Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-24
Councils Discuss Mayor GOurley's
Communication, but the ApprO-
priatiOn Ordinance Is
PASSED OVER HIS HONOR'S HEAD.
Chief BigelOW Subjected to a Severe EI.
animation as TO His Lack of
Legal knowledge.
LIVELY TILTS IN BOTH TIE BRANCHES.
NJ, Kesting Objects to th, Language Used in the
Message.

Mayor Gourley's veto of the appropria-
ton ordinance was overridden by both
branches of Council yesterday. To perform
this ieat it required three-6fths vote, but
the supporters OF the ordinance had this and
plenty to spare, the vote standing-Select
Council, so to l; Common Council, Sc to ..
Public interest had been aroused in the
Mayors veto and the probable action of
Councils, which resulted in ovsrfowing lob
bes. y number of Allegheny Councilmen
were on hand and took deep interest in the
proceedings. The discussion in either
branch was confined to but few members,
but those who did talk were very outspoken.
Common Council was called to order first,
and President Holiday, after stating that
the object of this special meeting was to
consider the veto of the appropriation ordi-
nance, read the Mayors communication
containing his reasons Tor his action, which
will be found on the fourth page of this
issue.
No Faith in Curative Legislation.
j. C. O'Donnell, from the Sixteenth ward,
obtained the floor first, and kept it during
the greater part of the session. He said:
"Mr. President. ! think that some of the OBJ
jections pointed out by the Mayor should be
explained. Outside of the Finance Committee,
but few members of Councils understand this
ordinance. Both the Mayor and the Controller
say u VIII result in a deficit of $4,000 at the
end of the year. 1t is claimed that curative
legislation will help to swell the receipts, but
what guarantee have we that 1t will subserYe
the end desired? What guarantee have we
I e1,%
the Governor will sign them, that the Su-
Dreme Court will not declare them unconstltu-
tional? II this curative legislation does not
hold there will be deficit. The same reason
ing applies 10 the bill before the Legislature
which gives an increased revenue to cities
from tie liquor licenses. The appropriation
ordinance contains an item for the purchase of
park property. believe that such purchase is
prohIbted by the act of lS7l, which provides
Jhat such purchases must first be approved by
a vote of the people. If there is a later act, L
would like to know it.
Wanted to Hear From Bigelow.
MI. President, l suggest that we send for
CHEF BIgelow and ask him to explain under
what law he purchased this land, for which the
city has 10 pay"
W. A. MaSee-I rise to point of order /
would like tOknow whether the gentleman is
discussing the administration OF the Depart
nIent of Public Works or the veto message on
the appropriation ordinace.
The Chair ruled that Mr.. O'Donnell was
speaking to the question, and the latter made
motion that Chief Bigelow and Assistant City
Attorney Carnahan be sent for that they might
bc lnterrOg1ted on the law The Clerk stated
that Mr.. Carnahah was in Erie.
Magee-Mr. President, as a member OF Coun-
Cils protest. Under our rules one but
member can address Councils without unani-
nous consent, and give notice now that will
CbJecL
from the Fourteenth ward objects The ques-
ton OF the legality OF these land purchases
have been raised, and desire 10 understand it.
The act of lS7l, II it means anything, means
that the purchase of park property is illegal. l
would like to know If later acts have changed
this My ground is that no official can purchase
ground for park purposes until approved by
the people. The people would not have ap-
proved OF Ii, hence we would have had no park.
Wanted the Doubt Settled.
W. o. Russell-The Chief should be sent for
TO settle the doubt to the legality of the park
purchases.
J. l. Wright am heartily in favor of some
objections Of the Mayor, especially in relation
to parks. That park appropriation could be
cut down 500. 1000; but for the bridge over Lari-
ueT avenue, That should have been built five
years ago.
R. q. McGonigle-The city is in duty bound
to pay for all The property She has already pur-
chased, and the appropriation ordinance should
not be delayed on that accout. 1t has been
SCTutIusZeQ by the finance Committee, which
: competent to judge as the Mayor As to
The question raised by the Mayor TO the
value OF curative legislation, we need not worry
about thai We have the opinion of the Su-
preme Court, which lntimates clearly that the
LEGISLATURE can relieve the city OF its burden of
unpaid assessments
O'Donnell-Notwithstand the objections
OF the gentleman from the Fourteenth ward
(MaEee) l move that Chief Blgelow be sent for
To answer luIerrogatiOns.
The motion was put and carried by vote of
IN j QFln Hpl fnr
Chief.
Didn't Want to Hear the Chief.
Mr.. Magee jumped up and exclaimed: "Mr.
President. 1t IL an outrage to put such a mo-
tIou."
M O'Donnell rose to reply, but the Chair
mJu useu his gavel and called both members
to order.
AS soon as the Chief entered Mr.. Masee -ose
again TO his point OF order. but Mr.. Ferguson
n,c-DoseG, saying: Under our charter all
lie cHieIs OF departments can address Coun-
clls.'
ODonnen addressing tho Chief)-Under
what Legislation did You purchase the land for
ScHenlty PARK?
Chef 5ige.ow-An my information l re-
ceIved from the late Mr.. Carnahan, who was a
good lawyer. He said we had the power. We
have not bought the property, but have merely
obtained options which will not be carried out
mil Councils authorizes the purchase and the
Legislature gives Councils tue power.
ODOnnel!-Hasn't >62,5O0 been already laid
out?
Blgelow-I don't know. believe so.
U'Dunuell-DOes not that legallze the pur-
chase?
BIselow-I don't know.
Left Everything to His Lawyers.
O'DonneIl-Were you conversant with any
law empowering you TO purchase property for
park purposes?
Bigelow-I did not bother about the law.
left tIa5 to the lawyers. [Laughter.l
nsn,,.paIl-IIoyy NJ ba Iirh DorI
purchase?
BiCelow-It was merely an option.
O'DOnnell-Wasn't the paper given by the
CRY negotiable?
EireIoN-If any bank would take it,
Mr. MaEee mterposed an objection here to
the character of the questions.
O'Donnell-Are you conversant with the act
OF ISL?
BIgelOw-No.
O'Donuell-Can't you read English?
BIgelOw-Ihat has nothing to do with the
matter
The Chair interposed, and Mr. O'Donnell sat
down alter saying: My objections are based on
the S242,50e for parks, for which the city is not
liable and which we have no power to pay.
Mr.. Ferguson took up the examination of
Chief Bigelow by asking: what is the reason
for the increased cost of fuel for Brilliant?"
BigeloW-LasU year the Contract was awarded
at a lower price than the bid. This year we ex-
pecJ il Will cost more.
Cost of Heat and Lighting.
Ferguson-Ddn't the Pittsburg and Cieve-
land Gas Coal Company offer to furnish fuel
for $40 0O0 less than the Philadelphia Company?
BIgelow-That was ten years ago.
Ferguson-I see the estimated cost of light
ing the city was largely increased this year.
Bigelow-I mentioned that fact in my mes
sage To the Mayor.
4 a-,,1d fl-a tn lrrat xrhx. Nho