The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-04-01
RETRENC HMENT
DIES ADJOINING
Continued from first page

work specified, and the mayor said he
couldn't exactly describe it. Alderman
\ keefe thought his colleague would
change his mind, too, if he were to look
the situation over. On the motion OF
Alderman Bancroft, seconded by Alder.
man Hoban of the salary committee
the report was accepted, ordered filed
land the recommendations ordered carried
out. There was one dissenting vote.
May Seek Legal Advice at Will.
| Scarcely had the feeling over the re-
port died down when the clerk read the
report of the legislative committee on
the proposed ordinance amendment and
strife was brewing again. In tersely
worded document, the committee recon-
mended that the amendment be not ac-
cepted, since it promised nothing bet
ter than the ordinance now in force.
Alderman Keefe moved its acceptance
and Alderman Bruce seconded the mo-
ton. The amendment as framed pro-
posed to curtail the legal expense ac-
count by preventing certain city officials
from seeking advice from the city attor-
ney without the consent of the council
or aldermanic committees. In effect, it
was offered as a substitute for a reso-
luton introduced by Alderman Cook
some weeks ago Before the motion
of Alderman Keefe was put, the clerk
| suggested that the committee should
have recommended an amendment to
the amendment instead of leaving
vacuum. where legislative enactment
had been contemplated.
Again Alderman Cook intimated that
members OF the council had been insn-
cere in favoring measures which they
now seemed to condemn. He declared it
to be the unanimous sense of the coun-
ell at prior meeting that the expense
in the legal department should be pared.
brush between Aldermen Cook and
Hoban over the wording of the amend
ment was interrupted by Alderman
Keefe withdrawing his motion, and sub
stituting motion to refer the report
and the amendment back TO the legis-
ative committee.
Speaking for the committee, Alderman
Bancroft said it had been their opinion
in filing the report that the officials will
be hampered in their work if a check
is put. on the privilege of seeking coun-
sci. Last year. he continued to argue,
the city attorney cost the city only $3.50,
which he considered slight sum, mas
much as there was little if any litiga-
ton. He thought the attorney was saw
ing the city much money In avoiding
legal snares and pitfalls. Moreover, he
couldn't believe that any of the officials
were seeking counsel without cause
Said Alderman Cook "Yet You know
they have, in the past, and on this con-
clusion we were all agreed when the
matter was first considered" Mayor
Ward admitted there had been symp-
toms of unnecessary legal consultations
in days gone by and cited the poor de-
partment.
The mayor put the motion made BY
Alderman Keefe and Alderman Bancroft
called for the yeas and nays. Aldermen
Iioban, Bancroft and Bruce voted not to
refer the matter to the committee again. |
Aldermen Cook, keast and keefe voted |
in favor OF such action and the mayor
was called to break the tie. After
moment of hesitation-perh il was |
only 20 seconds--he voted against the |
motion. With the strength of those for |
and against the proposal already tested, |
Alderman Bancroft's motion to accept |
the report was seconded by Alderman Ho- !
ban and quickly adopted with feeble |
dissent here and there. The same mem
bers figured in the motion to Law the |
amendment on the table and
il was carried by an oral vote. Thus
came to grief measure, introduced in
one way or another, that many believed
would give the mayors announcement
policy of retrenchment an suspicious
send-of in the new administration.
Mr.. Wishart Named State-Paid
Grand Juror.
Opponents and supporters of William
Nishart for the statepaid grand Juror
lined up for the next event. Mr. Wish
lrt was one OF two grand Jurors con-
irmed by the board of aldermen last
week. Mayor Ward introduced a reso-
ution designating Attorney Wishart as
.he grand Juror to receive a fixed salary
rom the state in lieu of fees. Alder
nan Bancroft moved its adoption. AL
herman Keast asked why third grand
WIZ nav NV ptth apPblhb1n uHu LHt
mayor ascribed it to lack of time. Al
lerman Keast thought the council would
ave better chance to exercise their
Judgment if there were two lawyers to
hoose from" "The question arises" he
will we have a grand juror
t this resolution is adopted? I under
tand that the man mentioned therein
nee held the Office and resigned at the
EXPIRATION of three months" Mayor !
Ward said successor could easily be .
if it transpired that such a !
curse is desirable. "We can get another .
nan il he isn't satisfactory" concluded J
he mayor. Alderman Cook opposed the I
esolution and said he knew that one a
i the best attorneys in the city was Y
Filling to take the Office. He asked for 7
yea and nay vote. Aldermen Hoban, e
ancroft and Bruce voted for its adop- 4
ion and Aldermen Cook, Keast and
,eefe opposed. Again the mayor broke h
he deadlock and Mr. Wishart was de- u
Jared to have been duly designated. b
Vital Statistics. =
Health Officer DR.. J. II. Woodruff's Fl
sports for January and February were Il
! IL L a. l..