Omaha daily bee., 1897-03-22

South Omaha News
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|. Mayor Ensor announced yesterday that
he would veto the resolution passed by the
council at it's meeting last Tuesday night,
which granted to T. c. Mcdonald & Co. the
contract for repairing the @ street viaduct
With the exception Of one, McDonald's bid
was the highest received, but certain
members of the council argued that as he was
a taxpayer here he ought to be given the
contract even though his bid was 1910 higher
than the lowest bidder, and $125 higher than
the city engineers estimate. Every member
Of the council except Vansant voted to give
Mcdonald the contract. Hyland intimated
that some of the lower bidders were not
responsible and the mayor took exceptions
to the statement. At any rate the whole mat
ter will have to be gone over with again.
The plea that Mcdonald was a tax payer
was not well taken for the records show that
he pays less taxes than any of the bidders
with the exception of Campbell Of Council
Bluffs.
p. H. Mahoney, who offered to do the work
for 5000 has Just completed a government
contract in Omaha and Is considered respon-
sible in every way. J. j. Mahoney, who is
interested with p. H. Mahoney in the con-
tract, owns the new Mahcney block at
Twenty-fifth and n streets in this city, and
also owns a five-twefths interest in Mahoney
& Mnahan's addition to South Omaha, which
comprises ten acres on Thirty-eighth street,
between Q and l. streets. The block is as
sessed at 81 900, the city tax amounting to
5000 last year, while the addition is assessed
at $3.50, the city tax last year being $76.25.
Total city taxes paid by Mahoney last year
$276.25.
Ernest Stenger the next lowest bidder
who offered to do the work for $780, has
also just completed work on government
contract. Stenger owns property in this city
as follows: Twenty-third and l. streets;
| 'TWnntjpth
y streets; Twenty-fourth and l. streets. AL
together Mr.. Stenger owns eighteen lots in
this city which are assessed at 1,050, and
upon which city taxes to the amount of $52. 80
were paid last year. This is exclusive of
special taxes for curbing, paving, sewers
etc. According to the records Stenger has
paid into the city treasury for taxes the
sum Of $1,000, and on this account he thinks
he is entitled to some consideration in the
matter.
T. C. Mcdonald, who was given the con-
tract because he was a South Omaha man
and a taxpayer, has property here assessed
at 81 ,04O, upon which his taxes last year
amounted to $52.
Dick O'Keefe had in a bid for 1895, which
was the highest one received. He owns
property all over the city, and for the last
five years his taxes have averaged 81 1852. 40
a year If taXpaying is to be considered
O'Keefe thinks he is entitled to some con-
because he pays more taxes than
any of the bidders.
C. E. II. Campbell of Council Bluffs bid
$500, which was the engineers estimate, but
some members of the council did not think
him competent. Mr.. Campbell is one of the
best known bridge builders in the west and
is the representative Of the Milwaukee Bridge
and Iron Works, which constructed the L |
street viaduct. This bridge was put up under
the personal supervision Jof Mr. Campbell,
and has needed very little repairing since
1t was completed. lft
Mr.. Mahoney asserts that unless he gets
a fair show at the contract he will ask the
courts to prevent the contract from being
awarded to Mcdonald. However the veto
of the mayor will obviateu the necessity of
to the courts. Jt As thought that |
the mayors veto will be sustained and If il |
is bids will be advertised for again. |