The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-07-01

AAouoSS Aoos A5Suts ~ tu6 Cau OI u1aJOk
Alexander, to take into consideration.
the water subject-the vile, impure
fluid now being distributed through the
city. Mayor Alexander took the chair,
but suggested that as he-representiug
the City Council-was party to the case
now pending in the courts between the
City Council and the Columbia Water
Company, that another Chairman be
selected. Dr.. Talley was then requested
to take the chair, and Mr. John T. Sloan,
Jr., was chosen Secretary.
Chairman Talley stated tho object and
Importance Of the meeting, and an
nounccd his readiness to hear any mo.
tions that might be proposed.
Gu motion of Major E. ". Seib,ls, a
committee Of FIVE was appointed to draft
resolutions expressive of the object Of
the meeting. The committee consisted
OF Messrs. E. ". Seibels, Jacob Levin,
John Aguew, Adam Thomas and Vim.
Thomas-three white and two colored.
After conference. they submitted :he
following preamble and resolutions:
Whereas, tho Columbia Water Power
Company continue to furnish the citizens
of Columbia with impure water, in de-
fiance Of the orders from the Board of
Health:
Resoired, That the citizens OF Colum-
bia condemn the course pursued by
Samuel A. Pearse in the most unquali-
fed terms, in furnishing impure water to
the citizens OF Columbia.
Reso!ceel, That he be once more re-.
quested by the Mayor of Columbia to
furnish the city with pure water, and
that we meet here again tomorrow even
ing, to hear his answer, and take such
steps as will relieve Us of this foul impo.
sitlon.
In presenting the resolutions, Major
Seibels spoke in severe terms OF the sub.
iect-matter; stated that only the day be-
fore, his washerw0man discovered mag.
gots in the discolored, filthy fluid, which
passed through the hydrant on his pre-
misses; that it was unfit for drinking or
washing purposes even 1T for pig
to wallow in. Intimated that if the re.
peated demands for remedy failed, be
felt disposed to chuck the new-faneled
water works into the river.
Attorney General Melton. (of the
counsel for Col. Pearse, Of the Watc,
Power Company objected to the adop.
ton OF the resolutions, and in lengthy
speech, plead the cause of his client.
during which he reflected somewhat
heavily upon the City Council aud The
Board of Health; declared that the trou.
BILE all arose from the impurities in the
distributing revervoirs-over which, as
he contended, the Columbia Wate,
Power Company had no control; stated
that Col. Pearse was perfectly willing,
however, to olean out the reservoirs, il
requested aud authorized so to do by the
City Council; that it was serious mat
ter to stop the supply Of water to the
oity for even few hours, without autho
rity from Council, owing to inconye
nience to the citizens and risk OF fire.
Maj Melton gave Us an excuse for the
use OF the river water, that the greaI
waste Of the fluid, from watering the
streets and cleansing the drains, necessi
tated its use, Rs the springs were insult.
cient; affirmed that Col. Pearse wa,
willing to do anything to relieve the
anxiety of the citizens, and had put In
6lterers, which he hoped would have the
desired effect. he denounced mob law
as be termed the expressions OF Major
Se:bels and tie sentiments of the resolu
tions-as he had denounced Ku KInxism
felt sorry that Council, presumed to be
oonscrvators Of the peace, elected by a
party with which he was connected, bad
acted go improperly. referring to al
dcrman Cooper's suggestion to teal
down the works. He here read the re-
solution adopted by the City Council re-
lative to calling meeting Of citizens to
take action on the water matter IS
serted that he drank the water every
day, cooled with Bateman' s ice, and WAS
not made sick; that the water was purer
and better than that furnished in Mo.
bile, New Orleans, Nashville, Memphis,
etc; that if the pipes were cleansed, tie
water would be pure and good; quoted
instances where citizens had called in
the assistance of Mr.. Palmer to cleanse
the pipes and the purity OF the water
established beyond question.
Adam Thomas (coiored) replied to
Judge Melton in manner that drew
forth uproarious applause. His ideas