The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-22
HORSEPLAY AND SMOKE
CITY SOLONs EXERCISE THEIR TALL
ENTs IN THIS DIRECTION.
Mayor Sends in His Annual Message
Park Transfer Ordinance-City
Attorneys Opinions.

There was more than the usual amount
of twaddle about the proceedings OF the
Council last night. and a great deal OF val
liable time was consumed in nonsenslcal
horsepay. There is rule prohibiting any
one from smoking in the Council chamber.
Councilman Higgins early objected to some
of his associates putting away at weeds OF
more or less fragrance He had no cigar
himself. President Mahoney, who never
forgets the dignity surrounding his chair
as president, informed the members that
there was objection to smoking. Cigars
were hastily concealed. After little while
a reporter went behind the rail and handed
Mr. Higgins cigar. He was soon putting
away as contentedly as any one, and every
thing was serene again until Mr.. Harston
came in, somewhat late but ready for ac-
ton. At the first opportunity he bobbed
up and called attention to the rule which
prohibits smoking, naming those who were
violating it. The chair explained that as
there were no ladies present he had not at
tempted to enforce the rule.
"Mr. President" vociferated Mr.. Harston,
"the rules do not require the presence of
ladies in this chamber. I insist that the
rules be enforced" No one offered Mr..
Harston cigar, but DR.. Moffett arose to
move the rule be suspended. A viva voce
vote was taken, but before the chair could
declare that the rule was suspended Mr..
Harston demanded a roll CALL
There is no second to that, Mr.. Chair
man." shouted another.
IT beg your pardon" said Mr.. Harston,
with earnestness, Mr.. Scanlon seconded
the demand for the ayes and noes
"Mr. Scanlon will speak for himself"
sail ba chair second the
mand Mr.. Scanlon?'
II did not"
Mr.. Chairman" shouted Commodore"
Higgins, momentarily laying aside his cigar,
II second the demand for the roll call"
MIR. Higgins afterwards explained that as
he had first objected to smoking, he sup
ported Mr.. Harston in order to be con-
sistent The roll was called and the chair
declared that smoking was in order, as the
rule was suspended. Thereupon the Council
resolved itself into a smoker" and clouds
of blush white vaper fioated over the city
fathers for the rest of the session.
More time was consumed in taking a roll
call on motion to adjourn, not to mention
the effort of a councilman to have this
motion tabled, ignoring the primary paria-
mentarX laws that a motion to adjourn is
not debatableb nor cannot be tabled. But
the Council always plows ahead as indiffer-
ent to parliamentary usage as a scow in
fog bank is to breakers ahead.
PARK TRANSFER ORDINANCE.
About the most important occurrence last
night was the Introduction of an ordinance
prepared by City Attorney Kern transfer
ing the proceeds of the park bond sale to
the funds of the Board of Public Works
and authorizing that department to ex-
pend the money for the purpose for
which it was originally set aside. After
reciting the history of the park APP
preparation for the use of the Board
Of Park Commissioners and the disband-
ment of that department by the Supreme
Court, the preamble sets out that whereas,
it is the intention of this Council and the
city Of Indianapolis that the said fund SO
derived from the sale OF said bonds shall
not be diverted and that the said
amounts t$SOo,0OO for purchasing land and
$4,000 for labor to be expended for the
sale condemnation of real estate and
for labor. as expressed therein shall not be
changed" therefore, be 1t ordained, etc,
that the Legality of said bonds is hereby
ratified and approved and the faith of
said city is hereby pledged to their pay
ment: Then follows a provision transfer
ing the money to the Board of Works and
and empowered to expend the same in the
purchase and condemnation of real estate
for park purposes to the extent of $500, co.,
as fixed in said original ordinance, the re-
mainder thereof to be expended in en-
ploying Of labor forst the Improvement of
SAID land 1t is provided however, that
purchases of all tracts of land worth $1,000
or more shall be made only with the con-
sent of the Council.
Mayor Taggart sent to the Council his
annual message covering the work of the
various branches of the city government.
The report first refers to the finances
showing total receipts including proceeds
from park and station house funds, 81 494-
9S6.2z; total expenditures, H,113 203.9S. OF
this amount S907 622 10 paid for current
expenses; $142, S73.32 for permanent improve
ments, and S62T0751 for extraordinary ex-
penscs. The available cash on hand Janu-
edness on that date was $2.030500, including
Sil6GJ0 assumed in annexing suburbs. In
the law department it is shown that seven
ty-siX cases are still pending.
Since the charter went into effect in 1891
nearly 2l8 miles of public improvements
have been built at a cost of $5,727, 642.O6. OF
this amount g., ,11294 was for asphalt,
$$S52 sos sos 49 for brick, $87s 42s e for block,
$4S5, 1922 50 for gravel streets. 1876 1862 for
Last year nearly fifty miles of improve
ments cost S019O8i.S6 The mayor thinks
there VIII be an Improvement over last year
In the matter of street cleaning, although
the cost will be less.
The mayor says the Department of Public
Safety is in splendid condition. He COM
mends the police force. He believes q more
central site should be obtained for the hay
market now in the eastern end of the city.
In speaking of the Board of Health the
mayor congratulates his administration on
satisfactory settlement of the garbage
problem.
II wish to congratulate the board upon
the services it has rendered in enforcing
regulations for the purity of the city's milk
supply, he continues II am IN favor Of
going still further, and would recommend
the passage of an ordinance forbidding the
sale, or offering for sale, of milk except
where the cows have been examined under
the direction of this board and pronounced
to thank the board for it's work during the
past year and for the manner in which the
present board is taking up matters pertain
ing TO the health of the city. In this con-
nection | desire to recommend the estab-
lishment of free public baths, under the di-
rectlon and control of this department. |
feel that nothing will add more to the COM
fort and good health of large number Of
our citizens and shall take pleasure In as
sisting to make provision for such an in
stituton at the earliest possible moment
The central of parks having reverted to
the Board of Public Works, the board has
authorized the survey of lands and lots for
park purposes, and I have hopes that by
early spring ground viii have been broken
on the new proposed system. This will in
clude not only the Fall creek system, but
ready appropriated will permit.
There was no attempt to pass Mr. Clarks
ordinance permitting and licensing boxing
and sparring matches over the mayors
veto The reasons for the mayors veto
have heretofore been published In the
first instance the ordinance passed by a
bare majority OF one vote. IT takes two