The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-01-31
Meeting OF City Counoii.
CoVNoIh CHAMBER,
COLUMBIA, January AZ, 1874.

Council met at 7.30 p. NJ.
Present-Hisa Honor the Mayor: al.
dermen Carpenter, Lowndes. Mitchell,
Carroll, Young. Taylor, Carr, Williams,
tGriffin and Cooper. Absent
Hoge and Thompson.
On motion by Alderman Griffin, the
reading Of the minutes of the last regu.
lar and special meetings was dispensed
with.
| PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS.
The following from J. d. Tradewell
City Attorney, was received, on motion
by Alderman Griffin. as information:
COLUMBIA, 8. O., january 26, 1874
10 Hon. John Alexander, Mayor
DEAR SIR: Captuil jackson, Chief Of
Police, called on me for my legal OPT
MON as to the power of the City Coun.
Gil TO compel the owners of vacant lots
fronting on or adjacent to any of the
public streets to close them in, aud,
without examination of the question, 1
erroneously told him that no such power
was vested in the corporate authority.
Upon looking into the matter, it will be
seen that such power is conferred, in
expressed terms, upon the Mayor and
Aldermen OF the city, by tho Act of
March 2, 1871, in tho seventh section,
the provisions OF which are full on the
subject, and is found on page 70 of the
City Compilation, in the following
words, to wit:
"And tho said Mayor and Aldsrmen
shall have power and authority to re-
qulre all persons owning lot or lots in
said city to close them in, and to make
and keep in good repair sidewalks in
front OF said lot or lots, wherever the
same shall front or adjoin any public
street of said city, if. in their judgment,
said sidewalks shall be necessary; and
for default or refusal, after reasonable
notice to make aud keep in good repair
such sidewalks, and to close In such
lots. the Mayor and Aldermen may
cause the same to be done, aud require
the owner to pay tho cost of the work;
and the said Mayor aud Aldermen are
hereby empowered to sue for and reco-
yer the Same by action in any court of
competent jurisdiction: Provided, That
the contract be let to the lowest respon-
sible bidder"
l may also state, that the owner of
any such lot is responsible under indiot-
ment for permitting nuisance to CON
tinue thereon, and to pay damages in
private action to any one whose person
or property may be injured thereby.
Respectfully,
JAMES u. TRADEWELL,
City Attorney.
The following from John Z. Little, os
Phpnix Hook and ladder COMPANY,
was, on motion, by Alderman Carroll,
referred to the Committee on Fire De-
partinent:
COLUMBIA, S. c., January 27, 1874.
To the Honorable Aiuyor aud Aldermen
Of tie city Of mbia-GENTLEMRN: I
have the honor to forward for your con.
sideration bill, presented through
Captain John a. Jackson, to the Phmnix
Hook and Ladder Company, for pay.
ment.
The presentation of this account,
taken in connection with some other
matter, which it is not necessary here to
state, leads me to believe that it's pre-.
sentation was altogether unauthorized
by your honorable body, and respect
fully request that m investigation be
ordered. Respectfully,
JOHN l.. LITTLE.
Foreman Phoenix Hook and Ladder
Company.
The bill was as follows:
City Of Columbia TO Houie & Allen, Dr..
July IL. 1878, to plans of Hook and
Ladder House, 2!a per cent. on $1,000.
S37. so
A petition from A. Al. Riser was re-.
oeived, praying for reduction of license
on his photograph gallery.
On motion, by Alderman Young, the
Same was referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means.
The following was received from John
L. Little:
To Me Honorable Mayor and AlQerm en-
Of Me city Of Columbia id-GENrLEMEN: at
u meeting of the Board of Fire Masters,
held on the 23d instant, the following
named gentlemen we're elected to serve
for one yeur in the position set opposite
their names Captain w. .. Stanley,
Chief of the Department.; John G.
Sutphon, Esq, Assistant Chief OF the
Department; Captain j. l.. Little. Chair
man of the Board; T. P. Purse, Esq,
Clerk of the Board. Respectfully,
JOHN l.. III TILE,
Chairman of Board.
4 motion was made that the same he
ieceived ns information.
Alderman Taylor objected, as the CO.
lored companies were not recognized in
the board, and thought Council should