance Committee.
JOHN M NEWELL City Auditor.
r. r. GRIFFITH, City Treasurer.
A. f. MEssIcK, Clerk Of Council
In accordance with the request therei
contained, payment Of the said check hi
been declined until the matter could
submitted to you for your action. W
/, have money enough of the city
honor all checks and unless some ofiici
action shall be taken by your honorab
body directing us to further Withhold
payment of this check we shall feel con
PEELED to pay the check and thus place IL
money in control of said department.
We resi- Tectfully request that you ma
inform US of your wishes in the matte
having declined to pay the check only
5 requested 10y the drawers until Counc
might have fair notice and also take sue
action as it deems proper.
! Very respectfully yours,
JOHN n. DANDY. Cashier
On motion of Mr.. McGonigal the cor
, | nuultdblun was lttNAitA W tAp man
and Law Committees jointly.
street and Sewer Departments Side.
! Mr.. McGonigal presented the followir
communication from the Street al
Sewer Department, contained in the +
! envelope given to him by Joseph l.. Ca
penter, Jr.;
''To the Honorable Council Of w
e mington.
; "GENTAEMEN: At meeting of d
directors Of the Street and Sewer Depar
Y ment held this day the chairman was i
J., structed to request your honorable boz
not to sustain the action OF sundry ci
officers in their request to the Uni
:. National Bank not to honor your che
~ for the appropriation due our departme
for current expenses as provided by La
d for the following reasons:
n 81. The dishonoring of q city check
so large a sum is a severe blow to o
" city's credit, and viii no doubt affect t
! bids for materials that we are obliged
II purchase abroad and subject you to or
icism for municipal mismanagement.
80. The maintenance Of our citI
=; | credit, which Is second to none In I
2 country. is OF far more Importance tn
u the maintenance of the whims Of an
stitution. If the amendment over viii
there has been so much controversy is
law this court is the proper tribunal
pass upon It, and when that Is done
Ss will submit To its decision In the matt