Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1872-07-12
ANNUAL MESSAGE -
OF the Mayer Of GoOds0n to tElc
Council.
PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE
COUNCIL.

PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE
COUNCIL.
Gentlemen of tie Council Of tie
Tom, Of G0cdSoe -. .t" ....r
Under the third Section of the
third Chapter Of our General ordinan-
ccs, it is made my duty to report ac-
curately to you the condition of the
public property, and to set forth fully
any facts which | may deem proper
for the good Of the town.
In addition to This mandatory en-
actment of your body, you have been
pleased to confde to me tie entire
management of the Johnston Land
Business, subject, Of course. to your
supervision, and it is proper that I
should at this meeting report accu-
rately its condition. You are aware
that we yet owe to Mr.. Joseph John
ston, for the purchase money of these
lands, q balance of $21.00000
Upon this debt the interest due to
the first of June last, has been paid,
and the coupons with the exception
Of eight, which have cancelled, are
in the hands Of the Treasurer.
To meet the principal and interest
Of this debt, We have on hands as fol-
lows, to-wit:
Bonds on which first coupons have been
paid, sl4, 2.G5
Interest on same to mature, 9Th
instant, 3,H4.9S
Bonds on which FIRST coupons are
unpaid, 4,I7S.5O
Interest on same accumulated as
Of 9Th instant, 25O.7l
Bonds which bear date from 18th
instant, Gi5.Oo
Amopn; due from J. S. Thomas
& Brother, I,G56.7S
Duo Bills, $500
Total, 22,034.62
Leaving balance Of sI,02IG2, in
favor Of the town. !
In addition to this there are yet
unsold near forty lots. suitable for
residences and business locations, and
also some four acres reserved, by
popular expression at our late cleo
ton, for public purposes.
\ more nltsering exhibit could
scarcely be desired, and certainly not
expected. With a few exceptions
the interest already due has been
paid. and these exceptions viii be in
a few days reduced still farther.
With single exception the mem
bcrS Of the last Council have been re-
elected, and the necessity for detailed /
recommendations as to the course
which should be pursued by the Coun
Gil, does not exist. Your familiarity
with the work of last year, and your
knowledge of the work which should
be done during the present one are
fully attested by tie marked satisfac-
ton you have given.
An expenditure OF q few hundred
dollars in grading partially, Edmond
and Mary streets, in the vicinity of
our unsold lots, would not only rem
der them marketable, but cause them
to command advanced figures. The
bridging of the creek at Lee and Wa
tcT streets, the re fencing of the
Squire on three of its sides, the grad
ING Of lee street near the Church,
the opening of Scranton street to
Spruce, and some further improve
mcnt of the creek channel, are works
the Importance of which will not be
questioned but the execution ofwhich
will, in some degree depend upon our
payment of damage for the passage
Of the Cumberland Gap link of the \.
N. & o. L. Il, through the town.
l have taken great care to preserve
from accident. the bonds and valuable
papers Of the town, but their impor
lance aud value are such as TO render
imperative, in my estimation, the du-
ty of providing a fre-proof safe, in
which to deposit them, aud your at
tention is respectfully called there
TO.
The rapid growth of our town and
the gratifying degree of development
which your management has secured
for it are due largely to its sound f.
nancial condition. It's credit is not
inferior to that of any town in Vir-
giuia. and could scarcely be improv-
ed under any circums tances. That
1t will be kept in that condition is a
probability fully warranted by the high
estimate placed upon it by your con-
siituency and the financial success
which has marked the past admins
tration Of your body. 5s.5 @
a.- 1. c. Fowler.
July 2, 1872. Mcyor.