Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-19
COUNT OF THE VOTE,
Present Council to Decide the
Election Con.
tests.
ACTION OF LAST NIGHTS SESSION

Aldermen Differ With the Opinions of
the Attorney, Who Hold That tho
New Body Should Seat les Own Mem.
bersLBids on the Reservoir Opsnsc-
Biss Of Chat.
The petitions contesting the cleo.
tions Of G. A. johnson and Frank
A. Andrews, filed by William Ecker
mann and b. Winter, were read in
the early part Of last nights
council meeting. The interested
wards we're well represented among
the spectators. Mayor Medill an
nounced that he had been informed
by William McEniry and E. d. Swee.
ney, attorneys for the contestants,
and Mr.. Andrews, respectively, that
the new council was the proper body
to decide who should be seated as it's
members. Therefore, he suggested
that the petitions be received and
filed, and allowed to take their reg
ular course. Aid. Wheelan moved
that the petitions be received and
filed.
Aid. johnson was nervous. He
argued in favor of the present couu-
Gil counting the vote, and 80 moved.
He said different attorneys had Diff
ferent opinions. He wanted the
question settled at once-he didor
want the matter to drag along. Aid.
Winter also favored immediate &C.
tion. Johnson's substitute car.
ried IL to 2. The council
not having a legal right to pro-
coed further without the presence
Of the contestants, Chief Fender was
requested to notify these gen.
tlemen. together with Attorneys
McEniry and Sweeney, to report
at the council chamber Immediately.
In the meantime other business was
taken up and occupied the attention
OF the aldermen until after 10
O'Clock. Messrs. Eckermann and
Andrews had arrived. The mayor
said it would take two hours at least
to count the votes. This was i'm.
mediately followed by a motion to
adjourn until Friday night. which
was carried, few voting negatively.
The election contests will in all prob
ability be disposed Of at this time,
and the reservoir cement, masonry
and excavation contracts awarded.
The mayor said the railroad ordi-
nauces would also be acted upon at
that meeting.
1t is doubtful, however, il the
present council will decide the elec-
ton contests. City Attorney Marshall
contends that it is for the new body
to determine who shall occupy the
seats in controversy, and as Attor-
neys McEniry and Sweeney coincide
with his opinion, it is probable the
matter will be lett to the incoming
council.
O,her Doings.
Aldermen.Elect Robert C. Beck.
OF the First ward, and George W.
Aster, Of the Fourth word, attended
the meeting.
+. P. Blair, promoter Of the Ter
minsl enterprise, was on deck, wear
ing that same old smile.
City Attorney Marshall was absent
owing to illness.
Aid. Nelson declares he Is going to
have his moustsche annihilated after
his term expires. for what reason he
will not explain.
The council chamber clock, who Sc
ticker had been silent for sometime,
resumed operations last night, Ser
geat Archer having applied the oil
can.
Charles Zsis and Henry l.. Baker
we're unanimously confirmed for pa
trolmen.
Mayor Medill reported that he and
the waterworks committee had re.
Gently visited Kansas City. Kas., and
inspected the Jewell filtering plant in
operation there. He display ed three
bottles Of water-one showing it's
condition when first taken from the
muddy Missouri. after it had passed
through the settling basin, and after
it had been filte ed. The water had
been separated from about 81 per
cent of its suspended matter and
bacteria. being as clear as crystal.
The bids on the reservoir excava.
tion, masonry and cement, of which
there were six, after being opened
and read, were referred to the mayor
and waterworks committee, to report
at the next meeting Of the council.
Two propositions were read from
the Jewell Filter company for the
installation Of plant in connection
with the proposed reservoir. Tn y
we're referred to the waterwt rks
committee to report.
The hoard Of local Improvements,
consisting OF Mayor Medill, AID.
Dauber and Street Com missi on er
Henry l.. Kinner, submitted report
recommending the paving of Twenty
sixth street from Fifth to Seventh
avenues. The council several
sgo decided to macadamize
this thoroughfare. but a majority Of
the property holders favored btick
paving, and embodied their desires
in this respect in petition to the
board Of Improvements. The ordi-
nance was considered and adopted.
and the city attorney was instructed
to begin proceedings for the confirm.
alton OF the assessment against the
propertv for the pavmept of the nro.