The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-06-04

| the CITY, and we desire to consult with you as
to the means of its solution.
| WM. AIKEN. RICH. HOLLOWAY,
ALvA GAGE, ROBERT HOWARD,
WA. MCKINLAY, B. FOLEY,
H. F. BAKER, ]. F. O'NEILL,
]. H, KALB, E. W. MARSHALL,
| B. BOLLMANN, /. w. SPRATT,
JACOB SMALL. G. S. CAMERON,
]. F. TAYLOR, W. ?. RUSSELL,
WIN. MORAN, j. G. H. CLAUSSEN.
HENRY BIsCHoFF, And others.
In accordance with this Invitation, large
number OF taxpayers assembled at the Market
Hall last night at the appointed hour.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Jno.
Il. Devereux. who spoke as follows:
Gentlemen-we are assembled here for the
purpose of taking into consideration the pre-
sent condition Of our city affairs. While al
most all the cities in the United States are ex-
panding and spreading their wings. like so
many mighty eagles, Charleston, hung in sack,
cloth and ashes, Is receding step by step, until
now, overwhelmed with debt, her public pro-
perty Is about to be put under the hammer OIL
| the auctiOneer.
It is not for us to ask whose fault this Is, but
to set at work at once, and take steps TO rene.
dy the evil. First, to save for ourselves and
our children the only public park Of any ac-
count that we have, that known as "White
Point Garden,n and now offered for sale to
satisfy the claims of the owners ofpast due
| CITY stock. And next, to consider the proprie-
ty and feasibility of Offering such terms to the
owners of city STOCK as may be within the
ability and power of the people to give.
To nv mind, this question has resolved
itself into a very simple form. We must
either come to some accommodation with
the creditors of the city, or they will
come into possession OF onr property.
One gentleman, who Is member Of City
| Council, and the owner OF some one hundred
and six thousand dollars OF this stock, has been
heard to say, I am TOLD. that he would have the
last brick and the last shingle, dollar for dollar.
The owners Of the shingles and bricks are pre-
pared to show that they never delegated to
| their servants, the City Council. at any time,
| the power to contract such debts, and further
more, that in the issue of city stock, or prom
ises to pay of any kind, they, exceeded the
power given to them under their charter.
The sale of ''White Point Garden" will nee
essarIy be followed by others, until even that
grandest of all charities, and most noble OF all
our institutions, the Orphan Asylum itself,
will be sold to satisfy the demands or capital
lists who hold the promises to pay OF this most
unhappy city.
With these few remarks. beg of you to
elect permanent chairman, more able than
myselt to guide Jour action and point ont the
tairest and most feasible plan for shielding our
good city from the grave now being prepared
LOT ner.
Capt. Geo. H. Walter was then called to the
chair, and Messrs. R. B. Stanley and A. a.
Goldsmith requested to act as secretaries.
The chairman. after expressing his sense of
the importance of the matters to be discussed,
declared the meeting to be ready for business.
On motion of Mr.. Devereux, who accepted
amendments offered by Mr.. Trumbo and Others
1t was
Resolced, That the chair appoint at his
leisure, a committee Of nine, Zone from each
ward, and the chairman of the meetinS0
which committee should take into considera-
tion the whole subject of the city debt. obtain
information In that regard, and report the re-
suit as curly as practicable.
Capt. J. NJ. MuIvaney then offered the follow
ing preamble and resolutions:
Whereas, The present condition of the
finances of the city Is subject for the anxious
consideration of all who live within its limits,
andIahe amount of taxation requisite to keep
down the interest charged against the city Is
Illeavy and oppressive, and the renewal OF the
prosperity of its Inhabitants can scarcely be
hoped for while debt so heavy and taxation
so oppressive Is rendered necessary; and,
whereas, there Is strong conviction that a
large portion of the so,cllcd debt of the city Is
not legal obligation oil the city, and If not,
then that the same ought not to be allowed 10
Cypress those who in their taxes have to
contribute to its reduction; therefore,
RESOLVED, l. That u committee of nine be ap-
pointed, who shall be charged with the duty Of
taking into consideration the financial condi-
ton OF the City of Charleston, and for that pur-
pose the said committee shall be authorized 10
engage the services OF such counsel as
they may select, and from such counsel
obtain opinions as to what portion OF the
public debt of the city has been incurred with
out authority under the charter Of the city.
And that such opinions, when obtained, the
said committee shall publish for the informa-
ton of the citizens.
2. That the said committee shall be further
authorized to instruct such counsel TO adopt
such measures as they shall deeu-proref anu
necessary, to protect the public property OF the
CITY and tle interests Of the citizens.
s. That the said committee be further au-
thoriZed to collect such funds from private
contributions as may be necessary TO delray
such expenses as they may in.ur.
Captain Mulvaney and NJ. w. P. Russell
spoke in support of the resolutions, which
were unanimously adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Russell, the preamble and
resolutions were referred to the Advisory Com
mittee already appointed.
On motion of 3lr. Devereux, II was
RESOLVED, That the Advisory Committee Sc
cure the cooperation of as many taxpayers
as possible In the movement.
On motion of Mr.. yoigt, it was
RESOLVED, That the Advisory Committee be
instructed to name subcommittee to canvass
| the taxpayers IN each ward.
Mr.. Volgt offered the following resolution.
which was adopted:
RESOLVED, That the Advisory Committee be
authorized to collect all information in refer
ence to the city debt, as also all articles which
have appeared in the daily papers, and have
T the same published, together with their report.
| in pamphlet form for distribution.
On motion of Mr.. Trlmbo, amended by GEN
eral Gurncy, the chairman was authorized to
call public meeting of the taxpayers which,
ever the same should be recommended by the
Advisory Committee.
On motion of Mr.. Mulvaney, all persons
present ut the meeting favorable to the object
expressed in the resolutions, were Invited 10
come forward and sign their names. Nearly
every person at the meeting accordingly sign,