The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-02
HIGHLY MORAL C0mm0NERs
To. Sift Newspaper Charges Against
Captail Edwards.
PERNlCIOUS DOINGS ALLEGED
Morgan Sweeney. Of the Twelfth Word.
Poses ~ . Local Lexow-After the
Traction Company for Non. Com
pliancc with Their Contract.

Councilman Sweeney. Of the Twelfth
ward. stirred up an unusual interest IN
the proceedings of the common council
last night by a resolution charging Po-
lice Captain Edwards with violation Of
the police department code and with
gross partisanship. The resolution Is
as follows:
Whereas, Certain statements appeared
In the Elmira Telegram Of July IS re-
necttng on the police force OF the city. and
Whereas, The charges Were made by a
good man and reputable citizen and a
member Of select council. viz. Wade NJ.
Finn. he (Wade Finn alleging ana charg-
Ing that Police Captain Richard Edwards
did enter and purchase beer and other
viands In certain unlicensed houses sit
uated in the First ward. all for the pur-
pose of persuading. urging. inducing and
influencing voters In certain delegate
election held in said First ward in :he
month Of July. and
Whereas. The police force being hired
and paid for the performance OF certain
duties set forth In ''Police Regulations.
1884," and
Whereas. The said Police Captain r. Ed
wards by his pern;clous example In fire.
Quentng and patronizing Illicit dram shops
and participating in politics to the neglect
OF his sworn duty. thus doing much TO de-
morali2e our city police force: therefore
be Ii
Resolved, BY the common council of the
city of Scranton. select council concurring,
that Police Captain II. Edwards be cited
TO appear before the Joint police commit
tee OF councils on a date to be fixed by
said committee and reply to the alega-
tons as set forth In certain charges made
by Wade NJ. Finn.
MIR. Sweeney Wanted Il Passed.
After the reading of the resolution.
which engaged the close attention OF
every member present, Mr.. Sweeney
moved that It be adopted.
Mr.. Moir amended that 1t be referred
to the police committee. The amend
ment was lost on an aye and nay vote.
and the fun. which was expected to
arise from discussion of this resolu-
tlon. was supposed to be dead. 1t was
only dormant. however, for 1t was res
urrected in the sixth order Of business
by request of those who had before OPP
posed 1t.
The clerk failed to find the original
paper which had possibly been spirited
away by some members who heretofore
exhibited an aversion to voting for or
against 1t. A copy Of 1t, however, was
furnished and read. 1t was necessary
TO take the ayes and yeas again. and 1t
was finally adopted by vote OF to IT,
Reran in New Role.
Councilman Regan introduced res
olution requesting the city solicitor 10
inauire into the violation by the Scran-
ton Traction company OF certain fran
chise ordinance provisions. the re-
fusal of the Traction company to fur-
nish transfers to passengers on the
Bellevue line, who desire to go TO the
South Side or on any Of the Hyde Park
lines. Is the alleged violation OF ordin-
ance provisions.
The ordinance providing for the grad
ing Of Swetland street between SlXth
and Ninth streets passed first and sec
ond readings. Mr.. Oliver opposed Ss
massage ON the ground of some discrep-
any between the profile and the body OF
title.
In the matter Of the Providence and
Abingdon Turnpike and Plank Road
company VS.. city OF Scranton, whicn
was tried in the Lackawanna county
courts IN September. 1892, the mayor
was Instructed to accept as final the
verdict Of that court and not to appeal
1t to the supreme court, and further the
street commissioner was directed to
pli,ce the road in as good repair as tine
funds at his command will permit.
The property holders on Center street
were authorized TO extend their asphalt
pave northeast ard southwest Of Penn
avenue at their own expense.
Ordinances Finally Passed.
The following ordinances passed third
and final reading: Providing for the
purchase of furniture, bedding and
other property from the Crystal Hose
company; for the construction of a
sewer on Irving avenue, nOrtheasterly
from Mulberry $40 feet; a lateral sewer
on Capouse avenue. between Marion
and Green Ridge streets: permitting
the Peoples Street Railway company
to move their tracks from the side Of
Robinson street to the center Of the
street from It's junction with Ninth
street to IT'S junction with jackson
street: for the purchase OF a horse for
the chief of fire department.
Peter Stipp was awarded the contract
for fixing the approaches to the Spruce
Street bridge, although the bid of Hart
e. Gibbons was lower. Their failure to
secure 1t was due to noncompliance
With tho roouirernepte NJ hida