The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-11-22
CARES Of THE COUNCILNEN
Discussions at a Lengthy Session Held
Last Night.
POLICEMEN AND THEIR RAIDS
President Mcclure is of the Opinion That
the Borough Should Stand by the Police
When They Get Into Trouble
Through Performance of Duty.

If any Councilmen ever earned the salaries
some people impute to them, the Councilmen
of town did last night. Over three solid
hours were spent in solving perplexing ques-
tions Of various proportions of importance
and if a motion had not been made to throw
over the consideration of all bills, except
those for salaries, until the next meeting it
would have been morning before the gavel
could announce the close of the session.
The question of finances was one which
consumed much time and after much figur-
ing and discussion as to what the borough
will need for the fiscal year of 1867 and
what it will likely receive it was decided to
let the finance committee juggle the problem
for a while and then call a special meeting
Of Council to fix the tax levy
The Councilmen at the meeting were
Messrs. Kane, Hand, Mcclure, D. X. James.
McElhenny, T. J. James, Reese, Straughn,
Kerns, Dougherty and Boehm.
Mr.. P. J. Flaherty complained of nus-
ance caused by waste water flowing from the
Egan property, at the corner of Mayborry
alley and Gilbert street, and the matter was
referred to the Chief Burgess
On motion Of ID. r. James the street com
mittce was instructed to fix paving and
curbs where they are out of order and Con-
tractor Gallagher gave assurance that he
would have streets repaired where there are
causes for complaint on account of the water
connections.
Mr., T, j. James stated that the borough
had 81 $50 on hand but it was not sufficient
to cover all the bills on the secretary's desk.
There was sufficient to cover salaries of all
officers and employees
The question of refunding the old borough
debt was also considered and Council decided
that S25 800 worth of bonds shall be issued
for Is years and bear interest at per cent
They will be offered for sale in open market
so that the borough may get advantage of
premiums.
William Reeves, the borough electrician,
recommended that man be employed to go
system, that the wire extending on Centre
street, from Bridge to Main, be run ON the
long distance telephone poles and additional
poles be placed. No action was taken.
The attention of the lamp and watch com
mittee was called to the fact that the street
lights are not kept burning according to con-
tract. One Councilman stated that they
went out at 5:45 last Tuesday morning.
Mr.. d. r. James raised question as to the
extent that the Borough Council is expected
to sustain and defend the paid police and
called attention to the recent suits the force
had at court this week He was of the
opinion that the Borough Solicitor should act
as counsel for the police in such cases. The
discussion brought up the raids made by the
police on disorderly houses and President
Mcclure said he would suggest that when
officers pull place they push the matter to
court and not settle it in town If the cases
are settled in the town, he did not think the
borough would be justified in backing up the
police.
A hot discussion followed, during which
Mr.. Boehm stated that if the raids were
made on warrants the police acted under the
state law and the matter was not in the
hands of Council.
Mr.. d, r. James stated that he was con-
WINGED that the prosecutions against the
police force were a part of a political CON
spiracy and the whole affair would be eX-
posed in the near future.
Chief of Police Tosh was allowed to speak
and stated that he was trying to do his duty
as he understood it and he intended to cor
tinue doing so no matter who suffered, and
he proposed to break up the noisy Sunday
wedding custom.
President Mcclure said, "The borough
will stand by you in such cases"
The Chief Burgess said he was not afraid
of anybody so far as the charges of eXtor-
ton were concerned and he was satisfied
that had the people he fined been taken be-
fore any other magistrate they would have
paid more than he imposed.
The matter was finally referred to the
lamp and watch committee,
Mr.. Boehm, of the survey committee,
stated that some time last summer Council
gave a grade to Plum alley that seemed to
suit everybody concerned, p j, Ferguson
last week asked fora grade and it was learned
from him that some filling done by reason Of
the grade that had been given made it inn
possible to open his stable door. He wants
Council to either raise his stable or cut down
the grade of the alley. He claims the stable
was erected in accordance with previous
grade.
A Councilman remarked that the whole
trouble arose from the throwing Of dirt upon
the alley BY J, J. FIaney when he was eX-
cavating for new breaker, or something"
No definite action was taken.
The water committee reported that the
pumps had been repaired and there is plenty
of water,
1t was decided that no party west of the
borough line be allowed to connect with the
public water works without first making
contract with the water superintendent,
Council will meet again next Thursday
evening,