The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-10-12

Gil that these bonds wero to be pledged
to the Carolina National Bank, for the
loan of money to tho City Council. but
that the Chairman Of the Committee of
Ways and Means, Alderman Wigg, upon
his own responsibility, or in connection
with certain members OF Council. made
the arrangement with DR.. Neagle, and
got loan on short time, leaving it in
the power OF the lender to sell these
bonds at any price to realize his loan,
after the expiration Of certain limited
period.
If this be true, what now should
the Council have done in the premises?
Was it not plain duty to arrnign Alder.
man Wigg for his gross assumption of
power. and his alleged deception? And
yet observe what the Council have done.
Sec their tame procedure. Hero ngain
we take it that the Council have signally
failed to fill the measure Of their daty.
But there nre other matters that rcuuire
explanation.
It is now alleged that thcre was but
one bid for the city market building
that of Aldermen Smith and Simons.
It is also alleged that there was but one
bid for tho new City Hall-that of Mr.
Allen. How do these allegations COM
pure with the record? Let us to the
testimony. We take the following ex-
tract from the official proceedings Of the
City Council, September H. 1871:
alderman Wigg submitted tile follow
ing:
"CoLUMB1A, s. O., September IL, 1871.
''TO THE MAYOR AND Cry COUNCIL:
The Special Committee on City Hall re-
spectfully report that, in obedience to
resolution of Council. they duly adver-
tised for bids for City Hall; that r. ".
Johnson, Esq, bid for the contract, Tex
Guiding seating in theatre and gas fix
tures,) in the sum OF Sal, 500; CLARK
Waring, Esq, (for whole buiding,)
Sl40, 600; and James M. Allen, Esq, in
the sum Of S138, 600, which, being the
lowest bidder, the committee have
awarded The contract to him. The COM
mittee recommend the adoption of fol-
lowing resolution:
'Resolued, That the contract for build
ing the City Hall be awarded to James
NJ. Allen, at his bid; and that the Special
Committee be authorized to enter the
necessary contracts in behalf OF city
"By order Of committee
"W. HUTSON WIGG, Chairman.
"WM. SIMONS,
ST. SMITH,
"W. MOONEY,
Joe TAYLOR.
"Aldermn- Minort moved the adoption
of the ropo' nd resolution.
''The question being taken, it was
decided IN the Affirmative, unahi-
mously."
Now, when this report came up. we
would ask, were the members of this
committee aware TINT. as now alleged,
Aliens bid was the only one; and,
secondly, were they or we're they not
aware that the bid, even of Mr.. Allen.
was most exorbitant one? Had Mr..
Parkins not been heard to say that the
Council, to carry out his plans, would
have to expcnd only about $4,000?
Again, when this matter came up before
Council, was there no Alderman there
to rise and ask whether or not they were
asserting to fraudulent bid? Does
Council do business in this way? Is it
not evident that the committee on the
City Hall, as we'll as the whole Council,
have acted in most inefficient way, to
eay the least? The fact Of the matter is,
it is apparent that they were either weak
or disposed to sacrifice the city'a inte-
rests. and thus to betray their official
trusts. So much for the City Hall. Let
us look, now, to the new market. From
the official proceedings Of Council. for
September IL. 1871, We make the follow
ing extract:
alderman Cooper, from special COM
mittee, submitted the following:
''The Committee on New Market beg
leave to submit the following report:
''We have received bids for building
market from j. NJ. Allen, Esq and
Messrs. Israel Smith and Wm. Simons.
j. NJ. Aliens bid being $4,000. aud
Smith and Sim ons bid being S18,6l6,