Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-10
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
No Indication of Break of Deadlock in the
City Council,
MEANWHILE AUGUST MILLER HOLDS OVER
six Ballots for Temporary Chairman
Are Taken without Change. Three
votes Being Cast for Each
Candidate.

ana there - no telling when II VIII be
broken. When the council failed to meet
at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon because Of
it's inability to agree upon a method of
procedure 1t was thought that surely the
night meeting would bring results, but this
was not to be. McIntire and o'Connor. who
tied in the Fourth ward for members Of
the council, failed to get together and
match coins or draw strawe for the Office
and consequently this left August Miller
In office, as his certificate reads that he is
entitled to his seat in the council until his
successor is elected and qualified.
At last nights meeting all members
we're present-three republicans, Adkins,
Miller and Smith, and three democrats,
Borderick, Queenan and Welsh. AS the
mayor takes no part in the organization of
the council, It was apparent from the start
that there was going to be a clash. Welsh
moved that Queenan be made temporary
chairman. This was objected TO by Miller,
who wanted a secret ballot taken. Then
Adkins suggested that the clerk act as
teller. and as this was acceded to the vot-
ing commenced. Six ballots were taken
and each resulted the same, three for Ad-
kins and three for Queenan. There was a
brief recess, but the ballot afterward
showed 10 change, and so a recess was
taken until s o'clock tonight. Miller
wanted to stay all night and keep on bal
loting. but the other members thought It
would be q waste Of light and paper, and
so the recess was agreed to.
City Clerk Shrigley thinks that the only
way to break the deadlock is for him to
issue a certificate of election to either Nc
Intire or O'Connor and then let the con-
~testants fight the matter out in court.
Competitive Bids.
Members Of the South Omaha Library
board will at once advertise for bids for a
building. The agreement is to admit the
plans of Omaha and South Omaha archi-
tects only. While some eastern architects
who have constructed a number OF libra
ries for Mr.. Carnegie would like to submit
plans, they will not be permitted to do 80
under the ruling.
Now that the library board has selected
a site and the city council has approved the
rules and regulations adopted by the board,
the next step will be to notify Mr.. Blu
chanan, who is Mr.. Carnegie's agent, and
then 1t is expected that a certain sum will
be placed at the disposal Of the board for
the purpose OF paying for plans, excavating
and the laying Of foundations. An effort
will be made by the board to push the
work so that II possible the library may be
completed this year. In the meantime the
board will do all 1t can to secure books.
An allowance Of $500 will be asked from
the council for the laying OF permanent
sidewalks about the proposed building and
the identifying Of the grounds.
City Attorney Murdoch.
City Attorney Murdoch was present at
the council meeting last night, but did not
qualify as was expected. In speaking to a
reporter for The Bee on this subject, Mr..
Murdoch said: Perhaps a great many peo-
ple will not understand why I did not quail
ify with the balance Of the city officers on
Monday night. The reason is plain. Mr..
Lambert, the present city attorney, is now
engaged in the trial OF a case in the dis
J trict court, wherein j. W.. Taylor sues the
city for 5000 damages, alleged on &C
, count Of personal injuries. This case has
been occupying the time of the courts since
last Thursday and may continue for sew
!, eral DAYS more. / DO not care to step in
at this time and take the case, as Mr.. Lam
bert is familiar with the facts and the testi-
mony. When this case is concluded ! will
qualify and will then name the assistant
city attorney"
John Briggs Appointed Chief.
At noon yesterday Mayor Koutsky ap-
! pointed John Briggs. chief OF police.
Within an hour after the appointment. Chief
Briggs assumed the duties OF his once
and ne is now devoting his time TO reor-
ganizing the police department. Chief
Briggs has been a resident of South Omaha
for fourteen years and is known to a large
portion Of the residents. For a lumber Of
years after locating IN South Omaha, Briggs
was employed in the packing houses. Then
he served four years on the city fire de-
: partment and two years on the police de-
/ partment. He is q mar OF nerve and cour-
age. One Of his first acts after assuming
{ the once OF chief was TO appoint Frank
Morton, acting night captain.
stII Checking Up.
Mayor Koutsky put in the greater portion
Of yesterday in the city treasurer's once,
assisting In checking up the books. A bal
ance will be struck soon and then the ONCE
will be turned over to the newly elected
treasurer. On account OF the large amount
OF taxes collected during the year 1901, the
work OF checking up is heavier than ever
before.
|, Banks VIII Bid.
Two bids have been received from the
local national banks on city deposits. These
are from the Packers National bank and
the South Omaha National bank. It is
( understood that the banks will bid 2 per
cent on city deposits with the understand
/ ing that the city funds be deposited in all
5 Of the banks, the treasurer being per-
mitted to carry his daily balance at any
I OF the three banks he desires. This action
on the part OF the banks is taken at this
! time In order 70 permit Treasurer Howe to
{ furnish his surety bond, in accordance with
D the provisiona of tha citv charter Whan