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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 30, 1886)
8 THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : TUESDAY , NOVEMBER 150 , 188o. CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT , Suggestions and Eecommeiidatlons by City Attorney Oonnclli THE GROUND WELL COVERED The Ainonilinontq Ilclntc to "Mctro- li > ! iinffCrhus HnvltiR n 1'ojm- latlou of Over OO.OOO. " In view of the discussion of charter amendment and the appointment of a committee of liftccn to formulate plans' for thn now charter , or amendments to the existing charter , a reporter of the UKB callou upon City Attorney Council , at his ofllco on Fourteenth street on Sat urday , and requested his Ideas upon the most Important needs of the oily with reference lo the amendment. Mr. Council dictated the following : rOUJI Ol' AMr.XDMUNTS. Tlio first thing to be considered in con nection with the proposed amendments to the city charter , is the form or manner of making such amendments , whether by making changes and additions to certain sections of the existing charter , which applies to cities of the lirsl clnss , or by completely remodeling Iho charter , and make its provisions apply as lias been proposed , to "Metropolitan cities , having a population of 00,000 or upwards. " If this last suggestion bo adopted , then , It would be unnecessary , for the present at least , to confer with the authorities and clti/cns of Lincoln , otherwise such a conference should be had , in order that no misunderstanding may arise , which might result in the defcal of the amend ment proponed. Tlio act incorporating cities of the lirst class , applies lo all cities of more than twenty-live thousand Inhabitants. As tlio city of Lincoln now has more than twenty live thousand in habitants , all that is necessary to bring Lincoln under Iho supervisions of Iho law which rcgulales and defines Iho powers and government of Omaha , is lo have the fact of her population ascer tained and certilicd to the governor , who would then declare by public proclama tion that Lincoln was subject to the same supervisions of law which regulate and control Omaha. From this statement of the legal rela tion of Iho two cities , it is manifest that Lincoln is directly concerned in the form of the charter , to be prepared and sub mitted for the consideration of the legis- laluro. ll is hardly probable that Lincoln will bo disposed longer to remain as of the second class , and for the present , she probably is not prepared to assume the expense of a lorm of government , which is a necessity for the welfare and proper management of a city of the size of Omaha. As a simple way out of the difficulty , it would seem to mo a wise plan to en- entirely remodel the present charier , seas as lo make it apply lo "Metropolitan Cities of 00,000 , population , or upwards. " ' Tills would enable Lincoln to revise the act relating to cities of the first class , seas as to apply to her wants and require ments , and Omaha , for a time al least , would have a law for her own special guidance. The important thing , however , lo bo considered in this connection , is the pro vision of our constitution which prohibits the passage by the legislature of any local or special law , incorporating cities , or changing or amending the charter of any town , city or village. ( See Section 15 , Article 3 , Constitution ) . lu view of a comparatively recent de cision of our supreme court , I do not think the classification ol cities hero proposed posed- would bo repugnant to the consti tutional provision referred to. Chief Justice - tico Cobb , in the case of The Stale vs Graham (10 ( Nebraska , page 14) ) , lays down Iho law as follows : "Tho classification of the cities of the Elate into classes and sub-classes , and the conferring unon them of corporate pow ers by acts of the legislature of a general nature , yet the provisions of which arc npplicabio to bub one of such classes or Bub-classes , is not repugnant to any pro vision of Iho constitution. " EXTENSION 01' COUl'OltATK LIMITS. Among the lirst of the charter amend ments Which I would propose , is the ex tending of the corporate limits of the city. city.The boundary lines of the city arc the same to-day as fifteen years ago , when our population did not exceed twenty thousand. Wo have a population to-dav of at least eighty thousand , and we will certainly have over one hundred thou sand before 1800. The provisions of our present charter , concerning corporate limits , arc not only impracticable , but wholly msulllcicnt lor our present needs , and the p/opor development of the city , In making amendments , il is necessary to keep constantly in mind tlio constitu tional provision concerning special legis lation , and as our now charter is pro- munably for the benefit of other cities as they become of the metropolitan class , it will not do to delino the corporate limits by section lines. The provisions upon this subject , as well as upon others , mnsl liigeneral ) in their nature BO as to apply to any city of the metropolitan class. My plan would bo to give to the mayoi and council in all cities of the metropoli tan class , within one year after the passage - J sago of the charter , or being proclaimed - a city of such class , the power , by ordi nance , to lix and determine the corporate lines , nol oxceediii" or ooyond a certain urea , which should be sulllcleni to in clude such territory , as may now bo do- Hired to bo taken within the limits , with power , in like manner , to extend such lines , not beyond a curtain distance in uach direction , say for half a mile , after each state or national census , provided , the Increase in population shall equal 520,000. This plan would admit of an ex tension of thu corporate limits with the growth of the cityand Iho limitations pro vided would bo sutllclent to prevent fre quent or unnecessary changes for politi cal or other purposes. SUWr.ll , WATUU AND OAS POXXKCTIONS Another amendment which 1 rognnl of the utmost unportanco in connection with our public improvements , is an ex press grant of power to the mayor ami council to require that sewer , water and gas connections shall be mad'o and ex tended to Iho curb or property line along nil streets ordered paved before the pav ing is done , and assess the cost of mak ing such connections to thu lots and real estate opposite which such connection ! Ehall bo mado. The notification to properly owners which heretofore has been given to make finch connections has proved wholly un availing , As tlio.result , our pavement ! nro no sooner laid than they are torn up to the annoyance of the traveling public mid to the disfigurement and pcrmaneni Injury of the pavement. The mayor anc council , with the power hero suggested granted to thmn , could determine ineacl case the distance at which such connec tlons should bo mndo , taking into nc count the nature and use of the street , whether for business or residence pur poses , and while the laying of pavements might in some cases bu delayed , tin pavements would bo far moro useful am ! permanent when completed. GItAUK IAMr.S , Our present constitution provides thai no property shall bo damaged for ptiblu use , The supreme court holds that lid : constitutional provision applies toQtlu grading of streets. Jn view of this , an amendment ough to bo made to limit ; tuturu. litigation concerning corning gradu damages , , and to enable the mayor and council , in advance o : entering upon the work of grading unj streut , to determine the damages , if any \vhlch will result from finch wort ; . My plan would bo to provide that err- lain preliminary steps , somewhat similar [ o thee taken for a change of grade , should be taken in advance of doing the work. 1 would provide that a preliminary or dinance bo lirst pa ed declaring tlio necessity of grading Mich streets as the mayor and council may deem proper to grade , and , appoint three disinterested free-holders to determine and assess the damages , if any. which will result to private property by reason of such grad ing. 1 would then allow thirty days lo prop erty owners to appeal , if they so desired. At the expiration of lids tlmo the mayor and council would bo in a position to de termine whether it would be prudent or advisable to proceed with the grading as proposed. As tlio remedy by appeal would be exclusive , no suits , In the form of original actions could bo commenced or maintained. This would result in no wrong or In jury to property owners , for it claims for ilamages are to bo made , and if litigation is to follow in consequence of improving a public street , the mayor and council should bo so advised in advance of enter ing upon the work. As the result ot the adoption of this plan , streels would either be graded without damages , or they would remain unimproved until sued lime as the avaricious or short sighted properly owners could learn that It is the slrcel lliat makes llicir property of value , and not llieir properly thai makes Ihc street. The only objection lo this plan would he a delay in some cases , in the work of grading and the making of contracts for .such work , but such delay could in a measure bo obviated byMvmur commenc ing proceedings to have sutih work clone. As it is now , Interested property own ers , in many cases , anxious and desirous of the grading of a particular street , stand around without making claim for damages until after the work of grading is done , and then it suddenlv occurs to them that they have been "fearfully in- tired. Under the present law they can ring suit for such pretended injuries at any time within four years. CITY IIAU. BONDS. Another amendment , wilhoutwhicli all work on the city hall must cease , is that authorl/.mg the issue of bonds for the construction of thu city hall. It was upon tlio theory that such an amendment would be made , and if made , that the rcquiied bonds would bo voted , that plans wcro adopted and the work commenced. I'AHK COMMISSIONERS AND 1'AUK BONDS. Power should also bo given to create a board of park commissioners , and to issue bonds for the purchase of land for parks. OAS WOKKS HONDS. While giving the right to issue city hall bonds , and park bonds , Iho power to issue bonds for the purchase or construc tion of gas woiks should also bo granted. It may not bo necessary at the present time to exercise such power , but the day may come when it will be greatly desired to do so. Thu franchise of the Omaha Oas Manu facturing company , under which the present company claims to act , accord ing to its express terms , expires in 18)3. ! ) Jl may then be desired to appropriate the gas works , as well as Ihe pipes in our streets , and for the payment of the ap praised value , to provide the necessary funds , by sale of bonds. The power to do all this , should bo clearly and ex pressly given. rmcE OF OAS. Another sliirht amendment , which is more for the purpose of carrying out the intent of our present charter and making clear what is now somewhat obscure should be made , and that relates to the power of the mayor and council to regu late Ihe price of gas. During the argu ment before Judge Wakeley in the Gas Injunction case , which occurred some months ago , it was claimed by .Mr. Mor gan , the lawyer sent out by the United Gas Improvement company from Philadelphia , thai Ihe mayor and coun cil had power only to regulate the rent of gas metres , and that the power to rcg- nlato thu sale of gas , did not include the right to rcgulalellie price of cas. In view of Ihe fact that the right to regulate the charge for electric light is expressly granted , tlio point made by Mr. Morgan would seem to bo somewhat line , such as Philadelphia lawyers are some what noted for making , but however thai may be , Iho provision referred lo , can bo made so clear and positive in its terms , that no ground for future controversy can possibly exist , and this should bo done. KKOULATING TELEPHONE SERVICE. It is somewhat remarkable that the city has a power , under the express provisions of its present charter , to regulate the sale of gas , the rent of gas meters , the charge for electric light , the time and manner oi running street cars , can require the heal ing and cleaning of such cars and can lix and determine the fare to bo charged , and has no power or authority whatever over the telephone service , or the charges to bu made for the use of telephones. Tills is certainly an oversight , and should bo corrected by a proper amend ment giving the citv the same power over telephone companies thai il has over over other concerns using Its public streets. The power of a monopoly of the char acter and extent of the llell Telephone company ought certainly to bo limited to the extent pt givinjr totlio city the right to require it to render cllicient and proper scrvbo , and to charge therefor only what is just and reasonable. Wo should profit by the recent experience of the people of Rochester , and anticipate what in thu future may bu more burdensome than anything yet experienced in the past. The courts have already decided that telephone companies are subjecl to reasonable regulations , and that the price to bo charged for telephone service can bo determined within reasonable limitations. VIADUCTS. An amendment should be added to the section of the charter regulating rail roads , authorizing and empowering the city to require railroad companies to construct viaducts over their lines 9 ! railroad where the same cross public streets , whenever Iho public safety maj require it. This is an amendment that has been made to the charter of other cities , and been declared by the courts as just untl proper , and one which the courts by mandamus will compel the railroad companies to observe whenever and wherever it is reasonable to do so. METROPOLITAN POUCK. I believe it would bo for iho besl inter ests of the city to so amend the charter as to enable thn mayor and council by ordinance , to adopt what is known as the metropolitan police systum.or to so place the appointment and management of the pollcu under aboard of commissioners as to remove thu pohco entirely from poli tical or other improper inllucncos and mnko service and otllcieney the standards of retention upon thu force , and of ad- vtiuccmcnt , WATERWORKS. The section relating to waterworks should bo so amended as to extend the righl lo appropriate private property foi public nso in tlio construction and opera tion of waterworks to a distance of ten miles beyond the corporate limits. This would give the city the power tc obtain the right of way for a water main to some point near .Florence , a plar which must be adopted and carried ou in thu near future , in order to give to tin people of Omaha un adequate and pure supply of water. Thu money to obtain such right of waj and to construct such main might be fur nishcd by the waterworks company under a lease and contract with tin city , but in such case ttiu rights of tin city should bo uiore carefully protcctc < and defined than Is done under the pres ent existing contract. LICENSE OK' EMI'LOVINO AGENCIES , ETC. The charter now in force authorizes the taxing and licensing of honor dealer ? , pawnbrokers nnd auctioneer ; ? , The pro vision now in force oiieht to bo extended go as also to incluuo employment agencies , commission dealers , brokers , insurance agencies and such other kind of business or employment as the public good may require. SUl'EltlNTENDENTS OK m'lLUINUS AND IIOII.KU INSI'ECTOU , Express authority should bo given to create the olh'cw of superintendent of buildings , and inspector of boilers , and lo determine their powers and delino their duties. T1MK TO DESIONATE I'AVIXO XATUIHAL. To remove doubts as to the right of the mayor and council to give property own ers , in such cases as it may bo desired to do so , a longer time than twenty days within which to designate material for paving , the provision relating to that subject should be so amended as to allow property owners the thirty days now pro vided , and also such further or additional time as may bo designated by ordinance. ATTESTATION OK WAItllANTS , The provision now in force relating to the attestation of city warrants requires that after being signed by the mayor , the same shall be attested by the oify clerk. The power to attest warrants should bo extended to the deputy city clerk. Under the present practice , as the city clerk cannot always be in his office , ho attests in advance all warrants for each month at ono time. Any partv desiring to do so might wrongfully abstract ono or moro ot' these warrants and by secretly affixing the sealwould have a genuine and completed warrant to dispose of to the injury of others , and to the detriment of the city. Warrants should not bo attested until final delivery to the proper parties. This course could bo pursued , with the slight change suggested. SALAUV OK CITY O1-T1CIAI.S. Tlio salary of all life elective officers of the city is lixed by tlio charter. As to whether any changes should bo made Is a matter moro properly for the "coinmiitco of fifteen" to consider , than for mo to suggest. The only' appointive officer whose salary is lixed by the charter , is the city clerk. In place of the section relating to sal ary of city clerk , 1 would suggest for the purpose of uniformity , and to prevent efforts constantly being made for in crease of salary and extra pay , u provis ion something like this : "All appointive officers and agents of the city nhall receive such salary as may bo fixed and determined by ordinance , whicli shall not bo increased or dimin ished during the term of office , for which such officer or agent may be appointed. " A MUNICIPAL COUIIT. It is already manifest that an increase in the judiciary for this city and county must soo.n bo made , otherwise , the law's delays will be an ill too griovou to bo borne. In addition to another district court judge , it will probably bo necessary to create a municipal court for the transac tion of civil business. This seems to have been contemplated by the constitution , ind the creation by law of courts for cities is expressly authori/.ed. For the purpose of ascertaining the views of pur judges and lawyers , who presumably urn best informed upon this subject , I would suggest the calling of a meeting of the bar of Douzlas county , and of the lawyers of this judicial dis trict , to consider and discuss the proposi tion of an additional district judge and the creation of a municipal court , with such powers and jurisdiction as may seem proper. A committee should be selected at such meeting to draft and prepare such amendments to onr present law , as may bo necessary lo carry out the views finally adopted. COMMISSIONED OP ADJUSTMENT. The law relating to the boardknown , as "commissioners of adjustment" should bo so amended as to allow the report and acceptance of surveys of portions of the city. It seems to bo impracticable , if not impossible , to make a completed survey and report of the entire city at one time. If the work is undertaken in sections , it might be , and ought to be carried to a completed and satisfactory termination. SIDEWALKS. Power should bo given to the mayor and council , in addition to requiring property owners to lay side-walks , and failing so to do , to cause the same to be laid , to also determine and declare , upon such streets as may be deemed advisable , that side-walks shall be laid of a certain kind of material and the work let to the lowest responsible bidder , so as to secure that uniformity much to bo desired , and totally ignored along many of our prin cipal thoroughfares. OTIIKIt CI1ANC.KS AND MODirCATIONS. In addition to the amendments already suggested , there are a number of others of minor importance , and which , upon being called to the attention of the 'com mittee of fifteen , " I think would bo ac quiesced in by them , and by the citi- /ens interested in the welfare of the city. One change that now occurs to mo is the division of section 15which , grants power to the mayor and council , into separate sections. .Thissection is now made up of forty-live sub-divisions. In the event of desiring to amend any ono of these forty- live sub-divisions , it is necessary to in clude the entire section , which covers ton pages of printed matter. OHJKCTIONS 1O I'KOrOSED AMENDMENTS. Many , if not all of the amendments which J have proposed , are of vital im portance to tlio success and welfare of our city. If objections are made to them , the reasons for and origins of such ob jections should bo caretully scrutini/cd and considered. The last contest con- corning.chartcr amendments very clearly demonstrates that the real object of de feating amendments to the charter is sometimes entirely dlllerent from that claimed. It will bo remembered that the principal objection urged to defeat the amendments of two years ago , was the provision concerning the "commissioners of adjustment ; " whereas iho gas , street railway and electriu H"ht amendments were tlio real causes of the opposition. It is fortunate that an early start has been made toward preparing a bill cov ering charter amendments , so that all controversies may bo ended , and a per fected bill may bo prepared , to bo Introduced - ducod at once upon the convening of tin : legislature. It this is done , wo can reasonably hope to secure the support nnd co-operation necessary for its prompt passage. Hurled Vet Alive. Win , llertmann , the Union Pacifio em- ployo who was buried for ten minutes , bj the caving in of the bank in the excava tion near the track at Seventh street on Saturday last , Is still at the hospital , and in n dangerous condition , His left ami is badly fractured and there is a strong possibility of his losing it. Last nlghl there wcro symptoms of pneumonia evi dent , and , if the disease should attach him there would bo little possibility ol saving the man's life , Dr. Ualbraitli says that when Hurlmann was tuKon from beneath the bunk , ho was black in the face , and required tlio work of an iioiu to bring him to consciousness. iic Cornice , A force of worldn men Is now engaged Ir placing on the iron cornice of thu I'axtoi building , the wrought-lron brackets , am other ornainentlons ? which Imd been loosenci by the heat of thu Darker lire ami dropped t < the walk. When they have alt been replaced and it will not take a very long tlmo to 10 place them , the cornice will bo repainted li terra cotta. such as it was before tlio tire Until the latter destroyed Us beauty the- cor nice had all the npi > earuuce of a solid tern Ct'ttiU A STORY HORRIBLE IF TRUE , Mrs. Moffatt TcllsiHow Her Husband Was Treated uy the Thicttftns. A SCHEME OF REVENGE. A Sccoml ConfOsslon DncRott Says That HoKlrnU the Hnrkcr JllocU Intentionally Other LO CK ! News. The K.vninlnntlon. Tlio council coinintttco appointed to in vestigate the doalh of John W , Moflht and Ilio responsibility of Marshal Cum- tilings tliorufor , met in their chamber yes- torl.iy morning. A number of witnesses worn examined. Hov. J. M. Wilson tcstlllcil to bcinc ; nl Tliicman's house on Sntnnhiy evening , before lie was taken to the hospital. Moll'atl was delirious. Ho hud sonic blood marks on Ills face. I did not think the right thing was to tnku him out in the cold. 1 did not think that he was dan gerously delirious. 1 left Thioman's house about 1 o'clock in the morning and Mortal was resting easily. He became quiet when talked to in the right way. Mr. Dan Allen was the next witness. Ho merely testified to having seen Mof fatt the two or three nights preceding Saturday , Ho was not delirious and seemed rational. Understood that lie was suffering from erysipelas. Dr. linn- chott admitted that ho was a pretty sick man. but thought his chances of recov ery good. 1 was not at the house when the police arrived Saturday night , and do not know what they did. 1 was not there Saturday night later than half-past eight o'clock. Marshal Cummlngs was placed on tlio stand and told Ids story. Late that Sat urday night a man came to tlio jail and said there was a man near St. Mary's avenue who was cr.v/.y , and wanted a po liceman to como right np. Came to the jail about eleven o'clock the next morn ing. Saw Moll'att thorn and told the doc tor that tlio jail was no nlaco for a sick man , and that ho ought to bo re moved to the hospital. There was no entry made in the jail record about Moll'att's being moved. Wo had a littlu canvas cot there for sick people , but Mnll'att was more comfortable on a mattress. As for asking for accommo dations for sick people , there area thous and thimrs that I could ask for , out I wouldn't get thorn. Just as soon as 1 ask the council for anything , there arc two or three jumpine-jacks who oppose mo in everything that I do. Paddy Lord is one of them. Sick people ought to bu never brought to the jail. ' When 1 came in the jail that morn ing I did not notice any blood on Mod- all's face. JThcro was a slight bruise on the side of his head , as though the skin had been bruised. He did not seem to bo seriously cut. " Peter Turkleson , driver of the patrol wagon , was next called. He saw Moll'att in the jail Sunday morning. Asked the sick man if ho was cold , and ho replied "no. " Ho did mot complain about his arms and legs being tied. Saw Dr. Han- chctt there , but didn't see him do any thing for Moll'att. Moll'atl was comfort ably lixed , was lying on a mattress , with two pillows and two blankets. Ho looked to bo a very sick man. Ho was moved out of the jail just as soon as the K. of P. commitlco wcro ready. They had lo send homo lo get some clothes. "Did you ever have any other sick per sons brought into jail ? " was asked ol the witness. ' , "Yes , very often. " "What do you do with thorn ? " "Wo fix them as comfortably as wo can until they are removed lo the hospital. Generally , they lie on Iho lloor , and arc covered with the blankets that arc at hand. Wo have no special provisions for sick persons. Coroner Drexel was called. He testl- fied to having notified Tuvnbull to come lo Ilio inquest , and bring every member of Iho police who knew anj'thmg of the afl'air. He said "all right" and wcnl away. "I met him al the opera house cor ner. I told Judge Stonberg the same thine. I did not hear anything said about the notification being not in ac cordance with the legal form. " Olliccr Tunilmlj , who happened to bo on handt was again placed on the stand. Ho U'Stilicd that ho met Drexcl on the corner of Fifteenth and Farnam streets , and the coroner told him he proposed to hold an investigation of the dcatn of Mollall. "Ho ( the coroner ) did not toll mete to have the police there , or if he did I did not hear him. " MHS. MOFKATT'S STOKV. ly $ long odds the mosl interesting and sensational testimony yet furnished is that of Mrs. MolYatt , Hie widow of Iho dead man. As she was nimble to como to the council chamber , being quite siek , the commitlce repaired to tiic looms of the Woman's Christian Aid association next door , where she has been stopping for the past few days. Mrs. Moll'att was found lying on a lounge in the front par lor. She Jookcd siek and nervous , but witii an evident ell'ort she "braced up" and told her story. She is a small woman , rather pretty , and with large , black eyes whicli at times dilated with horror as she recounted the stifTering through which she and her husband liaii passed. Mrs Moilatt testified : "My husband was taken sick about a month ago. It was on the second Friday before ho was taken to ja'l. ' Mrs. Thieman at ( irsl Ircatcd us very kindly , but towards the last acted harshly. She said that she was tired of renters , The last three or four days before my husband was taken away Ho was quite delirious , During the day ho would bo all right and in the night ho would bo delirious. All the neighbors wore very kind such a noble ohissof people ple I never mot , 1 needed help , for 1 was driven to death , I had so much to do. I had to domiy housework , give my husband mcdicino every hour and attend to his different calls , besides taking care of the baby. On'tho Saturday before my husband was taken to the jail wo iiad lo change the bud on which ho was lying , because it was too short. Mrs. Thleman acted very roughly about it and repeated the remark thai ahu didn't want any more roomers. That night my husband got worse and wo Iriod to gel Dr. llanchott , but wo could not.got him. Sent for other physicians but they didn't como. in the meuntinio my husband was growing worse. Ho told mo that ho wanted mo to shut tlio door and not let anyone in. Thleman went into the room that night and in a rough way ho said ; 'Now , Mof- fall , you've frigutencd these- ladies long enough. Now I want you lo Ho down ami bo still. " My husband was still in bed and was perfectly quiet. Ho pleaded with Mr. Thioman and tried lo get him to leave the room. Mr. Thioman grow more violent and threatened my husband. 1 begged and pleaded with Thieman to luavo tlio room and ho did so at length , My husband , in his delirium , seemed lo think that Cod was responsible for the wholii thing and so ho told Mr. Thieman , "Mr. Thioman wont down Blairs and swore that ho wouldn't allow my hus band In the house any longer. Ho nsci ! the most awful profanity. I got down on my knees and begged him for ( iod'ssakc to allow my husband to remain. Thio inaif broke out with mbro profanity , and brushed mo aside as thougli I were 11 brute. Tnen 1 plead with Mrs. Thiemanii and asked her for God's sake to have mercy on mp and my husband not to lul them take him away , She commenced cursing nl said , ' 'God d your God , tltpre is no God1 As filio related thii Mrs , Moflutt' * face For several days past , we have been constantly receiving new addi- ionsto our already immense stock , These goods were manufactured expressly for our establishment here in Omaha , and they must and will be sold , if low prices , and reductions on low prices will help us to do so. Among the new arrivals we have 900 heavy Overcoats , in all grades and colors. To give you an idea how these goods are being slaughtered we enumerate the following prices : v lOOMens' Heavy Chinchilla Beaver Storm Overcoats , cassimere lined , extra length , with larsre fur collar and cuffs , at $8. This-same class of coats were sold only a week ago ior $13.50. 75 All Wool Beaver Chinchilla Overcoats , lined with fine serge , and satin sleeve lining , at $9.75. Former price $13.75. 100 Plain , Smooth All Wool Beaver Overcoats , in black and brown , double breasted and elegantly trimmed , at $10,50. This coat sells at any other establishment at 15. 65 Heavy Dark Striped Overcoats , trimmed with iur collar and cuffs $4.75. Another lot of our celebrated $3.60 Overcoats , which are fully worth $6. We also received about 20 different styles of childrens'and boys' Overcoats. For children from 4 to 12 years of age we have a very neat fur trimmed Overcoats for $1.95worth ; at least $3. We call your attention to 300 neatly gotten up Childrens' Suits , from 4 to 13 years at $1.85. These suits were sold formerly at $2.75. All of the above described goods are selling now very rapidly and we would advise all intending purchasers to examine them before sizes are broken. All goods at one price at * " Cor. Douglas and 14th sts. , Omaha. grow ghastly , while her eyes dilated and she looked the picture of horror. She fell back on the pillows exhausted , but in a moment recovered herself and contin ued : "Then I went up stairs to my husband. I stopped at his door a moment before coing in , and he called : 'Come hero , Pcl.don'lyou . know I won't hurt you ? ' Ho was all bruised and his night-gown was saturated with blood and water. Ilo told mo that ho had tried to drive on" Thieman , and that Mrs. Thieman had thrown a big , heavy wash-bowl at him , breaking it on his head. I told him that the Thiomans were talking of taking him to jail. Ho replied : 'Don't you know that il will kill me if Ihoy send mo off ? No town would toleralo such a thing. Tell them that if they will give me twenty-lour hours I will leave this house. ' lint no ; Thieman swore that he would send for the police. "It wasn't long before the police did como. They foundtho front door locked by my husband's orders , but managed to get in the back way. It seemed to mo that there were two or Ihrec of Ihc policemen , and they came swaggering in with billets as though they were going to slop a drunken carousal. 1 put my hand on the shoulder of one of the men and tried to get nim to atop , but he only brushed mo aside and went in where my husband was. They finally agreed to allow ono policeman to remain with my husband , while the others went down town. In the meantime I had been seized with severe nervous pains , and had been taken down stairs by ono of the ladies who were in the house , and given some hot brandy and water. This put mo into a kind of slupor.and when I was in Ihis condition , Ihoy took my husband away. Soon after I heard Thieman como in and say 'They have taken him away. ' I asked him what he meant , and with an awful siring of oallis , he replied that Ihcy had taken him to jail. I afterwards learned tliat my husband was not allowed to dress him self and thai ho was gagged and bound ami tossed into a coal cart. " This closed Mrs. MoH'atl's testimony and the committee adjourned for dinner and met again at 4 o'clock and continued the investigation. John T. McMannis was called and sworn. He was asked if he overheard a conversation in which Ollicer Turnbull had taken part , the day Moll'at was brought to the jail. Witness said that he Imd. Ho was riding in a car , and some body remarked to him that that was n sick man they had up at the jail. Turn- bull said that if he had been tlio man who had had anything to do with him , lie would have "done him up worse'1 than the other ollicer did. 11. G. Fuollor detailed how ho had found Motat ) lying as ho thought upon thu tloor , or on a pallet in the jail. His pillow was covered with blood , his hair was matted and his night shirt saturated with it. It was then 100 : ! ! o'clock in the morning. Witness spoke to and was rec- ogni/ed by Moll'at. The latter did not complain about Ins hands being tied. Ho said , however , thai ho thought it was all ii ] > with him , Ilo spoke a few rational words. Witness felt chilly in the jail with his overcoat on. Didn't pa'any attention to the lire. Thn patient was covered with blankets up lo his chin. Dr. llanchott was there at th'.Uinio. ' Witness helped to taku him to thu hospital at about 1'p. : ! ) ( ) . in , Thu jailer and other policemen wcro kind in assisting the removal of Moll'att to the carriage , and the marshal said ho would Pond some men in the patrol wagon lo aid in taking Moll'atl from thu carriage to the hospital. When thu parly reached the hospital they found the patrol wagon and some policemen , wlio assisted as had been indicated. Motl'att spoke only three or four words on his way to thu hospital , Marshal dimming here stated that when the doctor ofl'orcd to pay for the carriage , ho said Moll'att was a brother of his as well as of the doctor's , and contributed - tributed a dollar toward the cost of the haek. haek.While walling for a witness named Strykor , who could not bo found , the committee adjourned till this morning , when Ihoy will hear the witness men tioned , after whicli they will agree imun a report , A ror.icr. AT..VUM SVSTBJI , Chairman ( loodrioh , of the committee , told a Hii : ; reporter that the finding of the commltteo would comprehend n recommendation for the adoption of the sy it em of nolico alarm which is now in operation fn Chicago. This has been es tablished in the latter city for several years back , and has been considered by several members of the board , with thu conclusion thai it to bo introduced into Omaha , it consists of : t number of small stations to be established in all Iho police beats throughout the citv , nt each of which at a given tlmo the ollieer must make known his presence ut regular in tervals , by means of an electric oon- trivancd which will register tlio fact in the jail. If this registry is not made , steps may bo taken Immediately to ascer tain the cause. . If the pafrol wagon or assistance Is required , either may be sum moned at a moment. The present fire alarm wire , with other extensions , will bo used for Iho purpose. The cost of the system will be about .fS.SOO. If the re port of the committee containing this recommendation , which will bo made to night to the council be adopted , it will result in the almost immediate introduc tion af the system and the devising of a certain means of economizing for tlio purpose of defraying the expense of the samu. _ A SKCONO CONFESSION. Declares That ilo Plrotl Ihc Barker lilock Intentionally. Readers of the Ilin will remember the burning of the Barker block on Fifteenth nml Fnrnam streets , and the subsequent confes sion of Lascher H. Dnggett , In admitting that ho had set lire to the structure. This ex planation was at lirst icceivctl with consliler- able Incredulity , and a majority of these who heard tlio coniession did not place much re liance on It. DaRectt 1ms stuck to it so per sistently , however , that his confession Ims by many boon accepted ns genuine. Helms been ationt the city jnil for the iiast few days dome odd jobs in return for Ins board ami lodging. Yestenlayanewandstnrt.'lnsr phase of the airnlr transpired. It Is the fact that on Sun day : DaKKOtt made a sceoml confession to Court Ofllccr Whnlcn , lu which ho adiulited that Ills lirst story wns a lie , and that he had tired tlio liuililiiiL' intentionally. Dagpett took Whalcn asI'Ju and confiden tially told him what ho declared to be the correct story o how the lire had started. "You'll remember , ' ' ho said , "that a few weeks ago 1 was up bot'oro .Judge Stonberir for being a vagrant. The judge sentenced mo to ten days on bread and water. It was a punishment that I no more deserved than you did. 1 swore that 1 would have revenge In some way on the city. So when 1 got out of jiilll lired the Harker building. I didn't thliikniiytliiii ! ; about the loss that the owners of : the building would sustain , but just thought that it would Injure tlio city. After 1 had pet tire to the building , Ian up Fniiiani street , and then down Douglas to Karnov Maginnls' saloon , where I .stayed until tlio lire was put out. At lirsl 1 was afraid that some lives had been lose , but as soon as I heard that such was tint the case 1 felt re lieved. Then 1 left town. " This , in brief , is Daggelt's second confes sion. The police are trying to fcccino further nicts from him , but 'vcslerduy he is not as ready to talk as lie was Sunday. It IB not known yet whether or not ho will bo pioso- cutcd. A largo consignment of Antelope Sad dles received bv the Omaha Commission Co. , 01 ! ) South Will St. ; for sale cheap The county commissioners yesterday sent five needy persons to their homes , ono to Irwin , one to David City , one to Lincoln and two to Chicago. ADIISU , SAM. Tlio ICuvivnllst'R Ijnst AVorilH AVith the "Hoc" Man. Sam Jones lei t yesterday afternoon for Car- tersvllle. On. , accompanied by .Mr. Maxwell , the vocallbl'of the paity. Mr , Kxecl. the swcet- slnserof the combination , left for the east some days ago. Mr. Jones was askrd what ho considered had been the effect of his work In Omaha. "Well , " hu wild. "I don't think It has been as Ntircu sful as my work has been In oilier places. And yet. I tcel that It will bo found gatlstactory , 1 judge of the good done by the moral improvement occasioned , and the increase of the niemhurrihip ot the churches. The cliureho.i imvu been closed for receiving members up to tlilH , but they will now bo open and jjiany persons will join , 1 think that tlieiu have been nbout live hundred con versions mado. 1 have delivered about forty sermons and I think It Is safe to hay that I have preached to 100,000 people whllu I have been hero. 1 novi-r hj > eke in so largo n hall before but once , mid that was In Ciiit-linmtl. 1 am lired , but then. 1 lecupcralo quickly. I will no lirst to my homo In CatternvUlo , ( ! a. , after which 1 will go to my conference in Aujusta. Komciiibur nits to your UIK : bicthron and thank them for tlio gnoil ronoitsof , and the kindness Yltll which they Imvo ticated my work. " A largo consignment of Antelope Sad dles recuivcd by thu Omaha Commission Co. , 010 South 18th St. ; for sale cheap. The revenue collections yesterday amounted to $ H,033.57. AVulmit Hill Notice. All who feel themselves interested in church nnd Sabbath school work , are earnestly requested to meet in the basu- incut of Walnut Hill church on Wednes day evening , December 1 , to perfect per manent arrangements for work. Como all no matter lo what church you belong. A largo consignment of Antelopn Sad dles received by thu Omaha Commission Co. , 51'J South lUth st. i for bale cheap. DAY DliKOKK Til 1C TUI.IU John I.uuci' Visited in His Cull hy a "JUo" lloporter. The trial of John J/auer for the alleged minder of his wifft will be called In the dis trict Coin tt to-day. A UK it loixntur maden vf.sit to thflgrnlh" man who was found m tlw Inner .cull of mo east wine of the jail. In tlie cage , tne lloor was carpeted , and the bedding was as fresh and clean as if newly purchased. Mr. haucr was in the room outside the cage working over the accounts of the jail , lie was ) > ale but In excellent spirits , and seemed to enjoy an excellent cigar which ho was smoking. He was asked how he felt over Ids approach ing trial and his answer was " 1 feel I am going to bo acquitted. " There wns no bravado In tlio reply. It seemed honestly to relied his feeling upon the subject. The bank clearances yesterday amounted to "to. Absolutely Pure , , This powder never varies. A marvel ot purity , strength and wholcsomencss. More cconoinic.il than the ordinary kinds nnd cannot be sold in competition with the mul titude of low test , short weight alum or phosphate powders. Sold only in cans. Royal naKing Powder Co.103 Wall St. , New York , E. T. ALLEN , M. D. SPECIALIST , Eye , Ear , Nose & TEsroat Room 9 Williams Dnilding , cor. 1Cth and Dodge fits. , Omaha , Hours 8 to 12 a.m. 2 to ! and 7 to 8 p. m . . . . . . . . . ft " ' I I .1 l | - -M - - - - I. | O PUS AH A 1 3th St. , Cor , Capita } Avcnua , run rnr TIIEATUENT or i.t , Chronic & Surgical Diseases. DR. McNIENANlY , , Propilotor. hutti'ii ji-in' Minimal mnl J'rlvuto 1-ratUce H'u liavo tlio fucilluc-s , apparatus ml rcmrilKi for Iho mcccujful trualiiicktof every form ot ill"- < ate rcqulrliiifclllier medical or nurglcnl treatment , nml iuvlte all tucnmaanil limtllKaUifor tlicmtrlvti r corrcfpnnd ftltli UB. Lung utprrlrocu In Iriat. liiicarc ; liv leltcr unublci un In treat runny caiti scrrntiDcnlfy without n-elnij them WHITIS KOH ClltCUIiAli on JWorraltlei mid Hrncc * , Club Feet. Curv turr of llio Hpluu lKitEs ) : tif WOUKK. 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New rntoralitc treatment for Jnti of vital powrr AU , COMMUNIUATIUNS UUNFIUUNTMIi Cull and coiiuiltiu or tend uamo und | io t-oMia ( nildrrM plainly ivrlltcucnck.n ) ilamp , nnd wo ulll kirul joii , In plain wrapper , our PRIVATE CIRCULAR TO MEN fl'ON i'mATii , Fl'ioiAi , jiXU NLimi' Ji nr , HCUIMAI.VrAKMII , HrEIIMlTOnKlldl , HrrOVEN. cr , fiYTimii , OoNoniiiiiiii , Oi EKT , VAIUCOCCIK , SnucTur.c , AMI ill , DIFEAHEH or TUB OK.SIT-I. t'niKinr OIUAK , or iced history of your cmoor nn opinion. I'rriont iiml.lc tUH us muy bo treated | Ilirlr homif , ujr-corrtrprindcnre Medidr.e nnit ln trii- mcnH eiit b'y mall ortiprcia BKCUJttil.Y PACK ED KKOM GIlSbHVATlO.V , nu mkrki tolndlcu * 4-outcnln or render. Olio pereoiul luU'iyltw pro fcired If cojncnlcnt. i'ifty rooinj for the a".om- maJallon of patient * . .Iloard'.and attendance tt . Kiiauablu piicci Addrrtt all I lteri to Omaha. Medical and Surgical institute , . Cpr. J3lh4L ntf CwlOjUveOMAHA. . HEB.
