Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1905-03-10
City Council 3 ] ii,
I'm Session

= AA AVASeSGS
The regular monthly meetings
| of the city councilwas held Mon
day evening. Compared with
some former meetings Of recent
date, it was like listening to a
| speech by the late Senator Sher-
man after hearing one by
Chauncey DepeW. The fire
money question had been settled
out Of court so to speak, leaving
nothing but the ratification Of
1.-THE terms. This took much Of
the spice out of the meeting.
THE adjustment came about by
City Attorney Burke getting the
llaW clearly before the two fac
ltions. The council were relying
on an old statute which had been
so much amended that it was in
lfact repealed, and the fire de-
partment was also relying on a
dead statute. The amended law
was clear that the money should
be paid to the treasurer of. the
fire company by the state treas
urer. when the city council shall
have certified to the organiza-
tion Of the company, and the
company can expend the money
as they please. This being un-
derstood, there was no contro-
versy about carrying out the law.
The usual grist Of bills was
ground out without any debate
except some for caring for the
rink which met with an obstacle,
one Of them going clear out.
while the other was reduced
many degrees.
a. petition asking for a rebate
| OF taxes on certain lots within
| the city which have been delin-
quent since 1893, was presented.
The discussion which resulted
was decidedly instructive. It
was urged that where these unim-
proved lots would be purchased
land improved, it would be bet
ter to abate the taxes and then
have the taxes from the lots
with the imp ements than
5ihaVe no taxes collected at all.
1 On the other hand it was argued
that these lots were valuable,
and were becoming more SO as
1.-THE city grew, and as the taxes
lWere a valid lien against the
i property which must some time
5Ibe realized, it would be folly to
flabate them. This idea seemed
to prevail, and on a motion to
/ Ipostpone the matter indefinitely,
| the council all voted .aye'' save
one. ss35
The auditor was instructed tc
Iquote the village Of Granville 4
price of 500 for the hook and
ladder, that village desiring tc
purchase same.
An election for three members
i lof the city council, one from each
ward, was ordered held accord
ing to law.
The report Of the fire depart.
Iment for the year was read,
IshoWing nine fires responded tc
lduring that time, with a property
lloss Of ST, 100, with ST., 100 insur-
lance. The report also showed
1.-THE following officers elected fol
1.-THE ensuing year: Chas. @.
Russell, chief; G. wv. Greene, as.
lsistant chief T. A. Haslam,
treasurer; A. M. Bond, secre,
Itary. The report was approved.
The city treasurer was ordered
/ to make a written demand on the
county treasurer for penalties
land interest on delinquent taxes
collected within the city limits.
i Its understood that the recent
leases on the question indicate
that the city is emitted to both
Ithese items which have hereto
lfore been retained BY the
county The city treasurer was
lalso instructed to collect 81 ia
the county treasury the amount
of money due the city III the
bridge fund. This is the money
INTENDED to be used y III paying
for the Pelican Point bridge
The telephone system Of Ed.
wards, Wood q Go. upon which
| "a committee was formerly ap-
pointed to investigate and re-
port, was drop ed, it appearing
that no telephone system was
Icontemp plated BY them.
eW el's Of
A Cenflf'