The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-06-02
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING.
Could Not and Did Not Appropriate None,
for Fourth of July Celebration.

Could Not ana D1d MOI appropriate money
for Fourth of July Celebration.
The special meeting Of the city coun-
Gil, called by Mayor Yegen, met in the
fire hall Wednesday night, all council
men being present with the exception
OF Alderman Connolly, who was absent
from the city.
The first matter brought up was the
report of Nat. 6. Carwlle, who had
been appointed by the mayor to check
mp the city treasurer's books for the
years 1897 and 1898, to the time they
were turned over to the new city treas
urer on May /, 1899. No action was
taken on the report, being referred
until the regular meeting next Tuesday
night.
Alderman Spear reported that he had
corrected the list Of all persons who
were liable for poll tax in the city of
Billings. Considerable discussion fol-
lowed this report as to the amount of
street tax to exact from each person
this year, resulting in al amended
ordinance, levying a tax Of so for a
special street fund being passed.
Heretofore no tax has been levied, as
the money was not needed, but this
year there is special work to be done on
the streets in raising the street cross
ings, which will necessitate the ex-
penditure of no little sum. 1t is hoped
to raise nearly $500 by this tax.
This completing the city business the
aldermen INDUCED in considerable in
formal discussion on the Fourth of July
question. Alderman Bennighoff started
the ball to rolling in a strong speech in
favor of making an appropriation, and
was supported by Mayor Yegen. Alder
men Spear and Clement were opposed
to such procedure, saying they had been
elected to serve the city's interests, and
it could not be done in this manner
They were perfectly willing to go down
into their own pockets and subscribe,
but would not dig into the peoples
pocket-the city treasury. Legal adj
vice respecting an appropriation by the
city was asked Of the city attorney and
other lawyers, and it was the universal
opinion that to appropriate money by
the council for a Fourth of July cele-
bration would place the council liable
to a charge of felony. Alderman Ben
nighof made a motion that the city
appropriate something, it being second
ed by Frizelle. The vote was: Yes
Bennighoff and ::Frizelle; no-Cle-
ment, Spear, Szitnick and St. John.
The motion was announced lost. Mr..
Bennighoff then announced that he
would head a subscription list with
500 in order to start the ball to roll
ing. The council then adjourned and
the business men present resolved into
a mass meeting to take action on the
matter. Mayor Yegen was made chair
man and W. M. Johnston secretary.
After considerable discussion as to the
mode of procedure III the matter, the
chairman wa authorized to appoint a
of three business men, him
self to be ex-officio member, to 60
among the business men on Thursday
and ascertain how much money could
be raised for a celebration and report to
a mass meeting of the citizens to be
held in the court house last night. The
was composed of Messrs.
John D. Losekamp, W. B. George and
ROLAND Potter. A report Of that meet
ing will be found elsewhere.