Semi-weekly herald., 1909-07-22

last night and ground away until mid
night. developing four particular
things:
First-That the city finances
are at low ebb and that expenses
are running overtime.
Second-That Notwithstanding a
depleted emergency fund the Dem
ocratic members voted money to
defend their illegal action.
Third-That the grades for side
walks and streets are disgrace to
the city and costing vast sum of
money.
Fourth-That the Democratic al
dermen admit their ILLEGAL action
In letting printing contract by
passing a resolution canceiiinq the
contract, Alderman Dudley disoov-
ering a Ioophoie In that the Demo
crat had not filed bond according
to law. He failed to state that II
the law was good in this respect
1t is good when II says the work
shall be let to the lowest responsi-
BILE bidder.
When the council was called to or.
der Mayor Goodman was In the chair
with all aldermen present The min
utes of last regular and Two special
meetings We're read and approved
without change
The regular order OF business was
dispensed with to permit number OF
citizens present to give vent to their
troubles
First heard were Messrs Scouton
and Moody in behalf of a donation for
the fair guarantee fund Mir Scouton
presented the matter in a logical man.
ner, showing the necessity of keeping
up the yearly fair and referring to
precedent established in the past No
immediate action was taken but before
adjournlng the council voted 800 for
the purpose.
Tnen the way the city Is managed
in way of establishing grades for
streets and sidewalks came In for
fine and sarcastic roast by Attorney
James A. Pulliam, whose language
was polished but of keen, cutting
nature to membership that finds
itself In bad mess In many ways
Mr. Pulliam called attention to the no
tice served on him to build a side.
walk that 1t had TO be built within
a certain time; this was all right.
Then came question OF grade. He re.
ferred to tne crossing on Third avenue
near his place put In last winter,
something like II foot or so below
the street, which was n regular mud
and water hole during the winter and
spring and an eye sore. With others
he took pride In having a City Beau
tiful' and when served with notice to
build sidewalk he realized that he
must do SO or he would be hauled
up before the city magistrate and fined
for violation of the ordinance there
an audible smile from some who were
reminded of the way the Democratic
members had violated the ordinance
in way of contracts and none of them
had been fined). and to avoid this ter
'rible disgrace he had called for the
city engineer who happened to be
out of the city About this time Mr.
Pulliam said he had TO leave town
While he was absent the city engineer
located the grade and workmen laid
the walk. Upon returning Imagine Mr.
Pulliam's chagrin to find that instead
of a sidewalk he had an inland lake
the walk being a foot or more below
the street This condition of affairs
has been allowed TO go on and no at
tention paid by the city, coming In
for a roast every time any citizen goes
that way Mr.. Pulliam concluded by
saying he was thankful for many
Dn' Di lutlu utluB lHut llt
grade had not been made lower Ga
fine bit of sarcasm). Mr. Pulliam
referred TO the destruction OF an old
landmark in the shape Of a tree which
every one priced, but here again was
the city most powerful Except when
the Democratic aldermen have favor.
ties to award contracts) Mr.. Pulliam
concluded by urging that some action
be taken, that either the streets be
graded and other walks laid to grade
or that the grade be changed and
walks raised. The fact that the city
was shy OF money for this work was
no excuse--the city will always be
short of money with the way things
are being conducted.
The people. however. had a right to
demand that the evils complained OF
be remedied He said he had paid for
having the grade established, whereas
the city has paid the bill for others,
but the speaker said he did not com
plain of this. but the town could never
he built up by the way things were
being run.
Alderman Morelock agreed with Mr.
Puiliam. that Third avenue was In
bad shape. He called attention to the
LeVan cement walk In North Durango
which would be impossible when most
needed--In winter and heavy rain pc
riods. and there were other places just
as bad The city expected the people
TO do the right thing and the council
should set the example.
Alderman Smith said he was sorry
that he had not been notified before
Mr.. Pulliam put In his walk He said
the cross.walk was crazy affair, and
fl was generally admitted that the en-.
tire business was along crazy order
Mr. Smith said the city did not have
money to spend. but that something
should be DONE He did not know
which would be the cheapest---to grade
the street to the last grade establish
ed or to raise Mr.. Pulliam's walk.
Street Commissioner DuPraw sale
1t WAS only few days ago that Woo<