The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-13
CITY COUNCIL MEETS.
Taxpayers Want to Recover on Alleged
Illegal Grading Taxes.

Great Falls, Dec. l2.-At the city
council meeting this evening Alderman
Dunn presented two claims. each of $50.
for w. NJ. Cockrill and A. j. Trigg, res
idents OF Fourth avenue north. Some
years ago that avenue was graded, the
city paying a portion of the cost and
the residents the balance. When the
avenue was b~oulevarded the cost OF
grading anew was assessed to the 'front.'
age, regardless of the previous expend-
lures. These claimants. believing that
il was not just to pay twice for the
grading. attempted TO regain a portion
of their money. Alderman Mcdonnell
thought nat the lain should be paid.
and on his suggestion they were re-
ferred to the auditing committee.
The city engineer was ordered to alter
the boulevarding of Fourth avenue
north so as to conform with the line OF
Park drive. Alderman Wadsworth re-
ported that a majority of the ways
and means committee felt that IL a re-
mission of the license on the opera
house would END TO retain that build
ing for its present purpose such re-
mission should be made. The commit
tee, however, was not certain that it
would have any such effect and really
had no definite report to make. Moth
ing was said of the $500 already due
the city.
A motion Ia adjourn was made n
put, but before the vote was taken,
Alderman Mcdonnell asked for an ex-
ecutive session and the aldermen re-
tired from public view.
When the council returned to the
chamber tonight. after a long execu-
| tive session, the cause of the delay was
revealed. Alderman Wadsworth, as
chairman of the committee of the
whole, reported that the claims of w.
NJ. Cockrill and A. j. Trigg were re-
jected on the ground that. as the WORK
had been done in 1892. the claims should
have been made at that time n not
held for six years. Their payment by
the city would open the way to the ad-
| mission of other claims upon all sorts
| of things. and the procession would be
without end. Then came a pause. The
city engineer reported a puddle of foul
smelling water near the Royal mill.
and was ordered to abate the nuisance.
A second pause ensued. .
Alderman Mcdonnell arose and stated
that as ne had been the one to suggest
an executive session, the duty of ex-
planning himself was in order. He said
| his purpose was to take some action
upon the electric light question. The
lights furnished to the city n to pri-
yate consumer were excessive In price
n were not of the intensity guaran-
teed by the company furnishing them.
4 committee appointed by the mayor
and composed of Jarl. Wadsworth and
himself had been appointed TO look into
| the matter. Alderman wadsworrh i'm
mediately sprang to his feet and stated
that the instructions OF that commit
tee had been to investigate only the
price and quality of the lights furnished
to the city. The matter of lighting.
outside OF that particular matter. was
a question which lay between the con-
sumers and the company. III the con-
sumner did not like his light he could
use one OF a half dozen other methods
sumner paid was no business of the
council. The special committee had nc
business to investigate that affair.
There was considerable discussion oi
the matter between Wadsworth and
Mcdonnell. the latter claiming that
what affected the majority OF the citi-
zens should he made the business OF the
council. while wadsworth champloned
the cause Of the electric light company,
Finally a vote was taken on the SUBJ
ject and a tie resulted. h mayor. in
voting. said that two years < the
question of giving a franchise to a sec
ond light company had arisen n q pc
tition signed by many of the merchant.
and business men in the city had beer
presented 10 the council. begging them
not to grant the second franchise. while
many OF the petitioners privately as
sured members of the counc that they
did not mean anything by so signing
He believed that until the citizens were
ready 10 back the council in Its actor
on the light question. or in n fight
with the light company. the council
ought not to maxi such a fight. There
fore he voted no." and so the night In
secret session was renewed in the oper
council. Then the council adjourned.