The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-08

Cincinnati. Detroit. Mich; Milwaukee.
Wis: St Paul. Mimi: Baltimore, Md, and
Pittsburg, Pa. That the said order of the
Board of Public Safety was adopted after
a careful investigation by said board of
the workings of similar orders In other
cities of the United States, in all of which
cities the said orders nave been found to
operate for the betterment of the ponce
forces.
The minority of your committee hereby
protests against the report OF the majority
of the COMMITTEES, wherein they recon-
mend the Impeachment of the members of
the Board Of Public Safety of the city OF
Indianapolis, as a rank injustice to the
members of said board that cannot be JUS
titled under any theory of the evidence
presented TO your committee.
Your committee also made an investiga-
ton of the books OF the city controller TO
ascertain whether or not there had been a
violation or that provision of the city
charter which provides that the city con-
troiler shall not suffer any appropriation
TO be overdrawn, or the appropriation for
one item of expense to be drawn upon for
any other purpose, or by any other depart
ment other than that for which the appro-
priation was specifically made"-and par
t~icularly to ascertain whether or not said
provision has been violated in connection
with the appropriation of money derived
from the sale on Sept. l. 1899. of certain
bridge bonds, from which had been real
lied the sum of $154,0O0.
The minority of your committee finds
that when said bonds were sold. the money
TCdllZc0 llcIGkIOm was pdlu lnlO Tie lily
treasury and became a part of the cas
balance therein. That no warrant was ever
drawn by the city controller upon the
bridge fund, except what was properly
chargeable against the same, and that no
warrant was ever drawn upon the bridge
appropriation except for bridge purposes,
and that 10 warrant was ever drawn by
the city controller for any purpose except
when there were funds in the city treas
ury available for the payment of such war
rant.
That there were certain times since the
sale of said bridge bonds when the cash
balance in the city treasury was less than
the amount of money derived from said
bonds, but at hone of said times was there
purposes, for the reason that the contract
or had not yet finished the work of con-
structing such bridges.
When the said bridge bonds were sold
and the proceeds derived therefrom paid
into the city treasury, they became a part
of the general moneys of the treasury,
from which the general expenses of the
city were payable in accordance with the
appropriations made therefor. Such funds
could be drawn upon at any time by the
city controller for any purpose.
By the collection of taxes and revenues
from other sources the cash balance now in
the city treasury is far in excess of the
amount of money needed for the construc-
ton of bridges and far in excess of the
amount of money derived from the sale of
bridge bonds. The work of constructing
bridges. for which such bonds were sold.
Is now under way, and there are ample
funds in the city treasury to pay for such
bridges as the work progresses.
The theory upon which the majority Of
your committee bases its report, namely,
that when an appropriation is made. it re-
quires that that amount of actual cash in
the treasury be set aside and remain UNI
expended until the purpose for which the
appropriation was made has been accom-
plished. would require the city to borrow
hundreds of thousands of dollars for the
ne VIM N ~ Oryrrarf xnanCn Uyha, fh4-a
were already hundreds of thousands of dol
lars lying idle in the treasury.
Under the policy followed by the city
controller the provisions of the charter
governing his office have been strictly com
piled with and the taxpayers of the city
saved many hundreds of dollars in interest
for temporary loans. Under his manage
ment every obligation of the city has been
paid at maturity, and every provision of
the city charter strictly followed.
The recommendation of the majority of
the city controller, be removed from Office
Is a gross injustice to that official, and is
certainly prompted by none other than po-
litical motives.
ROUTINE BUSINESS.
An ordinance was introduced by Coun-
Gilman Higgins providing for a SIS fine for
any bicycle rider who holds to the sides
Of street cars while in motion. The rules
were suspended and the ordinance was
passed unanimously. as it was deemed
necessary for quick action, owing to the
prevailing habit of bicycle riders in pur-
suing this dangerous method of riding.
The committee on public health reported
an amendment to the ordinance provid-
ing for the removal of dead animals by
the city contractor. The amendment ex-
cludes the s~tockyards and packing houses.
The report was adopted.
nh 49, l1s -
improvements asked for more time in
which to consider the ordinance taxing gas
mains, which was granted by the Council
An ordinance was introduced on recon-
mendation of the city controller to appro-
pirate $2,ON to the Board of Health to be
used for the contagious disease fund.
The ordinance sent to the Council by
the Board of Works to settle the improve
street to Arsenal avenue, was referred to
the committee on sewers, streets and al
leys.
Councilman Negley introduced an ordin-
ance to compel property owners to clean
their sidewalks. when made impossible by
the caving in of an mbankment or dirt
getting on them when streets are being
improved.
An ordinance was introduced to change
the name Of Dougherty street to Woodlawn
avenue.
Councilman Bernauer introduced an ord
nance as a substitute for the one intro
duced Dy MIN q rev weeks ago, regulating
breweries and their agents and the sale
of their products, placing a license fee of
81, 900 a year on each brewery or agency.
A resolution was adopted granting the
Gentry Dog Show permission to show In
the city.
Councilman Negley introduced an ord
nance prohibiting the throwing Of bills or
other advertising matter in the yards of
the city.
Isaac L. Boomer sent a communicated
to the Council asking that an entry be
made that the assessment of $66 against
lot No. IA in Fiscus's subdivision be strick-
en- from the records. The assessment was
made when Rohampton street was opened
in 1875, and he wants II declared null and
void. 1t was referred to the finance com
mittee.
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