The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-20
UNMlNDFUL OF CHARTER
DEMOCRATS PASS ORDINANCE CIV
ING EXPERT HILL $4,000.
Park Scandal Referred to Investiga-
ton COmmittee-Sunday Theater
Ordinance SqueIched.

ing last night, called up the ordinance MAX
ing a special appropriation of $3.50 to pay
John w. Hill, the Cincinnati expert engaged
by the city administration to examine the
water works. Mr.. Allen opposed the ordi-
nance because he regarded it as violation
of the charter in that it authorized the
Board of Works. to pay out money when
there was no fund for the purpose. He also
thought the ordinance dangerous, because it
would be precedent which might be taken
as authority for other such deals When
Mr.. Costello called up the ordinance Mr..
Allen rose from his chair and asked, WAS
the opinion of the city attorney asked on
this ordinance? / believe it to be a VIOLA
ton of the city charter and at variance
with Supreme Court decisions"
Mr.. Costello answered him, saying that
he remembered a time under the Denny
administration when a $1,000 appropriation
was authorized although there was no fund
for the purpose designated. For himself, he
was willing to pass the ordinance now in
hand and stand for the consequences.
When the vote was taken only Mr.. Allen
and Mr.. Grail voted against the ordinance.
Immediately Mr. Costello sprang up and
offered motion to reconsider the vote. Mr..
Moffett moved that the motion be laid on
the table, and the motion carried This was
done in order that Mr.. Grail and Mr.. Allen
could not themselves file a notification with
the president of the Council that they
would at the next meeting offer a motion
to reconsider the vote and thus delay the
passing of the ordinance. The administra-
ton wanted the ordinance passed imme-
diately and for good. Mr.. Allen said after
ward that he thought he had done his duty
in fObf iy1rr he
Council was determined to pass it, and he
thought he could do no more than he had
already done.
The first official action toward the al
legged Investigation of the park scandal was
taken. The following letter from Mayor
Taggart was read:
Certain newspapers of the city have re-
Gently, by insinuatiOns and innuendoes, init
mated that by the corrupt use of money the
location of the Riverside Park was secured
any money was so used the public should
know it, and also to whom it was paid.
IN justice to this administration and to all
others concerned / therefore ask your
honorable body to make immediate in
Vestigation of these rumors."
The letter was referred to the committee
on impeachment and investigation. The
committee is composed of Messrs. Allen,
Madden and Costello. Mr.. Costello offered
inner pocket, providing for the same action
as suggested in the mayors letter and add
ing that the committee should be empow-
cred to employ clerks and assistants to help
it in its investigation. The resolution was
adopted
Mr.. Rauch introduced a resolution provid-
ing that President Mahoney should appoint
a special committee to act with the mayor
ana the Board of Public Works in consid-
ering the advisability of charging the
Brightwood water works and extending it's
mains: The resolution adopted and the
committee Will be appointed at the next
meeting of the Council.
n nrdin fv,Ku
Smith, providing that occupants of houses
must clean the snow and ice off the side
walk in front or be fined in any sum not
less than 81 or more than $40. If the snow
rams IN the daytime. the sidewalks must be
cleaned an hour after the snow ceases to
fall. If the snow falls at night the walks
must be cleaned before 8 o'clock in the
morning. The ordinance was referred to the
committee on sewers, streets and alleys.
An ordinance. was passed increasing the
sary from $40 year to $35 a month. City
Attorney Kern sent communication to the
Council that it would not be legal, under
the charter, to increase this salary until
the end of a term, but that the Council
might pass an ordinance abolishing the Of
hce of janitor" of the dispensary and Gre
ating the office of custodian at the in
creased salary. This was done. The city at
torney agreed that the present salary paid
the Janitor was painfully small.
President Mahoney announced the death
OF Michael j. Burns and appointed the fol-
lowing committee to draft resolutions ex-
Messrs Harston. Costello and Allen.
Former Councilman Clark, who resigned
and enlisted in the Second Regiment of Vol
unteer Engineers, is in Havana
Yesterday Mr.. Harstons ordinance legal
izing and licensing Sunday theatrical per-
formances, was received from Mr.. Clark
He was chairman of the committee on pub
lie safety and morals, and the ordinance
having been referred to that committee, he
had charge of it and carried it away with
him. The ordinance Travelled long way and
returned only to be squashed by the COM
mittee The members agreed that it was
silly, in that it would attempt to legalize
something illegal under the state law. The
report of the committee was presented to
the Council but Mr.. Harston did not call
the ordinance UP to be voted on.