The herald., 1896-07-07

Councilman Munson stated he believed
that the contractors were merely trifling
with the council. He understood that
the contractors had been negotiating
with other parties to take this contract
or their hands within the past two or
three days. Not only this, but these con-
tractors have only recently taken an ap-
peal TO the supreme court, and they are
eVidentiy waiting to get an opinion as
to the legality of the bonds before they
go ahead with the work. Councilmen
kingery,. Pessell and others also testi-
ned to the dilatory tactics of the con-
tractors. and finally on motion the con-
tractors and their bondsmen were cited
TO appear before the council at o'clock
anu uenne their position in the matter
THE PUBLIC MARKET
Councilman Kingery said that there
ket. Just instituted. which needed i'm
mediate attention. The market inspec-
tor then made statement He said that
every lot on the market could have been
rented at the opening. II the grounds had
peen In such condition that the wagons
could have driven in. All that was
needed was to have the curbs cut down
and the ground leveled in places. This
could be done in q few hours and after
some little debate. 1t was ordered that
the work be done by the chain-gang at
once, and the necessary order was made
success. as there Is a demand for all the
stalls and an enlargement will soon be
necessary.
TO REPAIR THE BRIDGES.
Councilman Ashman, moved that the
street superintendent be instructed to
prepare specifications for repairing the
bridges of the city with some more dur
apie material than common plank. The
motlon prevailed. In the discussion in
cidental to the motion, 1t came out that
the bridges of the city were in a rather
bad condition. and that in the case of one
or the bridges near Bridge street, easto
the river, the street had to be closed on
account of Its dangerous condition. The
street superintendent reported that some
cities had been covering their bridges
with stone block pavements covered
with asphalt, and that the results had
been satisfactory. He thought it would
be good plan to try this pavement on
some of the bridges and see how it
works. He was instructed to prepare
the necessary specifications and present
them to the council.
QUITE A DISCREPANCY
contractor who wishes to erect a
building at the corner of Eighth and
owe streets appeared before the coun-
Gil. and stated that by measurement
he found that the street had shrunk
about two feet and in place of being
erty owners had encroached on the
street. The width was all right at Sew
enth and Olive streets, but was too mar
row one block south. There was some
funny talk at the expense of the seeker
after information, who stated that all
he wanted to know was where to place
his building, or in other words, to have
the street lines defined. He was asked
how the other property was located and
answered as best he knew how. Instead
OF instructing the city engineer to define
the street lines at the point in question,
and ascertain whether the street had
been encroached upon. the contractor
was told to go ahead and place his build
ing where he pleased and take the
chances" whatever that may mean. The
president of the council vouchsafed the
information that it was a we'll settled
principal of law that a street could not
be appropriated, and even if it was oc-
cupied for eighty years, property own
ers would have to enove back, in case 1t
was found that they had encroached on
the street.
A Anumber of reports, motions on minor
matters. etc. were disposed of, among
them the reports of the finance and sew
er committees, as heretofore published,
were adopted.
PUBLIC MORALS.
The report of the committee on public
| morals, recommending the adoption of
Sunday closing ordinance on the lines
suggested by the various labor organiza-
tions and other petitioners, was, on mo-
ton of Councilman Savage. referred to
the city attorney.
The recommendation of the finance
committee that ten extra men be en-
ployed by the police department to take
the place of police officers absent on their
vacations passed.
CITY ENGINEERS REPORT.
The city engineer presented the fol-
lowing report, on which action was TAX
en- as follows:
An ordinance of intention to establish
the grade of Santee street. from Twen-
ty-frst to Twenty-third streets
Adopted.
An ordinance of intention to establish
the grade of Twenty-first street from
Central avenue to Naomi street. Adopt
ed.
the grade of Twenty-second street, from
Central avenue to Naomi street
Adopted.
An ordinance of intention to establish
the grade of Twenty third street. from
Central avenue to Naomi street.
Adopted
An ordinance establishing the grade
of Connecticut street, from Vernon
street to east line of Blaine street.
Adopted.
An ordinance establishing the grade
of Tenth street, from Main street 10 Ma
pie avenue. Adopted
An ordinance changing and establish
ing the grade of Pavilion place, from
Sand street to south terminus. Adopt
ed.
In the matter of protest No 544, from
Louis Phillips ct al against the WIDEN
ing of the sidewalk on Main street, be-
tween Commercial and Fifth streets, we
have to report that the total frontage
between said points is $500 feet and said
protest represents 44S9.66 feet. Referred
to board of public works.
In the matter of protest No. 5S6, from
N. Steinhilber ct al. regarding the grad
ing Of Matthews street, from First
street to Brooklyn avenue, we report
that said protest represents majority
of the frontage. Filed.
An ordinance of intention to construct
a sewer on Yale street, from Alpine to
Ord. Adopted.
For approval, map of sewer on Second
street, Boyle avenue to st. Louis street.
Adopted.
OIL INSPECTOR ABOLISHED.
Councilman Snyder moved that the
office of oil inspector be abolished; that
the police department be allowed one
additional man, and that an officer be
kept constantly in the oil district to
look after licenses, see that nuisances are
aba ated, and attend to such other matters
as are now looked after by the oil inspec-
tor. A motion was made to refer the
motion to tie committee on fire water.
but this was voted down and the motion
Crayailad