The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-04-04
PETITION OF NORTHERN PAciF.
&c GRANTED BY COUNCIL.
TWO. VOTES IN NEGATIVE
Connolly and Hooue opposed-Re.
spect for Wishes Of constitu.
ents Their Reason.

From Wednesdays Daily Gazette.
Alderman Connolly failed to respond
when his name was called at last
nights meeting of the city council
All the others we're present, Mayor
George presiding.
The March reports of the various Of
1icers were submitted and being found
correct yer approved.
Although not exactly what wa ex-
pected or desired, the bond Of the
Archambo Heating company was ap-
proved and the clerk instructed to
return to the company the amount ct
it's forfeit, deposited at the time it's
proposal was submitted.
Mr.. Connolly now entered.
The committee to whom was refer
red the matter of cxaming the bids
submitted for doing the city printing
reported in favor OF accepting the
bid Of M. c. Morris. Stoddard moved
adoption Of the report and awarding
Of the contract. On roll call all votl
ed aye.
The street committee reported a re-
vision Of the sprinkling districts, and
submitted a map showing the changes
Of boundaries recommended. The re-
port vas adopted.
The same committee recommended
construction of a cement walk In
front Of the park east Of the library.
Because of the fact that the park H.
self has but recently been graded the
committee reported adversely to the
building Of walks within the park and
advised that for the present nothing
further be done in the way of improv-
ing its appearance than to seed 1t to
grass. BY next fall, the committee
thought, the ground would have set.
tied sufficient to permit of construc-
ton Of interior walks. The report
was adopted and by resolution the
clerk was instructed to advertise for
bids to construct the walk agreed
upon.
Consideration of the matter Of clos
ing Twenty-sixth street, as requested
by the Northern Pacific Railroad com-
pany, wal taken up by the council
direct without any recommendation
from the street committee, to whom
the request had been referred. The
committee returned the communica.
ton without any suggestion.
Discussion Of the proposition now
being In order. White made a speech
in favor Of granting the request and
closing the street in order that the
railroad company may enlarge it's
wool warehouse.
To astcertain the feeling OF the
council. Reynolds moved that the
street be closed.
Hague opposed the motion, saying
that with the streets already closed
only three streets remained
open between the north and south
sides. To close Twenth-sixth street
would leave only two streets open. In
view Of the rapid growth Of the city
he deemed it unwise to grant the petit
ton.
Reynolds spoke on his motion. He
said the fact Of the city's growth was
attributable to the Importance 1t had
gained as q wool market and unless
efforts were made to retain the adj
vantage in this regard 1t now pos
sesses 1t would lose Its prestige and
other cities would be the gamers.
stoddard also took the same view
and said that a fair canvass Of the sit.
uation made by himself had satisfied
him that a majority Of the taxpayers
on both sides of the track favored the
proposition. He favored granting the
petition.
Connolly said that he had no per-
sonal objections, but wal governed
by the wishes Of the majority OF the
taxpayers in his ward. They were
opposed and for that reason he, al a
member Of the committee, had favored
report Of the petition without any
recommendations.
Hogue spoke again briefly, He said
he was governed by the wishes Of the
people he represented. A majority Of
them were unfriendly to the PROPOSE
tion and for that aso he, too, was
opposed.
An invitation being extended by the
mayor to those present not members
Of the council to express their opin-