The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-06-09
City Council Asked to Grant
a Franchise for an Elec-
trio Line.
A LENGTHY MEETING
Plat Of the West Side Addition Filed
and Much Other Business
Transacted.

city council was held Tuesday night,
being called to order at $50 by his
honor, Mayor Yegen. The roll call
found all the aldermen in their respec-
tive seats with the exception of Con-
nelly, who has been absent from the
city for a couple of weeks. 1t being
the first meeting in the month it was
destined to be a prolonged one, there
being the usual reports Of officers and
an unusually large number Of bills and
petitions. 1t was nearly 10 O'Clock be-
fore the meeting adjourned and even at
that time the business was not COM
pleted and it was necessary to take a
recess for a few hours sleep and rest,
it being decided to hold a special ses.
sion tonight to finish up the business.
The first business after the reading
and approving Of the minutes of the
previous meeting vas the reports from
the officers, all being accepted without
a dissenting vote. Next came the re-
ports Of standing committees. Alder
man Witham reported regarding the
petition asking al extension Of the
water man Oh North Thirty second
street and asked that the committee be
allowed further time in which to report
definitely. The request was granted.
Alderman Spear reported on the mat
ter of the report Of N. G. Carwile, who
had been engaged to examine and audit
the books and accounts Of the city treas
urer for the two years ending April 80,
1899. In his report Mr.. Carwile stated
that the city treasurer and also the city
clerk should both be furnished with a
set of new books. The manner Of keep
ing the books is very complicated at
present and it might be the means of
saving the city no little sun if tile sug.
gestiCn is carried out. The report was
accepted. Mr.. Spear thereupon made
a motion that the city do procure new
books as suggested by Mr.. Carwile, and
that the officers be required to open &C.
counts. The motion carried by a
unanimous vote.
Regarding the proposed ordinance
permitting the connection of rainwater
conductors 10 the sewer, Alderman
Szitnick reported adversely, the same
being accepted, Alderman Bennighoff
being the only n to vote against it.
Alderman Connolly wa to have re-
ported on the proposed rules and regu.
lations for the police officers. and in
his absence Alderman Clement reported.
He said that the committee had re.
ceived the rules used by the city council
Of Butte governing the police of that
city, but they had not had time to look
them over properly and decide on the
ones that would be applicable to u
police, and would therefore ask that the
committee be allowed further time,
which was granted.
Under the heading Of petitions came
two for the extension Of sidewalks and
one for the extension OF a waterworks
main. all Of which were referred to
their respective committees to report at
the next regular meeting. i
Fred Tews rendered his resignation
az night policeman and III motion Of
Frizelle the same was accepted. In his
communication Policeman Tews stated
that this action was made necessary Oh
account Of his health.
The petition which fairly took away
the breath of the councilmen was that
of W. B. George for a franchise for an
electric street railway. 1t came as a
surprise and the members hardly knew
how to take the matter. Mr.. George
was present and was the object of
joshing at the hands Of the alder.
men, but he gave them to perfectly
understand that he meant business and
asked that his proposition be treated in
a business name
1t was moved that the matter be re-
ferred to a special committee, and the
mayor appointed Aldermen Clement
and Bennighoff to report Oh the same
at the special meeting. The petition
of Mr.. George is as follows:
AS the city of Billings is rapidly in
creasipg in populations, and the resi-
dence portion of the city is rapidly ex-
tending to the west on both sides of the
Northern Pacific railway and to a con
siderable distance from the business
If tho citv making IL advisable |