The Worcester spy., 1899-07-25
IN COMMON COUNCIL.

The session of the common council
was listless in the extreme, being large
ly confined to the consideration of rou-
tine business.
A ripple of excitement broke out when
Councilman Merritt introduced an Or
der providing for the payment of the
salary of Patroln1afl Beftram c. Dus-
ton, who was suspended some time ago
and later teinstated. On motion Of
Councilman Meagher, the order was re-
ferfed to the committee on police.
An order for laying water pipes in
Winter street at an estimated expense
of $3.50, although not on the calendar,
was adopted under a suspension of the
rules.
Upon the recommendation of the
committee on claims the council ac-
eepted the report Of the committee, Civ
ing the following petitioners leave to
withdraw Ellen ]. flanagan for COM
pensation for personal injuries; Patrick
McKeon and Thomas Matson, also for
personal injuries
The only exciting event of the even
ing to call for the best eratorical powers
of the members came when the report
of the committee on streets came up
on the order relative to the contract
for street watering. This report was
duIQO1lZl02
the mayor to enter into a contract with
the American Car Sprinkling Company
for a term OF flVe years to sprinkle the
streets, the company to allow 10 per
cent discount after the first year.
Immediately after the reading of the
report, Councilman McMahon moved to
lay the matter on the table. He con-
sidered the councilman had had no op-
portunity to investigate the matter TO
see whether it was for the best adj
vantage Of the city to enter into any
such Contract as the one proposed.
Councilman O'Leary seconded the mo-
tion to lay on the table. Although
the matter had been before the peo-
pie for some time, the members had
had no chance to See what was pro-
vided by the contract. He was OF the
not deem 1t advisable to enter into
any such contract for he had learned
that other companies controlling car
sprinklefs were in position to bid for
the contract to water the streets If the
contract were thrown open to the best
bidder when the present contract ex-
pired. The American Car Sprinkler
Company desires to make q contract
for the sprinkling in lump taking the
streets traversed by trolley lines and
others, covering the entire city
he thought that perhaps 1t might be
mere advantageous for the city to sep
arate the contract and allow one set of
bids on the streets covered by trolley
lines, and another for those not 50
covered. The motion to lay on the ta
BILE was lost by vote of ii to 10.
Councilman Meagher then moved to
postpone the consideration Of the mat
ter until the next meeting. He could
see no advantage to accrue to the city
by having the order railroaded through
at this meeting, and he for one was de-
sirous of having a chance to see what
was embodied In the order. The con.
tract was for a term of years and en-
volved the expenditure Of large sum
OF money. lie thought that 1t was only
fair 70 the other cotincilmen and to the
people at large 70 allow some time for
further consideration. President White
ruled that his motion to postpone ac-
tion was out or order.
Councilman Lancaster arose. ad-
dressed the council from the stand
point Of q business man. entering into
contract for the purchase of goods
py such contract he would be allowed
q certain per cent discount He thought
that all must see the wisdom Of such a
contract and he hoped that some defn-
lte action would be taken at once in the
matter. 'Councilmen Mcmahon doubted
the honesty of the movement. Council
man George g. Hunt explained that the
passage Of the order involved the ex-