The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-04-05
The ity.Cuuncil.

The tityCuuncil.
The meeting yesterday was an ordinary one,
with no exciting topic apparently in sight, but
the business transacted discloseS the fact that
every day increases the importance Of our city
legislature and the necessity Of its members
paying close attention to the duties incumbent
upon them.
THE OLIVE STREET MIDDLE.
Mrs. Dignowity proposes that the city pay
her for the removal OF fencing and the loss Of
improvements consequent in the alteration of
the line of Olive street, proposing to leave the
settlement to arbitration. Considerable debate
arose over this proposition as it was minated
by Alderman Story that Mrs. Dignowity ex-
pected pay for the land taken also, but the
mayor stated that was not the reading of the
communication, and that Mrs. ID. gained more
than she lost in the reCtifying of the lines on
the other end Of her lot; the mayor also sug
gested that in consequence of the Dignowitys
having had the property enclosed with stone
wall for 80 years legal question might be
sprung in regard to them having obtained title
to the street. If there is really any question
unsettled upon the right of possession to
public street or square by reason Of occupation
for any length of time it ought to be settled
definitely by some test case, and We suggest
that the city try the Odet claim on St. Marys
street, which is held by possession of over 20
years.
| THE MEAT QUESTION.
In pursuance Of a resolution offered by Al
derman Arnaud at the last meeting, all butch
crs renting outside market stalls had to renew
their applications. In reading over the list
Alderman Arnaud discove ed that he had
failed to comply with his own resolution, and
proceeded to make out his application. This
gave rise to some discussion over the matter
Of allowing butchers to rent outside stands.
Alderman Schreiner called attention to an or
dinance placing restrictions upon outside
stalls which was read. Alderman Copeland
asked that the applications 60 over, as he
wished to bring in new ordinance either
abolishing outside stalls or extending them,
as the present number was limited to twelve
The uncertainty of Alderman Copeland's pro-
position leads us to remark that the legisla-
ton upon this subject is behind the times, and
the city council would do we'll to make an en-
tire revolution. butchers should be treated
like other merchants and allowed to do bust
ness with as little restriction as possible, and
not forced to pay exorbitant rents and taxes
which they in turn make their customers pay.
The revenue derived from the markets is
hugely consumed by the city in the way of
salaries and other expenses, and a monopoly
is maintained entirely repugnant to public
policy.
The city should secure suitable site for
large, airy market. The present old market
place did very we'll twenty years ago, but is
unsuitable now-in fact. ii is fast becoming a
nuisance and should SO be declared. The
property could be sold Tor sufficient to pur-
chase good site, and we would suggest the
river front east of l.. IIuth & Sons store, on
Market street, extending to the bridge. This
would offer splendid site, and could be east
y kept clean, and at all times during the sum
mer swept by the winds across the river.
Outside stalls should he encouraged. The
people want accommodation, and the time
has passed when it is fashionable for our lead
ing citizens to gather at the market house at
early dawn and take an eye opener and dis
cuss the political situation. The leading Cit
zens read the daily papers now, and take heir
ease at home, mostly, allowing the servants
and butchers to fight out the early dawn over
the meat and vegetable question. A nuisance
is fast beng firmly located upon our public
squares in the shape of movable restaurants
and primitive Kitchens and must he considered
in the same connection with the market ques-
ton. Let us have some liberal legislation in
this matter.
| THE STREET LIGHTING QUESTION.
The following communication was read:
SAN ANTONIO, AARiL 1, 'S2.
| 10 the Mayor and City Council.
The San Antonio Electric Light Company
being about to complete their works and being
DESTROYS of making provision for the special
machinery necessary for public lighting, would
most respectfully make the following PROPOSE
ton to your honorable body, viz:
We will establish a system of electric lamDs