The Mint Saloon Loses Its License—and City Hall Braces for Court

Both houses of the city council were in session last night and a great deal of important business was transacted. Mayor Phelps sent in his nominations, which were, generally speaking, reappointments. Michael Welch was confirmed police commissioner to succeed E. C. Cheasty, and Dr. Samuel J. Holmes, the retiring president of the board of health, was pressed into service for another term. By the separate yet identical action of the two houses the Mint Saloon license, which had caused so much talk, was revoked in the face of legal objections from the proprietors of the dive. An important step was taken by the aldermen recommending an ordinance providing for the paving of Pike Street with vitrified brick. The fireboat hose question was definitely settled by accepting the Maltese Cross and Mastiff 3 1-2 inch rubber hose on condition that the lengths burst at the recent tests be replaced. It was shown by telegrams that the test in New York city was 300 pounds, and in this city the hose stood over that pressure.

The council in joint session, with President Leander Miller of the board of aldermen in the chair, approved the assessment roll for the construction of a sewer on Hyde Street, from Division to Madison Street, total cost to property owners $1,564.46; the city's portion $200.54.

When the board of aldermen came to order last evening it was evident, by the presence of a number of friends of J. M. Wolfe, ex-member of the board of public works, that they were waiting eagerly to see who would be nominated by Mayor Phelps to succeed Andrew Jackson as superintendent of the water works, or as member of the board of public works. Their fears were realized when Clerk Stewart announced that the mayor submitted the following nominations: member of the board of public works, Andrew Jackson, to succeed himself; library commissioner Thomas B. Hardin, to succeed himself; port warden Capt. M. C. Jensen, to succeed himself; janitor of city hall Phillip Little to succeed Conrad Smith. In accordance with usual custom, action on the nominations was deferred for one week. Immediately following this came action on the nomination of Dr. S. J. Holmes to succeed himself as member of the board of health. The doctor's name had been previously submitted, and when the vote was taken last night he was continued unanimously. The doctor retired as chairman of the board only yesterday to be succeeded by Dr. P. B. M. Miller, and his second appointment came unsolicited and to a great extent against his personal wishes. He had been a valuable member of the board and his re-election was considered satisfactory in every quarter and for the good of the city.

The ordinance revoking the Mint Saloon license was passed by a unanimous vote, but it is certain that the action of the council will be fought from a legal standpoint. Before the vote was taken Attorney E. D. Benson, speaking for the Mint Saloon proprietors, said only one side of the case had been heard, threatened resistance to the council's action and denied its right to revoke without refunding the balance. He also insisted that the saloon was now orderly. Brewer was excused from voting on the ground that he had been away from the city and was not acquainted with the facts. Then Jordan said he always wanted men to have a fair trial. He presumed that the last trial was as fair as they could have. They admitted they were guilty, but did the council have jurisdiction? It ought to have. 'I agree with my gentle brother, Nutting,' he continued, 'who follows the meek and lowly Nazarene at the rate of $500 per month, that some of his church members are more to blame than the ignorant saloon keeper, since they were educated men and clothed their wives in purple and fine linen off the proceeds of these brothels which they owned and rented to the saloon keepers.' The ordinance was passed unanimously, after which the ordinance committee was instructed to draft an ordinance returning the remainder of the license money. This action was taken to head off lawsuits.

Quick action was taken in relation to the petition of I. N. Digelaw and others for the paving of Pike Street, from Front to Seventh, with vitrified brick. In less than five minutes after it had been referred the committee reported back favorably and the aldermen ordered an ordinance prepared covering the proposed work. The board also dealt with a tax claim on a lot owned by the Christian church, water and sewer extensions, a plumbing commission, street railway franchises, and a long list of routine appropriations and improvements. The amended plumbing ordinance was passed creating a plumbing commission composed of two expert plumbers and the health officer; plumbers would be licensed for a period not to exceed one year and must give $200 bonds. The joint committee on fire and water recommended that the two hose brands, Maltese Cross and Mastiff, be purchased, the companies to replace the joints which burst during the recent test.

At Mr. James's suggestion the house, a half hour before adjourning, took up the matter of the president to succeed Dr. J. K. Crichton, whose term had expired with the close of the old year. The question was whether it was the proper time to elect a president. The charter said that each house should annually elect a president. As each new council took office in March, the point was raised whether the president should not be elected at that time and continue to hold until the following year. President Crichton was elected in March last, and some members thought he held office until next March. It was finally decided that Corporation Counsel Scott should render a written opinion at the next meeting. President Crichton explained that if a change of presidents was desired he would gladly resign. The members, however, expressed the utmost confidence in him and said the only reason the matter was discussed was to settle the time for the election of a president once and for all time.