Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1890-06-20


met In regular monthly session last even-
ing in their respective rooms. A quorum
of the Select Council not being present, a
policeman was sent out to hunt Up the alb
sentees.
IN THE SELECT COUNCIL.
A quorum was present at s o'clock, the
following men ters being present ;
Nessrs Barry, Kennedy, O'Shea, Brixner,
Noses, Slick, Kist Huebner and Hogan.
Those absent were Messrs Haws, Yeag-
ley, Buser, Mclaughlin, Smith and Hoch.
stein.
In the absence Of Chairman Yeagley,
Mr. Kennedy presided,
A petition from John B. Gerhardt ask
ing for permission to lay, at his own ex
pense, row of stepping stones across
Horner street in front OF his place of
business in the Seventh ward was granted.
A petition from citizens of Moxham,
Seventh ward asking for the extension of
Wheat street in that place to Coleman
avenue, was referred to the Committee on
Highways,
The following message from the Mayor
was read
MAYoa's OFFICE.
CITY OF JoHSsTOwN, June Il, ls9O(
To ne Select aud Common, Councils Of ne Ctty o.
Johnsio,rn:
In response TO resolution OF your bodies - re-
questing the Mayor and solicitor TO present to
council the proper measure 10 prepare the way
for raising the money necessary TO protect the
City from flood whether by the issue of River
Improvement Bonds or other form have to
say that the only mode Of incuring indebted
ness by the municipality Is by,
HPtrst, Ascertaining the amount OF outstanding
liability then ascertaining the amount OF reve-
nue WITHIN one year which the municipality
win derive from all sources, this ofcourse should
Include the probable expenditures within the
year TO which the revenue would have necessar-
lily TO be applied. this amount being ascertained,
the Councils by resolution or ordinance may in
cur an Indebtedness equal TO two per cent. upon
the valuation of all the taxa BILE property within
the limits Of the city as ascertained by the last
preceding assessment. Should the amount of
cent. then the Councils have no authority to
contract loan orincur anindebtedness without
having the sanction OF the electors of the city as
follows
second, The municipality may contract
loan or incur an Indebtedness not TO exceed the
sum OF seven per cent. upon the valuation ofthe
taxable property within the limits of the city by
fixing tune and giving notice of special cleo
ton upon winch The question of ineurring an IN
debtedness shall be submitted to the vot-
ers. should a majority OF the votes
cast be in favor OF incurring
an Indebtedness, then the municipal
authorities may contract or incur an indebted
ness for any lawful purpose not to exceed the
seven per cent. above mentioned.
In either event the proper officers OF the mu-
nieipality must file q statement, under oath,
with the Clerk OF the Court of Quarter Sessions,
showing the amount OF the last annual assess
nent. the amount OF the revenues within the
next year applicable tp the payment OF the in
debtedness. the amount Of the Indebtedness, the
form and character OF the obligation issued, and
when payable
At the time OF issuing any obligation under
the Act OF Assembly relating to the municipal
Indebtedness. the Councils must authorize the
levying of a tax applicable to the liquidation OF
the debt, and the period for which bonds may be
issued shall rot exceed thirty years.
Pursuant TO your resolution, a contract with
the Cambria Iron Company for the building of
temporary bridge across the Little Conemaugh
river, and the filling OF the river bank for the
protection OF the Eleventh ward has been en-
tered into. and recommend the appropriation
.e. 40 Of
contract, TO wit: the sum OF $1,000 for the cost
of the bridge and the sum OF say 500 to cover
the actual expense for labor in laying the rail-
road track
Pursuant 10 ordinance and resolution, l have
accepted the bid Of Hoover, Hughes Il Co., they
being the only persons who iled bid for the
erection OF the temporary Mayors office and
lookup or station house, TO be used as city
prison, in accordance with the plan and specin-
cation approved by the respective committees
on public property Of each branch OF council
the price AID sum OF said building Is 81 400, and
is already covered by proper appropriation.
In accordance with the resolution OF the
Councils, q contract for the filling OF Main
street to walnut, from Walnut TO the bridge
crossing the Little COnemaugh and Iron street
and the intersecting streets and alleys with
Brown Bros. at the rate per cubic yard fixed by
resolution. has teen entered into, the work 10
be done under the direction OF the City Engi-
neer and the same is now being rapidly pushed
to completion.
proper appropriation shoul be made Tor
ths payment OF the sum OF said contract
have been informed by the contractor hay-
ing in charge the building OF the proposed in
cline at the foot Of viLe street that they viii be
required 10 excayate and remove from six TO
ten thousand yards OF ground In order TO make
the foundations for that structure, and they
Will be required TO eSpend the ground some
where else than in the river. Doubtless con-
tract could be made with them to fill the lower
portion OF Main, washington, and Union streets
and intersecting alleys at a very low figure, and
/ recommend the propriety OF referring the mat
ter TO the City Engineer and Street commits
sloner, giving TO them authority to confer with
and secure from the contractors the ground TO
be expended, comforting at the same time the
right TO make contract II the terms are salts
factory TO proper committee Of the Councils
and the Mayor
have drafted an ordinance defining the
width ana location for part OF the course OF the
Little Conemaugh river and recommend to your
bodies its prompt adoption as the same is drawn
In conformity with the survey ard recommen-
dation OF the City Engineer. It win be at least
a commencement and should there be litigation
lt might as well commence at the point OF vital
interest 10 the Inhabitants OF the city
in the matter OF obtaining an outlet