St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-07-20

IN the Park MUSIC matter
Commissioners Threaten TO
Resign If Matters Gan not
Be Righted Through the
Courts. 81
The park board held regular session
yesterday afternoon. with MesSrs.
Wheelock, Aberle and Ickler present. |
The regular bills came up and were
allowed, and the payroll of the men
employed from July to ID and dis
charged, amounting to S3S1.9S passed. ,s
After the routine busineys had been
disposed of. the vexatious question Of
the music bills for the Como concerts
came up again. 1t was very much in
evidence that the troubled seas which
separate the board and City Comptroller
McCardy had thus far been without the
seething oil. There was wild talk of
mandamus proceedings and resigna-
tons. and when all the steam had been
blown off the board decided to wait till
Saturday and see what Mister McCardy
was likely to do.
9Mr. Aberle sent for Corpo ration At
torney Chamberlain, who informed the
board that, thus far. the comptroller
had not asked MIN for all opinion on the
question. Mr.. Aberle said that the
written opinion which had been given
to the board by the attorney was sent
to the comptroller together with the
bills for the music, and that the comp
troller was fully aware of the nature of
the opinion. Nevertheless, he was
holding out against the board. Mr..
Ickler remarked that if McCardy per-
sisted In holding to the attitude at pres
ent assumed by him, he had evidently
violated the law many times since the
budget was passed, as he never ques-
toned the authority of the board before.
He had allowed many bills in like man.
ner as he now proposes to maintain was
illegal.
Mr.. Wheelock waXed quite warm. He
said: II cannot see why the powers of
this board should be constantly ham
pered by the attitude of the city comp
troller. This board should be in posi-
ton to compel the performance of the
duties as prescribed by law on the part
of the city comptroller. If this thing
continues we will lose everything and
soon have no revenue at the park We
might as we'll stop everything now. |
cannot understand the idiotic position
assumed by the comptroller" Mr..
Wheel0ck inquired of the corporation
attorney if the board could not bring a
mandamus action against the city comp
tr0ller. "a
To this Mr.. Chamberlain replied that.
he was as much the adviser OF the
comptroller as of the board. He stood
in equal relationship to all branches-of
the city government, and could not
bring such suit coming from one as
against the other coordinate branch of
the city government. The proper party
to bring au action of mandamus was the
party in interest. "a
Mr.. Wheelock replied: "McCardy's
position means fight. This matter may
as well be brought to an issue in the
courts now as later. Ii McCardy can
assume such an attitude on every bill
which the board passes, then there are
no functions left for US to perform and
the need of this board Is practically at
an end. l am ready right now TO step
down and out, if we are cooperate under
such outrageous conditions. Time is too
valuable to come here and transact
public business and have it clogged by
one man."
To these sentiments the other men,
bers readily assented their approyal.
Mr.. Chamberlain stated that he would
forthwith complete written opinion
and send it &c the comptroller. aud the
1d1nnrnan q
O'Clock, at which time they hope Nc
Cardy will be ready to attend to BUSH
ness.
1t is believed that the city railway
company will begin an action for the
collection of the amount due it if the
comptroller shall decline to audit the
amount forthwith.