The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-02
The City Council Refused to
Wipe Them Out at the
Present Time
NOR TO ABATE RENT
ON OPERA HOUSE
Because of Suspension of
Theatre in Smallpox Scare
Some Years Ago

On the eve of the last day OF the ad.
ministration, the city council devoted
much Of the time at its regular monthly
meeting to the task of cleaning up odd
remnants of business which had been al
lowed to lie over for one reason and an
other. Singularly enough, two matters
which had been lost sight OF, apparently,
in the pressure of other affairs, led to
two of the sharpest clashes since the
board assembled for its first meeting one
year ago An effort summarily to end
the probe into the standing OF two for
mer tax collectors was thWarted by a
vote OF four to one and the proposal to
abate a rental charge of $3.50 levied on
Fox & Eaton, lessees of the Barre opera
house, during the smallpox scare of 1912,
was also frowned down. The fact that
there were no fewer than IA committee
reports submitted for acceptance indi-
Gates that the aldermen made conscien-
tious effort to clear the decks for the
new administration.
The Old Tax Accounts.
According to the opinion Of the city
attorney, both Of the tax accounts held
by the city against its former collectors,
w H. Buchanan and j, r. Coutts, are
outawed, six years having elapsed in
each case, since the last effort TO square
accounts was made. In a lengthy reclta-
ton of facts and theories, which includ-
ed a number of citations, the city at
torney questioned the city's ability to
collect in cases where either constable
was legally entitled TO Naturalization
for expenses incurred in attempting the
collection of delinquent accounts wheth-
er or not he was successful In making
collection To complete the findings tho
attorney declared that both bills against
the former collectors were outlawed If II
period of six years had elapsed, although
he suggested that the length of time in
either instance could be determined if the
former collectors were asked TO appear
before the board and produce their ac-
counts.
Accompanying the opinion was a re-
port purporting to come from the finance
committee and signed by Alderman Ban
croft, in which il was stated that both
the signer and the city attorney we've
satisfied that neither Mr.. Coutts nor Mr..
Buchanan could be compelled to pay, and
recommending that the bills be abated.
No sooner had the report been read than
Alderman Keast moved that the report
be laid ON the abIe and that Messrs.
Coutts and Buchanan be asked TO appear
before the council at its next meeting,
Alderman Cook seconded the motion and
IL was carried with one dissenting vote.
Opera House Rentals.
The difference between a moral obliga-
ton and a legal privilege was described
in a report in which the property COM
mittee recommended that Fox & Eaton,
lessees Of the Barre opera house be re-
leased from the payment Of $50 rent
money due on the theatre during the
smallpox epidemic of a few years ago.
A previous opinion was quoted 20 show
that the account was collectible but in
the minds OF the committee members,
Aldermen Bancroft and Bruce, who signed
the report. the city has no moral right 20
insist that the bill be- paid. The report
set forth the claim that the city slipped
the ia on the theatre al time when
the lessees were IN a fair way 10 make
some money i'm the theatrical business.
Speaking in behalf OF the report, Alder
man Bancroft said the icssees were pre-
pared 20 accept suit, should the city
press the claim. and in his opinion Il