Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-01
LOTS OF BUSINESS.
The Aldermen Insist on the
Original Salary Bill.
FIGHT OVER A PATROLMAN.
The Mayor Sends in His Figures
of Appropriation Bill,
And Talks to a Spy Man in EXCLAMATION Of
Some of the Items Embraced in
His Recommendations
FIGHT OVER A PATRoLMAN.

The meeting Of the board of aldermen
Monday evening was not long, but con-
siderable business was transacted, and
there were some hot words during the
evening. The board non-concurred with
the common council on the salary bill
where raises were made, and again
voted for the cutdown in City Treas
urer Bartons salary. After good deal
of heated discussion and opposition by
Alderman O'Connell. the mayors nom
ination of Patrolman w. Fl. Spencer,
which was laid over from the last meet
ing, was confirmed. The board failed
to sustain the veto of the mayor to the
order appointing 10 additional patrol
men. The petition from the Welcon2s
Mission was referred to the COMMITTEES
on charities, and the request Of the Ii
brary directors for $500, with which to
open sub-stations, was referred to the
committee on education.
The salary bill was considered by
items. Alderman OConnell moved that
the board vote to non-concur on the
amendment to the city treasurers Sal-
ary, increasing it to the old amount,
and a vote was taken, which Alderman
Hildreth doubted. A standing vote
and Potter for non-concurrence. When
the increase of City Messenger Marvins
salary was presented, Alderman Hill
dreth moved that the board concur, but
there was no second. Alderman O'Con-
nell then moved that the board nom
concur, and the vote was carried. The
increase of $500 to the superintendent OF
sewers suffered like fate. There was
considerable discussion over the fire
mems pay, and the matter was finally
referred back to the finance COMMITTEES
after voting to concur In the item re-
Iating to first year hosemen. Alderman
Mellen said he believed in raising the
low paid men. Alderman Thompson
said he thought the men deserved the
pay, as they were appointed permanent
men after having served as substitutes,
which gave them experience which was
valuable to the department. He said
that he thought they were as valuable
as first year drivers, who were fire.
squently taken from ice carts and put to
work without experience.
President Potter then asked the board
what they would do with the salary
bill, whether they would send it down
in non-eoncurrence or call for a COM
mission of conference. On motion of
Alderman Mellen the matter was held
over until the next meeting. In the
meantime the finance committee could
investigate the matter relating to the
firemen's pay.
When the matter of confirming the
nomination of Patrolman w. H. Spen-
Ger came up, Alderman O'ConGell imme-
diately took the floor. He said that ne
felt it his duty to protest against con-
firmation. He went on to shrA how
Spencer had given conflicting figures as
to his age, which, he said, showed that
the man was not truthful. He gave his
-. ,tesca a
Clinton Nov, z 1891, he gave it as 40 in
taking out a marriage license. OctobSr
II, 1892 he came to Worcester and
swore before the registrars OF voters
that he was Al The alderman said he
understood that wire pulling had been
done to get the man in; that he be-
longed to secret societies, and was
road, but he pleaded In the name OF fair
ness and decency that the man be kept
off the police force.
Alderman Thompson said he knew
that there was a little discrepancy re-
garding the age of the man, but he did
not think wrong was intended. The
civil service commission was satisfied
that he was a fit man, and he saw no
reason why that should not be enough
for the board. The chief of police had
said he was a splendid man in every
way, and that he had filed out his pro-
bationary period hSely
Alderman Barrett moved that the
matter be referred to the city solicitor
for an opinion, but the motion was not
Alderman Thompson asked
to call on Secretary Frank
B. Hall of the civil service commission
for an Interpretation Of the law, but OBJ
lection was made. Alderman Mellen
thought the board ought to be able to
use its own judgment in the face Of the
evidence brought forth by Alderman
OConnel. He felt that it had been
clearly shown that the man was per-
jurer, and that he obtained his civil SER
vice certificate unlawfully. He said
there were already 80 men on the force
physically unfit for duty, who were not
doing 10 mems work. A scandal had
been aired in the public prints
about one member of the force, and
there was no effort to eliminate such
men from it.
Alderman Russell said that the Off
GER had been certified as a proper per-
son and worked out his months pro-
baton satisfactorily. Alderman Bran
non said he was ablebodied and capable,
from what he could learn.
Alderman Mellen then declared that
the real question at issue was being
lodged. THE question" he said, ''is not
On the fitness Of the man or his term
If service. Did or did not the man lie
N order to secure his certificate? Who
san deny the evidence that has been
brought forth. Is this lie o trife? Are
oerjurers to be on our police force?''
Alderman Barrett then renewed hAs
motion that the matter be referred b
The city solicitor as an amendment to
-he motion that he be confirmed, which
Chairman Potter insisted was before
he house. The motion was then put as
IN amendment and lost by vote OF
% S. The original motion was again
put. and Alderman O'Conneh made
second appeal on the same lines as be-
ore. Alderman Mellen said he thought
here was politics in the case, "A. P. A.
politics." The vote was then taken, AL
iermen Branmon, THOMPSON Huot,
4ildreth and Russell voting for the con-
irmauon, and the three democrats in
he negative.
The request from the board of direc-
ors of the public library signed by r
4. Harrington, l.. A. Ely and 7. c.
dendenhan for $500 for the establish
nent Of sub-stations throughout the
ity, was accompanied by The following
from the mayor:
/ herewith transmit a communication
rom the finance committee of the board
# directors of the Free Public Library.
l had this before me when making
communications for appropriations,
,ut it seemed best that the amount
IslSed for should be taken from some