The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-23

The Lansing resolution directing the
city treasurer to make monthly reports
to councils of his cash transactions,
which was the first step towards recov-
ering the seven or eight thousand dol
lars interest annually earned by run
ming accounts, was defeated by COM
mon council last night.
The Democratic members in order TO
choke off discussion moved to have the
resolution tabled and succeeded in do
ing so without encountering much OPP
position, the friends of the measure
making little or no effort to save 1t
from death which circumstances show
ed conclusively was its inevitable end.
Mir. Keller introduced the following res
olutiOn:
Resolved by the common council the
select council concurrng, that the city
clerk be instructed not to advertise for the
paving of Mulberry street between Milf
Hin avenue and Prescott avenue until such
time as city councils shall pass another
ordinance or resolution so instructing HIM.
This delay in advertising is occasioned by
the request of property owners, who de
sire to have another ordinance passed Gi-
rectiHg that the IA Sossment of costs shall
be by the block and not by the entire
length of the street to be paved, thus
making each block liable for the paving
in the block only.
Mr.. Keller submitted a commune
cation signed by Charles Schlager,
Fred c. Hand, Il. T. Leonard, NJ. Nor
ton. j. ii. GunSter and Charles Ora ham
stating that at meeting of the property
holders, the change in the system of
making the assessment was proposed
and agreed to and that it was also
agreed to petition councils to grant Il
delay until such time as the change
could be made. Mr.. Keller also had
the clerk read the following opinion
on the subject secured from City Solic-
ilor Torrey.
OPINION OF SOLICITOR.
Oct. %. 1895.
Luther Keller, Esq.
Dear Sir: In compliance with your re-
quest for an opinion with reference to
ing Mulberry street, would say. that IN
my opinion, under the law and the ordin-
ancc, as passed by councils. the city engi-
neer would not be justified In making an
assessment upon any other basis than an
equal apportonment of the entire costs
and expenses upon all the properties upon
the street. | have no doubt of the power
of councils to make an equitable provision
in their ordinance for the varying widths
of the streets in different blocks by provid-
ing. as was done in the case of Pine street.
for the assessment of each block separat.-
ly: and am of opinion that the ordinance
already passed could be- amended or a
supplement passed to II. making provi-
sions for assessments in that manner.
| do not wish to he understood as saying
that If the engineer should, under the or
dinance already passed, make the assess
mcnt 10y block ii would he lie gal, but |
think the method ! have indicated would
he the safer method for him to pursue
under the ordinance AS 1t was originally
passed Very truly yours.
James II. Torrey.
Council agreed to the resolution al
most unanimously. and it then went
over to select council, where il was
killed as noted elsewhere.
The resolution granting the Valley
Passenger company the right to cX-
tend its tracks on Washington ave-
nue.. between Olive and Gibson street :;
in accordance with and upon the same
conditions named in file of select coun-
Gil. approved Jan. 16. 1893, and the sup
plement approved Jan. 16, 1885, was
introduced by Captain Moir and passed,
Messrs. Gilroy and McGrail being the
only members to offer any serious op-
position to it,
FRANK SHIFFER CLAIM.
Frank Shiffer's claim of 5000 for dam
ages resulting from the grading of
Swetland and Ninth streets was favor
ably reported by the judiciary commit
solicitor that the claim was excessive
and not deserving of any more con-
sideration than the hundred other
claims of a like nature, pending against
the city.
A resolution directing the city So
licitor to settle the claim was passed,
but when it went over to select coun-
Gil It was sent to committee. The
judiciary committees recommendation
that the city solicitor be instructed to
give an opinion on each of the dam
age claims against the city was adopted
Peter +. Mulligan was awarded three
contracts. the construction of Columbia
avenue and Monsey avenue lateral sew
ers. and the grading of Prescott ave-
nue.. between Vine and Mulberry streets.
New measures were introduced pro-
yiding for an electric light in the Thir-
teenth ward; four in the Second ward:
a fire hydrant on the corner of sum
nit avenue and Putnam street and for
the securing of options and preparing
of plans for grading Summit avenue.
The ordinance appropriatinG Sl,50O for
the new road to Chinchilla was referred
to the city solicitor.
The following ordinances passed third
reading: Appropriating 5000 to purchase
new carriage for the chief of the fire
department providing for lateral
sewer on Schultz court between Olive
and Pine streets: and providing for
electric lights at the following places:
intersection of the boulevard with
Woodlawn park; Cliff street; corner of
Fourteenth street and Sadie court; Kci-
ser avenue and George street.