The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-08

The Sullivan Dam Question the Main question
Up for Consideration.
The city fathers held short but very
interesting meeting last night, with mayor
John B. Carey in the chair
1t was long beyond the usual hour when
the meeting was called to order, owing 10
the absence of Attorney Gordon. While
waiting, all the councilmen, with the ex-
cention of B. K. Brown, who was absent,
gathered about the hall in knots discussing
various matters of Importance to the city.
Despairing of the arrival of Mr. Gordon,
without whose presence they were IN no
shane to transact business, the meeting
was called to order for the purpose OIL ad-
journing. At this juncture the city attor-
ner arrived and the meeting was continued.
The first matter brought up was the
proposition made by Arthur Sullivan with
reference to the dam which was as follows
In substance:
Il propose to repair and maintain the
dam located in the little Arkansas river
with Chisholm creek, and to build and
maintain the dam in Chisholm creek at
Lawrence avenue when the flushing sewer
is to be constructed, for period OF twenty
years, for the sum of 81, 600 the first year:
said amount to be in monthly instaliments
with the understanding that the contract
entered into in accordance with this pro-
posal may be terminated after three years
from its date upon six months notice be-
ing given by either party thereto. FUR
Their propose that out of the payment OF
the first year, to wit: the 5000, there
shall be deducted the amount which the
city has already expended in repairing and
sustaining in the Little Arkansas river
and my bill now before the council.
Attached to the proposition was writ
ten statement by Mr.. Sullivan that he
would enter into a bond OF S., 000, that he
would faithfully perform the duties which
the proposition contemplated. When the
proposition was made every individual
councilman adjusted himself in his seat
and in other respects prepared himself for
the work which the consideration of the
proposition would necessitate.
Mr. Caswell was the first to break the
ice by asking the attorney whether it
would be legal to award contract involv-
ing a greater sum than 81, 900 without adj
vertising for bids, having reference, of
course, to the Sullivan proposition. To
this the attorney replied that rs the
sum of money would be paid
in moathly snstallments it would be per-
fectly right and proper to award con-
tract such as the Sullivan proposition
contemplated.
Mr.. Mckee thought it would be proper
to build the sewer first, for the reason that
If the sewer was not built there would be
ha
answered satisfactorily, and Councilman
Martin moved that the proposition, which
was recommended by the public improve
ment committee, be accepted.
Councilman Glaze moved to amend by
Inserting the words maintain or keep in
repair" in the proposition.
Councilman Buckeridge approved this
and made quite lengthy observations on
the subject.
Councilman Martin added still further
that Mr.. Sullivan should be at
tached TO the engineers depart
ment, but this, after discussion,
was dropped andthe council again
returned to the original motions and
amendment. Councilman Mosbacher OBJ
jected to giving Mr.. Sullivan more than he
work and suggested that bids be adj
vertised Tor to do the work. Councilman
Tucker said that it would be impractIcable
to have anybody else do the work than
Mr.. Sullivan, as the latter controlled the
whole matter, the dam being situated on
his property. 1t was then urged to post
pone consideration of the matter till some
future time Mayor Carey suggested that
this idea would be very good one, were
It not for the fact that the present dam is
in bad condition and liable to be swept
nway at any time, unless there was some
one whose duty it should be. to repair and
take care of it. Councilman Leveridge
said that he had given the dam matter
lots of study and thought. Mr.. SuIivan's
proposition was just right and what every
citizen and taxpayer who talked to him,
wanted.
Mayor Carey eulogised the committee
for the work done and said that no COM
mittee of the council had worked so
earnestly in the city's interest since he has
been mayor, than that committee had in
this matter.
After an expression of their views by
Councilmen Tucker, Caswell and others,
the proposition was accepted by vote of
all the members present, except Mosbacher
and Caswell.
The council then went into executive
Bession to consider the Dermody sewer
contract case. The city attorney gave his
legal opinion on the matter which satisfied
all the councilmen and there is hardly any
question but that Mr.. Dermody win hold
the contract.
Adjourned.