A stated meeting of the Council was held.
Present: Messrs. Dunkle, Heizman, Heller, Leinbach, McCullough, Strohecker, and Lawrence, President.
The Journals of the last stated and adjourned meetings were read and approved.
The President laid before the Council the following annual message of the Mayor, viz:
(Appendix No. 40.)
Which was read and received.
He also laid before the Council the following annual report of the Chief of Police, viz:
(Appendix No. 41.)
Which was partially read and received.
He also presented a petition from the "Consumers' Gas Company of Reading, Pa.," signed by Henry Steck, President, and F.H. Cheney, Treasurer, praying for permission to lay gas pipes in the streets of the city.
Which was read and referred to the Committees on Police and Highways and Paving.
Mr. Leinbach presented the following annual report of the City Controller, Viz:
(Appendix No. 42.)
Which was partially read and received.
Mr. McCullough, from the Committee on Law, presented the following report (estimate for 1884), viz:
Which was read and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. Heizman, for the Commissioners of Water, presented a bill numbered and entitled as follows:
S.C. 32. An ordinance to make an additional appropriation to the Department of Water for the Hampden Reservoir.
Which was read and referred to the Committee on Printing.
The Calendar was then taken up and the business thereon disposed of, as follows:
S.C. 28. An ordinance providing for the levy and collection of license taxes within the city of Reading.
Which was read the third time, and
On motion of Mr. McCullough and Mr. Strohecker,
Laid over to next meeting.
S.C. 29. An ordinance making an appropriation to reimburse John E. Arthur for moneys deposited in city treasury, to cover the loss of the city of Reading, by the failure of the banking house of Bushong & Bro.
Which was read the second time.
Mr. Leinbach from the Committee on Finance, presented the following report relative to this bill, viz:
Which was read and received.
On motion of Messrs. Heizman and Leinbach,
The rule requiring Council to go into a Committee of the Whole was suspended.
The rules were further suspended, the bill read the third time and passed, as follows, viz:
Yeas--Messrs. Dunkle, Heizman, Heller, Leinbach, McCullough, Strohecker, and Lawrence, President--7.
Nays--None.
S.C. 30 An ordinance to make an appropriation to the Commissioners of Water, to lay 12-inch pipe in Spring street, between Thirteenth street and Pricetown road; in Pricetown road, between Spring and Robeson streets, and in Robeson street eastward from the Pricetown road to the Hampden Reservoir.
Which was read the second time.
On motion of Mr. Heizman and Mr. Dunkle,
The rule requiring Council to go into a Committee of the Whole was suspended.
The rules were further suspended, the bill read third time and passed, as follows:
Yeas--Messrs. Dunkle, Heizman, Heller, Leinbach, McCullough, Strohecker, and Lawrence, President--7.
Nays--None.
S.C. 31. An ordinance directing the Committee on Highways and Paving and the City Engineer to superintend the construction of, and repairing of streets, alleys, &c, of the city of Reading.
Which was read the second time.
Resolution instructing the City Solicitor to apply to the Court of Quarter Sessions of Berks county, for a change in the curb height of the north side of Franklin street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, as set forth in the petition of the property holders on said street.
Which was read the second time and passed, as follows:
Yeas--7.
Nays--None.
Whereas, Believing that civilization offers to the Indians the single alternative of gradual absorption or extermination, and that, before they can be absorbed in the general population, they must be carefully prepared for assimilation and citizenship, and profoundly impressed with the conviction that this result can only be accomplished by the Federal Government adopting such a policy as will do justice to the Indian and honor to the country, to be followed by appropriate current legislation to enforce the same, therefore,
Resolved, That Congress be and it is hereby requested, to pass resolutions solemnly pledging the faith of the Nation to the Indian policy embodied in the following platform of principles:
Good Faith.--Never break faith with the Indians.
Indian Territory.--Keep all intruders out of the Territory; continue the self-government of the civilized tribes; let them regulate their own land tenure.
Law.--Enact suitable laws to protect life and property on reservations; make them flexible in detail; administer them through Department orders approved by the President; promptly and rigidly enforce them; individualize the punishment of crime; never hold the tribe liable for the crimes of its members; organize an efficient Indian police force on every reservation.
Indian Department.--Create a separate Indian Department under a civilian secretary; grant plenary emergency powers to the President; have all agencies frequently inspected by appointees of the President, well paid and unconnected with the Indian Department; carefully regulate the powers and duties of Indian Agents; give them permanent positions and liberal salaries; keep them free from political influence; let their subordinates be appointed by the Department; all questions of general policy and treatment to be settled by the Department; no individual experiments by theoretical agents to be permitted; abolish all priviledged traderships; absolutely destroy all traffic in liquors; control the sale of arms and ammunition; in all else let there be free trade; let all military posts be maintained separate and apart from the Indian villages, and preserve absolute non-intercourse between the soldiers and the Indians.
No Removals.--Remove no more tribes except where the soil and climate require it and the change is voluntary; civilize the Indians where they are.
Education.--Educate the entire Indian reservation population; teach the children in boarding manual-labor schools on the reservations; make them farmers and graziers; give all the bands an abundance of cattle; teach them trades; instruct them in the laws of health; show them how to live; neutralize the influence of the medicine man; make the work compulsory.
Lands in Severalty.--On reservations divide land in severalty as soon as Indians can farm them; make them inalienable and nontaxable for a time; sell the surplus lands for the benefit of the tribe; elsewhere grant Government lands in severalty (on same terms) to all Indians who can cultivate them.
Citizenship.--Give citizenship to all self-supporting Indians who ask it.
Which was read the second time and passed, as follows:
Yeas--7.
Nays--None.
Mr. Heller and Mr. Leinbach moved,
That the Council adjourn in ten minutes and that the Common Council be notified.
Which was agreed to.
The ten minutes having expired,
The President declared
The Council adjourned.
John H. Keppelman, Clerk.
A stated meeting of the Council was held.
Present: Messrs. Bobst, Brandt, Dott, Fox, Hartman, Heilman, Hepler, Huyett, Koch, Kupp, Loyd, Righter, Ritter, Sellers, Steinel, Stauffer, Troop, Wanner, Weitzel, Whitman, Whitner, Winter, Yoder, and Castor Ellis, President.
The Journals of the last stated and adjourned stated meetings were read and approved.
Mr. Stauffer presented a petition from the "Consumer's Gas Company," relative to laying gas pipes in the streets, alleys, lanes and highways of the city of Reading.
Which was read and referred to the Committees on Highways and Paving and Police.
The Clerk of the Select Council being introduced, presented the annual message of his Honor, the Mayor.
(Appendix No. 40.)
The introductory part thereof having been read,
Mr. Fox and Mr. Stinel moved,
That the further reading of the report be dispensed with.
Which was agreed to.
Mr. Ritter and Mr. Hepler moved,
that the report be received.
Which was agreed to.
Mr. Bauknecht appeared in his seat.
An affidavit of the Clerk of the Common Council, relative to the number of taxable inhabitants of the several wards of the city of Reading, was then read as follows, viz:
"The number of taxable inhabitants of the several wards of the city of Reading, as appears by the returns of the assessors for city purposes, for the year 1883:
"First ward, 840; Second ward, 1391; Third ward, 1210; Fourth ward, 887; Fifth ward, 987; Sixth ward, 1093; Seventh ward, 1159; Eighth ward, 1136; Ninth ward, 1190; Tenth ward, 716; Eleventh ward, 1577.
Berks County, ss.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned authority, Chas. J. Tyson, Clerk of the Common Council of the city of Reading, who, being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that he made a careful examination and count of the returns of the assessors, for city purposes, of the city of Reading, for the year 1883, and that the above figures are accurate and true to the best of his knowledge and belief.
Chas. J. Tyson
Sworn to and subscribed before me, the 14th day of Jan., A.D. 1884
John Denhard, Alderman
Mr. Wanner presented the following preamble and resolution:
Whereas, the Common Council of the city of Reading are empowered to regulate the number of Common Councilmen to be chosen from each ward, from time to time, being governed in the discharge of that duty by the ratio of representation as specified in section 4 of the Act of March 18th 1875, which reads as follows:
"Two members of Common council, of said city, to serve for two years, and shall have in addition thereto one member of the Common Council, of said city, for every four hundred (400) taxable inhabitants and for every fraction thereof exceeding three hundred (300), all of whom must be inhabitants of the wards from which they are elected, and qualified to serve as a member of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth"; and
Whereas, It appears from the returns of the assessors for city purposes, for the year 1883, that the several wards of said city have taxable inhabitants, as is shown by the affidavit of the Clerk of the common Council hereto attached, as follows, to wit: First ward, 840; Second ward, 1391; Third ward, 1210; Fourth ward, 887; Fifth ward, 987; Sixth ward, 1093; Seventh ward, 1159; Eighth ward, 1136; Ninth ward, 1190; Tenth ward, 716; Eleventh ward, 1577; and
Whereas, the figures above given indicate the ratio of representation of Common Councilmen of the different wards to be as follows, to wit: First ward, 4; Second ward, 5; Third ward, 5; Fourth ward, 4; Fifth ward, 4; Sixth ward, 4; Seventh ward, 5; Eighth ward, 5; Ninth ward, 5; Tenth ward, 4; Eleventh ward, 6; therefore,
Resolved, That the representation of the several wards of the city of Reading, in the Common Council of said city, at the election for Common Councilmen, to be held February 19th next, be as follows, to wit: First ward, 4; Second ward, 5; Third ward, 5; Fourth ward, 4; Fifth ward, 4; Sixth ward, 4; Seventh ward, 5; Eighth ward, 5; Ninth ward, 5; Tenth ward, 4; Eleventh ward, 6; and the Mayor be directed to issue his proclamation in conformity with this resolution.
Which was twice read and passed, as follows:
Yeas--26.
Nays--None.
Mr. Stauffer presented the following preamble and resolution:
Whereas, The citizens of Reading have learned with pleasure of the introduction of a bill in Congress by our Congressman and townsmen, Hon. Daniel Ermentrout, providing for the erection of a public building in the city of Reading; and
Whereas, This city has waited long and patiently for the recognition asked for in said bill from the general government, and long after other cities of far less population and of much less needs for a public building, have been provided therewith, and believing that the time has come when the city of Reading, the third in the State, with a population of nearly sixty thousand souls, and with its many large and varied industries, should have a government building; therefore
Resolved, That the thanks of this city are due and are hereby extended to our representative in Congress, Hon. Daniel Ermentrout, for the effort he is making to secure an appropriation for a public building for Reading, and that we further urge upon him to use all honorable means to secure the passage of said bill during the present session of Congress.
Resolved, that a copy of the above preambles and resolution be forwarded to Mr. Ermentrout at Washington.
Which was twice read and passed, as follows:
Yeas--26.
Nays--None.
The Clerk of the Select Council being again introduced, presented for concurrence S.C. bill No. 29, and the report of the Finance Committee, as follows, viz:
Which was read and received.
S.C. 29. An ordinance making an appropriation to reimburse John E. Arthur for moneys deposited in city treasury, to cover the loss of the city of Reading, by the failure of the banking house of Bushong & Bro.
Which was read the first time.
On motion of Mr. Koch and Mr. Loyd,
The rule was suspended and the bill read the second time.
The Council having dispensed with going into Committee of the Whole on said bill, it was,
On motion of Mr. Koch and Mr. Hartman,
Read the third time and passed, as follows:
Yeas--Messrs. Bauknecht, Bobst, Brandt, Dott, Fox, Hartman, Heilman, Hepler, Huyett, Koch, Kupp, Loyd, Righter, Ritter, Robinson, Sellers, Steinel, Stauffer, Troop, Wanner, Weitzel, Whitman, Whitner, Winter, Yoder, and Castor Ellis, President--26.
Nays--None.
So the Common Council concurred.
The Clerk of the Select Council being again introduced, presented for concurrence the following bill and resolutions, and reports, as follows: (He also announced that the Select council would adjourn in ten minutes.)
S.C. 30. An ordinance to make an appropriation to the Commissioners of Water to lay 12-inch pipe in Spring street, between Thirteenth street and Pricetown road; in Pricetown road, between Spring and Robeson streets, and in Robeson street eastward from the Pricetown road to the Hampden Reservoir.
Which was read the first time.
On motion of Mr. Hartman and Mr. Loyd,
The rule was suspended and the bill read the second time.
The Council having dispensed with going into Committee of the Whole on said bill, it was,
On motion of Mr. Hepler and Mr. Koch,
Read the third time and passed, as follows:
Yeas--Messrs. Bauknecht, Bobst, Brandt, Dott, Fox, Hartman, Heilman, Hepler, Huyett, Koch, Kupp, Loyd, Righter, Ritter, Robinson, Sellers, Steinel, Stauffer, Troop, Wanner, Weitzel, Whitman, Whitner, Winter, Yoder, and Castor Ellis, President--26.
Nays--None.
So the Common Council concurred.
Resolved, That the City Solicitor be and is hereby instructed to apply to the Court of Quarter Sessions of Berks county, for a change in the curb height of the north side of Franklin street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, as set forth in the petition of the property holders on said street.
Which was twice read, when,
On motion of Mr. Hepler and Mr. Huyett,
It was laid over until next meeting
So the Common Council non-concurred.
Whereas, Believing that civilization offers to the Indians the single alternative of gradual absorption or extermination, and that, before they can be absorbed in the general population, they must be carefully prepared for assimilation and citizenship, and profoundly impressed with the conviction that this result can only be accomplished by the Federal Government adopting such a policy as will do justice to the Indian and honor to the country, to be followed by appropriate current legislation to enforce the same, therefore,
Resolved, That Congress be and it is hereby requested, to pass resolutions solemnly pledging the faith of the Nation to the Indian policy embodied in the following platform of principles:
Good Faith.--Never break faith with the Indians.
Indian Territory.--Keep all intruders out of the Territory; continue the self-government of the civilized tribes; let them regulate their own land tenure.
Law.--Enact suitable laws to protect life and property on reservations; make them flexible in detail; administer them through Department orders approved by the President; promptly and rigidly enforce them; individualize the punishment of crime; never hold the tribe liable for the crimes of its members; organize an efficient Indian police force on every reservation.
Indian Department.--Create a separate Indian Department under a civilian secretary; grant plenary emergency powers to the President; have all agencies frequently inspected by appointees of the President, well paid and unconnected with the Indian Department; carefully regulate the powers and duties of Indian Agents; give them permanent positions and liberal salaries; keep them free from political influence; let their subordinates be appointed by the Department; all questions of general policy and treatment to be settled by the Department; no individual experiments by theoretical agents to be permitted; abolish all priviledged traderships; absolutely destroy all traffic in liquors; control the sale of arms and ammunition; in all else let there be free trade; let all military posts be maintained separate and apart from the Indian villages, and preserve absolute non-intercourse between the soldiers and the Indians.
No Removals.--Remove no more tribes except where the soil and climate require it and the change is voluntary; civilize the Indians where they are.
Education.--Educate the entire Indian reservation population; teach the children in boarding manual-labor schools on the reservations; make them farmers and graziers; give all the bands an abundance of cattle; teach them trades; instruct them in the laws of health; show them how to live; neutralize the influence of the medicine man; make the work compulsory.
Lands in Severalty.--On reservations divide land in severalty as soon as Indians can farm them; make them inalienable and nontaxable for a time; sell the surplus lands for the benefit of the tribe; elsewhere grant Government lands in severalty (on same terms) to all Indians who can cultivate them.
Citizenship.--Give citizenship to all self-supporting Indians who ask it.
Which was read the first time.
On motion fo Mr. Stauffer and Mr. Hepler,
The resolution was laid over until next meeting.
So the Common Council non-concurred.
Annual report of the City Controller.
(Appendix No. 42.)
The introductory part thereof having been read,
Mr. Stauffer and Mr. Hepler moved,
That the further reading of the report be dispensed with.
Which was agreed to.
Annual report of the Chief of Police.
(Appendix No. 41.)
The introductory part thereof having been read,
Mr. Stauffer and Mr. Huyett moved,
That the further reading of the report be dispensed with.
Which was agreed to.
Mr. Heilman presented following resolution, viz:
Resolved, That the City Solicitor be and is hereby directed to apply to the Court of Quarter Sessions of Berks county for the widening of Reed street, between Washington and Walnut streets.
Which was twice read and passed, as follows:
Yeas--26.
Nays--None.
On motion of Mr. Steinel and Mr. Heilman,
The Council adjourned.
Charles J. Tyson, Clerk
Note: Unless otherwise linked, the items identified as being in the Appendix are not part of this submission.
Source: Journals of the Select and Common Councils, pp. 355-367.
Submitted by: Nancy.
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