The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-10-18
new BOARD IS AGGRESSIVE
Takes Vigorous Steps with Regard to
the City Assessors. 8
FIXING WAGES FOR CITY WORK
City Solicitor Says the Ordinance Es'
tabiishing u Minimum Rate Is Illegal.
Other Matters Considered by
Select and Common Councils.

1t was made painfully apparent to the
city assessors at last nights council
meetings that the board of revision and
appeals intends to deal with them
without mercy. After taking away all
their powers, then removing their
books, they now swoop down upon them
with resolution directing the city
clerk to seize all their book cases, fur
nlture. maps, etc, and remove them
from their Office to the headquarters of
the board of revision and appeals in the
city clerks office. Mr.. Oliver intro
duced the measure in common council
ard It was unanimously approved by
both branches.
The proposal of NJ. A. Donahoe to
grade Fillmore avenue. between WASH
burn and Division streets, for $173S5
was approved by both branches of
councils.
The following ordinances passed first
and second reading in common council:
Establishing the grade of Prescott ave-
nue., between Mulberry and Olive streets;
approprating $1,000 by transfer to pay
for the widening and Improvement Of
Robinson and Ninth streets: providing
for two electric lights in the First ward;
providing for an electric light on Water
street; providing for a lateral sewer on
Capouse avenue and Larch street; pro-
viding for flagstone sidewalks on La
fayette street, between Main and FIJI
more avenues.
The following ordinances passed third
reading: For team of horses and a
drop harness for the General Phinneys;
regulating the cleaning of sidewalks
and fixing a penalty for non-compli-
ance; permitting the Valley Passenger
company to extend its tracks to Peters,
burg.
Select Councils DOings.
In an opinion addressed to Chairman
Sanderson of the judiciary committee
of select council City Solicitor Torrey
declared illegal the ordinance estab-
fishing the minimum wages to be paid
employees engaged on city contracts.
His opinion in full was as follows:
Oct. II. 1895.
Colonel George Sanderson. Chairman:
Dear Sir-l return to you herewith Or
dinance file of common council No. 90, 1895,
upon the legality of which you have asked
my opinion.
am of the opinion that the ordinance
Is directly in conflict with the act of 1859,
Article ", Section g. requiring that con-
tracts shall be let to the lowest RESPONSE
BILE bidder: and in support of that opinion
you'd refer to the case of Frame vs. Fee
lix. 167, Pa, Al, in which the supreme
court decides that a contract let by the
a
prices of wages was fixed, to be paid for
labor, was Illegal and void. Very truly
yours, James n. Torrey,
City Solicitor.
Council concurred without debate in
the recommendation of the committee
that the ordinance be disapproved of.
The report of Chief of Police Simpson
for September. showing 20G arrests hav-
ing been made and s279.50 collected in
fines was received and filed. The bid of
the Barber Asphalt company to pave
Olive street between Madison and Mon
roe avenues for S25S per square yard
was approved. The bond of John Silk
man, licensed house-mover, for 81 900,
with Conrad Schroeder as bondsman,
was favorably reported upon by the
city solicitor and approved by council.
Approaches for lecpiett's Creek nridge
A resolution instructing the street
commissioner to construct approaches
street was introduced by Mr.. Finn and
approved by both councils.
The following ordinances passed first
and second readings: For electric
lights on the corner of Hickory street
and Irving avenue; corner of Wyoming
avenue and Green Ridge streets. and
corner of Edwards court and Scranton
street; also for the appointment of an
additional permanent man for Nay Aug
Fire company and one for the General
Phinneys.
AN ordinance fixing the grade Of Wy
oming avenue between Green Ridge and
Delaware streets passed third reading