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1888 April Council ProceedingsRegular Session April 5th, 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler ald Parker moved that the reading of the minutes of the last session be dispensed with for the present carried the following bills were allowed To Whom For What Amt James Kelley stationary for election G B Grovner 1 roll of profile paper 1 roll of mounted drawing paper stationary for city engineer F Jacobi drayage W E Massey 21 1/2 days work as accountant Jos Ogle 1 saw filed and set J McQuillan work and material Graves Eng House Smith Mathis Bros & Co election supplies the Dubuque Printing Co advertising etc T W Reute supplies for police dept Key City Gas co coke Knapp Stout and Co company Lumber for recorders office B W Jones work and material recorders office W H Thedinga supplies for city hall Lawrence Daley hauling coke Dubuque Independent advertising Industrial Leader Dubuque Rubber and Belting co express charges Central Union Tel Co telephone service Mch 88 C rubeck cleaning city hall Philip finkenauer repair of scales Paul Schlenker sprinkling cans Duggan and Bowen supplies for city hall P Klauer Pfiffner and Kriebs bumper cushion A R Stanfenbeil clock 9th st eng house Morrison Bros work on patrol house A r Stanfenbeil cre of clocks in city hall Paul Schlenker strap hinges B W JOnes work on alta Vista Street C W Robinson load of shavings E B Preston sliding pole John Kleinschmidt feed for fire dept C W Robinson lumber for 4th st eng house H L conger coal Regular Session April 5th, 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler To Whom for what amt Reinfriend and Jaegger supplies for fire dept Novelty Iron Works cast iron weight C W Richards repair of scales Gutta Percha rubber mfg co supplies for fire dept G F Thoman paints oils etc John Segel labor fore fire dept J OConnell services as time keeper M Fink bbl line Paul Schlenker supplies for fire dept R J Love expressage Standard Lumber co lumber for road dept Key City Gas Co gas consumed in public building 1/2 lamp lighters pay J J McCollins hauling dead sdogs Noah H Faust use of stock pump Knapp stout & co company lumber for city hall Laflin and Rand powder co fuse supplies for road dept 1 keg blast powder Ferguson Bros & Vogel plumbing C H Whitwell services as veterinary surgeon C W Robison lumber for sidewalks John Harney sharpening road tools Christman and Healey supplies for fire dept Philip Pier coal for city hall Thomas OShea services as fireman Morrison Bros work for fire dept Farley Loetscher Mfg co supplies for fire eng J Leicht load of sand Key City Gas Co coke A Y McDonald brass Peter Ginter painting signs Novelty Iron Works repair of J K Graves Eng Dubuque Water Co water supply for Mch 88 Ald Trexler moved tjhat 5.00 be allowed as rent for eadch of the polling places in the city carried Ald Meyer moved that the services of W E Massey be dispensed with as an accountant in treasurer and auditors office carried ald Rand moved the rules be suspended and E H Shappele given permission to address the council carried Mr Scheppele spoke briefly on the petition of J A Rhomberg for the removal of the frame building on lot 49 Coariells add and filed a remonstrance against same Regular Session April 5th, 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler Upon motion both petition and remonstrance was referred to the committee on streets with the mayor petitions Remonstrance of Geo fink et al against the vacation of 10 feet 8 in of Kniest Street was received and filed Petition of E Healey et al asking the council to direct the engineer to adjust the grade of the sidewalks on the west side of Bluff Street between 11th and 12th street to correspond with teh street referred to the city attorney to report at the next session Petition of andrew Mingis asking the vacation of 12 feet of Hill Street in front of lots 9 10 11 in Rodgers subd referred to the street committee Petition of A Seiser et al asking the council to reconsider its action in changing the name of High Street to Rhomberg Ave and that the same be left as it was before the change referred to the aldermen of the fifth ward Remonstrance of A Baumhoefer et al against the proposed Elm Street extension was tabled Petition of Mrs Thos boyce et al asking that Oak Street from apple to plum street be placed in a passable condition referred to the street committee with power Petition of Henry Deckert et al remonstrating against any change of grade on High Street referred to the street committee Petition of J a Rhomberg et al that Adams Avenue in Hams add be graded to the established grade referred to the street committee Petition of J A rhomberg et al for the removal of the gas lamp now standing at the head of teh stairway on Fifth Street opposite prospect Street and that the same be placed at the north west corner of Prospect and fifth Street referred to the committee on Gas and Police Petition of J Wilkie et al for the opening of Providence Street in Cooks add was upon motion of Ald Meyer granted and teh Marshall instructed to have said street opened the following petitions for reduction of assessment was read and referred to the committee on delinquent tax Anna M Bush Magdalena Brahn Gehard Hueckels Addie H Wellington August Hubert and M J Cobb Regular Session April 5th, 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler Petitions of Adam Mink and Wm LaBarge were read and referred to the delinquent tax committee Communication from Wm H Evans stating that the superstructure of the bridge on Sixth Street extension was in an unsafe condition received and filed Reports of Officers Street commissioner OFarrell reported 838.00 due for street work done in march 88 report adopted and warrants ordered drawn to pay the same Marshall Reasli repoted 1312.25 due police for the month of March 88 that 60 arrests had been made 72 runs made by the patrol wagon and 50 cents received as marshalls fees in city ordinance cases pound receipts 4.90 report adopted and warrant ordered drawn to pay police Auditor Richter reported 1163.00 due members of the fire departmetn for March 88 and 1087.00 due city officials for same month report adopted and warrants ordered drawn to pay the same Recorder Stafford reported licenses issued by him during the month of March 88 amounting to 32.00 report adopted Market master Gratz reported receipts from Central Market scales 22.65 78 meals furnished to prisoners 15.60 bounty on sparrows 2.12 report adopted and warrants ordered drawn to pay same Ald Doerfler reported the names of 5 special policement that he had appointed on election day which upon motion were allowed 2.00 each ald Mulkern voting no Chief Trieb reported that he had received the resignation of Ed Keas as a member of Co no 1 and had appointed Thos Flynn to fill the vacancy report adopted City Lamplighter Caughlin reported having lighted 227 lamps during the month of March 88 report adopted City Wood Measurer Winkle reported having measured 584 cords of wood during the month of March 88 report adopted Weighers reports Wm Hoskins West Dubuque 83 drafts Frank Fossellman Fifth Ward Joe Straney First Ward F Frick reported the percentage of hog scales for March 88 reports adopted Regular Session April 5th, 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler reports of committees Ald Trexler of the finance committee reported the following amounts due city treasurer as paid out by him refunded tax interest fire court costs postage freight cleaning vault also that the treasurer had an opportunity to borrow 3800. at 6% with which to pay off some of the 8% loans report adopted and warrants ordered drawn to pay the same Ald Mulkern chairman of the committee on streets reported adverse on the petition of Standard Lumber co et al for permission to do their own work on Seventh Street from Jackson to Washington Report adopted In favor of granting the prayer of the petition of F Sieg et al for a bridge at the intersection of Union Avenue and West Locust Street also that West Locust Street be graded from union Ave to Alta vista street in woods Add report adopted Ald kleinschmidt chairman of the delinquent tax committee reported in favor of reducing the following assessments Margaret Gehearns J M McKenzie Mrs boxleiter Jas H Shields Dubuque Furnisure and Burial Case co on Mdse mfg and cancel taxes on one horse and wagon D ryan J A Johnston Stock holders Key city Furniture Factory J roth adopted In favor of cancelling the taxes on the following named persons J Boetka J M Grether Elizabeth Schromen Mrs M Martin Mrs Bridget OFarrell Rosa Cadman Mrs C E Schoms Theodore Meyer Adverse on the petition of W W Woodworth for reduction of assessment adverse on the petitions of J Scharf and Andrea Gehrig for reduction of assessment report adopted Regular Session April 5 1888 Afternoon Session Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Hayden Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler Petition of T O Sullivan for an increase of salary as assistant city assessor was taken from the committee of the whole and upon motion of ald Meyer the same was laid on the table The following bills were allowed To Whom For What amt Baumgartner and Kleigh material repair of city hall C W Robison eng houses Morrison Bros plumbing etc F H Finke painting and glazing The Time co printing annual reports etc Jms Pier 2 days register etc M M hayden tom Finn E A Frenzel James J flanagan Morrison Bros plumbing etc City Engineer Evans reported macadam measured and broken by him and bills amounting to 1152.42 which was ordered paid Bill of the times co for advertising etc 87.95 was referred to the printing committee Bill of the key city gas co for 227 lamps lighted in March 88 472.92 was referred to the committee on police and gas Bill of Wm E Pickley for lighting and care of gasoline street lamps for March 88 and 8 new lamps 380 75 referred to teh committee on police and gas Report of jurors appointed to assess damages caused by the extension of Division Street from Kniest Street to Jackson Street was opened and read as follows Robert Wirtzbach John Scharf Eugene Frith Jms busfeld Mary Rubeck Peter Sies Chas H Meyers Jacob Raesner Elizebeth Tuegel Ald Meyer moved that the report of the jury be accepted carried by the following vote Ayes Ald Doerfler Hayden Kleinschmidt Meyer Rand and Trexler Nayes Ald Kenneally Mulkern and Parker Report of the jury appointed to assess damages caused by the laying out and opening of foye street was opened and Regular Session April 5 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Hayden Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler read as follows Lot 7 22 23 lots 68 69 and 70 ald Rand moved the report of the jury be adopted carried Ald Trexler offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the city recorder be instructed to draw warrants for 5.00 each in favor of clerks and judges of election and clerks of registration 5.00 per day Ald Kleinschmidt offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the street commissioner be and is hereby instructed to lay a stone crossing on the west side of jackson and thirteenth street Ald Mulkern offered the following resolution and moved its adoption Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the city attorney be and is hereby instructed to procure deeds from the owners of lots 14 15 16 17 18 and 19 block 30 Dubuque harbor improvement cos add for so much of said lots as may be necessary for the proposed extension of Fourth street said street to be 64 feet wide and to be paid for on the basis of 200.00 for a full lot and in proportion for fractional lots taken also to procure deeds from Geril Booth for the extension of Fourth Street across lots A and B in Booths add as shown by a plat and profile of said proposed extension on file in teh city engineers office carried by the following vote Ayes ald Hayden Kenneally Mulkern Parker and Rand 5 Nayes Ald Doerfler Kleinschmidt Meyer and Trexler 4 ald Mulkern offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the street running diagonally from commercial street to High Bridge as shown by the plat and profile on record in teh city engineers office be and the same is hereby called commercial street Ald Mulkern offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the street running diagonally from Seventh Street to the intersection of market and commercial street as shown by the plat and profile on record in the office of the city engineers be and the same is hereby named commercial street Ald Mulkern offered the following resolution and moved its adoption be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that 5th street from the eastern boundry of the 100 foot strip to its intersection Regular Session April 5 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Hayden Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler with the proposed extension of Fourth Street to intersection of Sixth and Market street be and the same is hereby vacated Carried by the following vote ayes Ald Hayden Kenneally Mulkern parker and Rand 5 Nayes Ald Doerfler Kleinschmidt Meyer and Trexler 4 ald Mulkern offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the alley in block B in Booths add from Market street to teh western boundry of said Block B in said booths add be and the same is hereby vacated Ald Mulkern offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Resolved by the city council of the city of dubuque that the street commissioner be and is hereby directed to remove the superstructure of the bridge on Sixth street extension to fill to grade the space spanned thereby said work to be done under the supervision of the city engineer Ald Meyer offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the city engineer be and is hereby instructed to confer with the owners of property required for the straightening of Division Street in Nicks add McCraneys add and Scotts 2nd add as shown on plats now on file in the office of city engineer and have said property owners fix a price upon the property required for said street and report at the next session of the city council ald Mulkern offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that a stone sewer be constructed four the north side of division street along seventh avenue to the east side of C M and St P R R companys right of way under the supervision of the street committee and city engineer ald Rand offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the city attorney be and is hereby instructed to procure deeds for the lands necessary for the extension of Division Street from Kneist to Jackson Streets and the city recorder instructed to draw warrants for the different amounts Regular Session April 5 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Hayden Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler ald Meyer offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Whereas the bridge on the Peru Road crossing the railroad is an injury to the adjoining property and not constructed under the direction of the committee on streets as agreed by this council and the railroads attorney therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that said bridge be and is hereby declared a nuisance and the city marshall be instructed to cause the asme to be removed within ten 10 days at said railroad companys expense Ald meyer offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted be it resolved by the city council of the city of dubuque that so much of the east side of Kniest street as is now occupied by Henry Millers house in the city of Dubuque be and is hereby vacated Henry Miller to give in return so much of the west side of his lots as is necessary for the improvement of Elm street extension ald Trexler offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the recorder be instructed to draw warrants for 2.00 each in favor of right of way juries on Division and Foye St Ald Trexler offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the city engineer be instructed not to measure any mroe macadam unless ordered by the council Ald Meyer offered the following resolution which was adopted by a unanimous vote Resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that a sidewalk four 4 feet wide of good 2 inch plank be within ten 10 days of this notice constructed and laid in conformity with the ordinance in relation to sidewalks on the north side of Rhomberg Ave between Couler Ave and Railroad Track Ald Meyer offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that a sidewalk 4 feet wide of good two inch plank be within 10 days of this notice constructed and laid in conformity with the ordinance in relation to sidewalks on the south side of Windsor Ave between Eagle Point Ave and Lincoln Ave Ald Rand offered the following resolution which was adopted by unanimous vote Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that a sidewalk four 4 feet wide of good two inch plank with 30 days of this notice constructed and laid in conformity with the ordinance in relation to sidewalks on the west side of Regular Session April 5 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Hayden Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler Alta Vista street from 14th street north to J R Jones Residence where not already laid Ald Meyer offered the following resolution which was adopted by a unanimous vote Resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that a sidewalk four 4 feet wide of good two inch plank be within ten 10 days of this notice constructed and laid in conformity with the ordinance in relation to sidewalks on the north side of west Eagle Point Avenue between Couler Ave and Valeria Street ald Kleinschmidt offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted by a unanimous vote Resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the alley between Elm and Pine and Thirteenth and Fourteenth Street be graded and macadamized in conformity with teh ordinance upon that subject that the city engineer be and is hereby directed to make the necessary plans and specifications for said improvement and the city recorder directed to give the proper notice for and proposals for the performance of the work the grading and macadamizing to be done at the expense of the owners of the abutting property Ald Mulkern offered the following resolution which was adopted by a unanimous vote Resolved by the city council of the city of dubuque that the approach to the High Bridge to the intersection with commercial street be graded and macadamized in conformity with the ordinance upon that subject that the city engineer be and he is hereby directed to make the necessary plans and specifications for said improvement and the city recorder directed to give proper notice for bids and proposals for the performance of the work the macadamizing to be done at the expense of the owners of abutting property The time having arrived for the old council to give way the new Ald Trexler offered the following resolution which was adopted by a unanimous vote Whereas the terms of our worthy mayor and four aldermen have expired and they are about to surrender their official positions and whereas the retiring mayor and aldermen have our hearty good wishes for their future prosperity having while in office given their useful devotion to the welfare of the public good and in their retirement may they have rest and satisfaction of knowing that they will ever hold a warm place in the memory of the members with whom they have served to promote the best interests of our fair city therefore Resolved that we owe our sincere thanks to Mayor Voelker Dubuques best mayor for his gentlemanly conduct toward the members of this council and also to our retiring Brother Regular Session April 5 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Hayden Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler Aldermen for their uniform and entering devotion to duty Mayor appointed Ald Hayden Kleinschmidt and Meyer to canvass the vote of the late city election They reported the vote as follows Candidate 1st Ward 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Total Plurality Aldermen Geo B Burch Chris A Voelker Chas Sass E P Lange Jas O fitzpatrick John Stafford David G Scott John Stemm J J McCarthy W J Cantillon John Degman Herman Zemecke report adopted Mayor voelkers Valedictory One year has quickly glided into irretrievable past and the time has arrived when I gladly relinquish the executive helm of the municipal government into the hands of my successor the same power that placed me here has transferred the mayorality to another the sovereign people so will it and no individual has no choice but obedience to the majority so far as I am concerned personally I am rejoiced to be liberated from the duties of the office and I deliver the chief stewardship of the city to my successor with pleasure only hoping that he may serve the public better than I ever have during the course of my administration Dubuque has prospered as usual its growth has been steady sure and solid Business has revived with increased trace greater profits and better demand for labor the great mass of toilers no longer suffer for the conforts of life the city has been visited by no pestilence on teh contrary the public health has been better than ever before the elements have been kindly and the people have not suffered from fire or flood order has been well preserved and the laws have been obeyed as usual the noble work of educating the rising generation has gone forward as in days past and will go forward in days to come There has been seed time and harvest and the rains of heaven have decended on the just and unjust Charity goodness and religion have not died out among men but have preserved their wanton reign in the hearts of the people The little storms of politics and administration changes only ruffle the surface while the deeper vital forces of community remain unchanged HOwever vigorous and steady may be the growth of a city However pleasant may be Regular Session April 5 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Hayden Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler its location however free from epidemic disease still it is not a disireable place of residence its property is heavily mortgaged with a public debt if a large portion of every mans income is swallowed up by burdensome taxation Dubuque has during all the past years of its existence well escaped the calamity of a great municipal debt few otehr citeis of its size in the whole country have been so fortunate and I may be permitted to rejoice that during my administration the small debt has not bee increased as in previous years but sensibly diminished The books of the city auditor show that he debt one year ago was 833,542.85 and the books of the same faithful public officer show that the debt now is 822179.54 proving a decrease of 11372.31 I sincerely hope the decrease may continue during the administration of my successor to be able to decrease the above amount in the face of a large subsidy fund which was voted by the previous council namely 16500.00 to the High Bridge Company and 850.00 to the Eagle Point Ferry company and considering that this was the most progressive council for the city I would state that they have added permanently to the city the following property the Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph at a cost of 5450.00 and a patrol wagon horses and harness at a cost of 1000.00 and have added five first class horses and harness to the fire department at a cost of 1500.00 also 2000 feet of good fire hose at a cost of 2000.00 also built a viaduct and approach to High Bridge at a cost of 3000.00 also our public building were repaired and put into first class shape at a cost of 1000.00 all the above being necessary for the public good also the opening of Lake Street which cost 6372.00 and opening Elm Street at a cost of 2725.00 and other extraordinary improvements at a cost of nearly 30000.00 and as a credit due this council I would also state that doing our street work by day labor was a great success and saved to the tax payers a large sum of money it is not necessary for an outgoing executive to dwell upon the workings of the older and established departments of the city government I may say that the fire and police departments have maintained their high reputation for discipline and effectiveness no important conflagration has destroyed the property of citizens during the past year The criminal class has as usual given Dubuque wide berth the well trained firemen have always been ready at the first tap of the bell either night or day to rush to the rescue of our homes or places of business from the red hands of the fire fiends A fearless and watchful police force have guarded our persons and property both night and day finally I must thank the city council for their part in maintaining the uniform courtesy and general harmony that h have existed between us in all our official relations we may all of us have made mistakes but I trust the mistakes have all been of the head and not of the heart We have sought in our several ways the good and prosperity of our beloved city I know the Regular Session April 5 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Hayden Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler difficulties which beset the executive head of the municipal government too well to wish to throw any obstacles in the way of the gentleman who is here to succeed me conflicting interests and aspirations personal ambition and party prejudice hunger for office and greed for place must be encountered at every turn My successor was born among you in this county and has been elevatedt o his present exalted position by the votes of those with whom he has lived most of his days Coming from a foreign country to teh home of the free it has been my good fortune to spend most of all my life in Dubuque and I love the city of my adoption as well as my successor loves the city of his birth I have labored to the extent of knowledge and ability for the good of our beautiful city and I have no doubt he will do the same Although we honestly differ in our politics yet we have a common citizenship and I tender him my sincere congratulations my sympathy and my good wishes for a successful administration Ald Hayden spoke briefly on surrendering his seat in the council to his successor Thanking the mayor and aldermen for the kind and courteous treatmetn extended to him during his term of office and solicited a continuation of the same to his successor stating that he was by nature of a quick temperment and at times in the heat of discussion had said some things which he under other circumstances would probably have left unsaid and that if he had wounded the feelings of any member of this council no one regretted it mroe keenly than he did himself Mayor Burch then took the oath of office administered by Mayor Voelker who then swore in teh nely elected aldermen they taking the seats vacated by the retiring aldermen Mayor Burchs inaugural Gentlemen of the city council I have now taken the oath of office as mayor of Dubuque with that oath I have taken a great deal of responsibility in accepting teh responsibility I did it not for its honors whatever they may be thought to be nor for its emoluments as you may well understand it was accepted upon considerations of duty to the people of the city and to those public interests which attach to enlightened civilized society having in years past been twice chosen to the office I know from experience that the year before me is not to be made up of holidays but of work care and diligence OUr city has grown many thousands in population since I last oddupied this chair ten years ago but its growth in business importance during that time has been in far greater rates than in numbers two lines of railroad of the first Regular Session April 5 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Hayden Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler importance have been added to our transporting facilities by means of which our commerce has been very much enlarged in volumn and value our manufactories multiplied and stimulated and every branch of business strengthened and made more secure it is only when we place the conditions of those times and these side by side that we are enabled to realize what an important step forward our business interests have taken as a result It will help us all to a clearer view of this if we but picture Dubuque without these roads by their introduction here the firld of our trade by direct and close connections has been enlarged much more than we had ever before dared to hope and what is of hardly less importance the fresh competition has soon for our mercantile and manufacturing concerns such reductions in freight rates as to put our trade on an equality with the older and larger business centers in the mutual course of things this doubling of our transportation facilities has had the effect to make a score of new stores and factories and the enlargement of old ones a necessity along with these improvements have come new and increased employments for our people new and larger uses for our capital brighter hopes and stronger confidence among all our people during these ten years in fact only last year came the new highway bridge across the mississippi that great structure is a fit and enduring monument to its projectors Yet I venture to say taht its energetic builders have less pride in it as a monument to their enterprise than they have in the lasting gratitude of every citizen of Dubuque who is so much benefitted by it our street railway also touched by these better times have replaced their old tracks with new and the best improved rails and have very considerably and otherwise their lines indeed turn our eyes in whatever way we may our city shows very satisfactory evidences of growth in population and in every departmetn of business enterprise and the city in its corporative character is by no means unmarked by proofs of improvements though it must be confessed that much remains to be done and this gentlemen of the council is your peculiar province to consider It is these steady steps forward in the race of business life during the past few years that have educated our people to some extent in the art of carrying on their local affairs upon business rather than party principals He who will explain how a people annually divided and excited upon party lines in which the city as a corporate community neither has nor can have any interest will be better off by such distractions than by united action upon a basis of business in which all are agreed has more wisdom than I have it is impossible to explain this some of the party doctors to the contrary notwithstanding on party questions I may be of one political faith and you of another but the people organized the city of Dubuque under the law as an arena for the exhibition of partisanism If it should be insisted that our city government ought to be chosen upon party lines I am very sure it will be a troublesom question to Regular Session April 5 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Hayden Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler answer why the council of this city is hardly the place for making party issues or for futile attempts at nourishing them in fact it is laughably absurd when we think of it seriously As communities grow wiser by experience they are gradually abandoning partisinism in local government and making their officers business instead of party agents We see illustrations in many cities of the country which are coming more and more into the habit of chosing citizens peoples or Union tickets I am persuaded that this motive prevailed in teh late election in this city and so far as the duties of the mayor extend I shall take the people at their word and make business the watchword of the current city year and I am very sure this council will cooperate with me on that line Here let me refer to one matter that is of first importance and which we all know is uppermose in all minds the condition of teh city finances requires all the care and wisdom we can command in the matter of expenditures Money should not be spent except upon clear necessities and the one thing which the public expect at our hands and which they have a right to demand is economy this is due both to the people as taxpayers and to ourselves as the official agents of its expenditure I have had no time to look in to the details of our city affairs since the election of monday and am therefore not prepared to make any particular suggestions or recommendations As the business of the council year proceeds we shall be able to see the needs of teh city as they develop and meet them as our revenues justify and our wisdom guide It is quite probably that we shall have some important matters before us for consideration during the year and when they appear you will find the mayor taking his just share of responsibility for whatever action may be taken In doing the work in which we are engaged we mean to act honestly and faithfully But whatever we may do we shall hardly expect to escape more or less criticism for this seems to be inseperable from public action Yet it may not be amiss to say that much of public censure proceeds either from want of correct information or from a spirit of inborn opposition found among a few in every community Whatever of ability I have shall arise and the public may feel assured that whatever errors may occur will be chargable to mistaken judgement and not to wrong intention I do not suppose the council will always be in agreement on all questions and such differences honestly held show how important it is that a fair compromise shall work out the best results to the people The message of the retiring mayor and the reports of the several city officers show the condition of the city finances the fire health police and other departments these may be carefully examined with reference to the various questions therein treated Regular Session April 5 1888 Mayor Voelker in the chair Present Ald Doerfler Hayden Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Parker Rand and Trexler Before proceeding to the work of this opening session of the year I wish to express to the retiring mayor Mr Chris A Voelker my high respect for him as a man and citizen and my sincere appreciation of his and devotion to the thankless work he had had in hand during the year now closed and I wish this expression to include the retiring members of the city council in our various settings here during the year I wish now to bespeak the aid and forbearance of every Alderman in my position as presiding officer and now gentlemen of the council as we enter upon the discharge of our several duties I beg leave to make two suggestions First that we do only what in good conscience ought to be done and second that the manner of our doing it shall be such as to command the respect and confidence of the entire constituency of the city of dubuque Mayor Burch announced the following standing committees finance Daniels Mulkern Trexler Ordinance Kleinschmidt Daniels Halpin Claims Mulkern Kleinschmidt Rawson Streets Rand Rawson Sanders Harbors Halpin Rand Mulkern Markets Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Public Grounds and Buildings Mulkern Rand Kenneally Printing Meyer Rawson Daniels Fire Rawson Kenneally Kleinschmidt Police and Gas Sanders Halpin Rand Delinquent Tax Trexler Sanders Kenneally Ex Com board of Health Meyer Trexler Halpin Sewers Trexler Meyer Sanders Ald Trexler moved that we proceed to ballot for mayor pro tem carried ald Mulkern was elected mayor pro tem on the third ballot ald Trexler moved to adjourn to meet at 9 oclock am Monday april 9 88 carried attest J Stafford City Recorder Adjourned Regular Session april 9 1888 Mayor Burch in the chair Present Ald Daniels Halpin Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Rand Rawson Sanders and Trexler Petition of Peaslee and Co et al asking that the extension of fourth Street from market street to the high bridge be made by way of wall street instead of by way of sixth street referred to the st com Remonstrance of B F Davis et al against raising grade of sidewalk on west side of bluff street between 11th and 12th street ref to the street committee Petition of J Corbett et al to have the sidewalk on the north side of Bennett Street completed referred to the street committee Petition of Bernard J ONeil for the completion of the opening of third Street to Grand View Ave and the same be made passable referred to the street committeePetition of John Ruegamer et al asking the council to reconsider their action in changing the name of Lake Street refered to teh aldermen of the fifth ward Petition of John Scharf for an additional allowance for damages to his property by the opening of Division Street Upon motion of Ald Halpin the petition was tabled Petition of Mary sohn for cancellation of taxes on shares in Dubuque building and loan assn tabled communication from city treasurer Lange in relation to taxes which should be cancelled referred to the Finance Committee Petition of Raymond Bag company for cancellation of taxes referred to the delinquent tax committee Petition of mary DeLorimier for cancellation of taxes referred to the delinquent tax committee Petition of J Barrett for reduction of assessment referred to the delinquent tax committee Petition of Mrs O S Langworthy for reduction of assessment on lots 168-182 amd 183 L H Langs add referred to the delinquent tax committee Adjourned Regular Session april 9 1888 Mayor Burch in the chair Present Ald Daniels Halpin Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Rand Rawson Sanders and Trexler Petition of C H Gregoir for a reduction of assessment on lot 68 Finley Waples and Burtons add referred to delinquent tax committee Petition of wm Rebman for 200.00 for work done on West 17th street referred to the committee on claims Ald Halpin moved we proceed to ballot for the appointive officers carried Mayor appointed Ald Meyer and Daniels as tellers Chief of the fire department Jos Trieb City Marshall J Reasli Street commissioner Jas OFarrell City Engineer Wm H Evans Market Master Alex Gratz Health Physician Dr Wm Bray City Wood Measurer Dennis Lanton Sr Weigher 1st ward scales Jos straney Weigher West Dubuque scales Chas Pitschner Henry Deckert and Frank fossellman were elected weighers for the Eagle Point and 5th Ward scales respectfully Park Commissioner Michl OMeara Ald Daniels moved that the wood measurer act as Wharfmaster at the same salary as paid heretofore carried Ald Halpin offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the city engineer be and is hereby instructed to prepare a profile and grade for dodge Street from Bluff Street West 200 feet and Adjourned Regular Session april 9 1888 Mayor Burch in the chair Present Ald Daniels Halpin Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Rand Rawson Sanders and Trexler report at the next meeting of this council ald rand offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that all work of guttering curbing and macadamizing streets and alleys which has not yet been commenced and excepting commercial street to the High Bridge and which work it has been heretofore resolved should be done by the city that said work be abandoned by the city on such streets and alleys and that all such work be done by contract labor after due advertisement excepting said commercial street and that the city recorder be and is hereby instructed to advertise for bids for guttering curbing and macadamizing the following named streets according to the plans and specifications on file in the office of the city engineer to wit Seventh street from jackson to pine streets Twelfth street from Jackson to pine street Thirteenth street from Pine eastside to Maple Street Eleventh Street from Washington to Pine Street Seventeenth Street from Pine to Sycamore Street Couler avenue from Sanford Street to Diagonal Street ald Mulkern offered the following resolution which was referred to the committee on fire with the mayor to more thoroughly investigate the advisibility of adopting the same Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque That the committee on fire with the mayor be directed to contract with the gamewell fire alarm company for the erection and placing of eleven 11 fire alarm boxes at the points selected by the special committee appointed for that purpose and approved by the city council Ald Trexler offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the owners of the following described premises be and is hereby ordered to fill said lots 18 inches above their present grade to prevent stagnant water from accumulating there on lots 203 204 205 and 209 East Dubuque add and that said filling be done and completed within 60 days after the service of notice or passage of this resolution Ald Trexler offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that a sidewalk six feet wide of good two inch plank be within twenty days of this notice constructed and laid in conformity with teh ordinance in relation to sidewalks on the west side of Jackson Street between fourteenth street and Rhomberg Ave Ald Trexler offered the following resolution which upon Adjourned Regular Session april 9 1888 Mayor Burch in the chair Present Ald Daniels Halpin Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyer Mulkern Rand Rawson Sanders and Trexler his motion was adopted Resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that elm street between 12th and 17th street be graded guttered curbed and macadamized in conformity with the ordinance upon that subject That the city engineer be and is hereby directed to make the necessary plans and specifications for the said improvement and the recorder directed to give the proper notice for bids and proposals for the performance of the work the guttering curbing and macadamizing to be done at the expense of the owners of the abutting property Ald Kleinschmidt moved to adjourn carried Attest John Stafford city recorder Special Session april 19 1888 council met at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Burch in the chair Present ald Daniels Halpin Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyers Mulkern Rand Rawson Sanders and Trexler Mayor Burch stated that the meeting had been called for the purpose of opening the bids for street improvements fixing bonds and salaries for the coming year deciding how and be whom the official shall be done and for the introduction of certain necessary resolution ald Meyer moved that the bids be opened and referred to the city engineer carried The recorder then opened and read the following bids for street improvements Couler Ave from Sanford to diagonal Streets Chas Steuck F W Kringle James E Foye Wm Rebman ald Rand moved the contract be let to J Foye he being the lowest bidder carried Special Session april 19 1888 Mayor Burch in the chair Present ald Daniels Halpin Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyers Mulkern Rand Rawson Sanders and Trexler Twelfth Street from Jackson to Pine Charles Steuck grading guttering macadamizing Jas E Foye grading curbing macadamizing F W Kringle grading curbing guttering macadamizing Ald Rand moved the contract be awarded Jas E Foye from Jackson to Elm Street he being the lowest bidder carried Ald Rand moved that all bids be rejected on Seventh Street from Pine to Sycamore carried Ald Rand moved that all bids be rejected on Thirteenth Street from Pine to East side of Maple Street and the work indefinitely postponed carried Eleventh Street from Washington to Pine Streets Chas Steuck grading guttering curbing macadamizing Wm Rebman grading guttering macadamizing curbing F W Kringle grading curbing macadamizing James E Foye Grading curbing guttering macadamizing Ald Rand moved that the cotnract be awarded to Wm Rebman he being the lowest bidder city reserving the rights to do the grading carried Seventh street from Jackson to Pine Street Chas Steuck grading guttering curbing macadamizing Wm Rebman grading guttering macadamizing curbing John M Lee grading curbing guttering macadamizing Special Session april 19 1888 Mayor Burch in the chair Present ald Daniels Halpin Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyers Mulkern Rand Rawson Sanders and Trexler Ald Rand moved that the contract be awarded to Wm Rebman with the understanding that one side of said street is to be finished before the other side is begun carried bid of Jas E Foye on Seventh from Washington to Jackson was rejected Ald Mulkern moved that a committee of one from each ward be appointed to consider officers bonds and salaries for the coming year and report at this session of the city council carried Mayor appointed Ald Kenneally Mulkern Trexler Daniels and Meyer Committee on bonds and salaries made the following report which was adopted Ssalary bond Treasurer Recorder auditor Attorney Engineer Marshall Engineer F D Chief Street commissioner market Master Physician Assessor Pound Master 40.00 per month Park Commissioner Wharf Master The committee would also recommend that no extra salary be allowed for the ensueing year Ald Daniels moved that all bonds be referred to the finance committee and city attorney wehn made out carried Ald Daniels offered the following resolution Whereas up to a few years ago it was the custom of the city council to appoint as the official papers of the city of the two morning dalies one evening daily and one german paper thus giving an opportunity to all our citizens to read in their own papers all official proceedings and notices and whereas the newspapers in any city can contribute in a large measure to their business and commercial prominence and be active effort on their part serve the general public perhaps more than any other enterprise of a city and whereas such new cities as well as old ones as are prosperous have live and well patronized papers that continue to keep their great advantages before the public and Whereas the practice of giving to a newspaper the city printing Special Session April 19 1888 Mayor Burch in the chair Present ald Daniels Halpin Kenneally Kleinschmidt Meyers Mulkern Rand Rawson Sanders and Trexler on account of its politics has teh effect to deprive other papers of Public recognition and their readers and the public of the news touching official proc eedings the publications of which is also a material advertisement of a city therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the three daily papers viz the herald Telegraph and Time be and are hereby appointed official papers for the ensuing year at a compensation of 500.00 each and that one German paper also be appointed the german paper and its compensation to be disignated by the council and it shall be a concidion of the appointment of each paper that no charge shall be made for extras but that the compensation herein provided for shall cover the publication of all teh proceedings of the council right of way notices notices relating to streets and alleys or cleaning or vacating same Mayors proclamations and all notices resolutions and other matters proceeding in any way from the city or any of its officers excepting the delinquent tax list Ald Mulkern offered an amendment to Ald Daniels resolution that the Independent be included carried Ald Meyer moved the resolution be laid on the table carried Ald Mulkern moved that the pinting committee be instructed to advertise for bids from the different papers for the official printing for the ensuing year carried Ald Mulkern offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that the I C R R Co the CM and St P R R Co and the D and D Bridgte Co be within twenty days of this notice required to plank between their rails the crossing at Fourth and White streets ald Mulkern offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that a stone crossing be laid across 4th st east side of Iowa Ald Mulkern offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Resolved by the city council of the city of Dubuque that a stone crossing be placed across Iowa Street north side of Fourth Street Ald Mulkern offered the following resolution which upon his motion was adopted Resolved by the city council of the city of Dub that a stone crossing be laid across Iowa Street north side of seventh St Ald Kenneally moved to adjourn carried attest John Stafford city recorder Special Session April 30 1888 Mayor Burch in the chair Present ald Daniels Halpin Mulkern Meyer Rawson Sanders and Trexler The mayor stated the object of the meeting was to hear the report of the finance committee on bonds so that the newly elected officers may qualify Ald Daniels chairman of the committee then submitted the following report which upon his motion was adopted Your committee to whom was referred the bonds of the city officers for the ensuing year beg to report that they have examined and herewith present the said bonds and recommend their approval They are as follows Treasurer Recorder auditor Attorney City Engineer Marshal Chief of Fire Department Market Master Physician respectfully submitted Frank B Daniels John Mulkern John Trexler Finance Committee Henry Michel city attorney The mayor administered the oath of office to the different officers Ald Mulkern moved that the Jacksonian club be permitted to use the old court room of the city hall carried Special Session April 30 1888 Mayor Burch in the chair Present ald Daniels Halpin Mulkern Meyer Rawson Sanders and Trexler Ald Trexler moved to adjourn attest John Stafford City Recorder Regular Session May 7 1888 Mayor Burch in the chair Present Ald Daniels Halpin Kenneally Kleinschmidt Mulkern Rand Sanders and Trexler Minutes of the previous meeting were read and corrections ordered as follows the resolution of Ald Mulkern for the improvement of Diagonal St to read grading and macadamizing instead of grading curbing guttering and macadamizing also that the amendment of Ald Mulkern to Ald Daniels motion to include the daily independent in the official papers be put upon record The following bills were allowed to Whom For What amt J Kleinschmidt feed for patrol house Byrne Bros rent and board for horse F Schloz repair of road tools P Tibey crossing and paving for road dept C Pitschner supplies for road dept J H Giesey & Co repairs for fire dept Nick Brand gravel for road dept Eugene Frith J Ganahl repairs Standard Lumber Co lumber C W Robison J W Halpin two water pails Laflin and Rand Powder Co powder and fuse for road dept Ludwig Boeheim filing saws Cary Safe Co safe in treasurers office John McQuillan work and material at J K Graves engine house and at 4th st engine house