Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-03-28


partnfent = heavy Interest Pay
nienis-- Underground Wire BAH
Approved.
Legislative business was again oonsid-
cred by City Council at Thursday nights
meeting, Opening with the resolution
sppropriasing the financial surplus of
this year (arislng from the fund appro-
priGted ior payment of $72 900 of city
loans which will be reissued through the
sinking fund) to the construction of the
proposed interoepting sewer along the
Brandywine.
Mr.. McMenanain said because there
was n surplusi in the treasury, caused by
providing for loan which the law does
not permit Council TO pay of, 1t was pro-
posed to nae it to build sewer. He
Thought the surplus ought to be given
back to the people in the shnpe OF re.
dueed tag rHte tor tho next year, as al
ready this elty is taxed more heavily than
any other city in the country.
Mr.. White moved that further con-
alteration OF the resolution be indefinitely
postponed. Adopted by standing vote
OF 15 to 9.
Tho. next subject was another post
poned resolution instructing the city
solicitor 10 prepare an act authorizing
the construction of the intercepting sewer
and to appropriate $4,000 of this years
surplus, and make other appropriations,
as necessary, for tho purpose. This was
also indefinitely postponed, on Mr..
McMenamin's motion.
Then oafne the resolution favoring an
increase OF $15, 600 In this years. appro-
priation of the Street and Sewer Depart
ment, and Mr.. MeKenney moved its in
definite posPonement. He said If the
department granted more money, let it 60
to tha Legislature and ask for it.
Mr.. Quina said the department was
here to stoy ,for two years OF least. He
was opposed to the department, but did
not think II wise to cripple any branch of
the city Government.
MIR. McMena1ain predicted that before
five years the people Of Wilmington will
rise On masse and demand the repeal Of
the department When the bill creating
the department was first proposed, at o
meeting OF citizens, it was declared that
$65, 900 year would be sufficient. When
the bill was passed the amount was raised
to $50, 1000, and now they want Sl20, 600.
In five years the amount will be increased
to 5000, 600. The present appropriation,
he claimed was ample.
Mr.. johnson said he did not think the
Citizens Association knew how much
money the department spends. II gets
the credit OF only having its appropris-
tion of $4,000, but The other receipts
increased the revenue to over $100, 600.
The Council committees never had this
much money to spend.
Mr.. Bower held that after the establish.
ment of the department Council ham
pered its operations inseyery way possible
and il was little too early to pass judg.
nneni on iiis WORT YET. hs tss8agaaiitt ait The
department had done good work. and
would be willing to vote 1t $3.50, 900 next
year, or half million dollars, if neces-
sary, in order to put the streets in good
condition.
Mr.. Chambers said that since the de.
partment regime the city had besnmulcted
in IS, 600 damages, for injuries sustained
by citizen by reason Of defective side
walk. Such thing never happened
under Council.
Mr.. Roberts said the department was
created in answer toa cry that Council
ives wasting the peoples money The
department had been in charge two years
ard still tho streets are fit for neither
man nor beast. Economy was the object
of the change, and now the department
comes to Council and asks for aid ip get
ting more money. de thought the di'
rectors had hard cheek to do this after
the manner in which they had upbraided
the Council. II the department wants
more money let it ask the Legislature for
it. II the Legislature consents then the
responsibility will not rest upon the
Council.
Mr.. MeAIenamin said he never knew
the streets TO he in such bad condition
as they are to-day.
Mr.. McGonigal said the department
had already introduced its bill in the
Legislature, when common courtesy
should have dictated that the action OF
Council be waited for. The department
now has balance on hand of only
"a 4i5, when 1t will take $4,000 to pay
for lighting the city alone from now
until the LIST OF August. The directors
knew what their appropriation was and
should have lived within it.
The motion TO indefinitely postpone
passed by the following vote:
Ayes-Messrs. Ayars, Baugh, Dillin,
johnson, Mcbride, Mccall, McGonigal,
MoKenney, McMenamip, Roberts, Ryan,
Sawdop, shea, White-14.
Nays -Messrs. Beale, Chambers, Coley,
Davis, Forrest, Hawkins, Moore, Quinn,
Shafkey and President Farra-11.
The city treasurer reported balance
in bank of $l28, 122.92; receipts: Col
lector Mealey, $400; Water Comuiis-
sionars, interests on water bonds,
$3, 1888 SO.
A communication from j. T. Mullin &
Son, asking for q renewal of the lease OF
the yard attached to No. East Sixth
street, was read and referred.
Mr., Forrest presented an act exempting
Cherry Island marsh from all tax for a
period OF 90 years, on account of its un-
productive character, which was read aud
referred to the legislative committee,
With power to act.
A petition from David Lemon, asking
Council to seenre the passage Of law
requiring owners OF corner properties TO
place marble blocks in their houses bear
ing thereon the names of the streets, was
read and referred to the legislative COM
mittee.
petltIon from a. u. Jillespie ana bu
others was read, asking for Council to
prepare legislative measures as follows
Abolishing all sidewalk business except
the farmers market; to require factory
chimneys to be built high enough to carry
off the smoke and SCOT; to tax peddlers
spd to abolish all iurnpkes on the roads
running into the city. 1t was referred to
the legislative committee, with power to
act.
Communications were read from Sena-
tor DouAhos and Representative Gray an
pouncing the status of city measures be-
fore the Legislature.
Orders were drawn as follows for city
loans due April 1st: Loan No. 10, 1926, 900;
No. IL, $25, 100, No. II, 81 COO; No. IS,