The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-22
THE CITY COUNCIL.
The City Scavenger Work On a
New Basis.
LICENSE ORDINANCE CONSIDERED.

The city council was in session three
hours last night, and at II o'clock the
members were in the middle of the con-
sideration of a license ordinance that
reads like fairly tale, when Mr.. Hol-
man. without any warning. sprang a
motion to adjourn. Not till then did the
council awake to a realization that it
was sleepy and the hour was getting
late, and his motion carried with enthu-
siastic unanimity.
The only breezy feature of the session
was the controversy between Mr.. Brad
ford of the Third ward, Mr. Griggs of
the Fifth and several other members. 1t
grew out of two ordinances prepared by
Mr.. Bradford revising the whole system
of city scavengers and regulating the
use of the city dump. Mr.. Bradford pre-
pared the ordinances as one of special
committee to which were referred several
complaints regarding the injustice and
abuse OF the present system.
After the ordinance had been read at
considerable length and came on its final
passage, Mr. Griggs objected to further
consideration on the ground that the sub
ject was one of great Importance
and was entitled to more lengthy ex-
animation than had been given it on its
first reading. He had detected several
features in the ordinance that were
the idea of rushing ordinances through
without knowing what they contained.
Moreover, the committee was not in
structed to prepare the ordinance and he
thought the committee had gone outside
of its instructions in making its report in
this way. He said the most objection
able feature of the whole ordinance was
that one man could be given monopoly
of the city's scavenger work and there
are diamonds in it."
Mr.. Bradford protested that the subject
was one in need of Immediate action and
for that reason he had spent two whole
days preparing the ordinance and had
talked to 100 people on the subject. He
had done this not because he loved hard
work SO we'll, or because his salary a
councilman was SO great, but because it
was his duty as one of the special COM
ing snubbed because some of the cOun-
ciImen didn't pay close attention when
the ordinance was being read
The motion, however, to refer the
''scavenger ordinance back to the com
mittee on public health was carried.
The City Dump Ordinance.
The "city dump ordinance" was next
brought forward and Mr.. Bradford
wanted this referred to the same COM
mittee. The council refused to refer it,
however, and began its consideration.
Mr.. Bradford said: ''Mr. Mayor, l am
1t is very evident that some of the mem
bers are trying to knife this committee.
1t is a direct thrust at some body, L sup
pose at me. This is improper and I'M
fair, and not the proper way to attend to
the city's business. The council should
not try to knife people here. You should
be above such things"
Mr.. Griggs replied that so far as he
was concerned he was not aware of any
attempt to ssknife'' any body. The mayor
called Mr.. Griggs to order and reminded
him that he must confine his remarks to
the motion to refer.
81 am just as much in order as the gen.
tleman from the Third ward" replied
MIR. Griggs.
81 made the same remark when he
was speaking" said the mayor, land it
seems to me you gentlemen are taking
too wide range in your discussion"
81 think SO, too" replied GrIggs.
because one speaks off the subject
is no reason why another boy should"
added the mayor.
Col. Burgess, who had been quiet all
this time, said, "Mr. Mayor, think these
ordinances ought to be investigated
further"
ssWhy don't you investigate them to-
nightf'' insisted Mr.. Bradford
because" replied Burgess, 81 will
have more time next summer and L
don't want to stay here all night"
The adump ordinance" after a great
deal of lobbying and caucusing among
the members and the city officers, was
adopted. 1t provides that the man in
charge of the dump shall be appointed
by the mayor at a salary of $40 a month.
A charge of cents per barrel is charged
for the use of the dump. It provides for
the following rate for burying dead ami
mails:
Horses and mules, per head. .... $3.50
Cows and steers, per head. .... 1.5O
Yearlings and 2-year old steers, per
head -. -; ;-..-.-..., l-OO
Dogs, per head. 20
Cats, per head 10
Thsafers and Billiard Tables.
The license ordinance came up for its
share of consideration, but the council
got only as far as No II in the list of en-
terprises licensed when it came time to
adjourn. The items included in theaters,
billiard and pool tables, and hucksters
made a great deal of discussion, and con-
siderable difference of opinion was man
ifested. The clause Ievying a license of
So on each theatrical performance in To-
peka was changed to a license of $50 a
year on opera houses. This was done at
the request of l. Nj. Crawford, who was
present and said: "If you attempt to
levy this tax on the theatrical companies
that show here you are simply putting
an additional tax on me. My contract
with every show I bring here calls for
my supplying the house, light, heat,
advertising, bill-pOsting and license. /
pay $1,000 taxes on my two
houses here. wish 1 didn't own but
one here, but I must own two to
protect myself NY license is now $50
a year. I haven't paid it this year for
the same reason haven't paid my taxes
yet and several other bills I intend 70