Year: 1871

Alter lengthy discussion on the Water.


works ordinance, passed at a previous


meeting of the Council it was yesterday


rescinded. Administrator Shaw, by the


most persistent efforts, succeeded in get


ting a rehearing of the subject, and gave


cogent reasons why this ordinance, au-
| thorizing the issuance of two millions five


hundred thousand dollars of city bonds,


for the extension Of the City Waterworks,


should not be upheld. He denounced it


as most dangerous piece of legislation,
| and, considering the manner in which it


had been adopted, was not disposed to re-


gard it as valid. This ordinance, appro-
priating large amount of money for a
certain purpose, was passed by vote of
three members, when the charter of the
city requires that sums of money exceed
ing five hundred dollars can only be voted


away by majority of all the members


composing the Council.


The ordinance was passed in the absence


of Administrator Bonzano, and the friends


of the measure are accused of having


taken advantage of his absence to force it


through. 1t appeared that Administrator


Lewis, after voting for the ordinance.


Immediately gave notice that he should
move for a reconsideration of the vote at


the next meeting of the Council Admin
istrator Shaw reminded him of this YES


terday, and insisted that courtesy to full
meeting of the Council demanded that he
should move for reconsideration. After
it was found that Administrator Lewis
could not be induced to reopen the ques-
ton by moving for a reconsideration of
the vote taken at previous meeting,
adopting the ordinance, the question was
reopened by a vote of the Council request
ing Administrator Shaw to address the
members upon the subject. This he did
SO thoroughly and effectually-notwith-
standing the reply of the Mayor, which
was intended as silencer to all that the
Administrator of Public Accounts could
say-that resolution was passed rescind-
ing the obnoxious Waterworks ordinance
by a majority of all the members compos-
ing the Council. This was not done.
however, until all the members had had.
their say about the matter under discus.
sion.


The debaters were all earnest in their
efforts for or against the ordinance, but
Mr.. Shaw, Mr.. Flanders, Mr. Remick.
Mr.. Walton and Mr.. Lewis were the only
ones who entered into the discussion at
length. Their remarks have fully de-
veloped the fact that there is majority of
the Council who are opposed to author
lzlng the issuance of the bonds of the
city to the extent of two millions five
hundred thousand dollars, to be sold
without stipulated price, to raise money
TO extend the Waterworks of this city, and
when sold the bonds to pay the holders
eight per cent interest yearly, to be paid
by the city out of the proceeds of the
"aterworks, II there be any, after the ex-
penses of the department are paid. and
II not, then to be paid by the taxpayers.
In case the Waterworks ordinance. as |
passed, went into effect and the bonds |
were sold, there would be two hundred |
thousand dollars of interest money that |
would have to be met yearly. And this
sum, it is believed, would be far more
han the yearly profits of the Waterworks