Arizona republican., 1901-11-08
THE NEW CHARTER
City Council Will Take Action Next
 Monday Night.

moHuay NlSnt-
 Phoenix has been talking new char ter for a long time, and for the last month citizens have gathered at every council meeting expecting to see some action taken in the matter. Tie pro- gress has been about as rapid as he abuilding of the Nicaragua canal. Last night it was thought something would surely be done, but nothing was donc
 The council just spat on it's hands and announced that it was almost ready to begin to do something.
 The question was brought up on a petition of citizens. MT. McNeil and the mayor seemed to favor calling an election at once, not because they were in favor of or against the charter. but because the law provided for such action MT. Sanders argued that as the public wanted to know what was in the charter it should be printed, and as the board of trade was particularly urging action, he thought the board would stand for part of the printing bill. He, therefore, made motion that as there is still a few days of grace. Monday night should be set apart re- liSiously for the consideration of this question. and that in the meantime a committee appointed by the mayor should confer with the board of trade as to the cost and manner Of printing and whether it should be in the news papers or in pamphlet form.
 This was the last thing Of impor- tance done at last nights council meeting. but preceding it dozen thing v'ere give-. s.tt5.9ti.-..4 I'te i..ost important matter was the question of whether or not the city should buy block 40 in Churchill's addition, for a public park at cost of S3. 600. There was long petition of property owners requesting such action and a small pe- ttion opposing it, at least one signer of which announced that he was led to the act in the belief that the pro- posed park was to be beer garden. When he found out his mistake he got On the other petition. Eugene Brady O'Neill made a short. but very pointed speech in favor of buying the prop erty, as 1t is considered a snap in value. and wise investment for the city. Mir. McNeill spoke strongly Tn favor of making the investment at once. Councilman Sanders opposed it vigorously. He granted everything the friends of the enterprise said as to the value of the investment and the need of a park. but he also wanted one in each of the larger addition. He thought It would be well to select a half dozen park sites, lump the cost and let the people vote bonds. But getting down to his real reason for opposing the move he said he was afraid the city would not have money enough in the general fund to pay for the land, and he was fearful that the same financial showing would be made as the year before. He thought the question should he side-tracled till January. by which 6c nF f..I would begin to bear fruit. and they could tell whether there would be any money in the treasury. He believed there would, but did not want to take any chances. McNeill moved to buy No second. Sanders moved to post pone till the finance committee could make a report. MT. Shott who repre- sents the First ward. in which the park would be situated. of course thought 1t was well enough to be careful of the city's finances. so he seconded San ders' motion, which passed.
 The band stand question was brought up. Mir. Shctt presenting revised plans. Rev. Byas of the A. M. E. church. was present and requested the council not to act on the band stand question just yet, intimating that his flock would have something to say a little later about band concerts so close to their church. MT. ShOtt asked for approval of plans and explained that if the city could not afford 70 build it. funds could be raised outside. Messrs. Shott and Sanders voted for it and McNeill and the mayor against it.
 Among the other things attended to: Engineer Parish was authorized to set the corner posts in Murphys addition at an expense of $50: several citizens were present and protested regarding charges for lot cleaning under the old administra tion last spring; the mar shal got instructions regarding the water trough at Five Points; Council man Shott was told to look after the gutters on Center and First streets. Center Street south of Grant is now 100 feet wide, while north of Grant it is eighty feet. By resolution the extra twenty feet on the lower end was given back to abutting property and the street strengthened. James Marshall was made extra man at the engine , house, and Claude Sanderson was ap- pointed driver of the engine. This was made necessary by MT. Rudd's increas- ing duties as zanjero. Considerable discussion regarding .the enforcement | of the fire ordinance was engaged in, | and the marshal and fire chief were ! told to assist the building inspector in i this work.