The Indianapolis journal., 1896-01-21
TRIED 1T ON THE CAT
THE FORTUNE-TELLING ORDINANCE
DIsCOMFITED THE FELINE.
Ludicrous Scene I'm the Council
Chamber-Gas Ordinance Failed
to Come Up.

The chamber Of the Common Council was
invaded by strange and unwelcome guest
last night. Superstitious members feared
that the visitation was an auguring of i'll
and the regular session broke up rather
unceremoniously. The visitor was a big,
gaunt looking cat as striped as tiger. 1t
came In late, but was apparently pleased
with the situation and quietly took up
position at the feet OF President Costello.
Through the routine proceedings the cat
slept peacefully on.
1t was when the ordinance for the pre-
vention OF fortune telling was called up
for third reading that the tiger striped
feline at the feet of the president began
to create disturbance. AS the clerk fin
ished the reading the cat arose, stretched
it's gaunt self and howled dismally. Then
IL commenced to show genuine signs of
distress and finally surrendered it's supper.
AT this critical juncture Councilman Clark,
with his lips very white (also inward dis
tress), jumped up.
II move we adjourn" he cried out This
ordinance seems to be having bad effect"
The measure was referred hack to the COM
mittee public morals and the Council
promptly adjourned. The ordinance pro-
viding for tax on gas mains was not
called up. but will be reviewed again by
the committee, which failed to recommend
its passage.
A number OF new ordinances were intro
duced, and two three measures became
a part of the city laws by the vote of the
Council. An ordinance regulating the use
and enjoyment of public parks and grounds
was introduced by Councilman Payne at
the request of the park commissioners and
referred to the committee on public prop
erty, and improvements. The ordinance is
similar TO those of large cities of the coun-
try, and IL provides that all parks shall be
open TO the public from o'clock a m. until
IL O'Clock p. m, and no person shall be per-
mitted to enter or leave any park except
by the established entrances A penalty is
provided for the vdefacement OF fences,
benches or park ornament OF any kind.
Persons touching or in any way interfering
with plants, trees or flowers are liable TO
fine. One section prohibits the discharge
OF firearms inside the park or within the
abusive language IS prohibited. For the
protection OF animals, birds or fish the
ordinance makes it an offense to disturb
these inhabitants or to give any animal
tobacco or other noxious article. People
will not be permitted to allow stock to
stray at large over parks. and no one will
be allowed to fasten horse to- a tree or
bush or leave the animal unattended. All
vehicles other than pleasure carriages, as
be kept outside the parks except when
employed. Bicyclers and tricyclers will be
strictly confined to the roadways of the
public parks, and must be governed by the
same rules which control other vehicles and
equestrians. Wheelmen are not TO travel
more than two abreast. and will be ex-
one will be authorized to exceed six-mile-
an-hour gait when riding or driving horse
or cycle. Picnics in public parks will only
be tolerated with order from the super
intendent, and gaming and fortune telling
is strictly forbidden. The same rule will
apply TO people introducing spirituous or in
toxicating liquors. The ordinance further
provides for the ejectment of dogs from the
parks. No military or civic company will
be permitted TO parade i'm the parks with
out first having obtained the consent OF the
park commissioners. Public meetings OF
any character can only be held with the
consent of the park commissioners, and
no funeral procession or hearSe or any
vehicle carrying the body of a deceased
person can enter the parks. Bathing and
fishing in the waters of thefparks will not
be tolerated but the ordinance authorizes
the superintendent to set apart grounds for
ball, croquet and other games (which may
be played on all days except Sunday. The
ordinance makes il fine of not less than
s. and not more than 500 for the violation
Of any of its provisions. The ordinance
will be of special application when the new
park system is established
The ordinance regulating the use of streets
and sidewalks along the front and sides OF
premises while improvements are being
made was not quite Gear to the Mayor
when presented 10 him some time ago, and
in order that the measure might be clearly
understood Councilman Ohleyer introduced
a new one last night. 1t explicitly defines
that part of the sidewalk which may be
occupied by the property owner when max
ing improvements. The ordinance says that
one-third of the walk nearest the curb
must, be vacated at all times for the COM
fort and safety Of the pedestrian. The
ordinance went to the committee on streets
and alleys. Councilman Dewar's ordinance
creating an inspector OF plumbing and house
drainage was introduced and referred to
a committee. The ordinance fixes salary
of $500 a year for the inspector, and re-
quireS him to furnish bond of $1,000. A
new measure was introduced by Councilman
Clark, changing the names OF Dillon and
Shelby streets TO FOUNTAIN avenue and max
ing both streets one continuous thorough
fare. The ordinance went to the commit
tee on sewers, streets and alleys. A new
ordinance by Councilman Payne prohibit
ing telegraph companies from charging
messenger fees within the city limits was
referred to the judiciary committee. In
this connection the clerk read communi-
cation from the city attorney, who said he
had been unable to find a section of law
that gives telegraph companies the rignt
to charge messenger fees when delivering
kilograms within the municipal boundaries.
To the committee on finance was referred
the ordinance transferring $13,500 from the
Public Works
The ordinance to prevent the swinging of
gates over the sidewalk became law with
the amendment Inal AUTOMATIC gate Wnicn
swing back and forth may be constructed
without violation of the statutes. The or
dinaDce. with the amendment. passed by a
vote of Il to z. The Council. BY its vote
changed the name of Grand avenue TO Min
nesota street. The following ordinances
were reported signed by the Mayor: Ap-
preparation ordinance No. Is. appropriating
SIG 600 TO the Board of Public Works; ap-
preparation ordnance No. 16, appropriating
Si5,o25 to the Department of Public Safety:
general ordinance No. 70. granting the Big
Four railway the right TO construct a
switch across Leota street; general ordi-
nance No. ~. authorizing. the sale of seventy
the betterment of the Department of Public
Safety and the Department of Public Health
and Charities