Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1899 — The City Council. [ARTICLE]

The City Council.

The Ladies Literary Society filed a petition asking the Council for a more rigorous enforcement of the ordinances against garbage, weeds etc., representing that the public health would be thereby greatly benefitted. The Council saw the point, and in an informal way decided on a stricter enforcement of the said ordinances. Henry Hildebrand was granted a city saloon license for one year from Jnne 16th, at $250 per year. B. Forsythe and others petitioned for Van Rensselaer street to be improved for one block, from Washington to Cornelia street, and the Council resolved in favor the improvement. The south 200 feet to be of macadam, from curb to curb, and the curbs to bo of concrete. The north 100 feet to be macadam 36 feet wide, with oak curbs. Most of the property owners affected remonstrated against the new side walk asked for on Clark street. Referred to street committee. W. H. Eger and 8 others remonstrated against the proposed improvement of the three west blocks of Cedar Street. The Council held the remonstrance was insufficient, and it was over-ruled. The waterworks committee was directed to purchase and have ininstalled two public drinking fountains, for horses, hounds and humans. The county commissioners agree to pay for the fountains and the city puts them in and supplies the water, free and unlimited. The locations of the fountains have not yet been decided upon. The ordinance for a sewer on Jefferson street was adopted. The appointments of J. E. Hopkins and Conrad Hildebrand as Ist and 2nd assisstant fire chiefs, were confirmed. The city engineer’s specifications for the new street improvements were received and adopted. The appointment of a school trustee to succeed M. F. Chilcote, whose tiihe had expired, resulted in quite an aminated contest. The candidates were Mr. Chilcote, G. K. Hollingsworth and J. F. Warren. Six ballots were taken, the Ist, 3rd and 6th being as follows: 13 6 Chilcote 3 2 3 Hollingsworth 1 1 Warren 2 3 3 Chilcote and Warren being a tie, the Mayor cast the deciding vote in favor of Mr. Warren, and he was declared elected. The trustees of Weston Cemetery reported receipts for a year, $979.05. Expenditures $420.33. Balance on hand $558.72. They report 20 burial lots sold during the year and only 13 available lots on hand. They recommend that a tract adjoining the cemetery on the west be purchased of Thos. Robinson, if suitable terms can be made. Councilmen Murray, Gwin and Eger appointed to negotiate with Mr. Robinson. N. H. Warner’s term as cemetery trustee having expired, he was re-elected for three years. The city attorney was directed to notify the Monon R. R> company to build the proper grades preparatory to opening Madison avenue, the new street in the northwest part of town, running north from near Robt. Kepner’s place, to James Mathesson’s farm. The attorney was also directed to request the railroad to replank the tracks at Main street crossing, by the depot. The marshal was directed to fill up the abandoned fire cistern in the rear of Eger’s grocery store. People use water out, and leave the cover off hence it is dangerous to be at large.