Source:Allegheny-streets
"Allegheny streets: More moonlight maneuvering discovered in the matter of private jobs—masons' wages." Daily Post (Pittsburgh), Mar. 17, 1876, [p. 4]. Newspapers.com 86510722.
The Street Committee of Allegheny Councils met last night, Mr. Voegtly in the chair. The following business was considered:
An ordinance was ordered changing the name of Middle alley to Race street. It was decided to report adversely to granting the petition for an extension of time of payment for the opening of the alley above named.
An ordinance was ordered and a committee appointed to draft one, extending the time for payment on judgments rendered against delinquents on McClure avenue.
On motion of Mr. Beadell, a sub-committee was appointed to settle the differences between the contractor and property holders on School street. Committee: Hartman, Stone and Heagy.
A mason employed to repair sewer drops appeared before the Committee and asked that the Committee reconsider their action in making his wages two dollars per day. This request created a lively discussion, but the Committee finally dismissed the matter without action, the majority holding that to make an exception in this case would open up the whole wage question.
A request was next preferred by Contractor Gwinner that pay due him for three or four years, for work on Rolla street, be put in some tangible shape. This request developed the fact that some of the property would not pay assessments and that the street was of small consequench [sic] to the general public. This is the finding of a sub committee appointed to investigate. The Committee had recommended a relief of a portion of the property.
Mr. Heagy was opposed to the payment of assessments for a part if not for all.
Mr. McGuire supposed this was one of those moonlight jobs which had been snaked through Councils, and must now be paid for.
The matter was finally laid over again. It appears that none of the old members recollect exactly how the street came to be put through, though some of them recollect of hearing something of it before.
An ordinance was next considered for the grading and paving of Middle alley, alias Race street.
Mr. Heagy thought it useless to talk about grading and paving the street when the people were unable to pay for the opening, and this view prevailing the matter was laid over.
An ordinance for the grading and paving of Grantham street was passed for favorable recommendation.
About this time Councilman Hartman got warmed up over an argument in favor of some ordinance for the improving of some street, and as the debate promised to be indefinitely prolonged we folded our tents, etc.
