The Portland daily press., 1898-12-06
COUNCIL The SEAT OF WAR
Aldermen Resolve Against Aus
traIian Ballot.
COMMON COUNCIL PROMPTLY
LAID ION THE TABLE.

Alder men Also Passed Order Empowering
light Committee to Make Contrac
w,tb Electric Light Committee to
company-The Council Refused This
order a Passage Council Also Defeated
Resolution to Compel Public Buildings
Committee to Lease City Hall for Polo.
The common council was again the scat
of all interest in the city meeting last
night The order introduced by Alder
man Kehoe in 1887 asking the Legislature
to repeal the Australian ballot law or
improve it in some way was passed in the
board of aldermen and defeated in the
common council
The aldermen also passed an order IN
structing the COMMITTEES on lights to enter
into d contract with the Consoilua6sa
Electric Light company for lighting the
city during the coming year pub tne
council refused to cncur in this action.
The council also refused to pass an
order instructing the committee or pup
lie buildings to lease City hall for polo.
. The order appointing special commit
tee to ask the legislature for the enacs-
ment of certain laws to enable the CITY 20
make some radical changes in It's nre de-
uartmeut passed both branches of the city
government. This means that an eHorC
will be made to secure permanent chlei
of the fire department AMI to make some
of the other positions in the IRE Depart
ment permanent. 1t will remove the ae-
partment from politics to great extent
if the tenplated changes are brought
about.
The couno il was in session for an hour
and a half after the aldermen adjourned.
COINCIDENCE TO MOURNERS.
After the two boards had met in their
respective apartments they came together
in Joint convention, and this resolution
offered by Mayor Randall, was adopted by
a rising vote:
"Whereas the great calamity which has
just visited our city in the loss OF the
steamer Portland, has brought sorrow
and grief to many of our homes. therefore
be- it resolved, by this city council, IN
Joint convention, assembled. that 1T does
hereby exterd to the families of the de-
ceased Its sincere sympathy, with the
hope that God will give them strength to
bear the great burden SO suddenly placed
upon them and which human sympathy
cannot alleviate. !"
In the council Mr.. Milliken spoke feel
ingly and eloquently in support OF the
resolution sse
In the board of mayor and aldermen the
business on hand was cleared from the
tables in short order, and the board all
iourned at g. 80, leaving the councilmen
in the midst of their warm debate oven
the polo question.
ELECTRIC LIGHT CONTRACT.
An order. introduced by Alderman
Smith, authorized the committee on street
lights to make contract in behalf OF the
city with the Consolidated Electric Light
company, for one year from October lst,
at these rates: 700 candle power lights.
at S95 each; Go candle power lights at
s42. so each; 30 candle power lights at $50
each.
Mayor Randall asked if the company
had not formerly consented to make a
rate of $50 of the arc lights, and Alder
man Smith replied in the negative. He
said their offer is saving of S. each on
arc lights from the present price paid.
Alderman Rounds wanted to know If
the committee had looked around to see if
any body else would do the street. lighting
cheaper, and when Alderman Smith said
they had not, the orator from Ward Three
INDUCED in five minute speech in which
he spoke Of the two electric light COM
psnies across the Deering line, and talked
about bis recent trip to Boston and how
he usually, before he makes bargain,
seeks propositions from more than one
!. person.
A yea and nay vote being called for, the
board voted four to two to pass the order.
Alderman Rounds and Sprague voted in
tbs negative.
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