The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1895-06-08
Council Proceedings.

was not a very large attendance of citi-
zens, as it had been generally under
stood that there was no business of i'm
portance to come up.
The council upon being called to or
der Immediately got down TO business.
The monthly report of the board of
public works was read, received and
placed on file.
The report of the City attorney on the
request of Chief Luton that pecuniarv
aid be given eX-Sergeant Gus Erickson
and officer Smith in appealing their
case to the Supreme court from the Su-
pcrior court in which B. J. Casey re-
ceiyed $3.50 damages against them for
false imprisonment. The city attorney
thought that the decision of the superb
or court took all protection away from
the officers of the law. 1t might turn
the whole city over to the mercy of
some drunken, riotOus and destructive
mob. Judge Reed advised the city to
give financial support to Erickson and
Smith though he did not think that the
city should or needed to make itself
responsible for any verdict that might
be rendered against the defendant
The case Of Caroline Falling against
Mr.. Erickson had also been referred to
the city attorney for an opinion. This
nicipal court and had been discharged
without a trial. The report advised
that a committee be appointed by the
mayor to investigate. The city attorney
believed that many cases of this kind
were dismissed on account of the pull
of the sporting fraternity, without re-
gard to the guilt or innocence of the
parties concerned. In case the city
should fail to come to the rescue of Mr.
Erickson that gentleman would have a
legal claim against the city.
The report was received and placed
on file.
Aid. Howe moved that a committee
be appointed in accordance with the
advice of the city attorney Aid Me
Queen moved an amendment that the
whole report be referred to a com
mittee. The amendment passed. The
mayor named as members of the com
mittee, Aldermen Ross, Rogers and
Douglas
The committee, appointed to inves-
tigate the request OF the North Amcri-
can Telegraph company for franchise
to construct more ievies in this city,
made an adverse report. Aldermen
Ross and French, members of the COM
mittee, thought the officers of the cor
poration said that they intended only
to perfect their present system, still the
franchise might be brought with dan
ger to the city.
An ordinance requiring Towards
pocked harbOr district No. 10, to be
dredgcd was passed. The matter is one
of very great Importance to boatmen
and the board of public works will ad-
vcrtisc for sealed bids for the work at
once.
An ordinance was introduced for the
abatement of certain nuisances, among
them old boxes, barrels, piles of ashes,
etc, punlsillng any agent or proprietor
of piece of property by fine of from
- to 80 IN case of failure to remove
said nuisances from their property.
Referred to the committee on ordi-
nanCCs.
The introduction Of an ordinance, re-
duclng the license of pawn brokers and
keepers of junk shops and second hand
stores from $3.50 to $50 annually,
aroused a lively and spirited discussion.
Alderman Atkinson and Lund objected
to it on the ground that the license had
been fixed at $3.50 at the request of the
pawn brokers themselves and that their
business hourished most in hard
times when nearly every one was in
need of money, AID. Mcqueen on the
other hand thought that the high IL
censc was compelling the brokers TO
charge a higher rate of interest, and
consequently the poor man had to pay
for the higher license.
MAYOR GIFTS IN.
The Mayor here called president
Howe to the chair, and proceeded to
participate IN the debate. He said that
he agreed with alderman Atkinson and
Lund and stated that he had been CON
siderably DISCONNECTED by the brokers
refusing to pay their license, expecting,
as they did, that they would be cut
down 500. They have been running
along Tor some time past by the suffer.
ance Of the mayor.
AID. Mcqueen asked that II. J. Jor-
dan, attorney for the pawn brokers, be
allowed to address the council. The
permit was granted and Mr.. Jordan
stated that it was a mistake to think
that the pawn brokers business was as
good now as it had been in tires past
that these gentlemen came here in 1880
- when times were good, and had suf-
iered as much from the hard times as
anyone. He compared the licenses
paid in other cities with Superior and
thought that, as a matter of justice, the
license should be renaced.
The council at length resolved itself
into committee ofthe whole, and after
considerable discussion voted down the
ordinance. The old license holds the
fort.
AID. Howe, chairman on the commit
tee on finance reported batch of bills
which he recommended to be paid.
The report was adopted. Following
this he reported favorably on the bill
OF DR.. VIM. Hanover, for so, expert
witness fees in the case of .McGentv Is.
the city of Superior. The city attorney
did hot think the bill should be allowed
and it was rejected-6 to 9.
The bill for the wages of Bridge
Tender Welch, stirred up considerable
opposition. There were several of the
aldermen, who thought two strong men
uarn rnr,,,ral |.