The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-09-10

ADJOURNED
An Extraordinary Scene in the Council
Chamber Last Night.
DEFIANCE or A COUNCILMAN
Mr.. Gable Abused the President and Re-
fused to Take His seat-The Latter
Acts Peremptorily Progress
Of the Movement For
Street Paving

hbIeob FhNluks
A special meeting Of the Borough Council
was held last evening and broke up at about
10:30 o'clock in a noisy wrangle. The
excitement ran high and for sometime after
adjournment it looked as if some Of
the Councilmen would exchange blows.
Happily this kind Of climax did not cap
the affair. The discussions were SO loud and
animated that people gathered on the streets
in the vicinity Of the Council chamber won
dering what all the noise was about. The
affair caused peremptory adjournment of
Council with considerable unfinished bust
ness on the Secretary's table
All the members except Mr.. Englert were
in attendance. in opening the meeting
President Straughn stated that it had been
called to consider the street paving question
and general business.
Mr.. Lally entered an objection to any other
business than paving being considered unless
the President would state all the business to
be transacted
President StTaughn replied that he had
made his statement and Mr.. Lally's objec-
ton would be noted.
Mr.. Boehm then made report in behalf
of the roads and highways committee, stat
ing that Council had rushed into the street
paving project without giving all details due
consideration and had failed, among other
things, to furnish the committee with speci-
ficatiOns on which to call for bids.
Messrs. Wallace and Jones, who are doing
the street paving at Mahanoy City, were in
attendance at the meeting.
The specifications used at Mahaney City
and composed Of thirty-fve sections were
presented and after they were read by the
secretary it was decided to take up the sec
tiOns seriatim, This consumed much time
When it was concluded Mr.. Nc
Guire moved that the contractors be
required TO employ citizens of the
United States and residents of the borough
whenever they can get them and, when they
can't, they pay back to the borough the diff
ference between $3.50 a day and the wages
they pay to imported labor, the intention
being that 80 per day shall be paid to the
people of Shenandoah employed ON the work
The motion prevailed after considerable dis
cussion over the right of Council to exact
such conditions.
! 1t was decidad that bids be asked for stone
as well as brick paving and all bidsa are to be
submitted on or before Sept. 19th at p. m
The street committee was empowered TO EN-.
| ploy Mr. W. G. Gregory to survey the streets
on which the paving is to be done, SO as tC
| furnish the proper grade for the work.
On motion of Mr. Lally Mr.. Gregory was
elected Borough Surveyor for the ensuing
year at salary of S100, an increase of $50 on
the salary for previous years.
1t was decided, on motion of Mr.. Gable
that the time for the completion of the pave
ment be fixed at December 10, 1897.
! The Chief Burgess was instructed to notify
the people TO put cutters in the newly graded
portion Of Strawberry alley.
! Mr.. James, chairman of the finance com.
mittee presented a statement showing that
the tax duplicate for 1895 amounted to $SO,.
526.22 and the net balance due on it is $1s,-
277.92.
The tax rate was fixed at mills for Dor.
ough and mills for water, the same rate as
last year. Mr.. Gable doubted that the rate
would be sufficient, but Mr.. James said il
would if the taxes could be collected.
The lamp and watch committee was in.
structed to procure bids for winter OverCoats
for the policemen.
Mr.. Shoemaker, of the construction com
mittee, reported that the tower and roof o
the borough building had been repaired.
On water works Mr.. Gable reported tina
unless the water supply is Increased soon tn,
hours for turning it off would have to be in
creased. After some discussion as to tn,
best means for increasing the supply it wa
decided, on motion of Mr.. Mcclure, that tn
water committee ascertain the cost of tw
additional streams in the CataWissa vale!
and also the cost of building an additiona
reservoir at Brandonville.
At this point the President directed tn
Secretary to read communications, but Mr.
Lally arose and said he had heard Mr.. Jane
state that the contract for the street light
was satisfactory, but he wanted to know
it was not necessary that Council should no
take some steps to Tatify it. Presiden
Straughn said it was not necessary, as Coun
Gil had directed the lamp and watch com
mittee to make the contract, but if Mr.. Lall,
wished to make a motion of ratification
would be entertained.
Mr.. Gable arose aud said something abOu
not liking the proceedings ut the last meet
ing. He said the street light proposal wa
held back until some of the members q
Council had retired before it was presente
and acted upon. He also said that even tn
report Of the lamp and watch committee wa
stayed until that time, and out of its regula
order of business. Mr.. James and Other
/ said such was not the case. Messrs. Gabl
) and Lally said il was
President Staughn attempted to end tn
discussion by stating that report from til
lamp and watch committee was called fC
from tho lamp and watch committee in il
regular order. Here is where the pot bOile
over. Mr.. Gable arose and said And / sa
you lie !" President Straughn curtly al
swered the Councilman in similar style whe
Mr.. Gable fired back And you're a - -
liar !" President Stnughn wheeled his cha
around so that he directly faced MI Cab
and said with determination, you are L
+ gentleman. Mr.. Gable, take your seat" II
> stead of complying with the order Mr.. Cab
rested himself against his desk and retorte'
r I'm take my seat when | am -- - gOC
I and ready" President Straughn at one
1 raised his gavel and announced, This Coul
s ell is adjourned, at the same time bringin
5 his gavel down with Fesounding whsck.
As the Councilmen arose from their sea
!, Mr.. Lally jumped up and asked by win
' authority, Mr. Chairman 2"