Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-10-31
NEWS OF A LOCAL FLAVOR
DISCUSSING CHIEF SWIGGB TITS
BILL FOE PRISONERS, BOARD.


The finance committee ct Thursday
nights meeting of Council reported ad-
versely on the petition Of Heald q Co.,
for the rsfunding of tax to the amount
of $3.50 paid on the property OF the
southwest corner Of Front and Market
streets, as the tax was in accordance with
the assessment, which had not been sp-
pealed from and which Council has no
legal right to alter. Adopted.
When the police committee made
favorable report on the bill of Chief of
Police Swiggett, $63.60, for feeding
prisoners during September, Mr.. Lawson
objected to it. The rate charged was Is
cents per meal. He asked il the terms Of
the city charter With respect to charges
for meals for prisoners had been COM
piled with and asked for the reading of
tho law.
The actual cost for all meals *f** fur
| niahed such person SO committed as afore-
said by the high constable or other person
keeper OF said cells or In charge thereof,
shall be paid by the Council, after an iterl-
lied bill thereof, verified by the afidavlt OF
the person furnishing the same, audited by
the c!ty auditor In the same manner rs
other bills against the city are now paid,
shall have been presented to the said city.
"Then, Mr.. President" said Mr.. Law
son, deliberately, sit becomes my duty
to ACCUSE the police committee Of approx
ing biilA that are not correct"
Mr.. Baugh said that the committee
received from the chief oi police an affi-
davit to the correctness OF his bill. The
members of the committee had no other
knowledge of asoertaining the cost of
meals furnished prisoners. AS far as
they were concerned the cost may be 5
cents or 10 cents. II was the custom
years ago for the chief to buy the food
for the prisoners from the Clayton House.
All the committee can do is to accept the
affidavit OF the chief. "If we cannot take
his oath,n said MIR. Baugh, what can we
dor" II Mr.. Lawson could throw any
light on the matter Mr.. Baugh said he
would be glad of it.
81 have found out that we are paying
good deal more than the meals cost"
replied Mr.. Lawson.
Mr.. Chambers insisted that il MIR.
Lawson eould throw any light on the
matter he should doso. II he knows that
the meals cost more than 15 cents Ooun-
oil should also know it.
"The chairman of the police commit
tee, Mr.. sewGon," said Mr.. Lawson,
"knows that the charges are excessive.
Chiet Swiggett, on receiving his check
for his bill for feeding prisoners, divides
the amount. He gives one-hslf to the
man who furnishes the food and puts the
other half in his pocket"
On motion of MIR. Bsugh the bill was
reeommitted to the police committee.
The interest list duo November LIST,
1920, was allowed, and orders were
drawn for bonds maturing same date,
amounting to 1000.
The city treasurer reported balance
in bank of $159,l74 81 to the credit Of
current expenses.
Assessments for new curbing and
paving, amounting to $1,352.96, were
approved and ordered to be sent to the
auditor for collection.
Mr.. Ourren gave notice of his inten-
tion to introduce an ordinance to amend
the ordinance regulating tine numbering
Of houses.
Orders for bills were directed to be
drawn, during the evening as follows:
E. P. Moody. 1865 go; William ]. Leonard,
d; Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph Com
pany, &6i.5D; William Y. Swiggett, $63 60 (;
Jester Il Mcdaniel, s52; Flynn q Bro,
s15250; Witmiagtonian- Democrat, sis;
James NJ. Griffin, SS; Fl. q. Tucker, $2.O2
Adams & Bro, 1888; A. Traynor, $SS !;
Mccartney & Co., Sl6.s0.