The Billings gazette., 1899-12-05
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The first Tuesday night in every
month brings forth a regular meeting
Of the city council. There Is also an.
other meeting on the third Tuesday
night Of the month, but the first usual
ly caps the climax for interest. At the
former time there is also a batch of
bills so high and big that it would
cause anyone but an alderman to have
the nightmare. or some other kind OF
horrible disturbance at night. Some
thesea meetings are interesting, even if
they do hold until the morning lights
commence to appear, but in this they
are mistaken. Hardly meeting night
passes but what something transpires
to kesp the aldermen in good mood
and relieve their tired minds from the
troublesome imatters. which sometimes
look as though they might overcome
them. Tonight's meeting will not be
devoid Of the usual interest and il
verything transpires that has been
placed on the programme. it will be
the liveliest session yet held this year.
Col. Il. W. Rowley. secretary and man
ager Of the Billings Water Power COM
pany, is advertised OIL the programme
to talk on the price that will be asked
for the water works and electric light
plant, and also for the water works
alone. Mr.. Rowley has not signified
his intention Of complying with the
wish of the council, but should he be
present he will be permitted to talk at
length. When he has completed there
will probably be some discussion, as it
il known that several Of the aldermen
have been gathering no end Of statis-
tics regarding this very matter Of mu.
nicipal ownership Of public utilities.
Alderman Clement, who believes
that the city should have better street
lighting service, has resolution pre-.
pared and il opportunity affords, Will
present the same for action. The reso.
luton il passed, will provide for all
future street lights being hung in the
midele of the streets. The resolution
reads as follows:
Whereas: Several petitions have been
presented to this council, praying, Tor
an extension Of the street public light
ing system, and
Whereas: By having all street lamps
hung over the center Of streets and
avenue Intersections. the public would
receive more satisfactory service and
avoid the nuisance of shade tree OBJ
structions
Resolved: That in all future extern
sions to the street public lighting sys.
tenn, and in changes made in the
present system, all lights be SO located,
that the lamps shall hang over the
center of street and avenue intersec.
tions.
The point 10 we'll taken and when
change is made in the lights it will
give better satisfaction to the people.
Final action will be taken on the
resolution prepared two weeks ago by
the committee on officers and bonds,
which provides for paying policemen a
salary of 476 4 month instead Of $65. |
This resolution will be accepted and
passed without dissenting voice and
goes into effect from Dec. /. In order
TO get the benefit Of the raise the police
men must resign and be reappointsd.
All the policemen will probably re5ign |
40 soon as the resolution goes into eject
and there is no doubt but what Mayor
Yegen will reappoint them. The act
ion is deferred one, but it is better
that it comes now than at some time
in the very distant future. The police.
men Of Billings, the council thinks,
have been paid too small salary for
the past year. and II is only fair In
the face Of the growing population
and business Of the city that our de-
tenders Of law and order should be
paid decent salary.