Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1891-08-21
a CITY ORDINANCE PASSED.

Discussing the Police Commissioners
Power to Contract Bills without Ad-
vertising.
At the regular meeting Of City Coun-
ell last evening the Finance Committee
recommended the return of 81. 30 over
paid taxes to Howard B Springer, and
$255 to Charles F. Wells. IL also
recommended that tne petition OF George
w Griffin asking for the return Of
So "a be returned to tho petitioner as
the taxes paid were in accordance with
the assessment The committe also re-
ported favorsbly on the ordinance pro
viding for the making of an extraordi-
nary appropris ion TO meet expenses in
volved in litigation, and pay damages
secured by parties agsint the city. In
the ordinance IL was reported that there
was nothing contrary to the city charter.
When the bills reported by the Police
Committee were read, James Murray
drew attention TO two bills which ex-
ceeded $50, and inquired If these bills
had been contracted by the committee.
Some difficulty was experienced by the
clerk ia iuding one of the bills referred
60, when Mr. Perkins, with Characteristic
dumbness, said that he was opposed to
the waste Of time in waiting. he vas
promptly sat upon" by President
Benson who said that any member bad
the right TO have bill acted upon
separately.
Mr. Murray ssid he merely wanted TO
say that II the committee contracted bills
over $50 it did 50 contrary to the city
charter
President Benson ssid that the point
was we'll taken, but 1t was the Police
| Commission, not the committee which
contracted these bills aud there was
nothing for Council to do but pay them.
Mr.. Magee said IL was one Of the de-
fects Of the Police Commission bill that
it gave that body the power to contract
bile, and whether they we're fair or ex
horbitant Council would have to meet
them
The city treasurer reported the balance
in bank to current expenses, s6S. SOL 81 :
special, "a, 54462 The amount in each
of the four National Banks is S23 $50
John j Mealey's collections amounted to
1925, Edmund Mitchell, Jr's TO 81, $50.
He also reported the receipt OF $50 from
Clerk Messick for unclaimed witness
fees and 50 175 from the Water Com
missioners, interest on oan
petition from Thomas Pagan for the
refunding Of $40 foe imposed upon him
for allowing his horses to run at large
was referred to the Police Committee.
The petition stated that colored camp
meeting bad been in progress adjoining
the pasture where the horses were graz.
ing The campers broke down the fences
and allowed the horses to get out They
were found just aside the gste.
The ordinance providing for the max,
ing of an extraordinary appropriation for
the paying of certain bills of damages
was then read by title. and preamble and
passed Mr.. Murray alone voting against
It.
Mr. White moved that the Printing
Committee be instructed 70 have fifty
copies of the Police Commission act
printed for distribution among the mem
bers Mr. Murray thought this would
entail unnecessary expense The city
solicitor was called upon to explain i
copies would not be supplied by the stat,
authorities Mr. Curtis said he under
stood that copies we're to have been dis
tributed in August, but 1t was now tn
end Of August and they had not been re
ceived.
President Benson said that he under
stood that copies for distribution woul'
BE- printed by the staue authorities
] There was no doubt but that the men
: bers should have them. Under thes
J circumstances, Mr. Whits said be woul
s withdraw his motion Council then ad
journed.