The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-09-03
WAS CHARTER VIOLATED ?
FIRM OF c. s. MERSICK .e co. SOLD
 GOODS TO THE CITY.

Yesterday-City Treasurer Mersick Says
 He Has Not Violated the Charter-Needs
 of the Fire Department Explained by
 President Morgan of the Fire Board.
 The board of finance met yesterday afternoon for its regular monthly meet ing with the entire board present ex- cept Burton Mansfield, who is at Mar quam Bay, In Vermont. It was ex- pected that full board meeting would be held yesterday and that the gor- geous bills for the advertising of the street sprinkling assessments would be considered. After the routine business of the meeting had been transacted Mayor Farnsworth stated that there were other important matters to come before the board, but suggested that the consideration of them be deferred until a full attendance of the board It is very probable that the bills will be brought up at the next meeting.
 In accordance with an invitation from the board of finance, President Morgan of the board of fire commits sioners yesterday appeared to explain the resolution sent to the common council by the fire commissioners, ask ing for sufficient appropriation to equip the new Tenth ward engine house for fire service.
 MT. Morgan stated that so far as the fire commissioners were concerned they J to oly n1p In Inc direction of getting the money before the city saw fit to appropriate it, but, said he, i've do want the city and the mayor and the board of finance to know that the new engine house will stand vacant until we get this money. We need $5,145 to properly equip the house and open it for service. For the salaries of the men for three monts to keep at the house, we need $1,645; for horses, a hose wagon, hose, furniture, etc, we need s3,500.'
 Commissioner Forsyth said that he had understood when the estimate for the new engine house was made last fall that it was to cover not only the cost of the house, but also it's equip ment.
 Ahl IhoI ICpliCI lildl lIlc CSlllidLS was not quite sufficient and was asked by MT. Forsyth whether that was the fault of said board of finance or of the fire commissioners. MT. Morgan thought that 1t was partly the fault of each board.
 Mayor Farnsworth stated that the appropriation was $12,00O, and was to pay the cost of erecting the house and tof new engine. MT. Morgan explained | that the engine alone cost s4200, which, with the cost of the lot and the expense of building used up the appropriation. | While discussing this matter MT. Morgan stated that Alderman Felix 1 Chillingworth had offered to connect the new engine house with the Stanley street sewer at his own expense, provid- l ing he would be permitted to do so. The house is not at present connected with a sewer, ard In view of the pres- ent condition of the city's finances, is not likely to be soon, unless MT Chil- | lingworth's offer is accepted. The mat ter will be brought to the attention of the board of fire commissioners, and the offer will probably be accepted. l The board after having listened to MT Morgan's explanation of the need of more money to equip the new No. 10s house, took no definite action on the matter, as it is not now apparent | from what source funds for the pur- pose can be secured.
 Mayor Farnsworth stated that he and Director Beecher had been taken out on tug by Commissioner Dove to look over the piers of the bridges about the harbor. The mayor stated that they had found most of the bridges in bad shape, some of the piers appearing very insecure. He said, in speaking of this regrettable condition of the bridges, 1T would like to know that there was one bridge in this town that we could swear 1 by"
 Some time ago bill from C. s. Mer- sick x Go. came before the board of finance to be signed. Certain members of the board remarked at the time that section 156 of the new charter provided that no officer or employe of the city should directly or indirectly furnish any materials to the city, and it was thought that the section applied in the case of this bill. The bill was, there fore, not signed, and City Controller Brown was directed to write to c. S. Merslck, city treasurer, calling his at tention to the section of the charter mentioned above.
 A letter from MT. Mersick, in answer to MT, Browns note, was read at yes
 terday's meeting. MT. Mersick in his letter said:
 ''In reply to your letter of the 14th inst. in regard to the bill of c. s. Mer- 1 sick & Co.,, which the board of finance declines to certify, I beg to say I am somewhat surprised thereat as nearly all the members of the board of finance know well that I have not for many years had anything to do with the buy ing or selling of goods by the firm of which l am senior partner"
 Referring then to that section of the charteron which the boards objection to signing the bill was based. Mir Mersick said: q have not violated this section for I have not, as an officer or empIoye Of the city, or even as citizen, direct ly or indirectly furnished any materials to the city. I have had nothing what ever to do with the bill in question or in furnishing goods or materials called Tor by It. However, if the committee proposes to interpret the section con- trary to what is generally understood to be the intent of it, I will cheerfuIIv