The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-04-09
ACTION OF THE TWO BOARDS
They Hold Joint Session and Then Sep
arately Consider Several Measures.
A New Health Board Created-Underground
Wires and the Water Company's Valves
Centennial Demonstration Proposed.

The councilmen and aldermen each held
short sessions last night. The creation Of a
city Board of Health, in conformity With the
State laws, was the principal object OF the
meetings. Pursuant to a caucus agreement
the two boards met in joint convention at
7:SO o'clock, and elected DIR. j. IL. Wood
burn secretary of the health board, to sue
ceed DR.. s. T.. carp, who resigned three
weeks ago. The Democratic minority
placed in nomination for the position DR..
Henry s. Cunningham, who received nine
votes to DIR. Woodburn's t~wenty-One.
The convention also elected John Will
son, (colored) city wood measurer, in place
of William Bogardus, resigned The
councilmen, on going into separate session,
took up the Health Board ordinance and,
after amending it some, passed it. Laterin
the evening they c%oncurred in the amend
ments made blythe Board of Aldermen. The
ordinance legalizes the past acts of the
Health Board and makes it a legal body
for the future. Under it the board will re-
main as it has been for several months, ex-
cept with the addition of Dr.. WOOdburn.
1t is given power to appoint a clerk, health
officer and meat inspector, and 1T is under
stood that E. C.. Hedden, Leonord Crane
and J.. X. Foil will be continued in their
respective positions.
The other business transacted by the
Council was nearly all of minor i'm
portance. Professor Belcher presented
q petition asking that he be allowed the
rental of $40 per night. If he can secure
the hall Oh these terms he proposes to give
popular concerts to which a small admis-
sion fee will be charged. The petition was
referred to the rental committee.
MI. Stuckmeyer said the Consumers Gas
Trust Company was violating the natural
gas ordinance by charging S12 for making
connections where mains are already laid.
With the hope of compelling the company
to comply with the ordinance, he~introduced
a resolution instructing the city attorney to
notify the company that its acts were not
in line with the requirements of the ordi-
was referred to the committee on natural
gas, with instructions that the charges
made against the company by Mr.. Stuck
meyer be investigated. A resolution was
passed requiring the same company to ex-
tend it mains on Fletcher avenue, from
Dillon to Linden street, within sixty days.
The committee on public hight, to which
were referred the several ordinances in re-
1ation to the placing of wires by mean
descent electric-light companies, submitted
a report recommending hat all such light
companies operating in the city be required
to put their wires underground. To avoid
discrimination, the committee recon-
mended that the special privileges
ting it to hang wires overhead,
be revoked. The committee also stated
that it seems to be the desire of the citizens
that the wires be put under ground, and
the conclusion was reached that, as In
dianapolis is a great field for incandescent
lighting, several companies would be glad
to occupy it and comply with an ordinance
to that effect. The report was received
Ill h@ xrn@D n - ~ n0v nnfrn ~
of the Council when the ordinances pend
ing are taken up for passage.
Their were the usual reports from city
officers. among them one from the chief
w. F. Jones and G. Z. Logsdon to fill
vacancies In the lire department..
The appointments were confirmed.
Mr.. Thalman introduced a resolution
Public Improvements to ascertain what
steps were necessary to have the sidewalk
along the north side of Washington street,
between Pennsylvania and Meridian, low
cred so as to conform with the asphalt
pavement on the street. +,
Mayor Denny called attention to the fact
that nearly all the cities in the country,
and many ndian towns, were preparing
to properly celebrate the centennial ami
versary of George W~ashington's inaugura-
ton as President of the United States, on
the 3Oth inst. Indianapolis, he thought,
should not be behind in this matter, and
the Council: and the, Board of Aldermen
and Board of Trade should take hold of it
and arrange for some kind of a celebration.
There should certaily be a demonstration,
q public meeting. or both. In conclusion
he said it would be wise for a com mittee to
be appointed from the Council and one
from the Board of Aldermen to act in con-
junction with any other committees that
might be appointed to consider such a
proposition.
Mr.. Thalman thought the recommenda-
ton was a good one. He understood that
the Grand Army posts had already appoint
ed committees, with a view of assisting in
taken. He therefore moved that the Mayor
appoint q committee of three from the
Council, and that a like committee be ap-
pointed by the president of the Board OF
Mayor appointed on the committee Messrs.
Swain, Kelley and Smith.