Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-02
A FEW FUTILE KICKS
Obstruct the Appropriation Ordi-
nance Briefly in Council
AND TIE REFORMERS SIT DOWN.
Only One of Them Votes Against the Final
Passage, After Much Talk.
AFILIBUsTER ANDA RECONSIDERATION

The Common branch of Pittsburg Coun-
ellis met in special session yesterday after
noon for the consideration of the appropria-
tion ordinance. The document was sub
mitted to Councils on behalf of the Finance
COMMITTEES by Chairman Magee, and on
motion was placed on second and third read
ing for final passage under a suspension of
the rules. When the reading had proceeded
to Exhibit O." which included the esti-
mated receipts and expenditures, Mr.. Fer
guson objected to the item of salaries being
passed upon without being itemized, giving
the amount of salary appropriated to each
employe of the city.
Mr.. W. A. Magee stated that the item,
SO, $50 included all the city Offices such as
Controller, Mayor, Treasurer, City Clerk,
Board of Assessors and others, including
their clerks mot provided in the regular de-
partmental appropriations
Mr.. Ferguson thought the information
desired should be freely given. He did not
suspect anything wrong with the appropri-
alton, but wanted to have a clear under
standing OF every dollar to be expended be-
fore he would vote for the ordinance. To
get this information, he moved that an
itemized list of the city officers and en-
ployes be printed and supplied toeach men,
ber of Council before further consideration
of the ordinance.
The motion was seconded by Mr.. Renzie-
hansen, who stated that he was q member
of ths Ftaance Committee, and had been
present when the ordinance had been
adopted from the subcommittee; but it had
been introduced late at night, and the mem
bers had no opportunity to properly
scrutinize it.
Mr.. Bigham thought the new sppropria-
ton was very fair, being only $3.50 greater
for salaries than last year, and he thought
that was getting off very easy.
THE TROUBLE AND THE REMEDY.
Mr.. Culbertson thought that every men,
Der OF Council should have an understand
ing of the ordinance before passing upon it,
so that he could vote intelligently and be
able to give his constituents an intelligent
explanation of its features He supported
Mr.. Ferguson's motion.
Mr.. Magee replied that every intelligent
member of Councils should know all about
the receipts, expenses, city offices, and other
points of that kind. 1t was as much the
duty of every member of Council to do this
as it was of the Finance Committee, who
received no compensation for it.
When the vote was taken on the motion
it was carried by II to Is.
Mr.. Magee then moved to adjourn, as it
would take long time to furnish the fig
ures and tables demanded, and it would
take until after the month of March to get
the ordinance passed.
Mr. Renziehausen interrupted the speaker
by insinuating that the committee had held
secret meetings.
Mr.. Magee denied this and repeated
what he had said about the duties of mem
bers of councils
Mr.. Duncan thought the question raised
was not proper one, in view of the fact
that all the city employees and their salaries
had been reported to Councils only two
weeks ago. He moved to reconsider the
vote on Mr.. Ferguson's motion.
Mr.. RenZiehausen said he was for reform
and would move to reduce the millage for
1889 to 10 mills, taking the 2 mills of BY
reducing the salaries of all the city officials
and employees. This motion was not
seconded
Mr.. Carnahan was astonished to find that
only $3.50 had been added to salaries and
thought that very fair figure. He quoted
the appropriation for interest and taxes and
city loans, which this year is S744, AIS, and
which he remembered few years ago was
over 81 ,0O0, ,0OO, as a sample Of the fairness of
the appropriation; and yet, during the past
year the city government had been reorgan-
lied and the city had increased over 10000
inhabitants.
LoNG-ARM sPARRING.
Mr.. Ferguson said that all the salaries
were not fixed by ordinance, and the Chair
replied that they were either fixed by ordi-
nance or act of Legislature.
Mr.. Magee said, if the gentleman from
the Seventeenth ward had any information
to show that one dollar was to be spent
illegally, be should give it. He referred
to Mr.. Ferguson's questions as meaning
nothing before they were asked, or after
they were answered"
Mr.. Bisham said if Council had this list
they could not change q cent on it, as every
figure is fixed by law
Mr.. Ferguson and Mr.. Wright spared
over this question Of who was behind the
times, the minority or the majority? Mr.
Ferguson said the tactics that rusned the
bill through last year were being used again.
MI. sleggert said he only wanted to know
where the money went. Councilmen who
we're not in the charmed circle had no
chance to learn.
The motion to reconsider was passed py
vote of 19 to 13, and the item was approved.
Mr.. Renziehausen wanted to strike out
salaries altogether, but he was ruled out
The next item, S249, 900, brought on an
other fight. 1t contained a proviso that
$4,000 be used to buy land for engine
houses in the Thirty-frst and Thirty-second
wards. Mr.. Duncan moved to strike out
this clause. Mr.. Binder, of the Thirty-frst
ward, protested. The Thirty-frst ward
needed an engine house, and was promised
one last year. 1t didn't get it, and now he
wanted the promise in the bill. Mr.. Big
ham, Of the Thirty-seeond ward, also pro-
tested.
Mr.. Duncan said the clause should be
stricken out, because it was a rider on the
appropriation bill. The Chair, Mr.. Binder
and Mr.. Bigham had put in all of last meet
ing preparing for this little matter.
President Holiday called Mr.. Carr to the
chair and took the floor. First disclaiming
any personal motives, he advocated the
$4,000 item, and wound up by saying. that
before the meeting Mr.. Duncan had said
that if the Chair would agree upon an ap-
preparation for the Thirteenth ward, he
(Mr. Duncan) would vote for the item in
the bill; if not, it would be struck out.
Mr.. Duncan retorted with the assertion
that President Holiday had used his posi-
tion as chairman Of the sub-committee to
take care of his own ward and let the rest of
the city suffer As for his private converse
ton, if the gentleman wanted to lug that in,
that was q matter for himself
Mr.. Duncan's motion was lost
KIcEING AGAINST POLICE ALSO.
The police appropriation of S3O9, 900 was
also objected to by Mr.. Ferguson. 1t was
~ nd ha 4.