Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-04-07
CITY ooUNciL's CLERK.
He Fails to Appear and Move Started
for an Investigation of His Shortcom-

-
for an Investigation of His shortcom-
ings.
City Council held its weekly session on
Thursday. All the members except Mr..
Magee were present. Clerk Messick being
absent his duties were performed by John
Boughman.
The action of the finance committee in
having employed Mr.. Boughman Thurs
day to enter ON the record book the min
utes Of the last meeting and to prepare
checks for interest and sinking fund bonds,
due Friday, was approved. The committee
reported that the 100000 sinking fund
loan had been awarded to the Equitable
Guarantee and Trust Company and the
clerk was directed to instruct the proper
city officers TO issue bonds in accordance
with the laws and ordinances relating
thereto.
Bills amounting to ssl5.5l, for the col
lection of garbage during March, were al
lowed.
The city treasurer reported the following
deposits: Union National Bank, S3l, 1853
to the credit of current expenses and
81, 454.62 to the credit of special fund; four
depository banks, $3.50 In each to the
credit Of current expenses. He also re-
ported the following receipts: From Col
lector Mitchell, $3.50. city and school tax
for last year; from Administrator Mealey,
ctbbt SlliIldI ltAt liblu AuuilOl
$500, auctioneers' licenses.
The city auditor certified to the correct
ness of the accounts of the city treasurer,
and reported the receipt of $3.50 each from
Auctioneers Stidham and Drake.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Cotton, that
Mr.. Boughman be employed as clerk pro
tenn until April 9th, and that payment for
his services be deducted from the salary of
Clerlo Messck, was adopted.
MIR parrinG p1 fha f6iInurtnn.
WHEREAS, The clerk of this Council has ap-
parently neglected his duties by reason of re-
ported excessive Indulgence and intoxcution,
thereby seriously affecting the financial inter-
ests OF tho city: therefore, he IL
R.soipsd, Tha, n committee of three be ap-
pointed by the president 10 examine and re-
port as to the following charges First, absence
from office during office hours second, neglect
Of cloricsl duties; third, hindrance of public
business: fourth lntoxication during business
hours end ieopardizing tho public interests.
Mr.. Murray said he would like to see
the matter postponed week SO that the
members could vote intelligently.
President Benson explained that it was
intended to do nothing at present except
to appoint an Investigating committee.
A motion TO adopt the preamble and
resolution was put and defeated, only
eight members voting for it and two
thirds vote being necessary for its adop-
tion. The Democratic members did not
vote.
Mr.. Cotton said he had had more to do
with the clerk than any other member of
Council had and he had been very lenient
with him for several years. Bonds and
interest were due Friday, he stated, and the
clerk had no checks drawn; neither had he
made any provision for transferring funds
from the depository banks to Union Ma
tional Bank. The speaker added that he
had lost much time because of the clerks
negligence and declared that if he has to
lose any more time he will resign his seat
in Council.
Mr.. Perkins said the clerk is courteous
and obliging, but he had come to meetings
of Council when he was not in proper
condition.
President Benson said there was nothing
before Council and therefore the remarks
were not in order
Acting on the presidents suggestion Mr..
McKelvey moved for n reconsideration of
the preamble and resolution and the mo-
ton was adopted. Mr.. McKelvcy stated
that personally he had nothing against the
clerk.
Mr.. White moved that further considera-
ton of the matter be postponed week
and the motion, after being seconded by
Mr.. Cotton, was adopted.