A Dry Petition, a Waterworks Deal and a Stolen Wheelbarrow

At the meeting of the city council of Ballard Tuesday night a letter from Stratton, Lewis & Gilman, attorneys, was read, stating that the machinery for the electric light plant had been on the ground for some time, and if the city did not accept it they would begin suit for damages. The city attorney was instructed to notify the company's attorneys that the city had countermanded the order, and that if they thought they had cause for damages they might commence suit.

A petition with four hundred names asking that the saloons be closed from 12 o'clock Saturday night until 5 o'clock Monday morning was read. Chandler said the names were mostly those of women and children, and the council should pay no attention to them. Mayor Dow thought the names comprised the majority of the voters, and even if some of them were women, they possessed some moral force, and the council should give the petition thorough consideration. The petition was received and placed on file.

Afterwards two ordinances, one closing the saloons on Sunday, the other requiring the removal of screens, blinds, paints and the like from the front of saloons, were introduced. Chandler objected and wished to prevent their introduction, as the council had never authorized their preparation. The city attorney held that any one could propose an ordinance. Chandler then said he objected to the ordinances because they were not proposed from any standard of morality, but from malice, spite and hatred, because it was supposed the saloons were opposing the purchase of the West Coast Improvement Company's water plant.

Winsor took exception to Chandler's remark and thought an apology was due from him. He said the council was disposed to act on the ordinances fairly, without prejudice, and for the best interests of all concerned. Chandler said he would not apologize, because he had said nothing requiring an apology. The mayor ruled Chandler out of order, and the ordinances were referred to the committee of the whole.

A resolution ordering the purchase of the West Coast Improvement Company's water system for $4,500, and of three acres near the springs from a second party for $1,000, was carried without debate and with one dissenting vote, that of Chandler. The report of the fire and filter committee, recommending the payment of $100 forthwith and of $100 every three months thereafter to the chief of the fire department, to be distributed as a majority of the fire department may decide, was adopted.

Two bids for artesian wells were received, one from the Northwest Well Company by E. Ward Joslyn and one from J. J. Blaine. The bid of the Northwest company appeared to be lower, but as the council wished to verify the calculations, the contract was not awarded and the bids went to the board of construction. The city engineer's specifications for laying water pipe were referred to the board of construction, to be remodeled so that the work could be let in small contracts to residents of Ballard.

The bond of the city clerk for collecting delinquent taxes was reduced from $7,000 to $500. Winsor reported that the wheelbarrow he had promised to lend to assist in the road work had been stolen, and that he had traced the wheels to Callahan's second-hand store; that Callahan refused to tell the value of the article and kept no record of goods bought and sold. The marshal was specially instructed to see that the ordinance covering such sales was enforced.