The Dispatch. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1891-06-17
The CITY council.
Lively Times Over Wedding
The Public Park.
Nielsen, the Contractor for
the Work, Severely Scored
BY the Council.
He Says He Bid on the job
in Ignorance, but Prom
iSeS to do Better,

session on Monday evening, June 10,
1891, with Mayor Booth in the chair.
A communication from Robert
Boardman was read asking that the
time for opening Second street be-
tween l. and NJ be extended for twelve
months from date. Granted.
a petition from Peter Stubs ct al,
asking that Silas Alfred be again en-
ployed as special police at the depot.
Referred to committee on police and
city prison.
a petition from W. II. Freshwater
ct al. asking that the ringing of lire
bell for curfew and all other purposes,
except fire or other disaster, be discon-
tinued. Petition granted.
Retail liquor dealers license was
granted to the Smoot Drug Co.
The committee on public grounds
submitted the following report:
To the City Council. Provo City:
GENTLEMEN:-You committee or
public grounds beg to report that we
have visited the public grounds of the
city and find that the Garden City
park is in very bad condition on ac-
count Of not having been properly
cultivated and attended to, according
to contract, and we therefore respect
fully recommend that some action be
taken to have Mr.. Nelson. the person
employed by the city, show cause
why he has not performed his labOrS
according TO contract.
Is. {. HENRICHSEN.
Chairman,
Mr.. Nelson stated: 81 can say that
the grounds have ! cen attended to-;
that is, | have dug around each tree,
and the trees are in d healthy cOndi-
ton"
Mayor Booth: "Then YOU think you
have fulfilled the terms of the con-
tract, do you?n
Mr.. Nelson: Yes sir, | think so.
The Mayor then read the contract,
and then asked Mr.. Nelson, do you
think you have kept the weeds and
grass as much as possible out of the
parkS?"
Mr.. Nelson: when we succeed
we must resort to practical means. l
understood that it was only the walks
that were required to be weeded. |
did not know the ground was in such
poor condition when [ took the con-
tract. | don't think the ground has
been cultivated properly in the past"
Nh. Nelson then recommended a
whole lot of Improvements, which he
evidently thought would be of some
benefit to the committee and Council.
Mayor Booth: what do you pro-
pose to do in this matter Mr..
Nelson? 1t is immaterial to this
Council what the Improvements are
that you speak of. So far as | can
see it makes but little difference how
YOU cut the weeds and grass. You
can cut them with pair Of scissors if
you like. The main thing is to cut
them, and this is what the contract
calls for"
Mr.. Nelson: 81 propose to cut the
weeds Immediately.
The Mayor: Ibid you not know
what you was bidding on when you
sent in your bid?'
Nelson: 81 had never been over
the ground and did not understand it
thoroughly"
The Mayor: well, that is a curl
Gus way TO do business.
Mr.. Henrichsen: The committee
has examined the ground and for one
cannot agree with Mr.. Nelson in re-
gard to its condition. | think it is fear
full. | think it should have been nearly
clear from weeds 10y this time. 1 do
not think, however, that ali the grass
and clover should be rooted out. as
consider it should be left there and
moved so as to form a nice lawn. but
| think space should be cultivated
around each tree, and the spaces be-
tween the trees kept clear, and more
grass and clover seed soWn so that in
years to come parties can 90 there and
enjoy themselves.
Mr.. Dixon: Il understand the con-
tract to say that the work should be
satisfactory to the committee. If that
is so then it is clearly question with
the committee"
Mr.. Glazier: Il think the man has
run away from his contract as much
as any man can do. The grounds
look as if but one days work had been
spent on it. | think the ground should
be cleared off Immediately, and | am
in favor of grass being sown, but no
clover in mine. | do not think the
work has been done SatiSfactorily.'
Mr.. Maiben: Il am not on the COM
mittee, but | have been over the
grounds, and | do not think there has
been more than days work done on
them. | do not believe in laying out
flower beds and lawns until there is
a park, and there is no park there yet.
l do not care bow the weeds are kept
down OF how they are cut. [ can get
a man to work for 81 80 a day who Will
keep it clean. but it must be a man
who viii work and not build castles. |
am in favor of annulling the contract.
do not believe in allowing a man to
come in, in the middle of the summer,
and suggest new ways to the Council.
Mr. Glazier: | am in favor Of max
ing the contract null and void, and
then find man who will attend to the
work properly.
Mr.. Henrichsen: | would like to
hear from Mr.. Nelson, whether he
will go to work and fix up the park
right away.
Mr. Liddiard: l would like to ask
whether the committee has met with
Mr.. Nelson and given him proper in
| think they should meet
on the grounds and come to an agree
ment. The committee seem to have
different ideas in the matter. If Mr..
Nielsen don't attend to the work then
let some one else have the job that
will do it.
Mr.. Henrichsen: The gentleman
from the Third ward is evidently off
on that, as we have repeatedly told
him just what was expected of him
according to the contract.
Mr.. Liddiard: If | am off, want to
be put on, but know that you and
Mr.. Glazier represent the Instructions
The question on the adoption of the
report was put and carried.
Mr.. GlaZieT: | move that the con-
tract be reconsidered and some respon-
Sible person hired To attnnd to If