Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-07-03

The privilege tax ordinance was taken up,
but before entering upon its consideration
it was stated by both the city attorneys
Messrs. Lewis Tillman, jr., and l.. A.
Gratz, that it was their opinion, after in
vestigation, that the city has a right, under
the recent act of the Legislature, to put the
issuance of city privilege licenses, wholly in
the hands of Recorder White, which, they
stated, would save the city about s 900 per
annum.
Major Gratz then proceeded to read the
privilege ordinance, as draw up.
In regard to the privilege on merchants,
Alderman Allison moved to change the Or
dinance so that wholesale merchants shall
pay $50, and retail merchants 1875 privilege
tax, and all an nd Ualorem tax equal to that
assessed on other property.
Alderman Mackey opposed such discrim-
ination between merchants
Alderman Cruze moved to amend by fix
ing the privilege tax at $40, on both whole
sale and retail merchants which motion
prevailed.
Alderman Burrier moved to remove the
privilege of $50 on brewers
Alderman Michaels moved to amend by
making it $25. Lost.
The motion of Alderman Burrier pre-
vailed, and brewers will be chrrged no priv
ilege tax.
Alderman Deaderick moved to strike out
the privilege tax of $25 on insurance agents.
Alderman Mackey moved to amend by
relieving the companies from taxation also.
On the amendment the vote resulted in a
tie, and the mayor pro tenn voted no, which
lost the amendment.
The original motion, relieving agents,
was carried.
Alderman Nelson moved to tax the insur-
ance business $40.
Alderman Sheppard moved to make it $50.
Alderman Cruze, moved, in lieu of all
others. that the insurance business be taxed
as a privilege-one per cent. on gross earn
ings in the city. Carried.
Alderman Burrier moved that instead of
$500 privilege tax levied on banks it be fixed
| at $50 for 1875, 900 capital, 800 for $50, 900
| capital, and $50 for each additional $25, 900.
| Alderman Nelson moved in lieu that 800
be fixed as the privilege ON each banking
| institution. Carried.
| The ordinance was changed to the effect
of requiring the recorder to collect the city
privilege tax and issue the licenses, instead
of the county court clerk. For this service
| the recorder is to receive fee of so cents
| ON each license.
| Judge J. f. J. Lewis. county court clerk,
who was present, by permission, explained
the matter from legal point of view, con-
tending that the county court clerk is re-
quired by the law to collect the privilege
tax, stating the circumstances of the case,
and that a number of the merchants had
| taken license from him.
On motion of Alderman Murphy the Or
dinance as corrected, was passed on its
final reading, and becomes law, and Re-
| 1fS
issue the privilege licenses hereafter 1t is
understood, however, that the matter will
be tested in the courts, at the earliest OPP
portunity.
On motion of Alderman Hudiburg, it was
ordered that the city lay pavement on
ground which wBs given by Col. G. w.
Charltonand others for widening Jefferson
2treet in East Knoxville.
On motion of Alderman Murphy, Ned
Fitzgerald, workman on the street force,
who has been disabled for about six weeks
by having his eye put out while atwork, was
allowed pay at the rate of $125 per day,
the rate of his wages, for that length Of
time
Alderman Cruze called attention to the
bridge over First Creek on Clinch street
which is in very unsafe condition, and Oh
motion of Alderman Sheppard, the stree
committee was authorized to repair or builG
a new bridge at once. In the mean time
the wagon way is to be stopped up.
Alderman Anderson moved to pay the
common laborers on the street 81. 10 pei
day, instead of S1.O0 as now paid
The motion was Endorsed by Alderman
Mackey, and opposed by Aldermen Cruze
. and Burrier, and the ayes and noes were
called for by Alderman Murphy and the
motion prevailed by the following vote:
Aye-Allison, Anderson, Deaderick
Fields, Hockenjos, Irwin, Murphy, Mackey
s.
No-Burrier, Cruze, Hudiburg, Michaels
Nelson, Sheppard-6.
Alderman Nelson, chairman of the ga.
committee, made some remarks about pub
LEGATIONS on the papers on the gas question
and on motion of Alderman Allison tn,