Great Falls weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1894-1???, 1894-12-14
A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
The Electric Street Lighting Contract
Approved--A New City
Office Created.
The City Attorney Submits a Report
and Gently ROasts the
City Council.

The city council met last night in spe
cial session to talk over certain matters
and specially to listen to a report Of the
city attorney in relation to the status Of
various law suits which have been COM
mitted to his charge.
The street lighting contract with the
electric light company was brought up
and approved and signed. An additional
arc light was ordered put up at Fifteenth
street and Third avenue north. neal the
Columbus hospital, and one at Second
avenue south and Thirteenth street.
A twelve-foot sidewalk was ordered
laid between Third and Fourth
streets on First avenue north,
just north of the new county building,
on petition of Jesse L. Henry and others.
The mayor submitted a report from the
city engineer, showing that $50 was due
the garbage inspector for removal Of
garbage from premises where the agents
or owners had refused to pay him, and
the amounts were ordered entered up
against the property. The mayor took
occasion to compliment the city engineer
to the methodical and careful way in
which all business coming through his
office was drawn up, and at the same
time said that he considered it a shame
that such men as those whose names
appeared on the list should not pay these
bills. He then read off several names,
who, he said, were among the richest
men in the city.
An ordinance creating the Office of
inspector of milk and foods, and placing
a license of IS a qnarter on milk wagons,
was put on it's final reading and passed,
and the mayor nominated to fll the
position DR.. A. +. Longeway, at a salary
of S25 per month. The nomination was
confirmed.
John A. Largent, city attorney, made
a detailed report of the condition of all
all due attention had been given to the
city's business.
He then addressed the council, stating
that had some words of explanation and
some of criticism to make. In regard to
the suit against the bondsmen of the late
city treasurer he was of the opinion that
the city would get it's money sooner if it
made haste slowly. He was informed
VIIdV 6uOLuoI ultlOouu WOulu HlODdOly UO
paid by the Merchants National bank
next month, and if the city waited till it
was ascertained just how much the bank
would finally pay he was satisfied that
the deficit could easily be collected
against the bondsmen. If it was pressed
now it would 60 to the supreme
court, and a decision could not be looked
for under eighteen months. However,
the case was in shape so he could 60
ahead with it at once if the council 80
desired. The suit for 5000 against
Theis & Foster of Spokane was II tie
United States court and coming on to be
heard at the next term of that court.
The suit against the bondsmen of the
late police magistrate Morehouse would
be heard Immediately after this term of
court and had to be continued at the
last term on account of the absence
from the city of a material witness. The
injunction case of Atkinson ct al. in the
Henry Vogel contract would be proceed
ed with at once, as the answer in the
case would be filed December Is. He
was waiting till that time to hear from
Vogel's attorneys. The question of re-
covering insurance money paid the fire
department was a difficult ques-
ton that he desired more time
When the council had any to find
with the conduct of it's legal business he
thought it due him to be notified instead
of making SO much public talk to his
detriment. He desired to set the public
right on a Misrepresentation which had
got abroad that he had recommended
the purchase of parks outside the city
and read from bis written report made
at the time on this subject. In answer
to the question 'Can the city purchase
outside parks" his reply is: If the ne,
cessity and welfare of the city require il
they may do co." In answer to the ques
ton would you advise the city to pur
chase parks outside the city limits his
answer was mo"
He also advised the city against clos
ing the purchase Of the Highland parl
without a clear title, and asked to hav'
the record show that it was without hi
approval. He wound up by directing
the attention of the city to the amour
of work done in his department.
Alderman Joscelyn said that he wa
satisfied with the explanation of the cit.
attorney and moved the adoption of tn
report. The motion was seconded b,
MI. Hanson and carried unanimously
The council then adjourned.