Common Council Again

A special meeting was held Monday evening. Mayor Beakes gave as a reason for calling a special meeting, that the claim of David Henning, of Chicago, against the city, had come up in a new form, and should be disposed of; that af ter transacting what miscellaneous business there was, he would state to the council what there was of the matter. Aid. Allmendinger moved that the fence in front of the Gundert property on Firstst, be set back. Carried. By the same, that inasmuch as there is considerable troub'e about line fenoes, that fence viewers be appointed to settle such disputes - one from each ward. The following persons were appointed : First ward, Conrad Krapf ; Second ward, John Schmid ; Third ward, Wm. J. Clark ; Fourth ward, Dudley Loomis ; Fifch ward, Newton Felch; Sixth ward, T. J. Keech. Sidewalk committee recommends a walk to be built on east side of Fifth-st in front of property owned by Alfred Buchoz; also, in front of pioperty owned by Mrs. Grace Fields east gide same st. Aid. Kearns offered resolution, that from and after this date the origiDal grade of Main-st be estublished from North to Summit-sts. Mr. Kearns said he had grown tired of baving this matter brought to him and wanted it settled one way or the other; that the council had not done as they agreed with Mr. Robison, and he was pressing the matter. Mayor Beakes said other resident of the ward were in favor of maintaining the grade where it was and he thought all should be heard on the questior.. Itlooked like taking a "snap judgment" to pass such a resolution. Aid. Wines said he had rather pay Mr. Robison reasonable damages, if he liad been damaged, rather than pay damages to those on the other side of the stieet, who would be damaged by lowering the grade. Aid. Miller moved that the conncil and all others interested, view the atreet Thursday afternoon at ive o'c'.ock, and they could then determine what should be done. Carried. Alice M. Risdon asked permission to occupy a portion of Liberty-st with building material, during the erection of a house on corner of Fourth andLiberty-sts. Granted. Petititon from Michael Gauss to complete a frame building, 10x12, on eaat side Df Liberty-st, work haviag been stopped by the fire marshal as the building was within the fire limits. The matter was finally lef t to the fire committee with power to act. An ordinance was adopted requiring every physician who finda any contagious disease in the city to report the -same immediately to the chairman of the board of health or mayor of the eity : also if any midwife or other person knows of the death of any one who is not attended by a physician, they shall within 24 hours report snch fact to the same authorities. Aid. Martin said in raference to reducing water bilis, that it could not be done unless the aldermen would be speciflc about just how long hydrants were defective. In reference to electric light, Recorder Bach said the five lights in this ward were not lighted a few nighta ago, until 10 o'clock. Aid. Herz, as chairman of the light committee, said be could not make reduction in the light bilis unless he was informed by some one what lights and how long they had been out. Aid. O'Mara said the hydrants should be looked after, as many were rusted and could not be unscrewed. Recorder Bach then offered the folio wing: That each alderman and the pólice of the city look after the electric lights and hydrants in their respective wards, and report any irregularities to the general fund committee. (Jarried. By same, that a gong for hook and ladder truck be purchased, at a cost not to exceed $20. Carried. Mayor Beakes then said in regard to the Henning matter, that Mr. Henniug had told him that unless his claim for damages for the closing of State-9t, and changing the grade of Pontiac-st near his property at the depot was nofpaid, he would bring suit against the city immediately ; that he had placed it in the hands of an attorney, with instructions to push suit if something was not done ; that the property bad cost him $7,000, and that he was not going lo lose ir. He would comprcmise the matter if the council were willing, but something must be done. Aldermen Wines, Ware, Allmendinger and City Attorney King seemed to think Mr. Henning had no valid claim against the city. The closing of State-st was done under the supervisión and advice of such men as Judges Cooley and Kinne and J. F. Lawrence, and that there was no doubt but it was done in a legal manner. As to the Pontiac grade, Attorney King said as the grade had been established by authority of the council, that no damages could be had on that score. The question was left in the hands of Mr. King and the street committee for investigation.