The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-15
ITS DESK.

The Old Administration Making Ready
for the New.
Mayor Bradford occupied the chair of
presiding officer when the old city council
was called to order. On his right sat his
successor, Mayor-elect Kleinschmidt. On
the left was ex-Mayor Sullivan. There was
a full attendance of the old council, except,
of course, Alderman Gallagher, who had
resigned. The new men occupied seats on
the floor of the council chamber and lis
toned to the proceedings with evident in
terest.
The most important act of the outgoing
council was the repeal Of the ordinance
which was passed over the mayors veto
taking from that officer the power of re-
moving policemen. The ordinance was
passed during the fight between Mayor
Bradford and Marshal Cronin. The one
for its repeal WAS offered last night by
Alderman Dunn, who said the ordinance
was a bad thing and should never have been
passed. Mayor Bradford said he would
like to see the ordinance repealed, as he did
not care to have Mayor Kleinschmidt come
into office in any way, handicapped. The
ordinance was passed by yeas S-Garrett,
Steele, Brown, Richards, Wilmer, Theme,
Dunn and Thompson; nays5-Lissner, Con.
molly, spencer, Hartwlg and Hanley. AL
derman Theme offered an ordinance rails
ing the pay Of the city marshal from 81, 5OO
to $4,000. He explained that steps had
been taken looking to advertising for the
board of prisoners, which would cut down
the perquisites of the incoming marshal.
Alderman Lissner wanted to leave this to
the new administration 1t was explained
that the salary of a city officer could not be
changed during his term, The ordinance
was referred.
Alderman Thompson introduced three
ordinances, c q to reduce the number of
policemen W ten, one to abolish the
office of inspector of weights and meas
ures, and the other abolishing the Office of
building inspector. These measures raised
quite q breeze. Alderman Connolly said if
Alderman Thompson kept OH people would
think he did not stand we'll with the new
administration. The new administration
had cen elected on a platform of retrench-
ment and reform, and he did not believe in
robbing it of its rights. Alderman Lissner
espoused the cause of the inspector of
weights and measures, and made a tender
appeal for the babies who had been COM
PEELED to drink chalk and water before
milk was inspected. He would rather
spend $1,000 a year than lose one infant.
The debate between Aldermen Lissner and
thompson. got very warm, the former
charging the newcomers with wanting the
babies to drink chalk and water, and the
latter claiming that most of the trouble
over bad milk was on account of that sold
by a man who had been here thirty years.
pSOH you ITO support ana
all his proposed ordidances were laid on the
table,.
The city treasurer's report showed the
outstanding Indebtedness Of Helena to be
$438, $685. 81; cash on hand, SIP, sos, IS; net
indebtedness, $426, O54. %.
The retiring counoil then prepared a lot
O. work for the new city treasurer by or
derinR him to pay all the bills presented
aud audited. Il rejected an ordinance to
give J. p. McTIverly a warrant for $1,000
bearing ten per cent. interest, for his judg-
ment obtained against the city for dam
ages. The city clerk said they had no
right to allow any such interest, as the
most they could give was seven per cent.
The city clerk also reported that Policeman
Irscy was entitled to his pay during the
time he was laid off by the city marshal.
The council ordered the amount paid.
Reading the reports of the city officers
occupied most of the time of the old coun-
Gil. 1t was very dry. All things must have
an end, and that of the old council came ut
Last.