The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-03-28

He had lots OF figures to prove that
all this could be done by appropriating
$4,000 for fire department purposes.
Mr.. Paine was the first man to favor
the amendment. He said IL meant ad-
ditional expense, but lnasmuch as the
legislature was voting to take away
some 5000 which had already been
paid into the treasury, council should
place itself on record as wanting to
use some of this amount. The motion
to adopt the amendment was passed
without q single dissenting vote.
LAID on THE TABLE.
An amendment was offered creating
the office of clerk OF the common coun-
ell and fixing the salary at $500 per
year. Mr. Keller offered an amend
ment providing that the assistant city
clerk should act as clerk of the COM
mon council. This was laid on the
table and the original motion was
adopted.
MIR. Keller offered an amendment
providing that all money for street re-
pairs should be appropriated in n lump
sum and that its expenditure should
be under the exclusive control OF the
superintendent of highways ard sew
ers The recorder. he said. would be
obliged TO veto any items in the appro-
priation ordinance providing for the
appropriation of money ward by ward
and permitting councilmen to eNpend
it.
This was because under the ripper"
bill the superintendent of highways
and sewers is a heavily bonded official
and il would be unjust to hold him
responsible for the expenditure Of
money by other persons. AS he eX-
pected. Nh Keller's amendment was
laid on the table. The ordinance was
then passed on second reading. after
Mr., Paine had remarked that it was
"as dead as Julius Caesars ghost"
When council came to ordinances on
third reading about 1890 o'clock, Mr..
Alworth called up the ordinance pro-
vidng for the paving Of Providence
road. \. l.. Lewis, Mr.. Evans and Will
liam Lewis had voted against the
| measure. Mr.. Alworth realized that 1t
could not be passed and action was
postponed until tonight. AS there was
no petition of the property owners filed,
| il REQUIRES sixteen votes TO finally pass
! the measure.
The defeat of this ordinance especial
| " "riled" Mr.. Paine and when the
| ordinance providing for sewer in
| the Nineteenth sewer district, which
| will sewer portions Of the wards rep
| resented by the Messrs. Lewis was
next called up. he made fifteen min
utes' speech opposing 1t. He picked
out flaw after flaw and positively re-
| fused to sit down. though implored
| to do SO by every member present,
as it was then after IL o'clock.
| Finally everybody began laughing
a him. but he kept on with straight
face until he got good and ready to
| sit down. The ordinance was passed
TAX LEVY ORDINANCE.
When the tax levy ordinance came
| up council went into committee of the
whole and struck out the provision
| for a levy of a poll tax of 81 on every
| male taxable which. If passed, would
| mean an increase of $4,000 in the
| city's revenue The argument ad-
vanced was that 1t put the rich man
and the poor man OH an equal basis
| Mr.. Keller protested against striking
it out, but to no avail.
| Recorder Mor sent in communica-
| tions vetoing ordinances providing foi
three electric lights in the Tenth ward
and for four i'm the Nineteenth ward
| Both ordinances were passed over his
| head.
| The ordinance establishing police
| districts and creating the office o.
| police magistrates was called up ant
a bunch of amendments to it were
presented by Mr. Roche. These pro
vided for general change in the dis
trict boundaries and a change in tn,
salaries of the magistrates. After {
half hour had been wasted in discus
sion it was decided to lay the ordin
ance on the table. it being generall,
conceded that it could never be passed
before reorganization.