Evening journal., 1911-06-19
TRANSFER
CITY FUNDS
Council Authorizes Mayer and
MCMuIlen to Sign Checks in
Absence of Officials
MAYOR CALLS MEETING
TO ADJUST TANGLES

City Council held a special meeting
at l o'clock this afternoon, the first
day session of Council called for a
long time.
The meeting was called by Mayor
Spruance, President Banning an
pounced, and was convened to adjust
the present financial trouble OF the
city
There were present President Ban
ming and Councilmen Downs, Bilder-
back, McMullen, DuRoss, Kane, Demp-
sey, Conway, Higgins and McGoyern.
The message from the Mayor was as
follows:
To the President and members of the
Council of the Mayor and Council Of
Wilmington:
Il have called this special meeting
of the Council that some immediate ac-
tion may be taken to straighten out
certain financial matters of the city
that have become involved by the in
harmonious action of different agen-
cies of the city.
The city has recently realized about
$4,000 from sale of bonds, which has
been deposited to various special ac-
counts So much of this money as has
been advanced from the current funds
or is realized by reason of the excel
lent credit of the city belongs TO the
city of Wilmington and should be used
at once to pay such debts as the city
owes
Unless something is done at once
l feel that, without reason or excuse,
and with funds in bank, that should
be available, the city's credit will be
impaired and its fair name seriously
damaged. l therefore have called this
meeting at this time so that Council
can seriously take up these matters
when it is not embarrassed by its rou-
tine business.
"In view of the short time remain
ing for the present Council to act /
would suggest that you give this mat
ter as much attention today as pos
sible and request that it continue in
session until it has effectually dispos-
ed of these matters.
Respectfully.
J. Harvey Spruance. Mayor.
Wilmington, Del. June 10, 1911.
Chairman Kane of the Finance Com
mittee then offered resolutions en-
powering Mayor Spruance and City
Councilman Richard c. McMullen to
sign checks at this time as auditor
and city treasurer, respectively, the
officials having been out of the city
during the morning.
The resolutions we're passed by a
vote of to 2, the Republican mem
bers voting against them.
The Republicans voted with the
Democrats for a transfer of S101Sl
from the miscellaneous accoun ito the
interest account.
The resolutions passed follow:
'sNVhereas. It is. necessary tha
checks to the amount Of $4,000 foi
the redemption Of certain water bonds
be issued at once, and
Whereas, The City Treasurer hal
refused to countersign said check
and
Whereas. The City Auditor is alb
sent from the city, therefore be it
Resolved by the Mayor and Council
OF Wilmington that ]. Harvey Spru
ance is hereby designated to counter
sign said checks for said CITY Audito
and Richard c. McMullen is hereb,
designated 10 countersign said check
for City Treasurer Ross"
This resolution also was passed:
whereas I0l lAAN HtObCI NOilluN
of the financial affairs Of the city o
Wilmington, it is necessary that tn
sum of s46,721 be transferred from
special account purchase and i'm
provement Of park lands to Mayor an
Council current account, and that tn
sum of s39,674 be transferred fror
the special account redemption o
water works bonds to Mayor an
Council accounts.
"And Whereas, The City Treasure
has refused to countersign checks
accomplish said purpose.
Therefore be II resolved by th
Mayor and Council of Wilmington tbs
Richard c. McMullen is hereby al
pointed to act in the place of sal
CITY Treasurer for the purpose
oountersigning said checks. And thi
checks be drawn for above amount
70 be countersigned as above directe
Following the reading of the resoli
ton. Council took a recess of thir'
minutes to prepare proper transfer
and bills for passage.