Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-10-20
BRANDS 1T A LIE.
Mayor Takes Exception to Aid.
kennedy's Remark.
STORMY SCENE IN THE COUNCIL

Course aud . Spirited Dsscossiun BE-
tween Them Fo,iow..
The city dads held another char
acteristic session last night. 1t was
one series Of iaugles. At one point
the gentleman who presided branded
statement made by Aid Kennedy
as an unmitiga,ed falsehood. Aid
Kennedy said he could prove his as
sertion, and the mayor c. me back at
him again, reminding him in more
emphatic tones that lie was telling q
lie.
1t was a real stormy NEE ing.
Chairman johnson. OF tie fire and
light committee, asked for further
time with reference to the request OF
Rock Island insurance men for the
repeal of the 2 per cent assessment.
1--WE hsd a meeting" continued ALI.
johnson, land appointed a commit
tee with instructions to formulate
a letter to the Insurance companies.
reminding them that it would hardly
be fair for the city to act otherwise
in view OF the superior service and
protection which our fire department
affords them, to say nothing of the
appropriateness of acting contrary
to The statutory provisions, which
grant municipalities Of a stipulated
population to levy 2 per cent as.
sessment on insurance com p inies to
60 toward the sustenance of their
fire departments. In its letter the
conn ittee also requests the COM
panies to reconsider their determine
ton to impose an additional per
cent on their policy holders" The
fire and light committee will submit
its report for approval to the coun-
Gil at subs quent meeting.
Aid. Schreiner introduced an ordi-
nance declaring an emergency and
providing for the borrowing of
money to pay the storm drain ex-
pense. Then he complained that the
commissioners had been unfair in
extending the assessment on proper
ty holders, who are hell for 25 per
cent Of the cost Of the improvement.
citing a case where he is affected to
the extent of 500 on some real e.
tate in the western portion of the
city. Aid. johnson said there was
no hurry about rai.ing the money,
as the assessment roll had not yet
been confirmed by the county court.
should Have the Money.
Bat Aid. Schreiner insisted tina,
the city should have the money on
hand when the contractors presented
their bill. Aid. Kennedy opposed
the passage OF the ordinance now,
whereupon Aid. Schreiaer moved
that the city assume the entire cost
OF the improvement.
Aid. Kennedy said he did not un-
derstand before why Aid. Schreiner
had such a kick coming, and said
that he did not believe in specializing
real estate men attempting to shift
assessments in the manner followed
by Ala. Schreiner.
This made Aid. Schreiner warm
under the collar and he proceeded to
remind the Sixth ward gentleman in
emphatic tones that he was not per-
mitting his individual interests to
S way him in his official acts.
After an extended discussion Of the
advisability Of passing the ordinance
which was the report of the sewer
committee, the matter was laid over
until the assessment roll is con-
| firmed by the county court.
AID. Foss complained Of the quail
ity of brick being put in the TWEEN
ty-fourth street storm drain. and
said that he would not accept ;hcm
IL the work was being done for him.
Chairman Schreiner, of the sewer
committee. aud Mayor Knox said
tina. an inspector was employed there
and that everything was being csr-
ried out in accordance with the spe-
cifications.
"Since you aud the street and
alley committee were responsible for
diverting the water course and ne
cessitating the construction Of the
storm DRAIN" spoke up Aid. Ken
nedy, directing his remarks to the
mayor, 1.-THE people expect you TO
see that the work is done right"
Mayor Gives the Lie.
| You have made that statement
several times before, Aid. Kennedy.
concerning the diversion Of the
water course" answered the mayor.
land | wish to brand it rs an una
duiterated lie.r
well. l can prove it," replied
the Sixth ward alderman.
'.I'll tell you that it is a lie.' re-
torted the mayor. displaying consid-
cradle emotion.
The mayor said further that the
money would be paid to the con-
tractors when they called for 1t.
We'll, we want TO see things done
open and above board" said Aid.
Kennedy.
What do you mean. sir?" asked
his honor, moving restlessly in his
seat.
Il mean that the law be lived up
to to the letter il money is to be bor-
rowed: and il necessary l would
mortgage my home to enjoin the city
from borrowing money without au-
thority"
The mayor again assured Aid.
Il II