The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-09-14
"WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEPT. Arm.


On Wednesday evening, when CLERK
Lcshy had inflicted the minutes of wha
seemed to have been solid month OF SEES
sion for August, north side petition ask
ing for the opening of Ontario street from
it's junction with Michigan street, to the
Rock Island road was referred to the law
and ordinance committee.
Petitioners, living in the vicinity Of Chest
nut and Washington streets, asked that the
city purchase an interest in the Carew ar
tesian we'll and establish a drinking fount-
ain. The interest could be purchased for
ninety dollars. The prayer of the petition
ers was granted, on motion Of Mr.. Maher.
Mr.. Hull, who had just returned from the
West, moved that the Electric R'y Company
be authorized to extend its lines on Center
street, south side. Carried.
The reports Of city officers were read and
approved.
Mr.. Maher asked why the bill Of James
Laferty, one of the city bridge tenders, for
outside work, had not been paid.
The Mayor said that he had not signed
and would not sign the order, as the bill was
illegal
Why" quoth Mr.. Nahsr
" Because" said Mr.. Sherwood. "he Is q
regular salaried employee Of the city and
cannot receive money for services from the
city for any other service"
Mr.. Maher wanted to know whether or
not the chairman of a committee could hire
whoever he plea cd as long as the man was
oompetant.
The Mayor smiled and gently referred
him to the city attorney The matter was
then dropped.
The law and ordinance COMMITTEE reported
an ordinance granting the Electric Railway
tho franchise to lay its tracks on center st.
between State and Guthrie, which was
adopted on motion Of Mr.. Hull.
A grade was established on the south
side hill to Van Buren, street, conforming to
the status ofthe hill at present.
The plat Of Hits Addition to Ottawa,
which the Colonel has had before the
council for the past sixty days, was again
referred back to the law and ordinance COM
mittee, in order to investigate the condition
Of the proposed streets. plat of Highland
Park second addition to Ottawa was also
laid over.
The much mooted license ordinance was
again read and to the establishment of all
adopted. 1t had been pending six months.
The law and ordinance committee recon-
mendcd the widening of Douglas street in
conformity with the petition Of Chamberlin
ct al, and the work was ordered done.
. The committee also introduced the new
city contract ordinance, over which Mr..
Williamson had aroused the ire Of the coun.
oil in August. II provides that all work aud
all material costing over one hundred dol |
lars, must DO let by contract to the lowest
and best bidder. All bids must be accom-
panied 10y a bond or a certified check to in
sure the completion of the work according
to contract.
Mr. Williamson moved that il be adopted
and published.
Mr.. Hull raised a gentle kick. 1t was
'too long and the aldermen would have to
have an attorney to interpret its mysteries"
Mr.. Williamson said that "a man Of any
common sense could understand II at a
glance. A ten year old boy could master
it %
Mr.. Hull looked angry but before he could
speak Mr.. Maher kicked because the limit
was restricted to 800. lie thought 5000
was low enough, as it left no room for emer-
gencies, such as the breaking down of
bridge, etc, he wanted il raised to 5000,
but would be satisfied with the insertion of
an emergency clause.
Mr.. Duffy was likewise minded
The matter was then laid over until next
Tuesday evening.
The pay roll aggregating some 1000, of [
which $2,l54.62 was for streets. was
read and adopted.
Mr.. Armstrong observed that there was
but 81 800 in the treasury and wanted to
borrow money.
The Mayor said that the city could not
pay interest on note but must issue bonds.
MIR. Armstrong moved that the finance I
committee be instructed to borrow $500.
an q the council gave its unanimous appro- 1
val. ,
Mr.. Corcoran demanded to know who was ,
holding the orders which had been taken
from the hands of the city clerk.
The Mayor intimated that he had them. I
81 want to know on what authority you
those Ordersl" fairly shouted Mr.. 7
,orcoran.