The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-18
COUNCILS BUSY EVENING.
OLD Te,ephons Ordered Out-liarla1 G.
Scott, the Sinking Fund Commis.
sioner-Other Business.

Representative Donaldson occupied I
| scat in Council chamber last night. He
| was there in the interest Of the bill to 'im
| pose tax on occupants of houses in an
| incorporated city or town" of the state
Chairman O'Neill Of the Law Committee
presented the bill and had Mr.. Donaldson
| given the privilege of the floor afec Clerk
Morrison read the measure. The measure
| Is one similar to a MASSACHUSETTS, law and
provides tax on occupants vi house
| the rental value of which Is over 500
year.
Mr. Donaldson said the bill was aimed to
take the tax off real estate which was now
so heavy that property owners complained.
He asked Councils careful con liberation
of the bill The Finance and Law Commit.
tees have the matter in hand
Mr. Kane presented u communication
from Chief Of Police Dolan asking that
the board be allowed $3.50 of its $1,000 con-
tigent fund, and the amount was allowed.
City Treasurer Curry reported the bal
ance in Union National Bank to account
OF current expenses to be S6l, sos 70 in each
of the four depository banks sii, i,?l6; total
70; special fund for park purposes
$23. O93 rs.
The collections were: Edmund Nit.
ohell,. Jr., 5000, taxes for 1885; Eugene NJ.
Sayers, 1915, taxes for 1897.
Tho Law and Finance Committees re.
ported having viewed the land adjoining
Brandywine Park, which the Park Com.
mission desired to purchase, but did not
recommend the purchase Of the lands be-
cause of the excessive price asked. The re-
port was accepted
Chairman O'NeiIl of the Law Committee
reported progress In matters before the
committee. particularly the matter of auo.
tioners' licenses
President Leitch called up the matter Of
the election OF n sinking fund commission
or to succeed Otho Nowland. Mr.. Oberly
nominated Harlan G. Scott, whereupon u
motion to close the nomination was car
ried. The vote was cast by Mr.. Fisher and
Mr. Scott was elected. MIR. Scott Ia one of
the best-known bankers, brokers and fnan
oilers in the city He Is a member of tho firm
of Scott s. Company and is about 80 yeurs
ofage. He Is probably the youngest sink
ing fund commissioner that has ever been
chosen. For u long time Mr. Scott has TAX
en- an active interest in local finances and
he is one of the best-informed men regard
ing the financial condition of the city. That
his abilities are appreciated is evident from
the fact that he received tho unanimous
vote of Council The position carries with
it no salary and Mr.. SCOTT will enter upon
his duties at once. The floating of the first
loan iu which the new commission will
figure viii be that of tho Street and Sewer
Department. to be issued in the near fu-
ture.
A check for $50. for the sale Of crsmatory
ashes, was presented by MIR. Healy and
acknowledged by the Council.
Mr.. Leary motioned that in Wow Of the
kindness Of the Delmarvia Telephone
Company in allowing the city the free use
of eight telephones, that thesold phones bs
removed after March 81. Mr. Oberly said
he was of tho opinion that tho Delaware
and Atlantic Company would place phones
In the city building on the Same terms as
the new company and if they did to accept
of the offer. Mr.. Smith vigorously oppos-
ed Mr.. Oberly, contending that the old
company had long had the privilege ex-
tended by the new company
MIR. Leary explained that by his motion
he did not desire to injure the business Of
any corporation or person, but that he had
made it solely for the purpose of economy,
as Council was paying the old company
S65 year for each instrument Mr..
Lcary's motion was adopted by q uEani.
nous vote.
While ths discussion was in progress
Mr.. O'Neill said lie desired to call atten-
ton to what he considered an excessive
charge. 1t was q monthly bill from the
Wilmington City Electric Company Of
S5s or more for the light In the Council
Chamber and for two lights In the tax
Office. Tho member considered Tho bill
excessive as the lights In Council chamber
were burned twice week.
MIR. Oberly said that he noticed two
electric lamps burning night and day in
the bootblack's establishment in tho base
ment of the City Hall and asked the ques-
ton: Are those lamps paid for by Coun-
oilp"
= II cannot tel! you" said Mr.. o'N"sll.
"Ask the bailiff.
Mr. Leary asked II any motion was be-
fore the house, and Presdent Leitch re-
piled in the negative. Mr.. Oberly renewed
his request for Information about the
lamps in the basement, and Mr.. Healey
moved to adjourn.
Mr.. O'Neill, addressing BaiIlff Ryan,
said: "Bailif, are those people in there US
ing city lights?'
Mr.. Healcy renewed his request TO adj
journ aud Bailff Ryan replied that the
lamps in the basement were those used go
tho heater can be attended to.
Mr.. Healey. Mr.. Leary and Mr.. Smith
wanted to adjourn but MIR. Oberly consid-
cred the matter one that should be venti-
lated. He was lost in tho shui1is and
Council adjourned without his voo.
J. Fl. Porter e. Sons Wholesale and re.