Kansas City daily journal., 1897-01-06
IRATE CITY FATHERS.
LAST NIGHTS CYCLONIC SESSION OF
THE COUNCIL.
MEMBERS CENSURED BY MAYOR
TROUBLE OVER NEW TEAM OF
HORSES FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
DIR. II. VI. Downs Wants TO He the Re-
publican Member of the New
Police Donrd-Burnett Case
DismiSscd-The Alleged
Koch AssaiIRat.

Last nights session of the city council
was "A stormy one. the entire evening being
spent in a wrangle between the councilmen.
Tho first disagreement arose when the
claim of S275 for the new fire team recently
purchased by Alderman Trower was
brought up. Alderman Buchhalter who is
a member of the fire committee, was very
jealous because he had not been consulted
in the purchase of the team and asked
that the claim he deferred. Trower insist
ed that # he allowed, stating that the peo-
Vle wanted their money. A heated dis
cussiOn took place and it became so warm
that Mayor Twiss was compelled to rebuke
the aldermen. He stated that the COM
mittee should have got together and de-
cided on the purchase of the team. Mr..
Trower stated that the other members of
the committee would not meet with him,
and he was getting tired of their child 9
play This caused another outbreak. and
the mayor again called them to order. He
stated that the members of the committee
would either have TO get together and at
tend to business or he would be compelled
10 ask for their designations.
The question of allowing the claim was
put before the council and action was de-
ferred. Mr.. Trower then arose and stated
that the team had been worked for the
past week by the city, and unless the
claim was allowed it would be Immediate
ly taken from the department. This did
not cause the council TO rescfhd its ac-
ton. and Mr.Trower left the council cham
ber and went TO fire headquarters and or
dered the horses released.
After Mr.. Trower had left the council
chamber and ordered the team taken from
the engine house. the other members of the
fire committee got together and decided to
allow the bill TO be paid. Mr.. Trower was
called back and told that if he would per-
init the horses to remain on duty until to-
day they would see that the claim was
paid Immediately. He consented TO this
proposition and the new team was allowed
10 stay at fire headquarters. Mr. Trower
stated that he would resign as chairman
of the fire committee.
Round two commenced on the matter
of allowing the claim of Contractor Will
lam Butler for the macadamizing of North
Fifth street, from Walker avenue TO Vir-
ginia avenue. The question came up at the
last meeting and a small sensation sprung
when II was announced by Alderman Gill
bert that the estimate of the work called
for $50 yards of rock more than was used.
City Engineer Ellis estimate called for
500 yards. while it claimed by the
Third ward alderman that only $50 yards
were actually put down. Mr.. Ellis stated
at the time that he had not inspected the
work but had taken Buffers word for it.
The matter was referred TO the streets
and grades committee for investigation.
Mr. Ellis got after Butler about the mat
ter and Butler proceeded TO get affidavits
from his men that had hauled the rock
showing that the full 800 yards We're deliv-
cred. These affidayits were presented 10
tho council last night when Buffers claim
was called up.
He had no sooner finished reading the
last one when Alderman Gilbert arose and
offered some affidavits counteraCting the
effects OF Buffers atfidavits. 1t was shown
that Butler had secured afiidavits from the
men thar hauled the rock and delivered ii
on the ground and had then got afiidavits
from the men that sold the rock to the
men that hauled it, thus accounting for the
same rock twice.
Mr.. Ellis accused Aldermen Gilbert and
Mcndcnhall of trying to saddle the blame
on him. He said that the alderman had Sc
cured these affidavits and evidence of the
oycrrharEc. but had failed to say word
Ia him about It. He openly charged the
aldermen with attempting to injure his
character. Tho council did not hold Ellis
responsible for the transaction and referred
the claim back to the streets and grades
committee. with the engineer added TO
properly adjust.
An ordinance appropriatinE $l5,9O6l1 10
pay the salaries OF the city officers and the
city departments for the months of Octo-
her November and December of 1925. was
passed.