The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-07-30


with the exception of one man, on the
securing of such a building for the
city of Mt. Vernon If legal means
could be invoked. The dissenting
member wanted the proposition put
through by private subscription.
Council is ON record as very favorable
to an armory and when the proposi.
tion of securing one by purchasing
land for a playground site at such
terms that the seller could in turn
buy $4,000 site for an armory and
donate it to the city, was suggested
and put in the form of an ordinance,
council advocated the subterfuge.
However, the more the matter was
talked OF and thought over, the
stronger grew little undercurrent of
doubt as to the wisdom of councils
resorting to this subterfuge. Later, it
became a question of the legality of
such step on councils part. Two
members of the council refused fatty
to vote for the ordinance until the
law had been thoroughly examined
and councils possible action be re-
moved from all trace of illegality.
The ordinance was accordingly re-
ferred to the law committee of coun-
Gil and the city solicitor. Prior to
the coming up of the ordinance at
Monday evenings session, Chairman
Weaver of the law committee report.
ed unfavorably on the ordinance and
expressed sorrow and regret that the
port.
Chairman Weaver cited Section 12,.
S78 of the General Code of Ohio as
the basis of the unfavorable report.
The section of the code in substance
stipulates from one to twenty-one
years of Imprisonment and fine of
double the amount embezzled for any
councilman who, in full knowledge of
the deed, wilfully diverts to another
FOi pooe IioHCs lOl OuC
specific thing The section cited by
Councilman Weaver covered the case
at hand completely and removed all
doubt from the minds of every coun-
Gilman as to the course he should pur.
sue when the ordinance came up for
final vote. There was no question of
the Interpretation of the cited section.
IT was as plain as could be and the
unanimous defeat of the ordinance
was the sensible thing
Following the adverse decision of
council, Mr. J. j. Fultz, who was
granted the privilege of the floor,
read paper he had prepared, advo-
eating the commission form of gov
ernment for Mt. Vernon, under which
form, he stated, the question of an
armory could be submitted to vote
of the people. Mr.. Fultzs paper and
remarks were referred to the atten-
ton OF the public improvement COM
mittee.
An ordinance was introduced and
carried under suspension of the rules
providing that bonds be issued in the
sum of $3.50 for improving the water
course and protecting the banks of
the Kokosing river and cleaning the.
chanRel.
A resolution declared it necessary
to put down sidewalks on the west
side of German streets from Howard
street to Pennsylvania avenue and on
the north side of Howard street from
German street to Wilson street. The
resolution was referred to the side
walk committee.
The sewer committee reported fay-
orably on the laying of tiling in the
stallation of sewers in Burgess and
Norton streets. The reports were re-
ceived and filed.
The street committee requested the
service director to order the city en-.
gineer to lower the sidewalk grade in
front of Mr.. Jayson apeltons residence
only six inches and to make grad
uel grade of the street. A fill was al
so ordered placed along Mr. Merrins
sidewalk.
Solicitor Rooms, in reference to the
protest made by Mr.. Thomas King on
an Oak street sewer assessment, stat
ed that Mr. King owned two lots
fronting on Rogers street and that, II
he had paid the sewer assessment for
Rogers street, he probably could not
be made to pay twice. However, the
solicitor advised council should sus.
pend action for while.
Adjourned
--.f.--
MIkIED0