The Portland daily press., 1899-05-10


present. The consideration OF the appro.
priation bill was deferred by a motion by
Alderman johnson that joint conven-
tion be requested for the purpose of elect-
| ing subordinate city officers. This pro-
ceedine used up.ten minutes and then the
upper board got It's turn at the chief bust
ness Of the evening. The mayor read the
amendments adopted by the council.
Alderman Lamson suggested that the
bill be referred to . committee Of con-
ference. He thought that otherwise 1t
might be travelling back and forth be.
tween the two branches until morning.
What might have happened had there
been disagreement Is matter of guess
work for Alderman Msnnix moved that
the hill be accepted and passed as
amended by the council and the motion
went without debate, the vote being five
to four, Those who voted yes were
Messrs. Sprsgue, Mannix, johnson,
Lamson and Smith. Those who voted no
were Messrs. Merrill, Dow, Moulton and
Frye. .
Alderman Merrill offered an amend
msnt appropristing $500 for the equip
ping of public baths.
Aldermen Maunix and Moulton OBJ
iscted on the ground that the bill having
been passed further amendments were
not germane. This point the chnir sus-
tained. e .
Mr.. Merrill attempted to explain that
he did not understand that the vote on
the council amendments included action
on the passage of the bill.
Thereupon Mr.. Mannix said that the
gentleman from four was too Intelligent
a man not to have understood the ques-
ton, Mr.. Mannix was proceeding to ex-
plain that the alderman from four
probably had thought that the bill would
mass but MI. Mannix's dissertation on
the state of Alderman Msrfill's mind was
cut short by statement by the Mayor
that Mr.. Mannixs remarks were of a
personal nature contrary to the rules.
This closed the action on the appropria-
ton bill and 1t was regarded as passed un-
til Just befors the adjournment. the
mayor called attention to q difference OF
opinion as to the nature of the vote re.
quired to pass the bill. The mayor said
that in the opinion Of some, tho rules re-
Quired two thirds vote Ut was;then voted
to refer the matter to the city solicitorlfor
his opinion and the board voted that
when ID adjourn 1t be to meet at four
O'Clock tomorrow afternoon. One section
of the rules 8fthe city council provides
that no transfer Of money shall be made
from one appropriation to another or no
debt created without two-thirds vote.
The question has been raised as to
whether the passage Of the appropriation
bill creates debt within the meaning of
the rules.
THE PARK STREET SCHOOL.
After the passage Of the appropriation
bill, Alderman Lamson introduced an
order for the carrying out of the appro-
priation for the Park street school house.
The order gave authority for the making
of contract for the removal of the
present building and the construction of
a new one in accordance with the plans
recommended by the school board and the
committee on public buildings, the cost
not to exceed $50, 600 of which S2o,0Oo is to
be expended this year.
Mr.. Mannix raised several objections to
the order. One was that 1t was doubtful
If this city government had the right to
contract for the expenditure of money by
a succeeding city council. Another was
that the language of the bill read that
A. for no
tearing down of the present building and
the erection of new one. Mr.. Mannix
said that this read, to his mind, as an ap-
preparation for the entire work, not for a
part Of it.
The aldermen did not seem deeply i'm
pressed with Mr. Mannix's objections and
they passed the order six to three. Those
who voted for ths order were Messrs.
Merrill, Dow, Lamson, Smith, Frye and
Moulton. Those who voted no were
MessIs Sprague,y Mannix and johnson.
In the council This order was tabled.
The board transacted little other bust
ness. res a..
Alderman Sprague presented an order
authorizing the lighting of Peaks island
streets with electricity. The order. passed
1t did not reach the council last night.
In licensing board, the petition of Geo.
f. Eastman for permission to conduct a
billiard hall and restaurant AZ No. Gus
tom House wharf was referred to the city
marshal.
THE COMMITTEE ON POLES.
r At recent meeting of the board of
dermen, Alderman Smith, introduced
an order creating a COMMITTEES on poles
whoss duty it ID to Investigate and report
upon the location for all poles or changes
Of poles that is desired. The mayor last
night appointed ON this committee Alder
me Johnson, Sprague and Merrill.
IN JOINT CONVENTION.
Sam uel +. McKeown was nominated as
harbor master without pay and was duly
elected. MIR. Mckeown is captain of the