The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-10-15
GOLUMBIAk. 81 g.
Sunday Morning, October. 16, 1871.

Z
not Opposed, TO- Cen Min Rrosrss saa !'Tne
Un1er.Currcnta SugEested.
From what we have had ii22to Ray on. the
subject Of the City Hall and new market
buildings, letit not be- inferred; that we
are disposed TO obstrnot the work Of
public improvementsdin this city; such
is far, very far from the case. On the
contrary, we are,l and ever have been, in
accord hearty ACCORD, with the spirit of
progress. We saw Columbia as it stood
in ashes. We have seen it, with emo
tions OF gratitude and pleasure, spring
up into new life. We could not, there
fore, possibly retard the work. Of its pro
per development When the City
Council undertakes to improve the city
by proper and legal steps and by honest
methods, we shall be found ready to ap-
plaud it's spirit and commend its ener-
gies. But when we find public works
made nse Of to advance private ends
when we find official trusts betrayed 1T
becomes our duty to denounoe such in
vasions'o OF the public interests. ~
AS respects the present new market, it
is clear that the City: Council had no
just grounds upon which ito proceed.
As soon as twas known that this work
was contemplated. a protest signed, as
Alderman Wallace says. by four.Afths of
the Taxpayers Of the oity, was presented
to Council, taking the ground that
another market was not needed. Yet.
observe the action Of the Council.
Alderman Wigg insists upon it that the
new market is needed; Four-fitths Of
the tax-paying .oitizens Of Columbia soy
TO-, Council: eve do mot want your
matkBt. Alderman Wigg replies, that
he knows better a majority Of the
Council suatains him, and this work is
..deoreed. What was the, meaning Of this?
Here come in now the under currents. tas
they have been suggested to- u.s. The
new, market is located so as to, enhance
the value .of the. property Of Aldermen
Taylor5 aHaai Goager: d 4 Aldermen A d Smith
and Simons become the contractors to
b6ild It. f Alderman Taylor supplies the
bricks. Mayor Alexander does the iron
work. and alderman Wigg provides with
Dr. Neagle. by very peculiar bond
arrangement. the ways and means to
carry the job on. And oil this for
SIS, 8,616-Aldermen Smith and Simons
being the only bidders as it is alleged
that Mr.. Aliens reported bid was o
bogus one. AL this, we repeat, for
S18,6l6. when it is believed that $12, 900
would be q fair price for the work. Now,
what we have to say is this: The new
market was unnecessary. But, admit
ting it was called for. then it should
have been located elsewhere, and
arrangements made for its cheap and
economical construction.
Now, with respect to, the new City
Hall. We believe that the city Of Co
lumbia needs City Hall, and that the
Council did right to decide to build one.
That they were authorized to do more
than to bnild City Hall and necessary
offices for the city business, we doubt.
That the Council had any right to go to
work and provide for stores, theatre,
&c., we do not acknowledge. And even
if the right does exist, we condemn the
policy. In our judgment, the Council
should have confined its work to the
building of cheap but decent City
Hall. But, having decided upon an
expensive edi6,e, it was certainly. proper
to build it upon the best terms po ssible.
But what does the Council, as body,
permit. They allow a ring to fasten
upon this work. DR.. Neagle, having
made his thousands on the State, now
turns upon the city. Having, in connec-
tion with others. bled- the State until no
more blood was to be drawn, he looks for
more blood, and hopes to get it from this
city. He wants to make $4,000 or
$15, 900 at least out OF this City Hall Job.
So he calls in the willing Arr. Allen, and
others, and the ring is formed. Three
bids, oil Of them supposed to, be exorbi-
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