The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-11
The COUNCIL AT WORK.
The First Business Meeting q Long
One and Much Work was
Accomplished.
Fixing Grades and Other Matters
Connected With the Lawrence
Street Opening,

Contracts Lot for sidewalk Around the
Auditorium and for Lighting the
Bulldlng-Other Matters.
The first meeting Of the nav city connci
since ita7 organization was held last night,
and occupied from eight o'clock until
about ton minutes OF midnight. There was
very little talking, and thu new body dem
Onstrated that Il WAS Z working organizn-
ton. II was the first business session that
Mayor Curtin had presided over and he
showed no was able to dispatch the pro-
ceedings without tho slightest delay or fric-
ton. He grasped the situation at every
point. put tho many motions quickly and
deoisively. and announced the results
promptly. The mayor also showed that he
meant to have the council act on all his ap-
pointments favornbly or unfavorably, by
Offering for the sanction Of the aldermen
his selections for policemen. He called tho
attention Of the new council to
the suggestions made by Alder
man Fuller al. tho last meeting
of tho old council Oh the matter OF auditing
accounts. Tbs mayor approved the sug-
gestion that to insure n careful examinA-
tion of accounts all bills should be pre-
ssnted TO the auditing committee not later
than the third day Of each month; also
another to the effect that the street com-
missioner's monthly account be gone over
by the streets and alleys committee for
veriication as to the men and teams I'M
ployed, before being handed to the audit
ing committee. whose business is merely
to see that the fOotings are correct. Al
together, the new administration may be
said to be sailing in very smooth waters
thus far.
The committee on street grades and the
city engineer made a report on the estab-
lishment of 8 grade line on the newly
opened portion Of Lawrence street and the
approximate cost of the grading. Thoy
established q grade line OF practically six
feet to the 100 feet, running without break
from Main street to Warren, thus securing
Continuing, the report says: 'The street
has been thoroughly CROSS sectloned BY sur
vey to this grade and to its full width Of
seventy feet at grade line. We find the
quantity Of material to be removed. using
side slopes OF one to one, will be 10000
half to one, will be- 35.2oo cubic yards.
Without going to considerable expense in
digging test pits, it is impossible to state
what proportion Of this amount will be
classified as loose and solid rock, although
some indications lead us to believe that
Using one to one side slopes, and If one
eighth Of the estimated quantity to be re-
moved proves to be loose rock and one
eighth solid rock, and the balance earth,
we estimate the total cost for grading will
approximate $2o,75O. Using one-half to
n @& aida u1nrau @% md 1@ "on&icnc - ~
the classidcations on the Same proportions
the total cost for grading will approx
mate Sis, 900. We would regard employing
side slopes sleeper than one-half to one as
dangerous, and to make the slopes one to
ono would reduce to the minimum the sluf-
fling of material from tho side cuts on to
the sidewalks" After some discussion as
to Advertising for proposals. at once or
making further inquiry as to the probable
cost, the matter was referred to the COM
mittes on streets and alleys. George b.
Toote asked speedy action on the matter Of
the ffteen-foot strip Of land on Warren
street at Lawrence, as he desires to leave
town this week. 1t was referred to a spe.
cial committee, who will report Friday
night to the council, which will endeavor
to arrive at an agreement rs to price or take
steps to condemn. Mr.. Foote has paid his
assessment for opening Lawrence street.
The penalty for failing to pay his aasess-
ment of S967.47 on time was ordered to be
remitted to G. L.. Payne. who stated that
he had been ready to pay, but was out of
the city when the money was called for.
Richard Jockey appeared before the coun-
his property for the opening. He thought
it too high. He said he would like to settle
the matter without litigation, but unless
the injustice was repaired he would fight
the matter in court. The property now
delinquent had been Advertised for sale on
Monday next, and he asked at least a stay
of proceedings. Alderman jackson moved
to postpone the sale until the Monday fol-
lowing the next regular meeting. City At
torney McIntire. in answer to a question,
thought this would have 9 tendency to
reopen the whole question OF the opening.
Alderman Hundley also thought it a dan
gerous step. The motion to extend the
time for the sale was laid on the table BY
yeas eleven, nays three. The nays were
Lissner. Post and jackson.
Reports for the month of April were re-
ceived from most of the former officers.
Ex-City Attorney Craven reported warrants
drawn for $36. 596. IS; outstanding. $780,
411.71. He also furnished q statement Of
pending litigation in which the city is in
terested, including the contest between the
this the city il interested to the extent of
the beds OF streets decided the public by
Cannon. City Attorney McIntire said be
had been cited to appear in this case before
the circuit court of Appeals at San Fran
cisco, whore the COMPANY had taken an
appeal from the decision of Judges Knowles,
OF the United States court. AS the oity's
right to the streets would stand Or fall by
the decision for or against Cannon, the CITY
attorney did not think it necessary to send
anyone to San Francisco, as Cannon would
be bound to defend his case. Fire Marshal
MoKinnon filed his report for the year,
during which time the department. re-
sponded to fifty alarms, and was
called into service forty eight times. The
losses on buildings were $4,000, on contents
$43 300; insurance on buildings SO. 600. on
contents $32, 800. Ex-Police Judge Sand
ers reported sixty-two cases on trial during
April, and $l3C.6O collected in fines. Elk
City Marshal Sims reported seyenty-two
arrests for violating city ordinances and
eight for offenses against state laws. Build
ing Inspector McNally reported $2l col
lectod for permits.
An estimate of SO. 8G2.47 (tha fourtll), was
allowed Contractor Fiske on the auditorium
building. The contractor was also d.
rected to put u flagstaff on the building, to
cost S20. This is the only extra on tho
auditorium. The contract for laying the
concrete sidewalk around the building WINS
awarded to q. B. Garrett at Dc
cents per square foot, and tho GU binp at
S1.5O per linear foot. Another bid of Gar
rett was for 20 cents u square foot for a
lighter quality of sidewalk. which Alior.