Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-05
APPROVED THE REMEDY.
A Lively Debate Ends With the Formal
Approval of Curative Legislation-Sena-
tor Finn Says the Contractor Is Not in
I-PIea for the Poor Man.

The meeting having heard the views o.
the legal representatives of both cities,
Mayor Gourley asked if any one desired tc
question Major Moreland.
Reuben NIiller-Mr Moreland, in this
bill relating to municipal liens, is there not
also portion of an act covering the issue OF
certificates OF indebtedness?
Major Moreland-No, it is in an act re-
latiug to cities Of the second class.
Mr. Miller-I think it is matter to be
discussed at this meeting.
Aiaior Moreland-Senator Finn is pres
ent, and he understands the subject better
than l.
Senator FliEn-These acts, with the excep-
ton of this section, are the work of lawyers.
This section is largely my work, together
with the City Controller. The charter
ordinance prohibits the increase OF the city S
Indebtedness without a vote of the people.
Now the Supreme Court says S2,000000
must be paid by the city, and paid at once.
This viii necessItate the increase of the tax
rate next year 10 24 or % mills unless this
provision is adopted.
The Contractor Is Not in 1t.
The Senator continued: 81 am speaking
of this matter as a heavy taxpayer. The
contractor is not in il. He is provided for
bv the decision Of the Supreme Courr. The
question is. how Will you pay this bill?
VIII YOU pay it by an increased tax levy,
or will Won issue these certificates: l look
upon il in TIE light OF mere business prop
CSition. The decision of the Supreme Court
opens every byway TO court-hclps the people
in. There will be many suits brought to
resist nayment under the curative act and
collections will be slow. This will result in
less competition and higher bids for street
improvements, for the contractors will not
know how long they will have to wait for
their money. McKeesport has used this
system successfully for 10 years"
Mr. Miller-How shall we discuss these
bills? l move that we take up the two bills
relating to curative legislation, and to bring
the matter before the meeting L move the
approval of these acts and request the Legis-
lature TO pass them.
Mr. Marland-I would prefer that the
curative legislation be allowed to rest for
the present. The municipality of Pitts
burg, under the control of a few individuals,
has incurred this liability. There has been
some talk of honesty in this matter. 1t
seems to me that the quality OF honesty de-
pends on the quality o! cloth the man wears.
Objected to Mud Singing.
Mr.. Mille1-I want TO call the gentleman
to order There is no use of throwing mud.
M Marland-I am not throwing mud.
We must bear this decision as We did in the
Penn avenue case.
Nh Force-The Supreme Court stands
between the Legislature and the people, and
properly so. l don't think this meeting
represents the sentiment of the people, and
], for one, object TO the municipal lien pro-
vision.
George T Oliver-If our members in the
Legislature at the time of the Penn avenue
decision had been as active as our present
Representatives in securing curative legis-
la.ior we should not nave had to pay
s., 600. OOQ or 10000, 900. The citizens
whose property was benefited expected TO
paw Tor those benefits, and should pay for
them. II this curative Legislation should
be declared unconstitutional We will be no
worse of than we are now.
D. d. Bruce-The cancer oE the body
polite is still untouched, and neither Of the
Senators present (Flinn and Neeb) have
shown US any remedy for this cancer. We
have not met only to consider curative legis-
lation, but to remedy defects we nave labored
under for - or 20 years.
Curative Legislation aS a Gag.
Edwin Powell, agent for the Sargent estate
We objected to the work when it was pro-
i-cted. We opposed it from the first because
one-third was debating to two-thirds. Am
dishonest in refusing TO pay this money?
Curative legislation is a gag to force us 10
accept and pay for these improvements.
This statement ELECTED burst of ap-
plause.
Senator FlinD-Eou represent property
which is opposite mine on Negley avenue?
Mr.. Powel!-Ges.
Senator Elinn-What is your assessment?
Mr.. Powell-Twenty thousand dollars.
Senator Flinn-I bought nv property for
So foot ! can sell 1t to-day for 500
foot front, because of the improvements
made on the street. l have paid my assess
ment while other property holders, equally
benefited, resist payment. Two gentlemen
who spoke here owe sior their assessments
Cries of order, order" arose from all
paris Of the chamber, ana the uproar con-
tnued for minute or two, while Mayor
Gourley kept up continuous hammering
with the heavy gaYel. Order being re-
stored, the Senator continued:
Il want these gentlemen to state why they
are against this legislation. They put us
into $4,000, 600 wears ago and will
put Us into s., 0O0, 600 more. We cannot
take these bills out of the regular
order and pass them through
the Legislature without unanimous consent,
and we cannot get ii il the citizens are di-
vided. The Supreme Court said nothing
about the One-thIrd premium. 1t was orig
inally provided that it took a majority in
interest 10 secure an improvement, but the
last End members changed that. But that
did not affect the act. 1t was declared un-
constitutional because it sought TO regulate
TIE practice of the courts. It's simple
proposition that anyone ought to under
stand. Applause.
Wouldn't BE Pointed At.
Mr. Marland-I am the gentleman to
whom the Senator referred as having an un-
paid assessment OF 81, 500.
Senator Flinn-I didn't saw so.
Mr.. Mariand-You pointed at me- /
know the men who have control of the city,
and l thought they had some respect for the
truth. L the 81, 800 were divided by ten it
would be nearer the truth.
Mr.. POWELL would like to make an ex-
PLANTATION.
MavOr Gourley-If we go back over the
assessments that have been made we'll not
get through to-day.
H. N. Long-If the citizens of Pittsburg
want to pass any legislation at this term it
will have 10 be passed within a few days,
and the bills must be at Harrisburg during
the coming week.
J. II. White-The question is simple-is
the city going to collect the cost Of these