The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-17
THE CITY COUNCIL.
An Important Meeting-City Offices De-
clarcd Vacant-thc Mayors Message.

The regular meeting of City Council, which
was to have been held on Tuesday evening,
did not take place in consequence Oh there
not being quorum present. Only the following
members attended, viz: Aldermen Potter,
Olney, Honour, veigt, Wall and Derecf. The
Mayor stated that as there was not quorum
present it would be impossible to proceed TO
bnsipess. but that he would call special
meeting for the following day, yesterday at
twelve O'Clock, which he hoped would be fully
attended as very important business would be
presented for consideration.
In accor lance with this announcement there
was q special meeting of Council at twelve
o'clock Yesterday. Prescnt-The Mayor, Alder
men Potter, Lindstrom, Dereef, Wall, Cade,
Olney, Honour, Whilden, Marshall, Moore,
Vogt and Howard.
Alderman Moore, chairman Of the Committee
on Vacant Offices, begged leave to report the
following offices vacant: Clerk OF Council; bar
bor Master; Physician OF Orphan blouse; City
Registrar; City Treasurer; Six Physicians to
the Health Department; Two City Apotheca-
ries; City Inspector; Flour Inspector; SIX Mea-
surers Of Wood and rimoer; Two Guagers;
perintendent Public Cemetery; Five Port War
dens; Two Chimney Sweeping Contractors'
Keeper OF the Tidal Drains.
The committee recommended that the clerk
be instructed to give notice that at the next
regular meeting Council will proceed to I'LL the
vacancies by election -.
There was some doubt as to whether the
Citv Assessor shall be included in the list, and
| the matter was. on motion OF Aldermen Whlld-
en-, referred TO the Mayor and committee:
On motion of Alderman Olney, seconded by
Alderman Voigt, the report was adopted.
Alderman Moore reported that he had e2-
amined the books, &C.. connected with the
clerks Office, and had found them all neatly
written no to date. Received as information.
Alderman Olney, chairman OF the Committee
on Accounts, reported favorably on sundry
bills, as follows, and recommended tnat they
be passed for payment, viz: Streets. s5l5 43;
Aims House, s21S Oh; hospitals, s57; police.
$50 70; tidal drains, s36 rs; total, ssl1 %
Adopted. 49,
alderman Whilden, chairman of the Com
mittee on Lighting the City, reported favera-
bly on the Gas Cempany's bill, amounting 10
S244O 90, and recommended that 1t be passed
for payment. Adopted.
The Mayor stated that he had served no-
tice on B. 6. Yocum and 7. E: Hicks, contiac,
tors. and H. II. Hicks, in charge OF the shell
road. that under contract the work was to be
completed on or before the 1st of September
last and that to date only two-thirds Of the
road had been completed. Since September
the work had been irregular, and last week was
suspended, although he had notified Mr; d;
81. Hicks, in charge, that unless ne hnlshed
covering with shell the last section or nun
dred feet. he would take charge OF the work on
behalf Of the city, and complete it at the ex-
pense of the contractors. The recent rains had
done great dar,age, and unless prompt meas
ures were taken, the road would be destroyed.
At the request Of the Mayor, the Hon. ". D.
Porter, City Attorney, who was present, made
some statements with reference to the nedndd.
mus and QUO scdrrdnto, and said that he had
prepared the necessary return and answer.
Petition of residents Of fBeaufain-street, ask
ing attention to condition Of the side walks IN
said street, and praying for repairs. Referred
to Committee on Streets.
Petition of the Washington Steam tlrn En-
CINE Company, signed by President James M.
the balance due on the engine. The paper
was recommended by the Chief OF the Depart
ment, NJ. b. Nathan, Esq.
On motion of Alderman Olney, the petition
was referred to the Special Committee on the
Firo Department.
Shep License at No. 23 Washington-street.
Referred to Committee on Licenses.
Application OF Mr.. ]. E. Meyer for an Auc-
tioneer's License. Referred to Committee on
The following resolution Of Alderman Olney,
seconded by Alderman vcigt, was carried:
Resoloed, That the City Attorney, the Hon.
VIM. D. Porter, be requested to represent sne ;e
the case pending in Columbia, s. G., on Satur-
day, the 18th instant, and that he be author
lied to employ additional counsel with the ap-
proyal of the Mayor.
Alderman Olney offered the following reso-
luton, which was seconded by Alderman
Honour and carried:
Resolued, That the Committee on streets
be requested to inquire into the probable cost
and expense of laying cobble stone or plank
road in King-street, between Hudson and
Shepherd streets, and TO confer with the
President and Directors Of the City Railway
Company, what proportion that corporation
will bear in the expense, they having the use
Of large portion OF that thoreughfare; and
that the said committee report at the next
regular meeting OF Council.
tee on Contracts, offered the following resolu-
ton, which was carried:
Resoloed, That the Committee on Contracts
be authorized to advertise for estimates to DO
the city printing, and to report ut the next
meeting the result OF the same.
The same Alderman offered resolution that
Council proceed, at the next regular meeting,
to elect the Boards Of Commissioners of the
various city institutions. Carried.
Alderman Oiney gave notice that he would
introduce, at the next meeting OF Council, o
bill to raise supplies for the year 1869 and ask
ed that the notice should be cc--sidered the
first reading. Also, bill Tor lquldatlng the
interest on the city DEBT. Both carried.
Alderman Voigt gave notice OF bill to re-
bniId the burnt district and waste places, and
asked that the notice be considered tho first
reading.
The Mayor read the following annual report,
which was received as information
MAYORS REPORT.
Gentlemen of the Board Of ALdelmen-Situat-
ed as we arc, the Acting Board of Aldermen OF
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
out election, without consultation previous to
appointment, kept here through circumstances
beyond our control, not knowing how long we
shall remain, ourposltions are surrounded With
peculiar responsibilities anil labors.
Our present duty imperatively demands that
we shall fearlessly and impartlaly take such
steps as will result in the lasting welfare and
permanent prosperity Of our city. Therefore,
lat MS proceed in our work, determined to act
faithfully, promptly and efficiently.
Following that line OF action, propose,
as suceactly and clearly as possible, to ex-
press to you nay views of the present condition
of tho city and the several different depart
ments of its Municipal government, and what
changes are absolutely needed and required III
order to speedily secure the end desired.
This city, although containing, 1t is estimated,
10000 to Is 900 inhabitants, and covering q
territory two miles in length by less than one