The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-06-09

would have appeared ut, this data. had
no debts been incurred prior toApril 1.
1870, and if nopermanentim timprovements
had been ordered orAundertakeh by the
city administration otter said date
Large Outldys to Indigent Poor.-The
expenses found upon the books for indi-
gent poor were startling to your Com
mittee Upon close scrutiny, however,
it WAS found that these outlaws were
caused by the large number Of people
who, terror-stricken during the great ex-
citement in the up-country, focked to.
and arrived in the city in helpless and
destitute condition. The excitement.
having been allnyed, these people havo
gone back to their former homes and the,
City Council has altogether discontinued
the said expenditures.
We record with pleasure that the aims
no use expenses of current year under
rigid economy, have beeu brought down
to about one-half of last years figures.
Summing up our report, your Com
mittee feel called upon to state, as their
opinion, that, whilst closer economy in
the use of the means of the CITY Could
and should have been observed and en-
forced in former years, and as we per-
ceivcit is now, at least in some of the
departments, being observed and en-
forced, we have failed to detect in any
appropriation of the funds or other
means of the city.
c. j. STOLBRAND,
Chairman Committee of Twenty.
After the reading of the report, Alder
man Purvis and others addressed the
meeting in defence of the present Coun-
Gil.
L. G. Northrop, Esq. after a sharp
speech. in which he volunteered to de-
fend the City Council in any action
which may be brought against them,
offered the following preamble and reso-
lutlons, which were unanimously adopt
cd:
Whereas q committee to investicate our
municipal affairs, appointed by certain
citizens of Columbia, have made and
published report, in which they allepe
that ''lncompetency and dishonesty"
mark the management of our municipal
interests; and whereas at similar meet
ing of citizens, called to consider this
report, certain resolutions were adopted
requesting the Mayor and Aldermen to
resign, and at the same time advising
the commencement of legal proceedings
against them; and whereas these meet
ings represent small minority of the
voting and tax-paying people of this
municipal corporation, while the wide
spread publication of these matters tend
to the detriment of our public honor
and the injury of our public credit; and
whereas we are animated by an entire
devotion to the principle Of n prompt
and proper accountability in our public
officers and n wise and economical dis
charge of their public duties; therefore,
be it,
RESOLVED, That we deem it due to the
honor, reputation and interests of our
fair city. as we'll as to the character and
responsibility Of those whom we have
elected to administer its public affairs,
that our Mayor and Common Council
should take such measures as they may
deem necessary, to investigate the report
of tho said Committee, as published in
the public press, and to examine, prove
and publish a yerifcation, explanation
or denial of the charges and allegations
of the said report, as we'll as 70 make
public full and minute statement of
the public debt of the city of Columbia.
Resolred, That while it is the right. of =,
all classes of our people to have an
honest and faithful administration of our
municipal interests, 1t is also the unde-
nlable right of our public officials to
have fair play in accounting for their
stewardship, and that, until they shall
have been fully and fairly heard, they
-
integrity, and shall have our warm and
cordial support in vindicating the honor
of'our city, in protecting the welfare of
our people and in making straight their
paths before the public eye
Resolred, That we deprecate oil passion
and prejudice in asserting the right and
fairs, and respectfully ask suspension .
of the'public judgment until the facts
are clearly set. forth upon which the
honest verdict Of the people may be rem
dered.
Ex-Alderman Carpenter, being called
upon, responded in q somewhat lengthy
speechI BY this time, the hall was we'll
filled, and much interest was manifested
in the proceedings by the assemblage.
Other speakers ventilated their ideas,
and Mt late hour the meeting adjourned.
If You WANT Ir.-Everybody is purE
chasing the indelible trnnsfer paper, and
trial is only necessary to prove its
merits A. Fl. Oliver, CIendining House,