Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-08-23


Councilman Dannenberg, Maguigan,
o'Neill, Smith, Stats, Tyre and Vain.
wright. Three others dropped in later,
making quite respectable summer
weather quorum.
The finance committee reported favor.
ably in regard to returning the overpaid
tax of +. PIN; and made negative re-
ports in regard to petitions OF q similar
nature of Mr.. Gambrill and of the Will
minglon Land improvement Co.
The interest list for September, 1894,
was order passed and the amounts paid.
A number of small bills from the differ
ent committees were allowed.
The city treasurer's report showed the
balance in bank to be $1S9, 050.24; also
collections from the following sources:
Edmund Mitchell, Jr., $1,000; Eugene
Sayers, 5000; II. IL. Billanv, $780, E.
f. Kane, $3.50; Clerk S. 5. Adams,
municipal court, fines, 1888; fees,
Sl22.25; costs, S95.90; fees returned, 81
Colonel Wainwright presented petit
ton from Thomas Q. Appleby, 913 West
Sixth street, asking redress in regard to
property on an alley. The communica-
ton was ordered referred to tho Board
of Health.
Councilman Dannenberg moved that
four checks be drawn for the depositing
of the sum of $21,521.41 in four de-
pository banks of the city, leaving the
sum of SOL ,003 in the Union Bank.
The motion was adopted.
The annual park appropriation of
$4,000 was made.
On tie motion of Col. Wainwright
the ordinance requiring that no new
streets be less than 40 feet in width and
that the blocks be continuous without
small streets or alleys between was
called up for third reading.
Mr.. Donohoe arose making objection
and offered the amendment that the
figures 40 be struck out and "30'' be
substituted.
When the amendment mad been
seconded by Mr.. Tyre, who did so in
order that the DIRECTORS reasons might
be heard, Mr. Ratlidge stated that his
committee when drawing up the present
ordinance had consulted with the city
engineer and with Street and Sewer
Directors.
"lf you make the width 80 feet"
Councilman Ratlidge continued, "the
Street aud Sewer Department by simple
1t seems we might as well do as they
desire first as well as last
Councilman Donohoe-"A great
many streets have already been laid out
to a 30 feet width. don't see that there
is any law for this ordinance.
at Yill be a great hardship on q
great many poor people whose lots are
on 3O-foot streets. They will be injured
by any such law"
Councilman O'Neill-"I do not see
that this ordinance applies to streets
already laid out and built upon. do
not think, as the member from the
Second ward intimates, thatit will affect
them.
~ do not see that the proposed enact
ment is retroactive. 1t will affect future
construction only"
Councilman Donohoe-"It applies to
all streets not on the city map"
Councilman Ratledge-"There has
been considerable care taken in formu-
lating this ordinance.
"Ihe best interests of the community
have been kept in view. Under its
requirements it will be difficult to erect
undesirable houses. Property owners,
rich persons who acquire large tracts
and put up finer houses along the main
streets, will not be able to cut through
with small houses built on narrow
alleys, thereby, while gaining larger
total of rent, depreciating the value of
houss property nearby. 1t is to meet
such problems that this ordinance is
offered, and also to meet the require
ments of the Street and Sewer Depart
mcut,"
Mr.. O'Neill-"The member from the
Twelfth ward, it seems to me, has for
gotten who is the legislative body of the
city. don't think they 1.-THE street and
Sewer Department. can order a street
any certain width. Such regulations
must be passed by City Council"
Mr.. Ratledge-"Hha is just the point
in this ordinance, and TIE Street and
Sewer Department can change it by
simple resolution"
Mr.. DonohOe then asked that the
clerk read section 81, page 46 of the
city charter, which says:
Members of Council shall have power
to enact = = to ascertain and fix the
boundaries of streets. squares, lanes,
alleys, = or widen any street,
lane. alley, &c.
AT Mr.. DDnohoe's request foot note,
on the same page was read: THE above
powers, printed in italics, are now
vested in the Board of Directors of the
Street and Sewer Department"
On page 140:
\ On and after July LIST, 1887 the
Mayor and Council is authorized, through
the Street and sewer Department, to widen
any street, lay ont new streets,
&c. y (The Street aud Sewer Do.
partmentl shall be vested with such power
over streets as are now held by City
Council.
Mr.. misunderstanding to that
the power is taken away from us. l
think the present action in regard to
this ordinance is Illegal"
President Perkins-'All this has gone
before the city solicitor and he has en-
dorsed it,"
Mr.. Dcnohoe-"Oh we'll, if that is
his opinion, have nothing else to say"
Councilman Tyre-"I should like to
learn from the member Of the Second
ward why he offered the amendment
changing the width from 40 TO 30 feet.
Mr.. Ratledge-"rhe Street and Sewer
Department has asked us TO make the
width 40 feet"
Mr.. Donohoe--"I will ask the gentle
man whether the department was asked
to pass this resolution ?"
Councilman Ratledge replied in the
affirmative.
Mr.. Donohoe-"Then | say numbers
of streets in this city have been
widened and other things done by the
Street and Sewer Department without
getting permission from Council"
The amendment was then put and
lost. The ordinance was then read by
section and finally missed, Councilman