Evening journal., 1911-06-23
ROSS RESENTS
COUNCILS ACT
Says Members Know State
ITlentt is Untrue That lie
Wouldn't Sign
COUNCILMEN KNOCK"
TREASURER AND AUDITOR

Ross objected to the statement made
by the Democratic members of Coun-
Gil that he had refused to countersignI
certain checks. He declared that the
statement was known to be untrue by
every member of Council, and further
more, any checks or vouchers not
signed by him he contended were ir-
regular and invalid.
This communication from the city
treasurer caused the Democratic men,
bers of the body to indulge in a
"knockfest" in which Mr.. Ross and
City Auditor John d. Kurtz played tie
principal roles.
The letter from Treasurer Ross was
presented by Mr.. Benson, of the Sew
enth ward, and after il was read, he
moved that it be received and spread
on the minutes.
Mr.. Kane, of the Fourth ward,
promptly moved to amend by refer
ring the communication to the law
committee
Mr.. McGovern. chairman of the law
committee, objected to this procedure,
claiming that there was no necessity
for it, as all the law seemed to be in
the city treasurer and city auditor, He
made the contention that the letter
should be returned to the city treasur-
er. lie claimed that both these officers
transferred money without the author
ity of Council and concluded by stat
ing
"EnOugh," Cries McGOvern.
1--WE have about enough of these two
men running the city and creating the
impression that the Council is not able
to"
In reply Mr. Benson claimed that the
city treasurer lived under the pro-
visions of the ordinances passed pro-
viding for the 1895 900 loan.
Mr.. McGovern said that the ordin-
ances we're drawn from the sinking
fund act.
Mr. Dempsey said he seconded Mr..
Kane's amendment so that the law
committee could make a reply to the
city treasurer. Whether the commit
tee ignored the letter or replied to
it. he said, made no difference to him.
He also. was of the opinion that the
city treasurer had gone the limit in
certain matters. He claimed that the
City Council had advanced money 20
the Park Commission long before the
Legislature passed the act that none
of the money to be borrowed for the
Park Commission was to be paid for
park lands outside the city. He con-
sidered the debt incurred by the pur-
chase OF the Ford Gibson lands a just
one and one that the city owed and
should be paid
Benson Says "Illegal"
Mr. Benson remarked that there
was not the least bit of doubt in his
mind that the payment for that part
of "Fordland" outside the city limits
was a violation of the law.
Mr.. Higgins said the land was
bought before the passage Of the act
providing for the loan park loan aud
Mr.. Benson replied that he under
stood there had been inserted in the
bill the clause that none Of the money
was to be expended outside the city
limits, Just TO cover this case.
When asked by Mr.. Dempsey If he
knew such 10 be true, Mr.. Benson was
obliged to admit that he did not.
At this iuncture vote was taken
on the amendment offered by Mr.
Kane and Mr. McGovern voted with
the Republicans On the call for an
aye and nay vote. however, he voted
with his Democratic colleagues the
vote resulting in s for the amendment
and against, this sending the letter
TO the law committee.
The letter reads
Treasurer Ross Letter.
To the President and Members Of the
Council of Wilmington
I am in receipt OF a certified copy
of a resolution adopted by the Council
IN a special meeting held on June 18th
1911 transferring S39,674 40 from the
Special Account, Redemption of Water
90 NT1rrnrs nd
ell. Current Account. and S467210(
from the Special Account Purchase
and Improvement of Park Lands to the
Mayor and Council Current Account
have this date made the following
note of protest in the Cash Receipt
Book in the Treasurer Office.
Both transfers were made by reso.
luton of City Council at a special
meeting held June 18th, 1911, and in
neither case was a check or voucher
given, signed by the City Auditor and
CITY Treasurer. The sac. .721 90 is made
up from two items, as follows SAL,
100000. which City Council paid for the
Ford and Gibson Lands and S5,721.0(
the premium on the S100,O00.00 Parl
Loan authorized by Act of Legisla.
ture which directed that the proceeds
should be drawn upon only upon the
proper warrant properly signed by the
City Auditor and City Treasurer fol
the sole purpose of purchase of Parl
Lands within the city limits. AS one o.
the three blocks comprising the Fore
land lies outside of the city limits. tbs
amount allowed for this one-third (S6,
666.67) was improper and in strict vio
lation Of the Act of the Legislature au
thorizing the loan. The $5,72100 pre-
MUM on the Park Loan of S100,00l
was by this same resolution diverte.
from its proper use, namely, purchase
of park land within the city limits, t.
the Current Expense Account, Mayor
and Council"
AS your resolutions go on to stati
that the City Treasurer has refused t
countersign checks | desire to correc
such statement as same is absolutel,
untrue land is known to be untrue b,
every member Of City CounciD auC
therefore any checks or vouchers no
signed by the City Treasurer are ir
regular and invalid.
Very respectfully,
Howard n Ross