The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-28
each BRANCH IN SESSION
Delu9e of Business, Considered by
Councils Last Night.
Mr.. PAYNE'S WHISKEY CHARGES
Arc Ignored by the Sclcctmcn- Robinson
and Ninth Street Improvements Unset.
tled-Comnittcc Says Tax Collector
Thomas Is Delinquent $3.50.

In the select branch action was post
poned on common council resolution
citing II. Il. Payne to appear before
councils and substantiate his asser-
tion in the board of trade that council
men spend much of the ward appropria-
tions for whiskey. This action was
taken upon Mr.. Sanderson's motion.
The city engineers estimate of $S91
due Contractor Rooms for sewer work
on the West Side was ordered paid. The
item had not been included In the audit
ing committees report at the last meet
ing. which resulted in stoppage of
work by the contractor during yester-
day and Wednesday.
The fire limit ordinance was reported
favorably and was referred for print
ing.
The Robinson Street Track.
Mr.. Williams. of the railway COM
mttee. reported favorably the ordi-
nance permitting the Scranton Traction
company to move It's tracks from the
side to the center of Robinson street.
and the measure later passed two
readings.
The streets and bridges committee
through Mr.. Chittenden reported favor
ably the mayors nomination of c. r.
Kinsley as street commissioner for
two years. beginning July l. The nom
ination was confirmed.
Upon recommendation of the streets
and bridges committee, Fahey Bros.
Were awarded the contract for building
the Wells Street bridge abuuments for
s6475C.
Some discussion was created by Mr..
Chittenden's motion that the ordi-
nance for regarding and widening Rob
inson and Ninth streets be re-referred
TO the streets and bridges committee
He remarked that damages to the
amount Of possibly $4,000 might result
from the adoption of the measure in its
present form.
Wanted TO Avoid Delay.
Mr.. Lauer wanted the measure
passed two readings in order to avoid
delay. Mr.. Chittenden's motion pre-
vailed and the committee was in
structed to meet with the property
owners and representatives of the West
Side board of trade on the streets in
question.
a tangle resulted from a recent meet
ing of the streets and bridges commit
tee over the mayors nomination of
Nathan Hallstead as inspector of the
superstructure of the Linden street
bridge. Only three of the five commit
teemen attended the meeting when the
appointment was considered: two of
them considered the nomination ad-
versely, while Chairman Chittenden ap-
proved the appointment but contended
that the adverse report could not be
made owing to the fact that the two
members did not constitute a majority
of the committee. Mr.. Lauer, one of
the adverse committeeman, asked Pres
ident Westpfahl to rule on the matter.
President westpfahPs Ruling.
President Westpfahl ruled that unless
committee report is made by a ma
jority Of the members of the committee,
the report cannot stand; also, that
when three of five committeeman con-
slider matter any action of two of the
three cannot be recognized. Mr.. Lauer
was disposed to app, ,al from the de-
cision, when Mr.. Sanderson's motion
prevailed to postpone the matter until
next meeting.
Members Roche, Williams and Chit
tenden, special committee, reported
their investigation of the accounts be-
tween Richard Thomas, collector of de-
linquent taxes, and the city 1t had
been charged that the collector was de-
linquent from s400 to $500 for the years
18s7-S-9-90 and vice versa A research
of the accounts made by the city con-
troller indicated that the city was in
dpbtp6 seVaral hItndra1 ,t,
Thomas, and a resolution accompanying
his report of one month ago provided
that settlement should be made on
an even basis.
What the Committee Found.
In view of the fact that several
books were missing and that the con-
troller was handicapped in compiling
figures, Mr.. Roche successfully cham
pioned the appointment of a committee
of investigation. The committee found
the missing books which with other
papers and figures obtaInabe showed
Collector Thomas delinquent in the sum
of s45O.lS. Such report was made
last night accompanied by resolution
that the city solicitor proceed to col
lect the sum If 1t Is not paid within
u,
A communication from Jessups &.
Hand, asking II an appeal should be
made from Judge Purdy's decision In
favor of Jackson Merryweather against
the city. resulted in having the claim
brought from the judiciary committees
box and ordered settled by the city con-
troller.
The nomination Of George Il. Bailey
as stoker of General Phinney Engine
company. vice Edwin Goodwin, expelled.
was confirmed.
Fender Ordinance Referred.
The fender ordinance passed by com
mon council was received and referred
to committee. Two common council res
olutions were adopted, prohibiting the
dumping of culm or other refuse into
the Roaring brook, and instructing the
city clerk to re-advertise for proposals
for lighting the city hall, police stations
and engine houses.
New resolutions and ordinances were
introduced as follows: Mr.. Williams
Directing the city controller to furnish
the city solicitor list Of the dellnduent
tax collectors for years prior to 1894 and
that suit shall be brought to recover all
such collections not paid within sixty
days of the passage of the resolution,
approved; providing for the use of gas
instead of electricity in the city hall,
referred to committee.
The select council ordinance placing
a tax Of $5 on each street car passed two
readings. An adjournment was made
to Thursday night, July II.
In Common Council