The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-16

Alderman Wragg submitted weekly rePoi1
of the Keeper Of the Tidal Drains, which was
received as information.
Alderman Wragg made the following report ::
The Special Committee to which was refer
red the memorial Of the Trustees OF the Charies-
ton College, respectfully repor!:
That after carefully examining the grounas
upon which the Trustees base their appeal 10
Council for the means OF carving on the ope-
rations of the college, they hn1 them so strlct-
ly in accordance with the recorded facts OF the
case, that nothing is left tor them to add 10,
nor is there anything to subtract from. their
truthful narrative. It is plainly shown that
The claims of the college are founded on the
double basis of pecuniary and moral obligation
or pecunidry obligation, because Councll ac-
cepted from the college transfer OF the assets
it then possessed, on condition. OF undertaking
to pay the expenses of the college. VI mora
obligation, because the present embarrassment
of tile college arises from the failure Of the city
to paw the interest on its obligations, sutfici-
ent endowment having been made the college
since the transfer and agreement alluded to, 10
enable it to carry on its operations without
calling upon the city at all, or, in the language
of the Retrenchment Report, to be sef-sup,,
porting. But as this endowment is invested
in city stocks, it can only be available W1en tho
city Eays its obligations.
This institution is now the only college Ill
the lower part Of the State, the ono at Column
bia having been converted into y university.
n ia the ONLY one that has an endowment ade-
ouate to its own support. II has corps OF
professors equal to any in the United States.
In order to make it popular it is only necea-
sary to give it stability, and that 1T would nov
have ii It could avail itself of its resources.
The task, therefore, for this committee to
undertake is to chow that Council may do
Justice to the college without doing injustice to
any other party having CLAIMS upon 1t.
Claims upon Council may bs divided into TWO
classes: >,
1st. Those arising from obligations already
incurred, and which cannot be pretermltteu
without violating faith.
2d. Those which rest on the daily accruing
expenses incidental to tho city government,
and which may be increased or diminished N
proportion to the means at the disposal of
Council.
In providing the means for meeting the year
ly expenses OF the city, the first class OF obi
cations IS thatwhich common honesty requires
should be first attended to. Afterwards the
surplus may be made available for the require
nents of the second class OF claims. such
rule as this naturally regulates an Individual In
the adjustment of his private affairs, for ne
knows that unless his obligations are met his
credit goes, and with it his ability IT, continue
his business. And it is impossible for public
bodies to act by any other rrle.
Let Council, then, pursue this course. Let
it's first available means be expended III hon
oring its obhgations-in plying its debts-ln
being honest-ani then let the Surplus be
spent III new works. Pursue this course, and
soon its good effects will lie apparent. New
confidence will be placed in city. promises.
Credit will revive. City securities rise IN
value. Dstrust no longer haunt us. Gloom
give place to cheertulness and hope, and the
era Of prosperity we are all yearning after
begin to dawn upon US.
The committee recommend that the debt
due BY the city to the CHI .Jston College be
paid over to the trustees, and the salaries OF
the curator anG librarian paid; for in this way
alone can tho college be made s'self-sustain-
ing" in accordance with the Recommendation OF
the Retrenchment Committee.
ALI Of which is respectfully submitted by
WIN. Il. WRAGG, Chairman.
JOHN H. HONOUR.
L. ". MARSHALL.
Alderman Ravenel moved the adoption Of
the report.
Alderman Olney moved an amendment, to
lay over for consideration ut next meeting.
Carried.
Alderman Courtenay, from special commit
tee, reported several offers lo had received for
repairing st. MichaePs clock, and stated the
various amounts proposed.
Alderman Enston NOV e. to refer the offers
back to- the Committee, with power to act.
Carried.
Alderman O'Neill submitted the following
minority repbrt of the Committee on the Arte-
sian Well on the petition OF the proprietors OF
the Charleston Hotel. Laid over to be taken
up with majority report at Iext meeting.
MINORITY REPORT OF ONE Of THE COMMITTEE
ON ARTEsIAN WELL.
The undersigned dissenting from the report
Of the majority OF the Committee on Artesian
Well, asks leave to submit the following rea-
sons for his dissent, with the accompanying
testimony:
1. It is evident from the testimony which
has been so carefully collaied by the fommit-
tee, in conjunction with that. which, is now
presented that MIR. INixer. did have asHunder-
standing with some one,in authorityAt the
Artesian Well, and empowered to tre@yabout
it, that he, Mixer, you'd be allowed$Re free
use OF the water, 4trapsported at his own ex-
pense to the hotel.
3. This understanding was compatible with
the existing arrangements OF those controlling
the well. Free use of tho water was denied to
no ono, and it was noyor thepufpose OF Coun-
Gil to exclude any citizen f:oM the use OF it, or
charge for it during the progress OF the well to
its successful completion. ,m
8. Since the well beganH89mit down to the
present time, no charge has been made upon
any OF the ,eitizens for tie use OF the water;
but conveniences were even arranged at the
public expense for distribution Of the water to
those who might desire to avail themselves OF
it. Troughs were made and placed in position
for the use Of animals.
4. Why should Mr.. Mixer then, or his
successors or assigns now, be charged for
the use Of the water because he conveyed it
by pipes rather than others who took it by
barrelsP
5. Tho we'll was bored al tho expense of the
citizens, by an equal contribution OF taxes,
and there is not Justice in discriminating be-
tween citizens in tho use of the water, by inn
posing charge upon one that is not common
to the whole.
g. AS long as any citizen is permitted to use
the water OF the well, according TO his own
mode of transportation and use, it is equally
the privilege OF The proprietors OF tho hotel
provided the latter do not abuse this privi-
lege by using it for profit or traffic.
Z. The well being pubic property, created
by the equal contribution OF citizens, it is
neither competent nor right to fix charge for
its use, except by public enactment that will
operate Unfortunately upon all citizens.
use OF tho water. Tho rate that is proposed
TO be charged against Mr.. Whites estate is an
imposition and Ill the shape Of penalty.
g. The water flowing to the hotel has not
been 4 source of profit to it, but merely e. con-
venience to tho propretors and a Lublic ac
commodation. [See tilo testimony of Miller
and st. Mark.
10. Tho use OF it has never beon perverted
for private gain.
Ii. Others have been allowed to use it for
private emolument, and have been permitted
to remove their conducting pipes, ard some
ron II now In their Driyatc benefit and ndyan-