The Wichita Daily Eagle

COUNCIL MEETING.

The city council last night allowed bills to the extent of the funds on hand, providing as many Christmas presents for those employed by the city as possible.

The first step in the $50,000 funding bond matter was taken after some discussion.

Routine work in the main.

THE PROCEEDINGS.

Members present: Caswell, Carson, Schnitzler, Buckeridge, Martin, Williams, Coffin, with President of the Council Johnson in the chair. Before Assistant Clerk Smith had completed the reading of the minutes Member Glaze arrived.

Buckeridge said it was strange to have a meeting without an attorney. He was informed there was no assistant attorney, and the attorney was absent.

The city engineer submitted final estimate on Douglas avenue Chisholm creek bridge, calling for $1,451, which was approved.

Eighteenth estimate of city building work, $1,193, adopted.

A petition wanted Central avenue widened at Sherman street ten feet, and Schnitzler moved it be granted, and Glaze moved as substitute to appoint a committee to investigate.

Buckeridge said the avenue was squeezed in ten feet for a block and they wanted the "squeeze" taken out of it.

Glaze said he had no opposition if it was understood; would withdraw motion. The Schnitzler motion prevailed.

J. H. Jackson wanted $100 damages for his team getting scared at Johnson's sweeping gang. It was referred to the judiciary committee.

Original bills were read, and among them the Shrader defunct, employes for work on South Market street. Somehow the bills had finally come in and the bond on the contract having been defective as a result of negligence of the city attorney, the laborers could not get pay from bond of failing contractor. After many months of labor somehow the bills got on the main line to the city treasury and it is said as soon as there is any money in the treasury they will be run in by way of "extras" without any destruction of hedge fence or such blinding scheme.

Miscellaneous bills were allowed amounting to $2,900, no salaries included, causing something of a kick, but Glaze said that this class of bills would be attended to next time.

Appropriated for city building $1,143.

W. A. Reed, insurance, $31.

Sewer appropriation $1,750 was made.

The Dakota, Wichita and Galveston right of way ordinance was read. To occupy Wichita street follow Missouri Pacific from Santa Fe crossing; Fifth avenue, follow Santa Fe; Mead, follow Rock Island; Mosely avenue, follow the Midland. O. O. Bentley, attorney for the road did not want the ordinance considered in the absence of a full council or something of that kind.

Carson moved it be referred to the railroad committee with McKee a second and it was "so ordered."

Glaze of the finance committee said he had visited the county treasurer and arrangements were made for deducting Jasperite tax.

A funding bond resolution was offered calling for $50,000 bonds, payable in thirty years, denomination $500.

Buckeridge said at one time he favored the funding scheme, but he had changed. The levy had been made to cover all indebtedness, and the result would be that the bond money would simply be spent extra. These hard times is a good time for economy and economy is better late than never.

Coffin said the resolution was to instruct the city attorney to prepare the form and final action would come up later. It had in the past taken some time to get a bond form.

Buckeridge moved that the police commissioners be requested to "close up Wilcox."

Johnson said Ed. O'Brien had said the council must attend to its G-- d business, and Wilcox would do the same.

Buckeridge moved the police close all places not selling according to law.

Carson asked permission for Henry Bolte to turn around when he was instructing the building permit man was authority on such matters.

Coffin of the judiciary in the Williford and Bennett smash-up, reported Williford smashed to the extent of $1,100 and Bennett $650, but the committee reported unfavorably. In the case of Mrs. Butts, Coffin reported favorable to allowing $200.

Buckeridge said that as the city was in a fix to lose every suit, judging from experience, he would favor settling the case for $200, which prevailed.

Buckeridge, on the special committee to stop electric cars, wanted more time for investigation. It had been suggested that the cars slow up one hundred feet before reaching a street.

Carson was "bucking the roads" very bad. They were wicked institutions, especially recently, and likely to be very bad for some months yet.

Glaze reported that G. O. Merriman held a tax sale certificate on the hose house lot, West Side. He had supposed "the city attorney had looked that matter up with his usual diligence," when the members smiled aloud, joined by the lobby. The city attorney was instructed to shoot again into the matter and report progress.

Schnitzler said the superintendent of the Gas company had lied to him, when he was instructed to "lick him."

Caswell opened up the sidewalk when no one knew anything about it, when Carson said he hated very much to see such negligence. If we have a duty to perform why don't we attend to it?

Glaze wanted to make a special order of it, and also reported the committee on rules wanted more time.

Buckridge said he was more than satisfied with the sewer. Everything all right, no smell at the mouth, when Martin observed the smell was distributed up town.

Coffin said that a man named Faber claimed to own the ground on which the sewer emptied; was owned by himself and he wanted damages, for he proposed to have a garden just there, and William Mathewson also was feeling like he wanted damages.

Martin-Don't know how in the name of God a man can have a garden in the bed of the river.

City engineer-No garden within a mile as far as I know, of the mouth of the sewer.

Schnitzler-A farmer told me that his catfish down there now twice as big as ever before.

Carson wanted the Postal to paint their poles and put on some style. "I move the management be notified to clean off their poles and paint them." The motion prevailed.