Rock Island Daily Argus

A SHORT SESSION.
But a Rather Important One After All.

Last Night's Adjourned Council Meeting.—New Water Works Superintendent.—Street Paving and Sidewalk Improvements.—Other Municipal Affairs.

[Official Report.]

City Council Room, Rock Island, Feb. 18.—The council met in regular session at 8 p. m., Mayor Blanding presiding, and all the aldermen present. Mr. O. J. Dimick was given permission to address the council on the workings of the special taxation system, and gave his experience in other cities: he also explained his connection with the proposals to sell the waterworks and Union Square.

Mayor Blanding stated that as the present superintendent of waterworks had not been appointed nor confirmed but was simply holding over, he would therefore present the name of John A. Murrin as superintendent of waterworks and ask for its confirmation. Confirmed unanimously.

Alderman Ill offered an ordinance relating to street improvements on Second avenue by special taxation and moved that it be referred to the street and alley and ordinance committee with the mayor and city attorney, to report at the next regular meeting. Alderman Howard moved to lay it on the table. The amendment was lost—3 to 12. (Howard, Schaffer.) Alderman Negus moved as an amendment to Alderman Ill's motion that the committee be instructed to ascertain, by a personal canvass, the preference of paving material to be used in the improvement of Second avenue. The amendment was accepted and the original motion as amended was adopted by unanimous vote.

Alderman Ill presented an ordinance relating to the building of sidewalks within the fire limits by special assessment, and asked that it be referred to the sidewalk committee to report at the next regular meeting. So referred.

The clerk read a communication from the Brush Electric Light Co., asking that the water rates as established by meter be referred to a committee to investigate as to being excessive. Alderman Winter moved that the matter be referred to the mayor and waterworks committee. Alderman Edwards moved as an amendment that the rates be collected as established. Amendment carried.

Ald. Hampton offered an ordinance amending an ordinance in relation to city weigher. Referred to ordinance committee to report at the next regular meeting.

On motion of Alderman Winter the waterworks committee was instructed to elevate the whistle at the waterworks, complaints being made that it cannot be heard in the lower part of the town at fire alarms.

Alderman Howard presented a resolution adopted by the Retail Merchants' association and others, asking the cooperation of the city council in their efforts to get their honest dues from debtors. Received and filed.

Alderman Simmons moved that the Moline & Rock Island Street Railway Co. be notified to place Third avenue, between Nineteenth and Twentieth streets in passable condition as per agreement, and that Twentieth street between Second and Third avenues be made passable as soon as the weather permits it, by the city, the expense to be charged to the contingent fund. Carried.

A plat of John Warner's division of outlots 28 and 24 was presented, and on motion referred to the street and alley committee to report.

The clerk read a petition of John Stapp to pay or repair damages for land taken to stop the flood last spring. Referred to the street and alley committee.

A petition of T. H. Ellis to move a public scale from its former location to the corner near Fourteenth street and Second avenue was granted.

The committee on water rates asked further time to report on their ordinance revising the present rates, which was granted.

Alderman Schnell moved that the city clerk furnish a list of water takers who ceased to be consumers on account of high rates. Carried. On motion the council adjourned,

ROBERT KOEHLER, City Clerk.