The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-07-06
Proceedings OF Council.
SPECIAL MEETING,
COUNCIL CHAMBER,

COLUMBIA, 8. O., July 2, 1872.
Council met at 7.3O P. M.
Present-His Honor Mayor Alexander,
and Aldermen Carpenter, Thompson,
IIowndes. Wilder, Mitchell, Carroll,
Hoge. Young, Carr. Williams, Griffin
and Cooper.
Minutes of previous meeting read aud
approved. ~
The Mayor stated that he had called
Coupeil together for transaction of regu-
lar business.
| PETITION AND COMMUNICATIONS.
The following communications were
read:
10 THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CoUN.
Gil OF COLUMBIA, S. c.: Your petitioner
showeth that in opening the alley known
as Davis alley, on which his carriugo
house opens, in which he keeps his
buggy, used in professional service, q
dam OF dirt has been thrown up SO as to
prevent ingress aud egress. to the great
detriment not only of himself, profes-
sionally, but also Of his constituents who
live in the country, or at q distance from
him in the city, las I learned last night. J
Your petitioner would, therefore, re.
spectfully ask that the nuisance be iu1-
mediately abated, or allow compensation
PSA oACA WAlAO ~ LSluulu53 6uCil COLQDeu-
sation to be received in lieu of city
taxes. and be assessed by competent
judges, chosen by yourselves. with his
approval.
And your petitioner will ever pray,
&c.. JOHN LYNCH, M. ID.
On motion of AldermaneHoge, same
was laid on the table.
Communication from G. FL. Baldwin,
rendering resignation as member Of the
Board of Health, on account of ill health
and pressure of business
On motion of Alderman Lowndes, the
same was accepted.
The following communications we're
read:
COLUMBIA, s. O., June 8, 1872.
To the Honorable the Mayor and Aldermen
Of tie city of Columbia.
GENTLEMEN: The undersigned takes
the liberty to direct your attention to u
practice in the construction Of iron
store fronts, which should be checked ut
once. 1 allude to the use of girders of
wood over iron columns. Wood is too
perishable material to support brick
wall. and is. moreover, false economy;
for if the girder is not of the very best
quality, it will decay rapidly, and cause
great expense to the property-ho
Considered from another stand. point,
the practice is q criminal one; because it
endangers the lives of our firemen, who,
unsuspicious of the lurking danger, may
be buried beneath the crashing wallis as
they fall, whenever the girder is burnt
through.
An ordinance prohibiting the further
use of wooden girders in the construc-
ton of brick buildings will be ndvan-
tageous to property holders, inasmuch
as the walls of burnt building will re-
main intact, and serve for rebuilding;
but what is OF far greater Importance, it
will not hazard the lives of portion of
our fellow-ctizens who have INCREASINGLY
toiled for the preservation of the pro-
perty Of others, without fee or reward,
save that quiet feeling of honest pride
which noble deed calls forth, and whose
we'll known gallantry in battling the de.
vourlng element should elicit the highest
commentator, and entitle them at least
to sense OF safety in the discharge of
their voluntarily imposed duty, instead
OF endangering lives by on ill-:imed saw
ing of but very few dollars. Very re-
specially, your obedient servant,
G. 7. BERG. Architect.
Hon. John Alexander, Mayor.
LEAR DIR: Inc communication OF MIR.
G. L. Berg. architect, addressed to you
aud to your associates, the Aldermen, in
the City Council. on the subject of the
use of wooden girders over iron columns
in the construction Of iron fronts on
Richardson street, is full of sound, prac-
ticnl sense, and altogether worthy of
your attention as guardians of the city's
interest; and if in my Judgment your
honorable body had the legal power to
compel builders to discard the wooden
girders altogether, it would afford me
great pleasure to say so to you, in order
that you might discuss the expediency
OF passing an ordinance on the subject.
L cannot, however, advise you to go be-
yond the premises of your Ordinance to
prohibit the erection of wooden build
ings on Main or Richardson street. in
the city OF Columbia, found on the 54th
page OF your compiled ordinances. do
not think that the law, as it now stands,
would sustain you in taking the step in
advance Of the ordinance referred to.
l have the honor to be, yours, &C.,
JAMES d. TRADEWELL.
City Attorney.
On motion of Alderman Hoge, the
rafarrad fo HO,o -, L1;so