Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1899-12-13
SPECIAL Council Meeting

| ~ ''ie '''h.ii hohuay night only the
mayor, Shaft, Lake, Lane and Russell
were present till about 10 O'Clock, when
Tannahill and Wilkinson appearetls
Three lengthy ordinances were read
and passed by unanimous vote during
the early hours of the session.
| A street numbering ordinance was first
in the order of business. 1t provides for
number for every IS feet on the line of
each side of every street in the city.
| An ordinance to regulate work in the
streets was passed. 1t provides for a new
city official, drain-layer, who will derive
his compensation by virtue ofthe monopo.
ly afforded by his Office, and an official fee
is required of every man who wishes to
make sewer connection.
| A third ordinance fixed the grades on
Main street from Snake River avenue to
Fifth street, and all interesting and par
allel streets from Main to the railroad
grade. This grade is generally Just above
high water mark, except on Fifth street,
which is very near this mark. The ord-
nance does not require all streets to be
upon grade, if the property owners ask
permission and get permits to lay them
on other grades. The object of the alter
native is to induce individual construc-
| ton of such walks.
A communication from the Commercial
club was read i'll which the council was
advised to proceed cautiously in the pur-
chase of the city water works. One menl-
Der of the council suggested that the
Commercial club be informed with
thanks that the city officials would ask
for advice when such was wanted Another
member said the advice was In order and
it should be duly considered The rcso-
luton was taken in good part by the
mayor of the council and the communi-
cation was ordered filed.
The subject of the purchase Of the
waterworks was brought partly before
the Commercial club. 1t was apparent
that some of the members were very en-
thusiastic, while others we're hesitating
for some cause or other The admission
was publicly made that the people were
unanimously in favor of municipal owner
ship of the waterworks. This public sen
tinent seemed TO silence open opposition
TO the purchase, but there were evidently
some "cold feet" under the council table
that night. Messrs. Lake and Lane are
the avowed champions of the cause of the
people in this instance. The only prog
ress made, however, was all order TO have
the city engineer report the probable cost
of a comprehensive report on the value
and availability of the present water
works system, to be submitted next Mon
day night. In the course of the dilatory
discussion of the subject the city engineer
. said the examination of the water system
in detail would require perhaps month
and that such service would be worth 81 S
a day.
The petition for the paving OF Main
street was dug up and this subject was
launched by its resurrection. 1t was
, charged by Lake and sustained by Lani
that the street pavement question wa:
: put forward to retard the movement fol
, public water system. Then they came
:. to the ditch, another of our bugaboos
The removal of the Boston mill was alst
considered, but that job was put oil io
a a week. The city attorney was asked tt
f suggest a remedy for the ditch stumblin;
II block. He suggested that he did no
e want his opinion to be given publicity
< The newspaper men were asked to reilr'
= while the attorney and some OF the coun
y cilmen unburdened themselves of ponder
c Gus opinions and plans.
t After the hall was cleared, however,
motion to adjourn stampeded the lone
some councilmen, and the secret session
i ended in two minutes.
It The meeting adjourned till next Mon
day night Whether it will be secret o
= not depends upon the temper of the cit
= fathers at that time.