Durango semi-weekly herald., 1905-10-05
COUNCILS
ANIMATED
MEETING

The most interesting meeting of the
city council of Durango for a very
long time was last night All were
present: Mayor Mcconnell and Alder.
men Rivers. Balster. Hnnno Berndt
Logan, Dobbins. Casey and West: and
Street Commissioner DuPraw. Water
Commissioner Schalles, Engineer Wig.
ellsworth and City Attorney Reese.
Clerk Russell was detained a few min.
utes by sickness at home. When they
all got together it was apparent that
they had something to do
The bills for the past month were
taken up, the greater number having
already been audited by the finance
committee. Later bills were discussed
and some of them turned down or de
ferred.
Propping up the old bridge to last
during the fair had given rise to one
OF the bills Engineer Wigglesworth
was called on to explain this one. The
minutes OF the former meeting were
approved, and then the following H.
censes were granted: John Gilbert &
Frank Wilkersen, auctioneer: John
Males, express: W. A. BENJAMIN.
shooting gallery; Il. A. Hutchinson.
pool tables, The request for license
by McCarter &. Hayes was deferred.
after considerable discussion, and re-
ferrel "a the proper committee.
Treasurer LaCount's report was read
and accented and urus f,Ilnwad Iv
reading and acceptance of the reports
of Water Commissioner Schalles. Po-
lice Magistrate Houx, City Clerk Rus.
Sell and Street Commissioner DuPraw
The latter was in a big book and Clerk
Russell said IL was hammer" that
1t would take all night to read it.
Reading for a time. the council con.
cluded that It was too voluminous and
decided to refer it to the street and
alley committee.
The Public Health.
Mayor Mcconnell intervened with a
subject which is always claiming the
attention of good many people. He
said he had requested the health Off
rer to make a report of such cond,
tions as appeared in his Office re-
quiring his attention under the health
ordinances: that ne understood there
were several cases of scarlet fever
and typhoid. and that he had seen no
report from the health officer. Clerk
Russell said that during three Years
in his office he could not recall any
thing Ike such report, and AL the
council had failed to see health re-
port. 1t was recalled that there were
ordinances concerning the public
health and proper records and blanks,
but none had been kept or filled ont.
The mayor requested that the proper
committee confer with the health Off
FER and demand report of present
sonditions.
citys Resources.
The notes due the city from the
sale of the Florida ranches purchased
a few years ago to acquire more wat
er rights, came up for discussion, and
1t was learned that one of the purchas-
ers, Mr Ritter, desired to change the
form of the obligation and defer pay
ment MIR. Roberts had paid $500
note and SIS interest on $4,000 Mr..
Mcconnell said he had conferred with
these creditors regarding theip giving
mortgage or trust deed for the bal
ance of their Indebtedness to the city.
with the purpose Of getting these Sc
curities in more tangible shape on
which to realize money to aid in the
building of the new bridge. 1t was
TO get the money and help to reduce
the tax levy.
Alderman West said local bank
was ready to assist with funds on a
liberal basis and this led to consider
able discussion regarding tne form
OF securities and the necessity of hold
ing an election to vote bridge bonds
Alderman Hanno moved to have
sl,S6S.45 of the general fund and
$5ss.S5 Of the gravity fund transferred
to the emergency fund, and this wa
done by resolution.
Road Machine and Team,
Alderman Berndt reported the puT
chase Of a quantity of 12-lnch sewe
pipe and said the city had an oppoI
tnnity to purchase road machln
from D, w. Hoover at 500 which ma
cost siUO, and to buy team from hif
for s325 Here Alderman West an
Berndt had a tilt because the cit
having provided for the purchase of
team, had failed to buy II. Mr., BernC
thought 1t would be very difficult
ind a team which would suit NJ
West. The council was not sure th'
machine or team should be purcha
ed now. so near winter. but the sire
commissioner said now is when
need It. On motion the mayor a
pointed special committee, Aide
men Dobbins, West and Rivers,
take up the matter Of buying II
chine and team and report at the ne
regular meeting of the council.
West Opens Light Subject.
Alderman West said he would II
to ask about the progress of getti
cheaper electric lights. He thouf
. little auizzing on this 81 - v