The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-14
Alderman Hartwig Lectures Thomp-
son Upon His Arbitrary Exer-
else Of Authority.
Helena to Have an Auxiliary Fire
Alarm System for Pri-
vate Use.
The street Commissioner Reports-The
steam Motor Franchise-Thc sqnaw
Gulch Dump.

session last night and worried through sew
eral hours time transacting considerable
business. The absentees were the mayor,
Aldermen Wilmer, Hanley and Garrett,
Alderman Hartwig and Thompson had a
somewhat lively tilt, brought about by the
action of the street and alleys committee
chairman taking it upon himself to order
all men working on the streets discharged.
Not a street laborer was in the city's en-
ploy yesterday, and a majority of the CON-
mitteo did not endorse Thompson's action,
and thought he was taking too much au-
thority upon himself. Alderman Hartwlg
said there had been thousands OF dollars
expended upon the streets. OF which the
committee or city council knew nothing
until the bills were presented. While
he considered it money we'll spent and good
results obtained, he nevertheless thought
the city council was the proper body to au-
thorize the outlay. He did not endorse the
seemingly arrogant and arbitrary policy
displayed by the junior alderman OF the
Seventh, and simply made the suggestions
for his future guidance. Alderman Hart
wig then moved that six men be regularly
was deemed advisable to have some men at
work to care for the streets, keeping cutters
and crossings unobstructed. The motion
was adopted, Alderman Thompson voting
for it. He retorted at Alderman HartWig
for his negligence in attending committee
meetings.; said he was devoting much OF
his valuable time to city affairs, at neglect
OF his own business; intimated that people
who nave the least interest III matters COM
plain the most; wanted to resign the chair
manship, and felt altogether a much
abused young man.
(S-~alI~ Fo1% lSLo randIrn
Esop's fable of the crane ana the cat to
Mr.. Thompson, where the long-necked AMI
NAL got all there was in reach and then In
vited the cat to take his place.
Street Commissioner Brady presented a
report embracing the work of his depart
nent from May 1890 to January 1891. It
shows an expenditure. of $31 ,S32.25 in that
time, ST. 1924 of which went for labor. Al
derman Thompson moved the acceptance
of the very excellent report of such excel
lent work. and it was received.
A plat Of the beck addition to Helena was
accepted. The Beck addition adjoins the
Willard and Thompson additions.
An ordinance vacating that portion of
jackson street, adjoining st. Peters hos
pital was passed. The city never owned it,
but has agreed to abandon it for street pur-
poses. The hospital trustees assume con-
troll Of it now. Property owners in the
neighborhood agree to deed the city an
equivalent or greater amount when it is de-
sired to extend jackson street in q different
course.
The petition of DR.. Brooke asking for q
twenty-five year franchise to supply Helena
with hot water. natural gas and crude oil,
all to be obtained from Mount Helena. was
reported adversely by the committee and
the report was adopted.
A large number Of current bills were al
lowed. The water company was paid
ri. 825. The Gamewell Fire Alarm company
4G7E - nllskSoun hrvoc md M echu1 Hr~.
min $545.65 for boarding prisoners during
December.
The city council has changed its mind,
in the interest of conomy about repairing
the Davis street flume. Lumber has been
purchased and strung out along the street,
Evans.
H. l.. and Il. A. Luke and D. P. Paten-
nude petitioned the council for a franchise
for an auxiliary fire alarm system, to work
in conjunction with the Gamewell system
now in use. The petition was referred to
Luke explained the purpose of the auxiliary
system to the council. 1t is proposed to
have a fire alarm on private premises wher-
ever it is desired. These onnect with the
large boxes, and by giving a signal at home
from a small instrument, the machinery in
the ward boxes is set in motion and the
alarm is given without the trouble of run
ming around the street finding a key and
losing much valuable time. Everybody
can have a fire alarm box in his own house.
The auxiliary system is a Gamewell pat
ent and made to work in conjunction with
their telegraph system.
Mccarthy d King. sewer contractors,
were allowed $12l.SS bonus on the war
rants paid them on their contract.
The question Of the annuiment of the
franchise of the steam motor company
came up but it was lost i'll the shuttle and
the city marshal WAS ordered to tell the
company to remove t3e %unsightly motor
now standing on Sixth avenue.
A Communication from the Trades and
Labor assembly asking for representation
or the charter commission was read and &C
tion deferred until the return of Mayor
Bradford.
A second petition asking for a grade on
the alley ~ex.enGlng from the opera house
o the Merchants hote! was appropriately
referred.
The Helena electric and the Citizens
electric companies joined issues in bidding
for the city lighting contract at SIG pei
month per light. 1t was a case of Hobson'l
choice and the only bid presented. Thu
clerk has instructed to ascertain the cost OF
an all night service regardless of moonlight
nights.
Bids for clearing of the garbage on the
now famous Squaw gulch ground, to b.
hauled to the SKY line'' dump, were reae
as follows: F. A. Rogers $500; VIM. Gard
ner s4oo: 4. L. Hurd $372; l.. F. Evan
$3.50; Emil Kluge $500. Alderman Lissne
proposed offering Messrs. Brooke d O'Con
nor $500, but this was voted down and tn.
contract awarded to Rogers. Alderman
Dunn thought this action a confession OF
the part of the city that the ground hat
been damaged and he anticipated a CLAIM
for rent from the owners. The council
then adjourned.
LoefHers family every evening and Sun
day afternoon at the Harmoniah hall,
LOefHers family every evening and Sun
day afternoon at the Harmonic hall.