Evening journal., 1903-02-06
HAS
LIVELY TILT
Garbage Question Again
Comes Up for Consid-
cradle Discussion
sMR M'CAFFERTY DEFENDS ACTION

Voted Tor Present Contractors Because
He Thought Them Most Capable Of
Doing the Worl-oenied Charge Of
Crooked Work.
Tho garbage question again came up
for considerable discussion at the regl-
lar meeting of City Council last night,
and in consequence. a lively argument
ensued between the Democratic faction
and the Republican members, lead by
Councilman Cannon, of the Second |
ward The trouble arose when the
Majority Committee report OF the meet
ing Of Council as a Committee of the
Whole held on Saturday night for the
purpose of discussing the Mayors ac-
ticn in refusing to approve the con-
tracts, was presented
The report stated that a decision
had been reached allowing the present
contractors to continue the work dur
ing the month OF February for a sum
in proportion to the bids submitted and
accepted a certified check of $50 payable
to the Mayor and Council being exactedI
from each contractor for the faithful
performance of the work.
Before action could be taken, Mr..
Morris presented a minority report
lsigned by President Blaine and Council
men Cannon, Simmons. Stewart, Pos
Ties and Morris. obiecting to the award
ing of the contracts TO the present coli
lectors of garbage. Mr.. Simmons
wanted TO know why the work WAS
lgiyen to the highest bidders nnd
claimed the same course was taken by
Council three years ago when the con-
ltracts were awarded At that time the
bid for one district was Si5.500, and as
the amount was sufficient then, why
couldn't the work be done at the same
lhgures now.
President Blaine explained that an
agreement had been made with the
lpresent contractors by Council as a
COMMITTEE of the Whole, to collect the
lefty garbage for twenty-eight days and
be paid for the work in proportion to
the bids last submitted.
Mr.. Simmons arose and said: "Mr.
President, in awarding THE work to the
present men for the period of one month
at the new figures, could not the city
be held liable to suit at the end of that
timer
Mr. Monaghan said the agreement was
made in good faith and that the ques-
tion Of the legality OF the contracts as
lawarded Tor three years was a matter
of future consideration.
NJ. g,.,,..,, f.1t fInt tIta onAfnr, ~ fba
committee was legal as far as it went
but he was of the opinion that stipu-
lated sum should have been inserted in
) the report to pay for the work done this
month.
MY reason for signing the minority
report" continued Mr.. Cannon, twas
{ because 1 believe that the garbage
should have been collected at the old
figures for the period agreed upon
THAT is just my point" said Mr.
Simmons, and | don't believe in gOinl
into that room, (pointing at the dool
of the Mayors ofice) to transact bust
: ness in secret. There has been toe
much Of it within the last two years
and | propose to object to it here
after"
Z Mr.. Kane arose and made an angry re
p tort Mr.. Simmons, who was still
standing answered him by saying: Il
a shoe pinches a man will 'holler'
4 This talk is all out of order. | cal
4 for a vote, said Mr. Kane, resumini
d mis- seat
e The report Of the committee wa
> adopted by z to vote, Mr. Cannon
a voting with the Republicans. Tn
< minority report was defeated.
/ Mr.. McCafferty, defending his actio
G in voting to award the contracts to tn
present collectors said: 81 have th
health Of the people of Wilmington frs
in mind, and voted to give the me-
It whom / thought most capable the con
II tracts for the work. Within the pas
,. three years. there have been 200 house
i erected in this city and the present con
Il tractors have in that time gone TO con
3 siderable expense in securing additions
carts and employing more men to faitn
= fully perform the work required {
! them. | therefore think it but reason
"A able to give them the work. It Is tru
II that there were lower bids but it ha
ri not been the custom, as the books {
IF the Beard of Health Department wi
al show, to give the lowest bidder tn
IS work
st In the years Of 1885 to 1888 one {
the rules was not to give garbage col
tracts to low bidders as considerab
~ difficulty had been experienced in pr
,s vious years compelling them to propei
ly perform the work I have nothin
r to regret for my action in the matte
. and as far as I am concerned. the sui
ject is ended"
A resolution was offered and adopte
insructing City Solicitor Reinhardt
> give an opinion as to the legality {
Council awarding the contracts withol
d the Mayors approval.
Another resolution urging Council
earnestly appeal to the Legislature
al set aside one-third of the annual
cense fees contributed to the Sta
~ CONTINUED on Fifth Page,