Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-10-04

prices Of commodities viii be IN exact ratio with
their supply and the demand for them
CouNom PRocEEDTNes.-Counci met IL
extra session on Wednesday evening. The busi-
ness WAS generally ola routine character; the
following were the only points Of general in
terest
GaS-Ald. Ayres 1lm a special cemslttA1-
read a report to modify, IN some respects, the
contract the city has with the gas works so as to
lower the cost ofHgiting The public lamps from
S4.06 TO 50 a month. AID. Farmer was opposed
to any recognition of the gas company. He knew
from those nho were acquainted With tine gas
works, the consumption, the metres and al the
rest, that the city lamps do not and cannot con-
sumo 50 worth Of gas a month. No gas inspec-
tor has been appointed, and the city has not the
check against hand which It ought 70 have. If
the Board refused to inquire into tn standing
Of the gas company, bet the thing stand as it as
present, and let the fraud continue and the people
be swindled, as they must be without gas inspee-
lion.
AID. Ayres said the gentleman intimated that,
IN connection with the gas question, there was
fraud On thai point the committee had received
no Instructions. With respect 10 the standing of
the company, and who are the owners Of the
stock, that was for the investigation OF the Con
federate States, not Council. He had himself
paid gas bills from the time the company began
to furnish gas, and he knew that if those who
lighted the gas did so properly, the consumption
would be much less than when lighted without
care. The meters are SO placed that the gas COM
pany have no access 10 them without the con
sumor's knowledge, the consumer can regulate
the flow, a child can read the record on the meter
Of the amount consumed. He had often been
away from town, and had forbidden the servants
to light the gas, and on hisretnrn after a months
absence, he had found the meter indicate inst
what it did when he left; when he was away
half a month he found his bin oae-half, and that
was imyariable. lie had heard others speak DIFF
f%erently, but he had noticed his meter and spoke
from experience. The company now propose to
TO light the lamps and furnish gas for three dol
lars a lamp post, which now costs the city four
dollars and six cents the reason they did Il was
because the lighting Is now done by incompetent
persons, who waste much gas from no; properly
adjusting the flow, and who occasionally leave
a lamp burning all day; this the company
would avoid and could therefore afford to make
the arrangement they proposed Council APP
pointed a committee TO make the contract.
Short SpeeeGes-Ald Amis offered a resolution
that no member speak more than FIVE minutes at
a time, nor more than twice On the same subjeet
without a unanimous consent AID Morgan
moved to lay it on the table and AID. Farmer
supported the motion, which was passed. Til.
effort to decrease the number Of extra meetings
therefore, failed.
L~engtAy-Ald. Morgan moved that a list be
made Of the property for which taxes have n9'
been made, and of the names of their owners
AID. Korrecht said such a list would extend til,
length Of the Council hall.
General ResoImioHs.-A resolution was Offered
to inform the Mayor to have a certain bridge re
paired AID. Morgan declared his hostility t,
any sweeping measure Of this character, til,
resolution did not describe the nature or cxten
Of the repairs to be made, or give any idea Of tn.
probable amount Of the expense that would b
Incurred. These remarks were well timed, an
if faithfully acted upon, unwise expenditure vii
in many cases be avoided.
Paying Bills AgaiR-Ald. Gailor offered
bin Of the Bulletin company for $3.50 whiel
as chairman Of the Printing Committee, b
recommended should be paid. AID. Morgan wa
surprised that any committee should recommen
the payment Of a bin which had been contaete
l without any authority from the Board. Al,
e Gailor thought it astonishing that any memb,
; should object to paying for labor Of which IL
city had received tho benefit, on a bubble abor
e who ordered the work to be done. Coune
4 directed the bill to be paid. Aid. Gailor al,
: recommended the payment of an account
Priddy & Brewer, three or four of the items ba
e not been authorized by the Board, but the
e ought ia justice to be paid. AID. Tighe ask,
o whether any charge was made for calling Il
Board together yesterday at 4 O'clock, when Il
time of meeting was h~alfpast 7 o'clockl al
e Kortrecht said it seemed 10 him that the Boar
e instead Of meeting to see 10 improving stree
e and doing other business Of the city, met to p
printing bills. The city had never paid SO uu
money for printing in any one year, as duriI