The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-15
IMPORTANT CITY Matters
Busy Session by Each Branch of
Councils Last Night.
PAID FIRE SERVICE SHELVED
No Addition for the Present to Nay Aug
Park-PrOtcst Against tho State Law.
rcnco BilI-Narrow Escape for
the Wages Ordinance.


Both branches of council were in ses-
sion last night, and in the select body
protracted session was held and a
number of important measures acted
upon.
The light and water committee re-
ported favorably on the resolution OF
the common branch directing the city
clerk to advertise for proposals to light
the city hall and fire company quarters
with electric lights. The resolution was
adopted.
To the judiciary committee was re-
ferred u letter from City Solicitor Tor
rey recommending that the city settle
the suit whereby Max Smith seeks to
recover $4,000 damages for injuries re-
ceived owing to the unprotected condi-
tion of Ash street, between Roaring
Brook and the Lackawanna railroad.
The auditing committees report adopt
ed by common council and excluding
the discussed detective bill for
S477,7O was read Mr.. Finn made a mo-
ton, seconded by Mr. Kellow, that the
detective bill be ordered paid.
Mr.. McCann's amendment that the
meeting concur in the action of, COM
mon council was seconded by Mr.. Eel
lows and Mr.. Schwenk President
Chittenden ruled Mr. McCann's amend
ment out of order, as it negatived the
original motion.
Motion Was Lost.
The original motion to pay the bill
was lost on a tie vote as follows:
Ayes-Finn, Durr Kellow, Burns,
Westpfahl, Chittenden.
Nays-Kelly, Clark, Schwenk, Man
ley, McCann, Fellows.
Mr.. McCann's motion that the bill
be disapproved prevailed. Common
councils resolution directing the chief
of the fire department to investigate
the charge that gambling is carried on
in the quarters of the Liberty and
Niagara Hose companies was adopted.
The meeting concurred with the COM
mon branch that the joint streets and
bridges committee inspect weekly the
masonry work on the Linden and
Spruce Street bridges.
A resolution passed by common coun-
Gil reducing the valuation for assess
ment purposes of the Grand Army of
the Republic memorial property on
Washington avenue. The organization
proposes eventually to give the prop
erty to the city. The resolution fixes
the assessment value at slOO for ten
years.
The plans of Architect Walters for the
new fire headquarters in the rear of the
city hall, recommended by committee,
were approved.
Mr.. Manleys petition of protest
against the Lawrence bill now pending
in the legislature met with but one
negative vote. The dissenter was Mr.
Finn. The Lawrence bill, if passed
will constitute a board of revision for
the purpose of classifying real estate
in cities of the third class. Mr.. Man
ley's paper conveys the disapproval of
the Scranton councils and urges legis-
lators from this district to oppose the
bill
II think the legislature knows enough
about making laws without our in
structing them,' said Mr. Finn when
twitted by number of members for
being the only one to vote in the mega
tive.
The petition was Immediately taken
by Mr.. Manley into common council for
concurrence. Mr.. Mclean, of the COM
mon branch, lost his motion that the
petition be referred to the taxes COM
mittee, and the petition then passed
unanimously.
Regulating CITY Contracts
An ordinance regulating the method
of giving out contracts for work, ma
terial and supplies passed first read
ing. At Mr.. Roche's suggestion it was
then laid over until certain amend.
ments can be decided upon. Common
councils ordinance providing for a
sewer on North Main avenue passed
first and second reading.
The proposition to acquire the Gamma
van land as an addition to Nay Aug
park received a decided setback in Mr.
Roche's motion. which prevailed, to
receive and file' the report of the
park commissioners on the matter The
report contained John =. Cannavao's
offer to sell eighteen and three-quartei
acres of land for S26,1OO. The commits.
sioners recommended the purchase.
Mr.. Manley made a motion, which
he afterward withdrew. that the report
be referred to the park committee. Mr.
| Roche's motion to file then prevailed.
Mr.. Fellows called up for third reading
the paid fire department ordinance and
then voted with the majority to lndefl.
nitely postpone it. Mr. Schwenk alone
voted No" Mr.. Finn. the father OF
the ordinance, did not vote.
by their alertness and changing theii
votes In the nick Of time Mr.. Manley
and Mr. McCann saved from the shell
the ordinance regulating wages to be
paid by contractors doing work for the
city. The ordinance was on third read.
ing and would have required clever
votes to pass. Members Finn, DUR
and Kellow and President Chittender
voted in the negative. Members Man.
ley and McCann, who had voted affirm.
atively, changed their votes to NO