The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-31
THE MAYOR'SCABINET
First Meeting of the Heads of Mu-
nicipal Departments.
Some Talk of Civil-Service Regulations
and Some Outlining of the ADMIN
istration's Policy.
WILL PUSH IMPROVEMENTS
Sewers Under Contract to Be Be-
gun and Other Contracts Let.
Condition of City Finances = Changes
Upon the Engineers Force
Other City Affairs.
WILL PUSH IMPROVEMENTS

there was full attendance of the heads of
the departments. 1t was quite a dstin-
guished-looking body of men gathered
around the room. The doors were swung
wide and a few outsiders came in to hear
the officials discuss the affairs of the city
When Mayor Sullivan held his Cabinet
meetings the doors were securely barred
No minutes were kept of those meetings,
and the only manner I'm which the reporters
could ascertain who attended the meetings
WAS through the reflection of the interior
of the Office on the transom glass of the
outside door. The meeting last tight was
In marked contrast TO the star chamber
affairs where Sullivan and his satellites
discussed Sullivanism.
Mayor Denny in a few words explained
the purpose of the meeting and then read
the provision Of the city charter which re-
lates to the holding of the cabinet meet
ings. He stated that no record had been
kept of any meetings held heretofore. and
there was no guide as to the order of
business Suggestions were invited Con-
troller Trusler said that it was his under
standing that the meeting was one for con-
sultation and for the purpose of adopting
civi-service rules The finance committee
of the Council was also present upon the
invitation of the Mayor. There was
siderable talk as to the proper business to
come before the cabinet in these monthly
sessions. The Mayors idea was that the
heads of the departments should make re-
ports, but such reports were not ex-
pected last night because the new
officers have not been in charge
long enough to make comprehensive re-
ports. Councilman Costello suggested that
a clerk be selected to keep a record of the
meeting, and after some discussion this was
left TO the Mayor, who chose his secre-
tary, Colonel Holloway Mr.. Conner moved
that committee. with the Mayor as chair
man, be appointed to determine upon a gen.
eral plan for the monthly meetings. and to
interpret that section of the charter which
governs the meetings. Controller Trusler
did not think the cabinet should try to
take the responsibility off the Mayors
shoulders, as he is the responsible head of
the city government, and had certain
powers and rights which the cabinet should
not seek to assume. City Attorney Scott
said that any report a committee might
make on the section Of the charter must
necessarily be confined to the subject mat
ter of that section. The question of or
ganization was a mere matter of detail
He thought the provision of the charter
clear and sufficient. The idea of appoint
ing the committee was finally dropped.
The Mayor gave 1t as his opinion that the
civll-servlce rules should be adopted by the
entire cabinet and not by the Mayor. The
Mayor then called upon the finance COM
mittee for statement of what had been
accomplished by that committee at its re
cent meeting Mr.. Rauh. the chairman,
said that the committee had been unable
to make any recommendations towards re-
lieveing the city from its present embar-
rassment, as Controller Trusler was un-
able to attend the meeting. Another meet
ing of the committee viii be held before
10 N
Controller Trusler explained the state of
affairs in his Office The conditions he de-
scribed have been made public before. He
spoke of the overdraft on the treasury and
the $4,000 anticipated by ex-Controler
Woollen. Only about 5000 will be left for
the running expenses of the city after the
temporary loan Indebtedness is paid The
city has now borrowed within few dol
lars of the limit allowed by the State Con-
able property. He did not think the city
could borrow more until II paid off a part
of it's temporary debt IL he pays all the
bills that are now due the city is apt to
be short In meeting the indebtedness which
falls due the coming month. He could not
afford to risk the city's credit by taking
chances on having the bonds defaulted. He
said he should ask the Council to borrow
100000 IN such sums and at such times as
it thought best. The estimated expenses of
the city are 900 a month, but the Octo-
Der expense account will no doubt run far
ahead OF this sum, as the late ad1ninistra-
ton spent great aeal or money during
of issuing bonds He urged mat the Coun-
Gil take advantage Of its authority to i'm
pose license taxes on the breweries, on the
GAS mains on the distribution of water, on
vehicles, etc. From such sources the city
could realize from 100000 to $4,000 a year,
and would be enabled within few years
to do away with the plan of making tenn
porary loans in anticipation of its tax rev.
enues. He showed why these license ordi-
nances were defeated in the old Council,
and expressed the belief that the public
mind was in such shape to favor the or
dinances such as had been suggested. He
proposed to economic at every point. Mr..
Rauh of the finance committee, said his
committee had considered such ordinances,
and that several Of them would be intro
After the controller had finished his gen.
eral report the Mayor had few points to
offer He T rants o to t ea ct to The
| thought the city should be protected by
| ample bonds. In some cases where there
were no provisions in the charter for bonds
| he had fixed them, and in every instance
| the officers mad given these bonds when re-
| quested TO do so. The penalty of the con-
| troller's bond had not been fixed, although
| Mr. Trusler had given 1900 bond. There
some doubt as TO whether a bond, I'M
der the circumstances, was valid. The con-
| troller handles about $500 week, most of
the money going directly to the city treas
| ury, the controller also making settlements
| every week, After some discussion the cab
| bonds as follows where the charter is
silent on the matter: City engineer. 5000:
4 members OIL
deputy controller, 5000.
'fhe garbage ordinance came up for dis
] cussion next. The Mayor had promised DIR.
[ Henry Jameson, who is a bondsman for
| the contractor, that he would give imme-
| date attention to the status OF the ordi-
| nance. At present the garbage regulations
| are I'm utter confusion. The contractor has
| about A.Otv invested I'm iron or steel wag.
| ons. but he is losing money on account OF
! the pirate collectors The city attorney
| said he had examined the garbage contract
| and ordinance I'm a general way. The ordi-
| nance was to give n uniform system OF
| collecting garbage. lie lid not see why
| prosecutions should not he made under the
ordinance until the higher courts have
| passed on It's validity. He said ne should
| NJ he was asked TO do so suits might again
be- brought In the Police Court. The pres.
| ent Judge might after reviewing the case
| come to- a. conclusion different from that OF
Judge Buskirk Mr., Conner thought the
| contractors ought also 90 be prosecuted II
| they failed Co comply with every provlslor
! OF the ordinance Tho city attorney PROM.
| lscd 60 give attention Co any violation on
| the part OF the contractors.
| Mr., Wildmnn, OF the Board or Works
| gave general review OF the work so fai
| accomplished by the new Hoard OF Works
| eatefday afternoon the board had rrcclva
n. committed representing the worklngmei
of the city rhe gentlenen'e demandr wer'
very fair, They did not ask the board 4,
make needless improvements, nll the,
| wanted was that tho hoard push all th'
| work that could hr done thn winter Thi
| committee informed the hoard that there
| were q nn families Ia Indianapolis wlthou
means of support, anu that the VIM.