The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-29
BY THE CITY COUNCIL.
The Street Railway Allowed Some
Concessions in the Paving Of
Main Street.
An Objection to Opening Davis
Street and What Game Of
tho Matter.
Alderman Connolly Resigns His Seat
From the First Wnrd-Ths Chess
man Tlume-Other Matters

The city council last night made q little
further progress toward the paving OF Main
street. Chairman Fuller reported that OF
the committee appointed to confer with the
Electric Railway company he was tho only
one present. Though recognizing that the
minority of the committee cannot repre-
sent its views, he stated that the company
had represented. as their franchise had re-
quired Thorn to maintain their tracks in ~
good condition and of the same material az
the adjoining street and provides a tine for
not 80 doing, that they should not be held
strictly to q set Of specifications which
would, in their opinion. largely increase
their share of the cost over and above what
thoy considered necessary. Mayor Klein
schmidt said that what tho company
desired was to be allowed to lay four
inch blocks on top of their ties
instead of six-inoh blocks. This
would obviate the necessity of lowering
their ties. He suggested that as the COM
pany had to keep the street between their
tracks in repair, granting the privilege OF
laying the fcur-inch blocks on the ties
could dc no harm. Between the ties the
compan would lay asphalt and sand and
six-inch blocks the same as the remainder
of the street. The committee was en-
powered to make the change so as to allow
the company to lay four-inoh blocks on
their ties.
The report of the street committee on the
matter of accepting a deed from property
owners on Davis street for ground necessary
l. AIo;r borouohfnro from Ninth
avenue to Fifteenth avenue, created quite
q little talk. The report. which recom-
mended that the city accept the
deed, stated that there was but
one objector. After the council
had adopted the report, Alderman Hanley
: made a suggestion to Alderman Thompson,
who at once jumped to his feet and stated
that there was something behind the matter
which ought to be looked into. Alderman
Hanley said that when the property owners
MAIDS the deed it was under the %misappre-
hension that it was for q public street only.
Since that it appeared that the Valley rail-
road had a charter to run over Davis street.
The acceptance of the street bed deed by
the city would give the railroad a right of
way through the property as a public high
way, and part Of Davis street. Tho coun-
Gil took a recess to allow time to consult.
After the recess Alderman Thomp-
son moved to reconsider the
vote by which the deed had been
accepted. Hs did not believe in unfolding
the securing of a right of way through pri-
vate property by false representation.
whether obtained by leading citizens or
mot. Alderman Morris defended the action
of the committee and wanted its decision
to stand. Mayor Klcinschmidt stated that
there was but one obiector, who had
signed the decd, but who afterwards wanted
to withdraw his rame. 10 prevent him
doing SO the deed had been put on record.
The motion to reconsider was lost by yeas
tive-Lissner, Harrity, Hanley, Weber and
Thompson. Nays eight-Connolly, Gar
rett. FULLER, Hartwig, Morris. Gamer, Resce
and Wilmer.
Alderman Connolly rendered his resigna-
ton as II member from the Fist ward. lie
did 80 on account of removal from the
ward. He was compelled to look for an
other house and not being able to find one
in the First ward had to go on the west
side. He regretted the necessity of resign
ing, but his removal from the ward COM
PEELED him to do SO. Aldermen Thompson
and Lissner made remarks expressing sor-
row at losing the services of Alderman Con-
molly, and Alderman Morris offered the fol
loving, which was adopted by a rising and
unanimous vote:
Resolved, That thanks are due and are
hereby rendered to the retiring alderman,
G. r. Connolly, for his efficiency, zeal and
ability in advocating and protecting the in
forests of the city, and the First ward in
particular. His qualities of mind and
heart has endeared him to every member
of the council and by his uniform courtesy
has commanded the respect of the council,
and he will surely be missed in this
hambe
Resolved, That this resolution be spread
on the journal.
The calling Of q special election to fill the
vacancy was referred to the city attorney
and the following judges Of election wert
chosen: First precinot-O. G. Bundy, j.
II. Halford, W. H. Guthrie and G. X. Wells.
Second-Ben Benson, Amos johnson, John
Stewart and Joseph O'Neill.
When this matter had been disposed OF
Mr.. Connolly said he wished to refer to the
resolutions of the Knight OF Labor in re-
gard to his position on the street paving
proposition. He said the resolutions, &C
whether Intentionally or not. He had no
Objected to the clause in the specification
regarding who should be employed ane
their wages, from any other motive thar
the legal aspects OF the case. lie did no
consider that the city had any right tt
put anything Of the kind in the specitica
tions. Alderman Morris said Mr.. Connolly
WAS not alone in the matter as his sentl
ments were those of the ouncil
w. A. Cheeseman's f1ume was again before
the council. Judge ID. G. Wade addressed
the council, stating that Mr.. Chessmal
wanted the matter settled so as to clean u
the tiume. The discussion brought GU
pretty much the same arguments as on pre-
vious occasions, except that Mayor Klein
schmidt and Alderman Connolly suggested
that the city might be able to make som
arrangements with Mr.. Chessman SO as t.
regain the use of the hume for sewage pur
poses after it had been cleaned up. Alder
man Lissner made the same stubborn igh
against taking any action as he had al
along. When a motion was made to refe
the mattor to the chairman Of the iudiciar
committee, the city clerk and the cit
engineer, with power to act, Alder
man Lissner threatened that in GAS
such a motion carried he would secure a
injunction against any such proceeding,
A motion to limit the committees expendi
tnre for a temporary tlume to Sl.2oO wi
lost by yeas 4. nays 8. and the motion to re
fer was also lost by yeas IL, nays 2 Guile
and Thompson). The matter was final
referred to a special committee conslstin
of Aldermen Garrett, Hartwig and IhomE
son. the mayor and the city attorney. an
makes the fourth committee to which tn