The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-19


H. B. OLNEY.
Aaopted. WILLIAM g. WHlLDEN.
By Alderman Whilden:
The Committee on Lighting the City beg
leave 10 report upon the examination OF sun
dry bills Of the Gas Light Company, amounting
to s2. .446 O9-1a0; they And them correct, and
Recommend that they lie passed for payment.
WILLIAM G. WHlIDEN.
Adopted. :. A. s. MARSHALL
The Mayor then called the attenuon OF Coun-
Gil to the necessity Of making some arrange
ments to respond to the writ OF man don'ns
which had been served on them.
The. City Attorney stated that he had pre-
pared the necessary returns to the alternative
writ, and that it was necessary to admit Inc
allegation or to deny it next Saturday. Ihe
return was ready to be signed 1y the Ader-
Snd. On motion, signed by the Mayor and Al
dermea. ILL., so,,ou;n, WACO
Alderman Clney offered the following reso'
luton, which was adopted: VT
Reso,ue,i, That the City Attorney, Hon. W.
u. Porter. be requested to represent the Mayor
and Aching Board Of Aldermen. in the csse
pending in Columbia, Saturday. 18th instant;
that he be authorized to employ add1aonai
counsel, with the approval of the Mayor.
The Mayor then proceeded to read his annu-
al report: g.
Gentlemen Of the Board of Aldermen -Sltuat-
ed as we are, the Acting Board OF Aldermen o.
this city about entering upon another year OF
its existence. it is we'll to consider gravely our
duties, both present and future. -,
Placed here, as servants OF the people, With
ont election, without consultation previous TO
appointment, kept here through circumstances
beyond our control, not knowing how long we
shall remain, our positions are surrounded with
macmillan RESPONSIBILITIES AMI laD0rS.
Our present duty imperatively demands that
wa shall fearlessly and impair TALLY take such
steps as will result in the lasting welfare and
permanent prosperity of our city. Therefore,
let us proceed IN our WORK de.eF~neo TO ac'
Following that line Of action, propose.
as succinctly and clearly as possible, to ex-
press to you my views ofthe present CONDITION
Of the city and the several different depart
ments of it's Municipal government, and wha'
changes are absolutely needed and required II
order to speedily secure the end desired.
10000 to IS 600 inhabitants, and covering
territory two miles in length by less thar me
mile in breadth, is in comparison with large
number of other cities in the United States
but small place. 1t nevertheless has the para
phernaia Of q city government on scale
equal in surroundings and expense to otf 81
cities OF from three to six times Its size. This
The charter of the city and the ordinances
under which We are operating having beer
rnade and enacted as far back as 17S3, anu 9
large portion Of the ordinances having particu-
lar and special reference to tho institution o.
slavery, it is my opinion that it should be re-
neyed and they be changed 80 as to be more
applicable to the great change that has result
ed from the late war.
THE CITY FINANCES.
That 8 community suffers IN individual re-
putarion by the failure Of the town or city hold
ing the same to psy its obligations, cannot b!
questioned. How much is suffered when sucl
town or city fails to pay even the interest OF
its obligations, we can only conjecture. That thu
city presents case in point It's useless to men
tion-how it reached that position US perhap
equally useless to inquire into. To lind mean
of escape from such position is more pertinent
I hold that material prosperity cannot and vii
not come to this city aud the inhabitants there
of unless provisions are made so that the In
terest on it's obligations shall be promptly me
and the obligations themselves provided for a.
they mature.
The aocumulating interest on the city deb
from and after January 1st next, should be re
gularly paid. 1t can be done, and trust yol
will determine that it shall be done.
II this is accomplished, the dawn Of pros
perity will be perceptiDle, and Charleston viii
be advancing with proud steps to her proper
place among the cities Of America.
To enable you to realize how much the
city's finances have improved within the pas
year, I present the following facts:
The estimate of wants for this year, as made
up one year ago, called for $3.50, 600. For the
coming year all to be asked for is s710, 600, OF