The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-08

council last night. InlS aCtlOn was not
taken, however, until after the most
spirited meeting of the year.
The meeting was featured by consid-
erable debate and by parliamentary
fencing between Mr.. Roche and Mr..
Chittenden, who left the chair to COM
bat the measure.
1t was a special meeting called for
the purpose of hearing the report of
special committee appointed at the last
regular meeting to consider the ques-
tion of repairing the city's asphalt
pavements. All the members were
present, excepting Messrs. Sanderson,
McAndrew, Kearney and Robinson.
COMMITTEE REPORT.
After the call had been read, Mr..
Roche, chairman of the special COM
mittee, presented it's report as follows:
To the Select Council.
Gentlemen: Your special committee to
whom was referred the resolution regard
ing repairs to our asphalt paved streets
respectfully reports:
That the repairs this year were cCn1lnei
to a superficial area of about 10000 yards
at cost of about $4,000, "A sum totally
inadequate to put the pave in proper con-
diton. We find the pave in worse condi-
llOn To-Day IMAM DtIOTe TtpdliS NCle llldu'
and have reached the conclusion that
patching at this stage in the life of the
pavement is Il waste of money.
We are of the opinion that about % 600
square yards should be resurfaced, the
contractor to be under bond to keep the
pave in first class repair for ten years.
We have no estimate of the cost of this
work, but similar work has been done In
other cities at n cost of about 81 per
square yard. This would lessen the cost
of repair in about ten years on his
amount of pave about $4,000 and give rs
what patching has not given us-pavei
streets.
A representative of an asphalt paving
company attended our meetings by invi-
tation and after celebrating expressed
the opinion that arrangements could be
made for resurfa cling this year and pay
ment made later.
Your committee therefore, recommends
the passage of the accompanying ordi-
nance without delay.
All of which is respectfully submit ed.
Scranton, Pa, Sept. I, 1898.
To the report was affixed the affixed
the name Of all the committee, Messrs.
Roche, Lansing and Ross and City
| Engineer Phillips and street Commits
| sioner O'Poyle City Solicitor McGin-
| ley also acted with the committee but
| MS name was not signed to the report.
| A motion to adopt the recommendation
| contained in the report was made by
| Mr.. Roche.
Mr.. Finn offered an amendment. that
\ the ordinance be referred to the city
| solicitor for a written opinion as to
| it's legality. In answer to this Mr..
| Roche said the city solicitor had al
| ready passed on its legality, he having
considered the matter with the COM
| mittee and drafted the measure.
AMENDMENT LOST.
Mr.. Finn said distinct written opin-
ion should be obtained. A vote on the
motion to refer was lost:
| Aycs-Finn. Thomas, Williams. Wagner.
Schroeder. O'Boyle and Chittenden-7
votes.
| Nays-Ross, James. Roche. Melvin,
Shea, Mccain, Fellows, Lansing, Frable,
| Coyne-10 votes.
Mr.. Roche's motion to adopt the rec
| ommendation of the report then pre-
vailed, and the title of the ordinance
| was read.
A motion by Mr.. Roche to refer the
measure to the pavements committee
| for immediate report prevailed and the
! committee retired. The door of the
committee room was closed and it was
ten minutes before the committee ap-
peared with its approval of the ordin-
ance, but with a recommendation that
| II pass but one reading, TO be then
| referred to the city solicitor for a
written opinion as to its legality Mr.
| Chittenden had meanwhile relegated
| the chair to Mr.. Williams.
After Mr.. Roche had moved the pas
sage of the ordinance on first reading
Mr.. Chittenden raised point of order
He contended that the measure was
not legal, and in support of his posi-
ton directed Clerk Morris to read a
portion of Section 2, Article XVIII
Laws and Ordinances, page 81, relating
to increase of indebtedness. The ex-
cerpt provides that when a city "shal
be authorized to increase its indebt-
edness by borrowing money on the
faith and credit of said city, the pro-
posed ordinance to effect the loan shall
be introduced at a stated meeting OF
the common council and the draft
thereof published, ETC." But the Sc.
lect council shall not originate any
ordinance for borrowing money and
no loan shall be authorized except by
a vote of two-thirds of the whole mum.
ber of members of each council"
Mr.. Chittenden dwelt upon the point
that the measure was a bond ordin.
ance, bonds being provided on "tht
faith and credit of the city," and moi
on any specific work.
MR.. ROCHE REPLIES.