The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-01


An attempt to block the passage Of
the 1898 appropriation ordinance was
made in common council last night. 1t
is doubtful whether or no the effort
was successful. President Nealis de-
clared the ordinance passed first and
second reading, but there is a ques-
tion that a quorum was present when
the president made the usual formal
declaration of passage. The same doubt
exists in reference to the measure next
considered, the tax levy ordnance.
After it was declared passed two read
ings, the lack of a quorum was dis
covered and the meeting adjourned to
tomorrow evening.
Both councils were in adjourned ses-
sion, the upper branch adjourning to
meet at $50 o'clock Monday morning,
when, preceding the annual reorgan-
ization of the two bodies, they will hold
their final meetings of the fiscal year
1897.
1t was $40 O'Clock before a quorum
developed in the common branch. There
were present at that time Messrs. Cor
don, Grier, Regan, Gilroy, Flanagan,
Wenzel, Sweeney, Nealis, Zeidler Noone
Wenzel was the only Republican in the
number, though Mr.. Keller and Mr.
Walker appeared later. Mr.. Norton
and Mr.. McGrail were the only Demo-
cratic absentees. What developed into
a very stormy session. opened with
President Neals objection to the pres
ence of Select Councilman Lansing on
the floor.
Mr.. Lansing, who was talking with
Mr.. Wenzel, good naturedly took ex-
ception to Mr.. Nealis' objection and
remarked that his presence on the floor
had met with no protest. Mr.. Sweeney
filed a protest forthwith and President
Nealis exclaimed with a good deal of
warmth that Mr.. Lansing's mission de-
served a protest Messrs. Fellows and
Coyne, also of the select branch were
on the floor at the time. Their looks
indicated displeasure and they with
drew with Mr.. Lansing, who was smil-
ing.
A BITTER FIGHT.
There was a bitter but one sided fight
over the report of the railways COM
mittee on the viaduct resolution. In
the absence of Mr.. Norton, the COM
mittee chairman, the report was made
favorably by Mr.. Sweeney along with
City Solicitor McGinley's opinion that
the Scranton Railway company was
liable for damages and that the pro-
posed bond of $25, 900 did not limit the
extent of the liability. The bond was
simply an evidence OF good faith. Mr..
Sweeney moved the adoption of the via
duct resolution.
Mr.. Keller offered an amendment
that before the resolution should be
approved by the mayor the company
submit a bond for $3.50, 900, to be ap-
proved by the city solicitor and filed
with the city clerk as an acceptance of
liability. A motion by Mr.. Gilroy to
table the resolution was adopted
Mr.. Keller asked what the committee
had done with the protest petition of
the property owners and why it was
not attached to the resolution. Mr..
Sweeney replied that the petition had
been considered but 1t was ignored as
being Of lesser import than the West
Sides general demand that a viaduct
be built.
An amendment that the figures "s25,-
OOO' be erased and the words total
amount OF damages" be inserted was
presented by Mr.. Flanagan and Sec
onded.
Nhi' " amer tlOuSHL COuncllS should
be guided by the city solicitors opinion
and the universal demand of the West
Side for the viaduct. Even though the
structure was intended for only street
railway traffic it would lessen the liza
bility to fatal accidents so per cent.
A call for the adoption of the reso-
luton was made. Mr.. Flanagan's de.
mand that his amendment be first con-
sidered was ignored by the chair and
the resolution was adopted, Mr.. FIana.
gan and Mr.. Keller casting the only
negative votes. 1t is not thought that
the measure can pass select council.
The annual appropriation and tax
.Nvy ordinances which had been passed
finally by the select branch were re.
ferred with several minor measures tc
committee for immediate report. They
were reported few minutes later
Consideration was first given the minor
ordinances.
When the appropriation and levy or.
dinances had been declared passed by
title, the presidents attention wa.
called to the absence of a quorum.
The ten members present were the
president and Messrs. Gordon, Grier
Regan, Gilroy, Flanagan, Wenzel
Sweeney, Zeidler and Noone. Mr.
Sheridan Dem,) had left the room and
could not be found. Messrs. Walker
and Keller had been absent for severa
minutes. Under the circumstances II
is questionable whether the two ordi.
nances were legally passed. If tn,
passage was illegal, the error can be
rectiied tomorrow evening if a quorum
is then present.
ANTI-SPANISH RESOLUTION.
An anti-Spanish resolution was in
troduced by President Nealis as fol
lows and adopted unanimously on 6
call vote:
Whereas, The inhuman policy of con
centration of Srain in dealing with the
pacific residents of Cuba has wrought