The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-03-19
COUNCIL MEETING.
First business Session of the New Organi-
zation Last Night.

The new Borough Council held its first |
meeting since the Reorganization last night
and waded through considerable business in
a short time. The members present were
Messrs. Mcclure, Coakley, Lally, Boehm,
Shoemaker, Strauphn, James, Englert, Bren-
nan, Bell, Hand, Murphy and Harkins.
The first order of business was an applica
tion to have an arc electric light placed at
the corner Of Catherine street and Mayberry |
alley. petition bearing ~ names was pre-
sented. The matter was referred to the
lamp and watch committee.
High Constable Devers said people were
making complaints against refuse that was
being hauled to the public dump at the west
end of Lloyd street, and the discussion that
followed led to an animated, but brief scene,
and resulted in some Of the borough officers
receiving instructions of Il very positive
character
After Mr.. Devers concluded his statement
President Mcclure said 1T seems that not
withstauding you realize your duties aud are
paid official of this borough, you come into
Council to make complaint about something
you ought to attend to-
At this point Constable Devers attempted
to say something. Mr. Mcclure told him to
keep quiet, hut as the Constable persisted in
trying to talk President Mcclure said with
some emphasis: "If you don't give order the
Chief Of Police will remove you"
rs that sop retorted Mr.. Devers, as he
slid back int his seat.
| Mr.. Mcclure then added The Council
will be justified in taking action to compel
you to do your duty. You know of u viola
| ton Of the ordinances existing there and ii is
your duty to see that the ordinances are prop
erly observed "
Mr.. Devers eventually got in this shot at
the chairman, Il say you gave privilege to
dump it there" to which Mr. Mctiuire re-
piled, 81 tell you you are under a wrong i'm
preston
Later Mr., Devers asked if Council would
back him up if he made any arrests and he
was told that it would where the arrests
were justifable.
During the discussion the Chief Burgess
was referred to and that official arose and
said, 1T seems the High Constable is looking
for trouble aud trying to drag me into it, 1
am trying to do my duty and as little as do
| think the High Constable does d-n sight
less"
Mr. Deyers was on his feet in an instant,
but his remarks were drowned by the chair
mans rappings for order.
A bill from VIM. j. Britt fol S37 for paving
the alley at the rear of the Borough building
WAS up for second considerations From the
discussion it appeared that the Columbia
Brewing Company had agreed to pave the
alley ON condition that the borough would
grade it, and that the borough had not as
sumed any responsibility for the paving
President Mcclure ruled the bill out of order
on the ground that the work had not been
authorized by Council.
complaint by Mr.. Brennan that the
bridge at the corner of Poplar and Chestnut
streets needed repairs was referred to COM
mittee.
The claim of SIS by Thomas Ferguson for
damages by reason of his horse falling into
hole near the Pennsylvania station was
referred for further investigation.
The finance committee reported through
Mr., James that Edward Burke, tax collector
owes a balance Of $13,521.4O on his 1897
duplicate, which amounted to $31, 1890.
Mr., Straughn said that while he appre
ciated the excellent work performed on the
part of the present tax collector, lie believed
the law should be enforced in reference to tho
reports that he should make every month
In accordance with the suggestion the secre-
tary was instructed to notify Mr.. Burke that
monthly reports will be expected from him
Council file written opinion as to whether
it can legally sxOnerate real estate.
Solicitor Burke was present and said he
would do SO. He added that there was no
doubt in his mind that Council had the right
to e1onerate real estate, but in doing so good
Judgment had to be exercised and the real
estate exOnerated must not be of productive
character.
The Lamp and Watch Committee was in
structed to got bids for police uniforms and
helmets
The Survey Committee was instructed to
ascertain if Mayberry alley has been pro-
Vided with grade to its western limits
Mr.. James said Council should instruct the
Supervisor to put sign at the southern end
of West street reading, Danger! Contagious
ground ~ He said the place is in filthy
condition.
This brought suggestion from Mr.. Boehm
that the sanitary committee of Council be
abolished and the health affairs of the bOr-
ough be left upon the shoulders of the Chief
Burgess High Constable and Board of Health.
President Mcclure concurred in the sugges-
tiOn and upon motion of Mr.. Coakley it was
decided that the sanitary committee be
abolished.
1t was reported that one of the pumps OF
the public water works is not working right
and Council decided to ask the manufac-
tursrs to have the pump examined at once.
Mr.. Englert reported the fire plug in front
of the Phoenix Fire Company's house and
one near the Indian Ridge breaker out OF
repair
The management of the Schuylkill Trac.
tion and Lakeside Electric Railway Com
psnies having failed to make satisfactory
reply to Councils demand for payment fol
repairs made to the bridges in town used by
the companies the matter was placed in the
! hands of the law committee and the Bor
ough Solicitor.
The bond of Borough Trea surer r. j
Mullahy in the sum Of $50, 900 was read and
} ordered to be recorded if the Solicitor finds
it correct.
Just before Council adjourned President
Mcclure announced his appointment of com,
mittees as follows
ROADS AND HIGHwAYs-Bell, chairman
Lally, Boehm, Harkins, Straughn Coakley
and Hand.
FINANCE-Hand, chairman, straughn and
Lally.
FIRE APPARArUs-Englert, chairman
Magargle and Murphy.
SURvEY-Brennan, chairman, Boehm and
Murphy.
ORDINANcE-straughn chairman, Englert
and Magargle.
LAw-Harkins, chairman. James and Ms
wender.
LAMP AND WATcH-Coakley, chairman
James and Brennan.
CoNsrRUcTIoN-Murp chairman, Shoe,
maker and Coakley.
Room AND SrATGoSERY-Lally, chairman