Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-06-10
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.
Regular Meeting of the Comm

hfcSaia meeting OF the Common
Council.
The Board of Common Council convened
at 81 clock yesterday afternoon, President
Hereford presiding
REPORTS
Reports from the several departments,
made to the Board of Aldermen, and previ-
Dusty noted, were received and fled
The report submitted by the Street Over
seer, shows that favorable progress is being
made In the work of street repairs.
The report of the Workhouse Keeper
shows that 223 prisoners were received du-
ring the past month and that 1870 had been
discharged, leaving 43 inmates ON the LIST
inst 80 men, 10 women, 10 white and 80
| colored.
The special committee appointed to
| consider the bill proposing a reduction
| OF 20 per cent. on water taxes, reported
that they had carefully examined the mat
| ter referred to them, and are satisfied that
the proposed reduction is entirely too
sweeping in its character. The committee
say that as a general thing the charges
now made are fair and equitable, but in
the matter of charges to families, in order
TO place water within the reach of all per-
sons, they have thought it best that the
family tax should be reduced. The COM
mittee report a bill regulating the water
tax, which they think will cover all changes
now needed:
Belt enacted by the City council of
Nashville, That from and after the LIST of
July, 1870, the water tax as charged to
families and individuals in families, be re-
duced 20 per cent. on the present rates.
Sec. 2. That the tax on dry goods and
shoe stores employing three or more per-
sons be fixed at $1S; on the same employ
ing two or fewer persons, $12, the same to
take effect on and after July /, 1870.
Sec. 3. That all laws and parts of laws
in conflict with the foregoing provisions be
and are hereby repealed.
The Joint Special Committee TO whom
was referred the account of John Lellyett,
Esq, for legal services performed from
Dec. -, 1867, reported that they had sub
mitted the matter to two competent and
disinterested lawyers as referees, whose
award was $4,000.
MIR. Lellyett appeared in person before
the committee, and explained that he asked
no donation Of the city government. He
had performed services for the benefit of
the city, and had proposed that his account
be referred to disinterested persons, TO de-
termine what his services had been reason
ably worth. 1t had been referred accord
irgly; and the referees had made their
award. He felt bound by the award so
made, and would have been bound by such
award if it had been only fourth what it
Is. He thought it but fair that the other
party should be equally bound. 1t is a
business transaction, and he simply came
before the Council as O creditor asking the
settlement of his account.
Report of the committee and account
referred, on motion of Mr.. Craighead, to
the Finance Committee.
The Committee on Public Property, to
whom had been referred the conditional
donation by Samuel Watkins, Esq, of ten
acres of ground in West Nashville, to be
used as city park, reported that they had
obtained from Mr.. Watkins an extension
of the time in which the city will be al
lowed to make certain improvements,
building fences, etc, and giving until 1875
to provide the park with water, fountains,
etc. The committee recommend the ac-
ceptance of the offer, and the following
resolution was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the Finance Committee
be instructed to call on Samuel Watkins,
ESQ, and obtain from him the deed to the
park tract, on the terms as proposed by
the Committee on Public Property, and
also to obtain from Mr. Watkins on the
best terms possible, a deed for lot ad-
joining the park, for keepers lodge.
The report of the Finance Committee
against receiving and granting petitions
for relief from taxation was received and
adopted.
PETITIONS.
Mr.. Hinton presented a petition from
citizens on North Cherry street, praying
the abatement of sewer nuisance in that
locality. which was read and referred to the
Street Committee.
Tho petition of Frederick Fox, to erect g
wooden structure, was granted.
The petition of Mrs. Jane Kean, ASKING
to be relieved Of corporation tax on her
house, was granted.
The petition of confectioners, asking
that the sale of certain articles in the
Markethouse be prohibited, was referred to
the Markethouse Committee.
Adjourned until o'clock Friday eve
ming.