Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1898 — The City Council. [ARTICLE]

The City Council.

Jesse C. Gwin and neighbors, asked for an aggregate of 30 incandescent house lights. Committee on lights authorized to have them put in. John Eger was granted a permission to erect a one story frame building, 15 by 15 in size, in the rear of Goff’s restaurant, to be covered with iron. Seventeen members of the old fire department tendered their services in the new, department about to be organized under the new fire ordinance. They were C. W. Plaft, E. C. Owens, Harry Wiltshire, J. E. Hopkins, Charles Robinson, A. T. Perkins, E. L. Gay, Wm. Lewellen, Conard Hildebrand, Eldon R. Hopkins, John R. Warren, M. L. Hemphill, J. W. Mann, H. C. Smith Jr., I. B. Marion, E. M. Parcells, and Grant Hopkins. Most and probably all of the above are good firemen, although at least one, Mr. Smith, is at present ineligible, on account of not being a married man. Perhaps he has arranged to remedy that defect before the new department can be organized. The city tax levy ordinance was finally adopted. The levy for the various funds, is the following rate cn each SIOO assessed valuation. Corporation fund 35 cents Road fund 15 “ Sinking fund 10 “ Special School fund .... .45 “ Tuition fund 35 “ Library fund 1 “ Water Works fund 15 “ Electric Light fund 10 “ Special Additional fund.. .14 “ Total city levy SI.BO The street committee was authorized to have constructed a retain ing wall along the north side of the eastern approach to Washington street bridge, similar to the one just finished on the south side, provided the property owner was willing to bear half the expense. An important ordinance was introduced providing for the appointment of special police and prescribing and defining their duties; with a special view to enforcing the curfew ordinance. All special police are to be appointed by the council, and are to be under the orders of the city marshal. They are especially forbidden to loiter about saloons, except when necessary to enforce the ordinances: and ! they are to report all violations of I city ordinances which come to their knowledge. The provisions of the ordinance are made specially applicable to the night watchman..