The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-03
.CRON|N IS THE MARSHAL.
By Vote Of Eight to Six the City
Council Confirms His APP
pointment.
A Lively Time About Engineer
Miller's Alleged Con-
tract
The New Council Gets Down to Business
and Disposes Of Many Routine
Matters.

Tom Cronin is the man. That's what the
city council decided last night by vote of
to 6, after ballot had been taken, which
showed that 15 votes had been cast, of
which were for Cronin and 6 against him,
and one blank. The council had been
called to meet at TAO, but it was 7:55 before
Mayor Bradford raped for order. The
new city clerk, r. B. Smith, then read the
minutes Of the two previous meetings.
There was little suppressed laughter when
he read the portion containing the resolu-
ton intended to be complimentary to the
new administration, and which had been
tabled in the session where it was intro
duoed, As soon as the clerk had finished
Alderman Dunn said he had seen it stated
in tho newspapers that the last meeting
had been called for the purpose Of nomi-
mating city officers. This was not SO. He
had made the motion at that time to adj
iourn, and Alderman Lissner seconded the
motion.
The bond of John Brady as street COM
missioner, with Henry Klein and J. 3. M.
Neill az sureties, was presented to the coun,
oil by Mayor Bradford, as was also the bond
of Il. B. Smith as city clerk, with james
Sullivan and G. X. Wells as sureties.
Mayor Bradford then announced that he
wished to place in nomination for the office
Of city marshal the name of T. j. Cronln.
Connolly said that the first day after cleo
ton he had unqualihedly given ms promise
to Mr.. Dougherty to support that gentle,
man for city marshal, and that he had
wished to stand by that promise made in
the early part of the campaign. He also
desired to say that at the last meeting he
had voted in favor of Cronin. He was also
in favor of an open vote. and moved that
said that it had been stated he was ono Of
the eight who had voted for Cronin. He
had done nothing of the kind, and he was not
ashamed to state it publicly. He then moved
to amend Connolly's motion, that the cues
ton bs settled by secret ballot, and insisted
The mayor ruled Mr.. Dunn out of order,
but afterwards withdrew his ruling after
dr. Betkin, the ex-city clerk, had given his
opinion on the former practice of the coun-
oil, which opinion was in favor of Dunn's
motion to amend. His amendment was
carried and the mayor appointed Aldermen Az men
ballot showed that Cronin had secured the
plum. but there was one more vote, blank.
cast than there were city fathers. This
caused few minutes delay while another
ballot was taken. The proper number Of
votes were cast this time eight for Cronin
and six against him. There was a small at
Mayor Bradford by arising and saying,
"Mr. Cronin stands confirmed" The peo-
pie in the lobby tried it again, but Donald
suppressed them with his gavel, on which
he seems to have firm grip.
Alderman Garrett then introduced an or
dinance which, if adopted, will give the
mayor the power to appoint a special COM
mittee of three aldermen to examine the
books, accounts and transactions of each OF
the several departments of the city govern
ment, covering the time between the first
day Of May, 1888, and the first day of May
mittee power to compel the attendance of
witnesses and call for books and papers
necessary to make the examinations full
and complete. The commute may also en-
ploy expert accountants to assist it. The
amount necessary to pay for this work is
paid out of the general fund. The ordi-
nance was referred to the committee on
auditing and accounting. lf2G
Alderman Steele, as chairman of the
printing committee, informed the council
that the city treasurer needed new supply
He had instructed the treasurer to secure
such books as he needed. {t'f[ XII, .y.ti
Hartwig, of the Third, called attention to
the matter of planting OF some trees on the
sewer farm, and Engineer Miller explained
that it was necessary to have some more
trees in addition to the already planted.
The council then voted to purchase fifty
more trees.
The resignation of Policeman William
Lareau to take effect May 1, 1880, was re-
ceived and accepted.
Thompson of the streets and alleys COM
mittee presented an adverse report on the
petition of certain residents referring tc
the sidewalk on jackson street, for the rea-
son that the petition had not been signed
by majority of the residents.
Dunn asked who the property owners
were. Thompson said the petition had
been signed by real estate and insurance
agents who were not owners of property on
the new city council little fatherly ad-
vice. If the council was going to adopt the
report of the committee and start in to
build sidewalks simply because two prop
erty owners signed petition, what would
the majority of the property owners say
Thompson, of the auditing committee
presented report recommending the
adoption of CARROTS ordinance for an
Investigation of the several departments OF
the city government.
Dunn said the impression seemed to pre-.
vail that the accounts were crooked; he
wanted to see the thing cleared up. He
that the ordinance be placed on final pas
sage. 1t was then parsed without dissent
ing vote.
The next business done was to listen ia
The reading of several petitions. A petit
lion signed by numerous citizens was first
read asking that the city council compel
The water company to extend its mains
north on Raleigh street from Eleventh ia
Twelfth avenues; thence on Twelfth east
10 HOback street. Referred to COMMITTEES
On water.
A communication from Engineer Miller
ivened up the proceedings little. Mr.
.ets the money. He will also release the
eity from all claims if the amount is paid.
Alderman Steele moved to refer the pro
position to tho committees on sewerage and
judiciary jointly.
Thompson, for information. asked what
relation the communication sustained to
ordinance 66, which requires all communi-
cations to be published. He was also in
aoubt as to whether the gentleman had q
contract with the city.
Lissner simply wanted to make few re-
marks Tor the benefit of the new aldermen.
didn't require any advertising to en-
ploy Mr.. Miller. He was entitled to his
noney. Whenever it got so that fourteen
lidetmen would make contract like this
md then try to get out of it, he was in favor
pf disbanding. He for one would go into
court and testify that fourteen aldermen
pad passed resolution employing Mr.
Miller.
Ex-City Clerk Botkin was asked for his
opinion % to the necessity for advertising
md replied that in such case he did no,
hink it was necessary.
Theme was In favor of paying the claim