Evening journal., 1890-03-07
THE SALARY GRAB.
Ex-couNc.LMAN QUINN EXPLAINS
HIS POSITION IN THE MATTER.

Sp00k OF MT. DdAluOf Will uOb uOWu5
bobbed up again In last nights session of
the City Council and claimed good share
of attention.
Chairman Shea Of the Finance Commit
tee made the following report on Philip G.
Plunkett's petition for restitution of
overpaid taxes: 1.-THE Finance Committee
to whom was referred the petition of
Philip G. Plunkett, asking to have re-
funded overpaid city and school taxes on
property on Lincoln and Siberia streets,
upon the advice of the city solicitor, re
port adversely on the petition for the fol
lowing reasons: That Mr.. Plunkett
failed to examine his assessment in the
year 1889, as the law provides. His
redress was to appear before the Board
Of Assessment, Revision and Appeal Of
that year, said board having the author
ity to reduce the assessment when appli-
cation has been made in accordance with
the law. This Mr.. Plunkett failed to do.
The adverse report was adopted.
Chairman Shea also handed in a report
on the petition Of William a. White,
who requested Council to refund to him
eight years overpaid capitation tax,
amounting to $14.69. The committee
were in favor of returning him s1369.
Under the call of unfinished business
President Farra announced that the ordi-
nance providing for the sale Of the prop
erty belonging to the city, located at
Eighth and Dupont streets, had been ap-
proved by Mayor Harrington aud was
now an ordinance of the city.
The city treasurer reported the balance
in bank to current expenses to be S10s,
634 35; park fund So, ,464 04; received Of
e. P. Moody, $3, ,2S0; NJ. j. Mealey. 81, 1876;
Chief Engineer George ii. Boughman,
SIS 10; Chief Of Police Swiggett, $310;
Building Inspector Patrick Dillon, S111
City Auditor John NJ Newell, $3.50:
Plumbing Inspector E. +. Kane, 81.
Building Inspector Dillon reported hav-
ing used ffty-three permits for buildings
valued at S53, 150 during February.
Resolved, That the Police Committee
ascertain the cost of putting up the nee
essary patrol stations in different parts
of the city, connecting same by electric
call boxes with the City Hall, and report
same to this body so that action in the
matter can be taken in time to include
the expense in next years appropriation.
Mr.. Curran offered the following
resolution, which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Finance Commit
tee be authorized to assist the Public
Building Committee to make arrange
ments for the sale of grounds as specified
in the ordinance passed February %,
1S90.n
Coal Oil Inspector Samuel Durney re-
ported having inspected II, $40 gallons Of
oil during the same month.
The monthly payroll of the members
Of City Council, amounting to 1884. 76,
was passed and orders drawn in favor Of
each for the sum specified
On motion of Mr.. Baugh a resolution
was passed directing that orders for 81,
500 each be drawn in favor of the Friend
ship, Reliance. Delaware, Phoenix, Fame
and Weccacoe Fire Companies and an
order for 81, 600 in favor of the Washing
ton Fire Company. These are the regular
annual appropriations for these com
panies
The Police Committee. on motion Of
Mr.. Sawdon, was instructed to purchase
two lamps for the patrol wagon.
The following resolution was in
troduced by Mr.. Coley and adopted by
the Council:
With the adoption of the above reso
luton, Council was evidently through
with its weekly routine of work, and
Mr. Shea moved an adjournment. Mr..
McCall's sense of duty to his constitu.
ents, however. would not permit him to
go home in contented frame of mind
unless he had given the salary. grab
stencil little stirring. So he requested
Mr., Shea to withdraw his motion. That
gentleman was complacent and Mr.. Nc.
Call took the floor, while the other mem.
bers settled back in their chairs as if
resigned to their fate. The deputy watch
dog of the city treasury then told how he
had been sick when the opinion of City
Solicitor Turner in regard to overpaid
salaries had been read before'the Council.
and he requested that the document be
re-read by the clerk for his especial in
formation and satisfaction. It is sup
posed he wanted all the other members
to remain for the purpose of witnessing
its effect on the mover.
Mr.. Baugh objected most decidedly to
opening up the matter again.
Mr.. Roberts moved that the request be
complied with, and the motion pre-
vailed.
While Clerk Hyland was searching
through the musty files in the next room
for the famous oracle of the city solicitor.
Mr.. Chambers moved that the time be
utilized By granting the ex-chairman OF
the Finance Committee, Mr.. Quinn, the
liberty of the floor in order that the
members might have the benefit of his
views on the subject
Mr.. Roberts did not see what good it
would do to hear Mr.. Quinn. He did not
wish another controversy started.
Mr.. Chambers replied that Mr. Quinn
was truthful man, and had retired from
Council with, honor to himself, and should
be heard whenever he asked it.
A majority of the members agreed
with Mr.. Chambers, and Mr.. Quinn
walked down the main aisle to the presi.
dents rostrum, struck an oratorical atti-
tude with his hand on his breast. and
spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of the Council: There has
been considerable amount of talk
about what some people term boodlers
and the salary-grsb. was chairman OF
the Finance Committee when the pay
rolls in question were drawn. |, with
Mr.. AcGonigal, now deceased. a more
honorable man than whom never sat in
this Council, saw Mr.. Turner when the
payroll was to be sipned bv
the Finance COMMITTEES. Turner
said that the bill did not 90 into
effect until the following June. The
clerk of the Council, who is now present
heard him say SO. The city solicitor
directed the clerk to draw the payroll as
usual. l mean no vituperation. but do
object to being bounded through the pub
lie press. There are members on the ioor
have aofd that fboca r,,b. l-...4