Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-04-27

The aldermen came up for consideration
next and Mr.. Bruce insisted that his
original motion be considered. Alex
Milne offered 80 cents an hour as an
amendment, and James Mari also ia
vored it.
Mayor Gordon then gave lecture ON
that famous institution the executive
smoke talk. Said executive sessions
were recognized as a necessity by the
legislature when the city charter was
obtained. The citizens will realize their
necessity if tney will only stop and
think. As an illustration he cited the
sessions now being held on the water
question. Goodhue would give $500
to see these experts reports. He cited
several other instances, stating that
with the exception of confirmation of
| nominations no business had been closed
up in executive session. People would
know all about it in good time. Bruce
withdrew the executive session clause
IN his motion, stating that he should
hold the mayor to his promise of divulg-
ing all the secret doings of the exccu-
tive session. Judge Boyce favored pay
ing the aldermen lump sum instead of
by the hour.
Mr.. Bassett thought tnat all they
earned at most of theil meetings was 25
cents an hour. James Mari thought
25 cents not enough. l.. j. Griffin was
in favor O. paying so cents if the alder
men were really with it. Mr.. Harvey
Hersey wanted light on Il certain point.
Supposed to be right to keep proceed
ings of council on water question quiet.
On the other hand the mayor has praised
up the city water works ever since we
took possession, stating that the quality
and quantity were the best; still the
supply failed last summer and will
again. Why is part of the water ques-
tion kept quiet and another part made
so public? 1t was voted to pay the al
dermen 80 cents an hour for their SER
vices.
Mr.. Bassett wanted to know why the
overseer of the poor was left out of the
salary list, and the chair Informed him
that that is an appointive office. Article
Z was to see if the city would vote to
borrow money in anticipation of taxes,
and if so how much? The mayor said
that the council has the power to bor-
row not to exceed IS per cent of the
grand list. He thought the city should
vote to borrow not to exceed 100000.
W. f. Barney moved that the city bor-
row that sum.
Mr.. George Swasey wanted to know
what this money was to be used for.
The mayor answered for running ex-
penses. "Our bills are due before the
taxes are collected" Mr.. Ilersey want
ed to know about the SIS, 900 the coun-
Gil voted to borrow in February. May
or said that was what the charter per-
mits them to borrow They were SIM
ply doing as they always have done.
Quinlen asked the mayor to tell
what the city building would cost. Some
of those present tried to prevent the
querry flom being answered. Judge
Royce spoke very forcbly against such
tactics.
The mayor stated that he had
roughly run over the amounts already
contracted and they aggregate S54 900.
This includes post Office fixtures, furni-
ture, heating and plumbing and archi-
tect's commission. More will probably
be added to this sum. Mr.. Bassett want
ed to know if S48 900 of our taxes would
be pledged if the city voted to borrow
this additional sum of 100000. The
mayor said "Yes, if you look at it in
that light" f. l.. Smith spoke in favor
Of borrowing $4,000, and it was voted
10 do so. Under the head of "any other
business" Fred Bruce moved that the
city council be instructed to increase the
salary of the overseer of the poor. The
chair informed him that it had already
been increased from $3.50 to $40O.
Bruce thought that not enough. Voted
TO ad iourn for one week.