The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-07-31
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.
Present, the Mayor; Aldermen SMALL, OINEY,
OAKEs, HONOUR, GERDTs, O'NEnL, MARSHALL,
ENsTos, WHnDEN, STE1NMEYER, EARLE, CoURTE-
NAY. PRpeIE, BUTLER, RAvENEL, WILLIS, Cos
GROVE.
The minutes Of the last meeting were read and
confirmed.
The application of R. F. W. ALsToN, executor OF
the estate of TABER for tine renewal Of certain city
six per cent. stock was granted.
The application of A. B. TANNING for permission
to erect wooden building on his premises, No.
s41 King street was referred to the Committee on
Brick and Wooden Buildings.
The application Of Mr.. OETJES for filing lot on
the corner Of Smith and Marion streets was
granted.
A communication from the Board Of Fire Mast
ers losing petition of tho Charleston Fire En-
gine Company to be allowed to change their ap-
paratus for Hook and Ladder Truck, as they be-
lieved that their usefulness would be increased by
the change, was referred to the Special Committee
on the Fire Department.
A communication from Mr.. JAMES JEFFERs re-
lating to the city taxes was referred to the Com
mittee on Ways and Means.
asking time for the payment Of her taxes, was re-
ferred to the Committee ON Ways and Means.
Bills from the Aims and Orphan Houses were
presented, and referred to the Committee on Ac-
counts.
The applications Of sundry parties for No.
Licenses, were referred to the Committee on
Licenses Also ffty-fve applications for License
No. 2, and applications for Licenses 70 keep Hotels,
Lager Beer, and Billiard Saloons, &c.
W.. D. PORTER, ESQ.,, the City Attorney, notified
Coun"l of the result Of the suit Of MRS. CoNIoN
against the City, and Of his intention to appeal for
q new trial On motion of Alderman RAvENEL, he
was authorized to use his discretion in the
premises.
A communication, from the Board Of Pilotase,
stating that they had examined the petition Of the
Pilots, and considered them fully protected.
Adopted.
The City Engineer presented a communication
relative to the wells in the streets, formed by iron
pipes driven in the ground, and showed that it was
dangerous to the pavement and the foundations of
the buildings. Referred to the Committee on
Streets.
The Committee on Brick and Wooden Buildings
reported favorably on the petition Of Mrs. WHITE
HEAD to build second story piazza on her house
in Minority street. and unfayoraby on the petition
Of W. HENE to erect 8 wooden building on his
premises in Limehouse street. Adopted.
The Committee on Licenses reported favorably
ON the application Of Messrs. JHo. RoBERTsoN &
Co., to erect Cotton Press in Cordes street, and
on the applications Of sundry parties for Liquor
Licenses.
The Mayor made report relative to the opening
Of South street, and asked that Council authorize
him To settle with the owners of the lands on their
claims being certified by the City Attorney.
Adopted.
The Mayor then read the following statement,
explaining the action Of the Street Committees,
and showing how the large amount mentioned had
been expended. he said that he made this state
ment to justify himself, and refute the insinua-
tions that had been in circulation:
At the last meeting Of Council report was sub
mitted by the Committee on Retrenchment and
Relief which render some remarks from me abso-
mtely necessary.
In submitting what have to say do not wish
to be understood as objecting to any investigation
Of my official acts On the contrary, invite an e1
animation, full and scrutinlzng, and think that
in Justice such an one should be afforded me.
The Committee in their report say they shave
penses Of the several departments or in which a
due regard to economy has not been exercised,
with perhaps two exceptions" First Of these is
the Police, but as the main expense Of this depart
necessary incidental expenses not thus provided
for is small it will be unnecessary to dwell on this.
The other department to which special attention
is invited is that OF Streets.
That q very large amount has been expended in
this department is true, and that such expendi-
ture may be deemed in!udicious may possibly be
equally true. Had the report OF the Committee
gone no further should have been silent, but
when its language ls such as to warrant any or all
Of the many rumors which have been current In
our streets, to remain silent would be an acknow-
ledement Of much if not all that has been said.
10 give some idea of the amount OF work doneI
win state that since 1st December last upward of
nine miles Of sidewalks have been curbed and gut
cades built and streets filed with earth on both sides
Of Rutledge and Calhoun streets where they cross
Benefits pond, as also that portion Of Calhoun
street bordering on tho pond west Of the residence
Of Mr.. John 8. Ryan; large quantities of earth and
rubbish hauled into some fifty streets, in order to
bring them to proper grade, so that the water
would run of after o ram. In addition to this,
some thirty or more wooden trunks (some OF
large size and considerable lengthy have been
built. My estimate Of the average width Of the
sidewalks filed with earth is eight feet, and be-
heve this will be under, rather than over, the true
average.
The extent OF repairs 10 DrlcK paVements IN the
lower wards is rot 80 easily arrived at, but the
b;ls for this work are all made out in accordance
with the measurement of the City Surveyor and
Engineer.
and an examination Of the bills will show that ali
was the purchase Of materials confined to partcu-
lar partfes, but they were obtained where they
could be got most advantageously.
little more than one-third OF the expenditures
4 ,ontyy Or
and when the vast amount Of earth and other ma
terial TO be moved is considered it does not appear
A portion OF the carts was en-
s. per day. the rest ~ were pad BY tine
cipaiy at 80, IS and 40 cents per load. AS large
number of carts was employed, some supervision
was necessary, and parties were employed to keep
account Of the number OF loads made by each,
imperfect loads, thus taking every reasonable pre-
caution against imposition.
The largo payment in June is easily explained.
Up to the LIST March all these bills were paid
weekly, or, in some few instances, every two
weeks, 30 that small portion only Of the work of
one month WAS paid for in the ensuing month.
When, in the month Of March, owing to the want
Of means, had it in contemplation to stop all
work on the streets, the Inspector suggested that
parties might be got who would wait until the city
was in funds. Such an arrangement was made, |
and an inspection Of the bills will show that one
half or more OF the amount paid for carriage in |
June was for work done in March, April and May. |
The same viii apply to bills for materials pur- |
chased, though to less extent.
To snow that the amount Of work done, though |
it may have been injudicious, has conduced to the
benefit Of the city, let compare the condition of
the city this season with that Of 1866.
In the months Of May and June 1866, the fall of |
rain was 81 inches (4.31 and 4.95 respectively In
the same months this year the fall was ia of |
which 1922 fell in June. In 1866 there were q |
number Of places which held water, and were con-
slant causes of complaint, which, with single |
exception, have been filled or drained so that the
water runs offin q few hours. During one week in
the month OF June last there was an especially |
heavy fall Of rain, nearly seven inches having |
fallen from Wednesday morning to Sunday morn |
ing. The rain ceased Saturday night. On the |
Monday next ensuing the Mayor visited all these
places and, with the single exception already re-
one Of the principal objects of the work was at