The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-23
VOTE WAS
EMPHATIC.
Council Kills the Con-
SOlidatiOn Bill.
NO BICYCLES FOR THE CITY
Health Department Will Have to
Pay For One II Bought.
OTHER BUSINESS DISPOSED OF.

The Common Council last evening had |
an interesting meeting. Councilman |
Sturges reported from the finance com
mittee resolution TO apply To the Gem
eral Assem- bly, for certain legislation SO |
there might be consolidation in the |
public building department and that GER
tain fees might be abolished. After n
long debate the resolution was Indefinite
ly postponed, Counoilmen Burdick and
Waterman being in favor of the orposi-
tion. The Council refused To encourage
bicycling in the departments, and also
refused to increase the pay OF laborers IN
the city's employ.
President kendrick, after the record
had been read, announced the special or
ders. the first buing a resolution directing
the city solicitor 10 apply TO the Gensral
Assembly for the necessary legislation 70
enable the City Council TO pay salaries to
the city sergeant ana city registrar, in
stead OF fees, and To consolidate the
Offices of inspector of buildings. supern-
tendent of public buildings and inspector
of plumbing in one denartment.
Councilman Sturges offered substitute
resolution. providing for the striking out
of the office of inspector Of plumbing
from the consolidation. The committee
on finance, the gentleman stated, had 10
| meeting TO consider the resolution, put
| two or three members favored the change
| ana tho inspector of plumbing was con-
sidered ms connected with the building de-
! partment, but tho position was n sanitary
\ one, and SO considered in other cities. IN
| Chicago, the office being connected with
| the health department. The other
| changes proposed broadened tho manner
! of doing business and one man would be
able to take charge 0f the departments TO
he consolidated. having supervision over
! all our public buildings, including public
| schools and the heating apparatus
therein.
Some of this power had been taken
away from the Council nnd the change
had not proved To be in the interest of
economy. The measure was not a man
datory one for when the city obtained the
legislation needed the city solicitor would
draw up the necessary ordinances nni
some future council might adopt or reject
them.
| Mr. Burdick said he rose at this time
| to ask certain question. namely, did
the measure provide for the saving OF
money! Ii appeared to him Spencer Hop
kips had all he could 10 now. There was
about 5000 600 worth of contract work
and Spencer Hopkins knew nothing
about it and did not want the larger
position. There was n saving to tic city
by the present arrangement ms combi-
nation would require more men. The
speaker praised the work of Mr. Hopkins
and Mr. Bemis IN their departments at
| considerable length.
Mr.. Sturges said the advantages were
manifold. 1t would he more economical
| and said also IL was move in the de-
partment system SD successful elsewhere
and claimed consolidation had worked
| well in other departments OF our own
city. While Mr.. Burdick had had a good
doal TO say about Spencer Hopkins. the
speaker did not 1nd that Rentleman's
! name IN the bill Supplies could be pur-
chased for different departments under
| the new measure. There would be- di.
rect responsibility where there Is none
now and the trouble which arose in the
department of public buildings in 1896
could not arise under the proposed sys-
! tenn.
! Councilman Burdick made further
plea for l,tting well enough alone-un-
less there was "a saving To the city, and
this, he claimed. Mr.. Sturges had not
proven there would be.
Councilman Perkins said be disliked to
| oppose a measure offered by the gentle
| man from the First ward, but be knew
| both departments now had enough to do
aud it aid not seem possible that the
| work in both departments could De done
| choaper III there was no economy In the
| measure he could not see any good reason
| for the passage of Ii. Another thing he
! urged that should not be forgottenwas, that
a higher priced man would be needed to
|
| ments.
Councilman Waterman wanted an ex-
| planation of the changes in regard 10 tne
| offices of city registrar ana city sergeant
Councilman Sturgas said that the salary
| of the suuerintendent of health was S4cOo
| and the fees amounted tn about $1,000
| more. DIR. Chaplin had appeared before
| the committee on finance and In TACT
| recommended n reduction of his salary by
| the turning of tho fees into the treasury.
1 In regard To the salary ana fees OF the
| office of city sergeant and city messenger,
| Mr. Sturges said there was salary at
| tached TO the latter Office OF $1,000, while
| even though the present city sergeant
! took only half fees the amount received
| by him in fees during the last i've years
| averaged Sli51 n wear. The amount paid
\ the Gyo years before the last five was even
higher. The finance committee were of
| the opiuion that the offices OF city mes
! senoer and city sergeant should not cost
over $1,000 instead OF. 5000 as they now
did.
Councilman Waterman wanted to know
| IL the fees would go into the city treas
| urv.
Mr.. Sturses replied that they would
| and the city would get full fees instead
OF one-half the city sergeant now col
| lgcted.
| Councilman Shcahan asked Mr.. Sturges
To accept mn amendment striking out the
cor solidation of building departments
The chairman Of the committees on
finance did not adopt the suggestion.
Iher Mr. Sheannn said he believed the
COMMITTEES on oity pGoperty's powers
should not he curtailed.
| Councilman Bullock said he was onpos-
| ed To certain changes in salaries but those
matters were not tefore tho council at
present as the legislature would have TO
| act first
| Eou,ciir,on Waferp,au said N was
dangerous to go up To the capitol aud ask
Tor anything for the city got just the
, reverse If what it asked for lie moved
| TO indefinitely postpone the resolution
| ann the motion was seconded.
The motion 10 indefinitely Postpone was
carried Iy decisive vote.
1ho second matter Of special order was
then taken up;
It \ ordained bv the city Council of
the city ~ provdeuce as follows
section I. The chief oi palice is hereby