Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-12-20

ing the Dog-ratciIer--A Rather Interest
ing sesSion of city Council Thursday
Night.
Thursday nights session of City
Council was of more than ordinary
interest and continued about an hour.
Michael Mccarthy was refunded
overpaid taxes amounting to 1928.
The city treasurer reported that the
balance in bank to the credit of the
city's current expenses is $55,344.00.
| Clhe balance reported December 18th,
last year, was $l06, S07.27) He also re-
| ported the following receipts: From
Collector Mitchell, $500, city and school
taxes for 1884, from Collector Sayers,
1896, similar taxes for 1893; from City
Auditor Billany, $3.50, license issued to
Auctioneer George Drake.
The city auditor certified to the cor
| roctness of the accounts of the city
| treasurer. A communication from the
auditor stated that check dated June
| 10Th, 1894, drawn 20 the order of John
Bowers and for the amount of SIS, for
| the rent of room used in holding an
| election, remains in the treasurer's Office.
| 1t has not been called for and all efforts
| ccssful. The check is exceedingly an
noying 10 the treasurer when he is max
ing his monthly trial balances. The
auditor suggested that the proper officers
be instructed TO cancel it, A motion in
accord with his suggestion was adopted.
Philip G. Plunkett and many other
property owners petltiored for the re.
moval of The Arcade Row, which is on
the east side of Tatnall street between
Front and Second. They said it is 81
menace to their property because the
structures arc built of wood and con
tain combustible material and expressed
the opinion that they were erected in
violation Of law. The petition was re.
ferred to the building inspector with
instructions to report at the next meet.
| ing.
Mr.. Dannenberg's ordinance provid-
ing for the transfer OF $1,000 from the
appropriation for incIdentnls to the APP.
preparation for public buildings was
given its final reading, adopted and re-
forrei to the mayor.
Pending the adoption of the first sec
ton Mr. Donaho requested that the
chairman OF the public buildings com
mlttec make an explanation. Only six
months OF the fiscal year are gone, he
said, yet the committees appropriation
is exhausted.
MIR. Kirby, tho chairman of the COM
mlttee, made the following explanation:
THE Appropriation has been eaten up
by the City Hall tower and great
many bills. All the money has been
spent on public buildings. More has
been spent on the tower than should
have been. This years appropriation
was 81 800 less than last years appro-
prlatlon and We have had to spend more
money this year than we did last year"
Mr.. Smith said: didn't the COM
mittee know the condition Of the tower
and what it would cost TO repair it be-
fore the appropriation was made? The
work was not done according to ordi-
nance. 1t was ordered done before the
cost was ascertained. The contract was
given out without obtaining bids. The
appropriation has not been iudiciously
expended; if it had been spent properly
il would not be in the condition it is.
There are bills for the payment OF
winch the committee has no money"
Mr.. Stauts said "EaGh member of
the committee knows where the money
was paid. 1t was expended properly.
Several contractors were consulted and
they refused to bid on the repairs to the
tower. They said it was in a condi.
ton which prevented them making an
intelligent bid. Last year the commit
tee had $500. This year il had 81 900.
With the 81 200 to be transferred it will
have expended this year less than it
spent last year. The committee shaved
down expenses and kept within a very
beggarly limit. The repairs to the tower
were compulsory. The committee has
only one or two bills outstanding"
Mr.. Smith said "Fhe charter saws
when an appropriation is exhausted eX-
penditures must cease. The committee
has spent more than it received
Mr.. Tyre said: "rhc only thing that
can be taken OFF the tower without doing
away with the bell is six feet. All the
bills for work on il were paid by
Council. Mr.. Smith aired himself then
and do not see why he wants to air
himself again. | ask Mr.. Smith if he
knows OF any money having been spent
illegitimGtely :"
Mr.. Smith said: "'The bills were
passed but majority beats a minorit ;
all the time, | ask the Committe have
the minority members been consulted i'm
all the committee has done The
minority members have not been treated
with common courtesy"
Mr.. Donaho said "As a minority
member | say all the members of the
committee were not consulted before
bills were contracted. 1t has not been
stated what the tower EXPENSES
amounted to-"
Mr.. smith asked to be excused from
voting on the adoption Of the enactinn
clause. Mr. Tyre objected, whcreupou
, Nj. smith voted in the negative.
Mr.. Tyre introduced All amendment
r 10 the ordinance in relation 10 annoy.
ance from dogs, which was given tho
/ customary readings and referred, Il
, provides that the dog catcher shall
! deliver dogs ut the garbage crematory
that the superintendent of the cremntorN
shall report monthly the number o,
dogs delivered TO him that the dos
!. catcher shall receive 81 for every dol
/, delivered, and that the dogs shall bC
i asphyNlatGd at the city pound.
I. The following bids for putting a COP
t ing ard railing around the CARTEL,
$ monument were referred TO the monu
: ment committee with power to act: z
7. Tyre, Sl95 fol the entire job; Bran
DIVINE Granite Co., $4.9O per Inca
{ foot. Immediately after the adjourn
. ment OF Council the committee awarded
) the contract to Mr.. Tyre.
b ---------S---
. Gr"ccry Store Damaged by Fire.
? A. u. Wa!senS grocery store FuurtL