The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-08

The last meeting of the outgoing
| borough council was held last night.
At its conclusion the new council or
| ganized and listened to a thoughtful
| message read by Burgess Dan Powell.
Messrs. Ward, McAllister, Med way
| Webber, Harper and Mccullough at
| tended the last meeting of the expiring
council. A communication from Cen
| eral Manager Frank Silliman OF the
Scranton Railway company was read.
| 1t said that the councils request that
the company move its track on Electric
avenue to the centre of the street had
been received and would receive his
| earliest attention. 1t was decided to
| pay the balance due Mrs. Brink on the
amount of damages awarded her in the
action in trespass she brought against
the borough.
Dr. j. X. Murphy presented his resig-
nation as health officer and it was ac-
cepted. The building and grounds COM
| mittee reported that it had insured the
| borough building for five years. This
| action was approved and the council
then adjourned sine die.
Mr.. Midway was made temporary
| chairman Of the new council and Mr..
| Gilligan temporary secretary. Certi-
| ficates Of election were presented and
| the new members sworn in. Mr.. Med
way was chosen president for the year
| and Mr.. Jeffrey borough clerk. His
| compensation was fixed at 5000 a year.
| The salary of Street Commissioner
jackson was fixed at $50 per month and
his bond was presented and approved.
| The following was the schedule Of
wages was agreed upon for work to be
| done on the borough streets: Labor
ers, S13j; teams, 1915; single horse,
| $3.50. NJ. S. Knight was chosen bor-
| ough engineer and his compensation
| fixed at SO per day for each day he is
| actually employed.
The salary Of the burgess was fixed
| at $lOn per year. John q. McAskie
| was elected borough attorney and will
receive an annual retainer of Sl0r.
William Hoffman was elected high con-
stable. The message of Burgess Pow
ell which was read to council was as
| follows:
Gentlemen of the Borough Council: We
| have met and are organized to take
charge of the municipal affairs Of the bo-
| rough for the ensuing year, and 1t be-
comes my duty to consult with you in re-
| gard to the duties we are to perform. In
| dong so L wish to impress upon you the
| fact that never before in the history of
| the borough have greater responsibilities
| confronted its officials. 1t is to be de-
| plorCd that notwithstanding the high rate
| of taxation for some gears past, that we
| find the borough so heavily in debt, AMI 1
| believe, judging from recent develop
| ments, that the fault has not been entire
ly that of the borough council, but it is
very much due to the careless manner in
which assessments have been made and
the large amount of generations allowed
contrary to law. However, gentlemen of
the council, it is for you to grasp the sit
uation as 1t is, and give the people that
which they have a right ~ expect, a just
and proper administration of their affairs.
l would suggest that ere you adjourn
this meeting, you pass a resolution in
structing the borough auditors to prepare
II detailed statement of the borough in
debtednesS at an early date, and that you
cause the same to be published for the
benefit of the taxpayers.
That many improvements are needed is
patent to you all, but, | desire only to
mention a few of them at this time. The
question of sewerage is one of the most
important. The necessity of a better sys-
TEN of drainage is so\apparent, and con-
sidering the great amount of damage
done to our public roads and private
property by the heavy rains on account OF
II
source of economy to the borough in not
having to eXpend so much money in keep
ing the streets repaired; besides it is
greatly needed for the benefit of the pub
lie health: L would, therefore, respect.
fully suggest that inasmuch as former
councils have attended to some of the
preliminary work connected herewith,
that you give it your immediate attention
and as soon Is practicable have the work
carried on to completion.
The question of better streets is also one
Of Importance and deserves your atten-
ton, but in view of our present indebted
ness and the urgent necessity of COM
pleting the sewerage system Just men,
toned, / deem it advisable to recommend
at this time any method of repairs other
than that which has been followed for
several years past, but hope that we may.
in the not distant future be able to build
streets of more substantial character.
l would also recommend that at your
earliest convenience you will cause side
walks TO be laid along Blakely street,
from Cherry street to the Scranton city
| line; also the grading and laying of side
walks on Clay avenue, between Grove
street and William street, and the extern
sion of sidewalks along Electric averue,
from Webster avenue to Washington ave-
nue., which Is most desirable on account
of its proximity to the cemeteries and
public buildings (the State Oral school
the rounding Home and Home for the
Friendessg located in that portion Of the
borough, thus n aking them more easy of
| access to the general public and bringing
them into closer contact with part of
our borough which is very desirable for
residence.
Again in considering the matter of i'm
provements, that part of Drinker street,
leading frome Blakely street to Sport hill,
should not be overlooked, and If possible
some arrangements should be made with
the Drinker Turnpike company whereby
the borough would have full control OF
that part of the turnpike so that the nee
essary sidewalks could be laid and the
| street kept in proper condition for the
| comfort and convenience of the residents
OF that portion of the borough who thus
| far have not been favored with the i'm
provements they so much desire, although
| having contributed a large proportion of
| its taxes besides IT would add very ma
tcrially to the value of property in that
| locality.
In contemplation of the improvements
| have suggested, the enormous expense
| connected Herewith should be seriously
considered and as they are to be perma-
nent II would be wise i'm arranging for
the payment of the same, to issue a series
of bonds for a term of fifteen or twenty
years, thus distributing the burden of