Morning journal and courier., 1891-05-12
THE BOARD OF CoUNcILMEN.

They Vote Last Night Against fhe Historical Society Contract with the Free Library Direcfors-A Pet1- ton Presented Asking That Steps be Taken to have a War Ship Named ssThe New Haven.o The board of councilmen met last even ing for their regular meeting, and if it will be remembered, the meeting previous | just one month ago was abruptly ended by | the sudden departure of the minority in | the Free Public Library and Historical so- ciety matter, leaving no quorum present. President Mcfarland, just after he had called the meeting to last night announced that he would have to be away and called Councilman Donlan of the Twelfth ward to the chair. Hardly had the pro tenn. taken the chair when Councilman Reyes moved that they take up the matter above mentioned as unfnished. business, which was carried, and then the motion carried that they go into committee as whole for the consideration of the same and the president pro tenn. appointed chair man.
 The resolution passed by the aldermen was read by the clerk, after that the com
 
 the aldermen explaining their action in the matter and which was presented at the last meeting of that body.
 Just as soon as the clerk had finished reading the above mentioned papers Coun- cilman William Hogan rose to make @ mo- tion that they recommend to concur with the action taken by the alderman, which was in opposition to the proposed Library and Historical society contract.
 D.. la hSrNca oil against the above motion and then in sup port of the position taken by that gentle man. Councilman Parsons spoke for con- siderable length. He made some refer ences to what he called lobbying efforts against the society in the two city boards He said he was willing to call upon any lawyer in the board for his opinion whether or not the library directors had the authority to go ahead with the con- | tract. Continuing, the speaker said he was afraid the objection was chiefly ! or something else perhaps due to the ac- ton taken by the historical society in the old state house affair.
 l Councilman Keys made vigorous re- ply, first of all saying: Perhaps the gen. tleman from the Second who has just spoken will run out again tonight and leave the meeting without quorum, as last time." His remarks were substan- tially as have been given before by the op- ponents of the contract.
 | Councilman Mcdonald next expressed himself in favor of the society, as did | Councilm an Beaulah.
 Councilman Daggett drew as a parallel the instance of the contract which the court of common council had authorized | the mayor to make concerning the eleva- tor, and this he held showed that the con- tract made by the library directors was as binding upon the city as that made by his | honor.
 Councilman Hoga T, who made the mo- tion, wished to be put on record as stating he had not the slightest personal feeling against the Historical society and that he believed the directors had acted in the best faith with the city, but he had no doubt they had ovestepped their authority. He cited the opinion given by the corporation counsel in the appointment of the lamp in spector, which said that the court of com mon council cannot delegate it's power tc any committee.
 The recommendation was carried to con cur with the action of the aldermen and then passed by the board by vote of IL to8. Then the motion to indefinitely postpone reconsideration was carried by yea and nay vote-19 to 8.
 Later in the evening Councilman Dagget offered a resolution that the contract be tween the library directors and the His torical society be ratified, but this was tabled.
 The following petition was presented by Councilman Wells:
 To the Honorable Court of Common Coun cil of the City of New Haven:
 The undersigned petitioners, citizens O New Haven, believing that if promp action be taken by the proper authorities the name "New Haven" may be borne by one of the war vessels now in the cours , of construction under the direction ot th United States navy department, respect l fully ask your honorable body to take sucl action as will result in so naming one O the cruisers referred to.
 Dated at New Haven, this 9th day O H. F Peck, H: B. Harrison, Charles R Ingersoll, George F. Holcomb, H. G Lewis, H. B. Bigelow, N. D. Sperry George A. Butler, H. H. Ensign, c. Berry Peet, Lucius Futile, H. s. Holcomb George M. Harmon, E. Henry Barnes George H. Ford
 In behalf of the above Mir. Wells mad some remarks of @ patriotic nature. I , was eminently fitting, he said, that Nev , Haven should have it's name borne by on of the war-ships of our country, for alway in a crisis her men have been ready tt take part in naval matters. The name O the Hartford, he said, was made memora ble from being carried through the war b, gallant warship, but never has the nam' of New Haven been. thus used
 He thought that prompt action ought tt be taken and offered resolution to tn, effect that his honor, the mayor, one al derman and two councilmen be appointed committee to go to Washington at tn, city's expense to have a personal in terview with the secretary of the navy The resolution was referred to specia committee of two aldermen and three councilmen to be appointed in the usua way.
 It was also voted to concur with the al dermen in accepting and ordering on file the opinion from the corporation counse with reference to the appointment of a lamp inspector, and also the resolution was concurred in which was passed by the aldermen to the effect that the committed on ordinance be instructed to recommend a proper mode for the appointment of tho same and that the present incumbent William Noonan, continue in office in the interim.
 The following petitions were referred tc the proper committees
 Petition from the New Haven commis sion of public parks for the filling in of Chestnut and Hamilton streets.
 Crosswalk on Webster street between Ashmun street and Dixwell avenue.
 Lamps on Mechanic and Willow streets
 Walks on Gamer street, Whitney ave. nue to Nichol street.