Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-10-05

Tuesday afternoon, President William
NJ. Candy in the chair. There were
also present William Candy, Dennis ].
Mention, George II. Bates, j. Taylor
Cause and Mayor Il. @. Shortlidgc, ex-
officio. Joseph A. Richardson officiated
as secretary.
The advisability of building payil-
ion in Brandywine Park this fall was
discussed at some length by the mem
bers and there seemed to be difference
If opinion in regard to the proper
course to take. Mr.. Cause asked what
the plans for the future were. President
Candy said the finances of the board
were getting low and it might be wise
to postpone the erection of the pavilion
lntil spring.
Mr. Bates was in favor of building the
pavilion this fall, as ismight be Of SER
vice during the ausumnal days.
Mayor Shortlidge expressed similar
views. He said the pavilion had long
been needed.
A number of proposals for the erection
2f the pavilion were received. On mo-
ion of Mayor Shortlidge, the contract
was awarded to McCloskey Brothers,
they being the lowest bidders. The
contract price was $7S7.
Mayor Shortlidge desired to know
whether the park guards were still en-
.ployed at Kirkwood Park, and whether
or not they were going to draw a salary
this winter. Mr.. Candy replied that
the guards were still employed at the
park.
After the board had disposed of
matters according to the usual order,
President Candy called Mr.. Cause to
the chair and asked him TO preside
while he occupied the floor. Mr.. Cause
did as requested. Mr. Candy spoke as
follows;
snow that the mayor is present |
should like TO know what is expected
in the matter touching the sale of the
park lots"
Mr.. Menton-"I notice that member
of Council has given notice of the intro
duction' of an ordinance resembling the
ordinance appropriating $4,000 for the
purchase Of the park lots. Something
ought TO be done at once by Council or
else they should undo it."
Mr., Candy said theappropriation was
not TO exceed $4,000, hut subsequent
delay might make the amount much
greater than it otherwise would have
been. The mayor has refused TO sign
the certificate of Indebtedness, because
the amount exceeded the appropriation
of City Council That is a point we'll
aiken. But have now certificate of
Indebtedness Of $4,000, (offering the
new certiicate) l will ask the mayor if
he will sign thisg
Mayor Shortlidge declined to sign the
certificate.
President Canby-"Then I under
stand, mayor, you refuse to sign the GER
tificate of Indebtedness acting in your
official capacityp"
eyes, can't see my way clear to sign
It," replied the mayor.
Mr.. Bates-"l think the mayor should
give his reasons for not signing the GER
tificate."
The mayor replied that he would give
his reasons before Council if there was
an investigation.
President Candy said that Mayor
Shortlidge intimated that he had found
out something which prevented his
signing the certificate He would like
TO know what that something was.
Mayor Shortlidge-"Yes, think the
affair needs investigation"
Mr. Bates was in favoE of an investi-
cation if there was anything to investi.
gate, but he thought the mayor should
prefer whatever charges there were, in
view of the fact that he had brought
the matter up.
"You didn't like the word "deal" at
the last meeting. l think the matter
should be investigated by City Council
They are elected by the people. The
Park Commissioners are appointed. l
also, am elected by the people. think
the investigation should be conducted
by City Council. As far as you are
concerned, | don't think you have been
dishonest, Mr.. Candy"
President Canby-"It seems to be an
intimation of that character"
Mayor Shortlidge-"I have made nc
intimation of that kind"
Mr.. Mention stated that the member o.
City Council who gave notice of thu
ordinance to rescind the ordinance ap
propriating $14, 1000, intimated that som,
money had been made out of certain
lots.
~ want to say right here" said Presi
dent Candy, "that when the lots cam,
to be purchased l managed the entir
financial part OF the transaction AM
am responsible for il. am ready for
financial investigation. There was n,
chance to make any money out of tn
lots. In fact L have been very mucl
astonished at the delay over the signinl
of the certificate. think it is breacl
Of good faith and il is hard to bear"
Mr.Menton-"I made the bargain wit
Thompson, the owner of one Of the lots
and also with the agent Of the othe
piece of land. paid Thompson $50 t
bind the bargain, and paid Philip II
Clark $3.50 to bind the sale Of the othe
lot"
Mayor Shortlidge-"The sum of SO, 90
was made when the lots along Kirkwoo
Park were bought That is well known
Now it looks to me as though some sor
of an arrangement was made in thi
case"
President Canby-"In other word
you suspect something"
Mayor Shortlidge-"I have examines
the records of the property at the cour
house and have the figures which tn
property brought when it was sold be
fore"
President Canby--"I was urged b.
buy that property several years age
but always declined to do SO until tn
park decided to secure it for park landI
IT has been intimated that there ha
been some collusion in regard to th
property. and think the matter shoul
be settled as speedily as possible"
Mr.. Gause-"You are public ofticia
Ar, Candy. A mans acts are open