Evening journal., 1894-02-07
BOTH MEN .EXONERATED
Messrs. Candy and Mention
Cleared of the Charges.
THEY ACTED IN PERFECT FAITH

Mayor shortlidge and His "watohfoi-
ness" OF the City's Finances -Resoiu-
tiOns Of the investigation Adopted.
The Purchases We're Made Honestly.
The Park investigating Committee Of
City Council met In the Council lchamber
| yesterday afternoon and exonerated
Messrs Candy and Mention OF the charges
brought against them
FIX President Of City Council y. r.
Benson was the only witness who tasti-
fed. and he was for the defense. HeI
said the matter OF the purchase OF the
Wawaset lots came up aud was discussed
at meeting of the Park Commission. 10
was generally understood right and
proper for the commission to hold the
/ property In order that a driveway might
be extended, and IL was thought advisa
BILE TO purchase the land. The finances
of the city at that time were not IN con-
dition to warrant 10, however. This was
/ reported TO the Park Commissioners. On
the strength Of this Messrs Candy and
Mention were permitted TO purchase the
property with the understanding that
they were to hold 10 until Council was
able TO pay for it with interest
The purchase was talked about by all
members Of Council and ten members of
that body inspected the ground before
the ordinance was passed. Ii was passed
by vote OF II to ..
In answer TO aquestion Of Mayor Short
lidge, Mr.. Benson said that the tax rate
was so low that nothing but the actual
expenses Of the Park Commissioners
could be included Ia the appropriation
Council did not authorizes the Park Com
missioners or any individuals OF that
bosrd to purchase the land
Mayor Shortlidge-"M Benson, how
did you propose TO pay for the land when
the tax-rate Of 1892 was reduced?
Mr.. Benson-"lt was supposed 60 20
in the appropriation list of next year
The appropriation for the present fiscal
year was made when the ordinance was
passed.
Mr. Spruance then summed up the
evidence aud showed that no charge had
been brought against the members Of
the Park Commission, and that Me srs
Candy and Mention Lad acted in the best
of faith ia making the purchase
Mr.. Tyre thought the price paid was
all right, but that tho interest was too
much. He thought there was nothing
crooked. aud that the men should be
exonerated.
Mr. Ratledge was Of the opinion that
both men were competent, and that they
bought the proper for the best inter
ests OF the city He understood at the
time OF purchase that $500 could have
been saved, but he, as member Of
Council, was not consulted and knew
little about it. A certain few had more
, power than he Finances are in worse
state now than when the matter was first
spoken Of.
Mr. O'Neill stated that the owner Of
the lot said that he had but one bid for
IL before the land was purchased. and
that for saloon purposes There did not
appear TO be anything irregular on the
. part Of Messrs. Candy and Mention
Mr.. Bush said the examination
had been thorough aud no exception
could be made to the work Of the CON
mittee. The men who bought those lots
acted for the public good aud deserve
commendation. He moved that q com
mittee be appointed to draw up the re
port of the investigation committee.
Mr.. ONsill supplemented Mr. Bush's
statement by saying that Mayor Short
lidge should also be commended for his
careful watchfulness OF the city s
finances
After Mr. O'Neill was sgain seated Mr.
Tyre SdlQ luhl Wnlle Mesef5. AhnpN ana
Mention had acted for the best Interest Of
the city, in future they should get official
authority before purchasing
Mr Canby-"One apple out OF that
basket Is enough fer me
Mr. Bates did not think that the pur-
chase was made for personal gain
Mayor Shortlidge. in closing the meet
ing, said 81 stated at the outset that no
one who is honest could be hurt by an
investigation II has been made and
am happy TO say that everything has
proved all right, think the gentlemen
have acted honestly.
Then Mr. Bush's motion was renewed
and carried The investigating commit.
tee acted as a committee Of the whole In
{ presenting p report exonerating Messrs
Candy and Mention and commenting
S Mayor Shortlidge for his care Of the
citys interests
J The report was unanimously adopted.
: Then Mr. Mention said that insinuaiions
had been thrown out regarding Kirk wood
Park and he demanded that an investi-
CATION of that purchase be made. He
! thanked the committee. Mr.. Candy also
thanked the committee, and was desirOus
; of having any other puchase investigated
Il was decided 70 adjourn 10 meet at
} the call Of the Council committee. In
the meantime some definite plan Of in
0 vestigating the Kirkwood Park purchase
Is to be decided upon.