Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-26
ALL OUT FOR REFORM.
Common Councilmen Make Unprece-
dented Moves, Which
SOME SAY ARE PURELY POLITICAL.
The Finance Committee Gets Pointer on
Appropriations
WORK OF THE MUNICIPAL LEGISLATORS

A most surprising wave of reform ideas
swept over Councils at yesterdays meeting.
In Common it was so noticeable that even
the messengers looked wise at each other
and consulted a calendar to see whether
election 6ay came in one week or two, while
the astonished citizens outside the railing
could scarcely keep quiet The first thun-
derbolt came in the shape of the following
resolution, offered bv Robert G. McGonigle,
of the Twenty-first ward:
Resolved, That owing to the large increase
in valuation of property in this city, and in
view of the fact that unless the millage Is
materially reduced from that OF former
years all taxes must be greatly increased,
therefore,
Resolved, That it is the sense of this Coun-
Gil that all items in the estimate of the Varl-
Gus departments. not really necessary for
conducting the city government during the
coming wear, be erased therefrom, and that
the Committee on Finance is hereby notified
that unless theappropriation ordinance is so
framed it will not receive the support OF
this Council.
There was dead silence for moment
after the reading of the paper, during which
the audience shuffled its feet nervously and
the clock stopped in Mayor Gourley's of
fee Then the oratorical battle began, and
it didn't end for half an hour.
Called 1t Political Bumcombe.
Mr.. Magee-That resolution is nothing
more orless than political bumcombe. It's
an insult to Councils and it provokes me to
think any member of Councils would father
it, The questions involved can be met
when they come up in the appropriation
ordinance Councils will then consider
them item by item. 1t looks as though
Councils were afraid to trust their Finance
Committee.
Mr. Mc(Ionigle-The resolution is not for
a political purpose. l do not have to re-
sort to such measures. l mean just what
the resolution saws and unless the appro-
priation ordinance is framed as that paper
intends l will not support it. 1t seems
strange that whenever a good resolution is
presented the gentleman from the Four
teenth ward cries political scheme" [
don't care what he says. The people are
howling against excessive taxation and we
must do something.
Mr. Ferguson-This is gentle reminder
to the Finance Committee that it must be
careful.
Mr. O'Donnell-I am opposed to the res
olution, because 1 believe il is simply a
We can cut down the appropriations our.
selves when the ordinance comes to US and
that will be the time to act
Mr.. McGonigle-I offered the resolution
partly to see how the members stand. 1
know Nh. Magee viii cry political bun
combe" and it would hurt Mr.. O'Donnell's
feelings, as he was supposed to be the only
reformer of Councils.
Mr.. Bigham-The sentiment of the reso-
luton is all right, but it is of no use.
Passed in Spite of Objections
After a little more like the above the mo-
tion was put and the resolution was adopted
BY vote of 19 to Is.
By this time the spectators were prepared
for anything, and Mr.. McEldownev was al
lowed to present his reform measure with
out any great excitement His was
resolution that the Board of Assessors be
requested to revise its valuation all over
the city.
Mr.. McEldowney-There is no doubt in
my mind that the valuations are entirely
too high and should be cut down.
Mr.. Fllnn-There is no use passing such
resolution, as the Assessors will treat it
the same as they did the citizens of the
Twenty-eighth ward by saving: "We have
made the assessments, and if YOU don't like
it we can't help it. Go to COURT
MI. O'Donnell-A good way to decrease
the taxation would be to cut down the esti-
mates of the different departments.
Mr.. Magee read a communication from
the Board of Assessors, stating that they
had not yet completed the assessment and
no estimate could be given.
Mr. Magee-I wish to warn the gentleman
from the Thirteenth ward that he has start
ed on a very dangerous course The law,
and not Councils, gives the assessors power
to act and the burden of responsibility rests
on those assessors. Councils have no right
to dictate as to the course they shall pursue
in fixing valuations, and I protest against
this resolution. If the assessment is not
what it should be, the courts are open for
appeals.
This One Is Defeated.
Mr. McEldoyDey-The gentleman must