Source:North-side-solons
"North Side Solons: Sitting of both branches of the local legislature: A reform movement—looking after the corporations." Daily Post (Pittsburgh), July 11, 1879, [p. 4]. Newspapers.com 87629059.
A regular meeting of Allegheny Councils was held last evening. The most important measure acted upon was a resolution providing for a reduction in the expenses of the city government. A resolution instructing the City Solicitor to look up the law relating to the assessment and collection of taxes from insurance and banking companies was presented. The ordinance adopting the provisions of the act classifying taxes was laid over. Nothing else worthy of special note came before either branch. Following are the proceedings of both branches in detail:
Select Council.
President Armstrong rapped his gavel shortly after eight o'clock, and after the preliminary business was disposed of a number of papers were presented. Mr. Fleming submitted the following:
Whereas, The rate now levied on the business and property of the citizens of Allegheny in taxes having become so great that it partakes more of the character of a cent than a tax; therefore,
Resolved, That a committee of five, two from Select and three from Common Council, be appointed, to report, at the next meeting of Councils, on the propriety (if not the necessity) of a reductiion [sic] in the expenses of the city government wherever it is possible to be done.
The resolution was adopted.
The same gentleman presented a communication from Mr. John Schetzel, asking for the payment of the balance due him for paving of McClure avenue, amounting to $6,428 15. This was referred, as was a petition from J. Wilhelm, Jr., asking that the name of Quarry street, Twelfth ward, be changed to Laurel avenue.
Tax on corporations.
Mr. Wilhelm also presented a resolution instructing the Finance Committee and the City Solicitor to examine the laws relating to the assessment and collection of taxes upon banking and insurance companies to see if the city cannot collect a tax from such corporations, and if it can be done then they shall report to Councils an ordinance authorizing the same.
The same gentleman also submitted an ordinance granting the Union Passenger Railway Company the privilege to lay their tracks from the Union bridge along South avenue, Allegheny avenue, Cabinet, Bidwell, Fulton or Manhattan, Juniatta [sic], Charties [sic], Brady, Wayne streets, Strawberry alley and Preble avenue to Wood's Run. Referred.
A resolution for the changing of the name of Verner road to Verner avenue, was also referred.
Classification of taxes.
Mr. Jas. P. Speer, after presenting the report of the Finance Committee, which was received, called up an ordinance adopting the provisions of the act of May 28th, 1879, entitled "An act for the division of real estate in cities of the third class for purposes of taxation, and for the fixing of the rates of taxation." The ordinance was laid over.
Mr. Speer also called up an ordinance authorizing a deed to be made to Mrs. Belle Matthews for lot on Steep street, Third ward. The ordinance was adopted.
W. W. Speer, chairman of the Street Committee, submitted his report. The Viewers' report on the improvement of McClure avenue created some discussion. Mr. Hartman presented two remonstrances against the approval of the report, and moved that the report and remonstrances be referred back to the Viewers. The motion was lost by a vote of 5 ayes to 18 nays. The report was confirmed.
Mr. Speer next called up an ordinance authorizing the grading, paving and curbing of Preble avenue from Hanover to Williams streets. The ordinance was read twice and laid over. An ordinance for a sewer on Virgin alley was indefinitely postponed. Ordinance changing the name of Black lane to Marshall avenue was adopted. An ordinance for the opening of Ashton avenue was referred back to the committee.
Mr. Walker of the Committee on Railroads, called up an ordinance fixing the rate of speed of passenger trains on the West Penn railroad, within the city limits, at ten mils [sic] per hour. The ordinance was referred back for amendment so as to require the company to place a flagman at the Ridge street crossing and also gates at the various street crossings.
Business from Common Council was next taken up and concurred in.
Common Council.
This branch was called to order at the same time by President Snaman. A number of papers were presented and referred. An ordinance for a lateral sewer on Market street, which was laid over at the last meeting, was adopted. Similar action was taken on a resolution, adopted by Councils, December 23, 1875, relative to leasing certain portions of the wharf for permanent business, and restoring power to the Wharf Committee, an ordinance granting H. C. Dickenson the right to erect a frame carriage house on rear of lot No. 23, Beech street, Second ward, and an ordinance granting J. Hippely the right to erect a a [sic] frame extension to the rear of his place on Ohio street. Select Council business was next taken up. The resolution of Mr. Fleming regarding the reduction of expenses of city government was considered, and the President appointed Messrs. Stedeford, Rowbottom and King to act on the committee called. Some other business was considered and concurred in.