The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-16
A BOOST in POPULATION
COUNCIL PASSES ALL THE ANxExA-
TION ORDINANCES.
Eve" Now Have 10000 People. or
Observation-Disclosures Ordi-
nance Has Also Passed.

oils. Mount Jackson Haughville and
Brightwood present ut the meeting of the
Council TO witness the final steps in the
annexation of those places to this city. As
each ordinance was passed the delegations
from the different places moved out of the
Council chamber with satisfied air and
up to date no one has been heard object
ing TO the project for Greater Indianap-
oils. Mayor Taggart will this morning sign
the ordinances. but they do not go into ef-
feet until after two weeks publication. 1t
is estimated that there will be an increase
In the revenues of the city approximating
$4,000. beside some $4,000 additional each
year for the use Of the Board of School
Commissioners.
Plans have not yet been perfected by the
administration for the extension of the
jurisdiction of the various departments over
the new territory. but il is thought that
two weeks will be ample time to provide
for the changes in the town governments
and that by the time the suburbs come
under the effects of the ordinances every
thing will be in readiness. AS yet no steps
toward redistricting the territory into coun-
cilmanic wards have been taken. but that
question will probably be taken up at a
comparatively early date, as the city con-
Ventions of the different parties cannot
well be held until the new ward boundaries
ARE fixed. 1t will now become necessary
also 10 redefine the school districts This
power rests with the Board of School Com
missioners Under the school law of 1871 the
Council was required TO establish school dis
tricts equal in number 10 the number of
wards then in existence. The law provided
also that after the School Board was organ
lied it should have power to change the
districts, land in case the number OF dis
tricts increased each additional district
shall be entitled to elect one school com
missioner for such district at the annual
election for school commissioners" At the
time this law went in effect there were but
eleven wards and consequently but eleven
school districts were created. Although the
number of wards has since been increased
TO fifteen the School Board remains as be-
fore. What steps the School Board will
take toward giving representation To the
new territory has not been determined but
it seems evident that there is as much a
necessity for redistricting the city in this
respect as with regard TO wards Without
doubt it will be time before condi-
tons are adjusted TO meet the increased
population and territory of the city with
its increased needs.
City Attorney Curtis sent written COM
munication to the Council stating that he
had examined into the annexation project
with reference to the legal bearing ii would
have contracts for electric lighting,
water, gas, and was Of the opinion that
no complications could arise from that
source. He said also that John w. Kern.
who had been employed TO give an opinion
with reference to the effects of annexation
from the city before preparing written
opinion, but had stated orally that he did
not think there would be any complications
on account of contracts mace by the Coun-
~ Commissioners and other bCuies.
THE POPULATION ADDITION.
Just what addition the annexation or the
suburbs will make to the population of In
dianapols is not known, but it will approx
mate 10000. The City Directory Company
estimated the population of Indianapolis
and the suburbs, including, beside those
annexed, Irvington, Mapleton, Woodside,
Clifton on the River Marion Park and
Emerchsville, at 1850, on a basis of pa
times $3.50 names in the directory issued
the first of the year. This is regarded
low estimate. With the annexed territory
Indianapolis will have an area of between
twenty-five and thirty square miles.
Irvington was left out because considera-
bic opposition TO its annexation was made
by persons owning tracts OF unplatted land
suburb. There is some talk of another or
dinance later, annexing Irvington, however,
and perhaps Woodruff Place.
There some slight amendments to
the ordinances last night, the most impor-
tant with reference to Brightwood. The
boundary line was extended south from
Brightwood along the Belt Railroad to the
Panhandle tracks below Washington street,
taking in all the territory between the pres
ent city limits at Rural street and the Belt.
Some unplatted land near North Indian
apois omitted and neck of land near
Mount Jackson was included
All the annexation ordinances were passed
by unanimous vote. There was no oppo-
SitiOn developed after a motion by Mr.. Alien
to table the favorable report of the finance
committee was voted down. MIR. Allen said
that he did not see why he and Mr.. Cooper
had been excluded from the meeting of the
finance committee, when the ordinances
We're under consideration Saturday. Mel
Their of them had been notified that meet
ing of the committee was to be held, al
though both OF them were members of it,
Mr.. Cooper seconded the motion to table
Mr.. Walcott, chairman of the committee
said, In justification of the action of the
meeting of the Council last Friday night
and did not know that a meeting had been
called until he read the announcement in
mittee meeting and found neither Mr.. Allen
nor Mr.. Cooper present he endeavored to
reach them by telephone. He was informed
could not find Mr.. Aliens telephone num-
Der. Mr.. Cooper replied that lad in
CURED II any one mad telephone him
and was informed that no messag been
received Mr.. Allen said that sed a
telephone with another firm and 4 Ii left
his number with the city clerk. No fur
Their opposition developed and every MEM
Der of the Council voted for the several
ordinances.
SMOKE ORDINANCE PASSED.
The smoke ordinance" was also passed
last night. AS amended by the committee
the ordinance makes it unlawful for the
owner of any building, excluding resi-
dences, to allow dense smoke to emit from
chimnsys and smokestacks. The building
inspector is required to see that the ordi-
nance is enforced. Upon the failure of any
person TO abate a smoke nuisance within
ten days after notice is given there is a
penalty of not less than 81 nor more than
So fine for each day the nuisance con-
tinues. Locomotives are not included in
the ordinance. and for this reason there
was some objection TO IL.
Mr.. Allen referred to the fact that West
Indianapolis had just been annexed and
that there was scarcely enough gas there
nance would work a hardship To grocers
and others who used soft coal and would
discriminate against them as in favor of
residences. Mr.. Dudley was opposed to il
because il did not include the railroads
saying that the locomotives made more
smoke than any other one thing. and be-
side this he thought that IL would have the
Montgomery doubted III there was any sort
of a practical smoke consumer that could
be found. and for this reason he thought
that hardship would be worked on manu-