St. Paul daily globe., 1895-11-28
BOARD OF PUBLIC WoRKS ia
ZEN TO TASK FOR DIS
ORDINATION.
LANGFoRD MAKES a CHARGE.
And Cant. German Explains, but
Finally Admits That 1t Was
an Error.

Some of them have already been
published by the c. b e. In sub
stance. Mr.. Livingston advised the
committee that the city could ex-
pect plenty of competition if it ad-
vertised for bids for electric light
ing; that, in his opinion, gas would
prove a cheaper and more efficient
means of lighting than electricity,
and that a new gas had been discov-
cred, and was being manufactured,
possessing Illuminating powers that
rendered it more than likely to dis
place electricity.
Before Mr.. Livingston was heard,
the committee resumed its considera-
ton of the general subject of as
sessment and taxation. The pro-
ceedings opened with an informal
discussion regarding the assessed
valuation of st. Paul property. 1t
was conceded by Col Clough, Judge
Lusk and Gen. Sanborn that the
valuation, amounting to $4,000 900,
was too high. 1t was their opinion
that the property had been assessed
at high figure for the purpose of
establishing a basis of credit.
n. P. Langford, Who-zreferred to
this matter the day before, believed
that the valuation ought to be re-
duced to S65, GOO 900, and the rate of
levy raised This would effect a big
saving in the annual tax paid to the
state. T.
Mr. Langford, at this point, took
occasion to arraign the board of
public works for it's action in
matter that had interested him. Mr..
Langford related to the committee
how the board of public works had
exempted the Atheneum company
from the operation of a final order
calling for a cement sidewalk on
Exchange street. AS his own prop
erty was directly opposite, and he
was required to pay for a cement
sidewalk, Mr.. Langford called upon
the board of public works to ascer-
tain why the Atheneum company
was excepted from the provision of
the final order and was permitted to
lay a wooden sidewalk instead. He
was informed that the exception
was made at the request of the al
derman of the ward, but that the
board would except him if he de-
sired. He so desired, and the ex-
ception was made.
But on the way home," contin-
ued Mr.. Langford, st got thinking
the matter over, and concluded to
have nothing to do with such an ir-
regular proceeding. So I ordered a
cement sidewalk, and used the plank
in the old wooden sidewalk to help
construct new floor in my barn
Mr.. Langford said that he consid-
cred this proceeding a grave charge
to lay against the board of public
works. .-....-..,.
"The board Of public works." he
added, ''is almost a judicial body,
and it's corruption is almost as seri-
GUS as corruption of the judiciary
would be-"
Mr.. Langford's statements amused
as we'll as surprised the committee.
President German, of the board Of
public works, was at once sent for.
When he arrived Col. Clough put
this question to Capt German:
rs it a practice, captain, for the
board of public works to make vari-
ations or exceptions from the terms
of final orders for sidewalks? ?"
Capt. German answered that perhaps
there had been some exceptions made
generally, however, at the request of
the aldermen.
Gen. Sanborn-When you know that
that request is against the order of the
council?
Capt. Gorman-Yes, sir, when the
parties interested are willing to pay for
another kind of work
Col. Clough-It doesn't look quite
straight, does it?
Capt German thereupon explained
that after the board of public works
had received a final order from the
council it had allowed parties to lay
their own walks before the final order
was published, but not after it's publ
cation.
THE CASE IN POINT.
Capt. German was not certain wheth-
er the concession to the Atheneum COM
pany in the case in point was made
before or after the publication of the
order. The charter allowed a private
party to lay his own walk of such MAJ
terial as he might choose before the
final order is published. -r
Mr.. Bangford asked Capt German
why, then, the board took a vote in the
case.
Capt. German said that it was merely
TO assure Mr.. Langford that he would
not be stopped in laying his own walk
Reference TO the record showed that
the final order in this case had been
passed three weeks before the board
of public works granted the Atheneum
company the right to lay a wooden
sidewalk.
Col. Clough-Then, Capt. German,
the board exceeded its authority in this
case?
Capt Gorman-Yes, sir. I don't
know why, but we just did it. Uaugh-
tcr.)
Then the advisability of reconsidering
the whole lighting question was sug-
gested.
Mr.. Lewis moved that the committee
take the matter up and dispose of it.
AID. Markham seconded the motion
Col. Clough said that he had all the
information on the lighting question
he required, except, perhaps, the views
Of Crawford Livingston. Col Clough
/ was opposed to the plan of the city's
i owning a lighting plant. and was con-
! fident that q contract let under fair
! competition would be the best and
most economical plan of lighting the
| city. He favored electricity as the best
! method of lighting the business dis
| trict.
| Chairman Parker agreed with Col
/: CloUgh that the city ought not to invest
i in or purchase a lighting plant.
The roll call on the motion of Mr.
| Lewis resulted in vote of 4 to l
against the motion. Chairman Parker
Col Clough, Judge Lusk anG Gen. San
born voting mo" and Assemhlymar
/ Lewis. Aid. Markham and Capt. Cas-
tie voting III the affirmative
crawford Livingston was then asked
for his views on lie Lighting question
MI L:ytlzs:on sRid at !hs outset .hst