The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-06
THE CITY FATHERS.
what was Done by tho City Council
Last Evening-Thc Case OF Treasurer
Coogan Against Treasurer Thomas

A regular meeting of City Council was held
last evening at the usual hour-present the
Mayor, aud Aldermen o'Neill, Bowen, Gage'
Moran, Brown, Johnston, Kenny, SWeegan'
sigwald, Voigt, Pelzer, Smith, Aichaels, GloV-
er and Garrett The Council Chamber not
being ready for use, owing to the repairs 70
the ceiling now In progress, the meeting was
held in the Mayors office.
PETITIONS
were read and disposed of as follows:
OM. O'Brien and other property. holders IN
Market street, asking that a drain be built
along the south side of the Market, beginning
at The scale office.
Alderman voigt stated that number OF
cross drains were also needed, and some were
being built. The petition was referred to the
committee on streets, with power to con-
struct such drains as may be necessary.
of the building committee Of the Mission Of
the African Episcopal Methodist Church. ASK
ing to have the claims and obligations of W.
n. Smith on certain fire loan bonds trans
ferred to them. Referred to the committee
on the fire loan.
OF the licensed stevedores, showing that
but four stevedores out Of twenty-five now
engaged in the work had licenses, and asking
that all be compelled to take out licenses. On
motion of Alderman Gage the Mayor was In
structed to direct the Chief of Police rlgldIy
to enforce the ordinance against all persons
doing business as stevedores without licenses.
The Mayor stated that the officers were now at
work daily, going through the streets Of the
city and reporting all defaulters.
or s. Lord, Jr., asking for leave TO make
wooden addition to his house In Tradd street.
Referred to the committee on brick and wooden
buildings.
OF the Board OF Flremasters, stating that
the ordinance now before Council to regulate
the storage of petroleum within the limits OF
the city, was defective, Notwithstanding Lhe
precautions, aud asking that the bill be not
psssed into law. Received as Information.
or the Western Union Telegraph Company,
asking a reduction of the tax valuation OF
their property, which had been altered from
one to five thousand dollars, and TO be re-
lleyed from the increase Of taxes. Referred
to the committee on retrenchment and RELIEF,
to confer with the board Of equalization.
OF many wharfowners and lessees, asking
the use of the city lamps near their WharVes
on moonlight nights as well as dark nights.
Referred to the committee on lighting the
city.
orr. 8. veDning, asking to be refunded the
twenty-five dollars he paid for his license for
running saw, as he had also to pay a heavy
license for his woodward in which the saw
was situated. Referred to the committee on
licenses.
OF Mrs. M. Thompson, requesting Council to
make definite arrangements as to the widen
ing of East Bay, as she was about to build Oh
her let at the corner of Pnckney street, on
the east side of East Bay. Referred to the
committee on streets.
REPORTS.
OF the city sheriff Tor the month of FeJfu-
ary, 1872, showing receipts OF 1927 81. he
ceiyed as information.
OF the physicians in charge of the City Hos
pital for the same time. Received as iniorma-
tion.
OF the committee on ways and means, on
the petition of Duryea & Cohen for satisfac-
,ion of judgments held against the city for
past due stock, stating that the amounts could
not be paid in the present condition OF the
treasury:
On the resolution Of Alderman Voigt at the
last meeting, as to the report OF Treasurer
Thomas, the committee reported that they
had been stopped In considering the report by
notice from Mr.. Thomas that he did not in-
lend 10 vacate. That they had conferred with
the city attorney, whom they had Instructed
to take legal measures at once to place Mr..
Coogan in the Office to which he had been
elected. The committee also read an opinion,
furnished by Major Stone, going 10 show
the power of Council to remove as we'll as
elect officers on sufficient cause. Report
adopted.
Alderman Sweegan, By permission of Coun.
Gil, then offered the following preamble and
resolution, which were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The committee of ways and
means, 10 whom was intrusted the duty Of
experimenting the transfer OF the records,
books, moneys and other property and papers
pertaining to the office of city treasurer, from
Stephen Thomas, the late city treasurer, to 2.
J. Coogan, the present treasurer, have re-
ported that the said Stephen Thomas has re.
fused to deliver up or transfer the same, aud
that he still retains them In his possession and
custody, to the great detrment Of the City OF
Charleston; therefore,
Resotued, That the said Stephen Thomas be
summoned by the Mayor 10 show cause before
the Council, at meeting to be held In The
Council ChamSer, on Thursday next, the 7th
Gay OF March, why he should not forthwith be
removed from the said office of treasurer OF
the City of Charleston, which he assumes to
hold, for refusing to surrender the books,
papers, records, &C., OF the said ofi1ee, OF
which he keeps possession without authority
of law, aud in violation of the ordinances aud
bylaws of the City Council OF Charleston.
A long discussion as to the mode of proceed.
Ing against Mr.. Thomas ensued, at the end
of which the following resolution, offered by
Alderman Gage, was adopted:
jectons 10 vacating the Office city treasurer,
and submit the same In writing to the Mayor
before next Thursday, at twelve o'clock NJ,
and that Mr.. Thomas appear in person before
Council, or verbally give his answer.
The committee on retrenchment and relief
recommended that the contractors for repair
Ing drains be allowed au additional compen-
sation of two cents per foot upon the petitions.
Agreed to.
The same committee recommended that the
petition Of the South Carolina Institute for
remission of its tax for 1870 be granted.
20