Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-06-18
WATER WORKS AT LAST.
The Contract Awarded to the Knoxville
Water Company---Cooke's Company,
With Certain Stipulutions and Modifica-
tions.

Water Company---Cooke's Company,
With Certain Stipulutions and Modifica-
tions.
The board met as usual last night, Mayor
Payne presiding, and the following Alder
men were present: Brooks, Selby, Hudi-
burg, McAffry, Craig, Michaels, Ramsey,
Mccoy, Murphy, Fulcher, Hockenjos,
Luttrell, Mcmillan, Heiskell, Irwin
The minutes were read and approved.
Mayor Payne read n brief communication
to the board, requesting them to take de-
finite action tonight on the water works
question, over which they have been sub
jected to SO much ridicule, at home and
abroad. He recommended that in the event
neither of the three propositions for the
building Of the works is what we want, the
city proceed to build and own the works,
and issue $l25, 900 of 6 per cent. bonds to
run 30 years for that purpose. He stated
that the bonds could be negotiated at par, if
not at premium The mayor had opposed,
he said, the building of the works by the
city, up to this time, but after giving the
subject much study lately, it is very evident
that the city will have to guarantee to the
party who does build the works, an interest
on the capital invested, besides his fran
chises, and also release such party from
taxation Then again, the question of sew
erage convinces him more fully that the
CITY is almost compelled to own
the works. When we are
forced to have system of sewerage, which
is to be the case with water works, in very
short while, can the city afford to go to that
great expense, when private company Will
reap nearly all the benefit! These are
questions, he said, for the board to consider
and weigh well before they tie their hands.
On motion of Alderman Brooks the regu-
lar order was postponed and the question of
water works was taken up.
Alderman Fulcher, chairman of the water
works committee, read statement --om
Col S. II. Lockett, touching what Is known
as the Lockett plan. Also telegram from
J. A. Cloud, of New York, regarding his
proposition, and some kilograms from 5. +.
Cooke regarding his bond, which he is
ready to make. He stated that majority
of the committee favor the proposition of
S. E. Cooke, managing director of the
most advantageous, and they recommend
its adoption, with the understanding
that they are to adhere to
the Lane plan, strictly, and ig-
more the Lockett supplement
besides that they shall give bond in the sum
of 1875, 900 in 10 days. He said, however,
that one member of the committee disagreed
with this report
Alderman Brooks moved to adopt the
report of the committee.
Alderman Heisken moved to lay Al
derman Brooks motion on the table. Car
ried.
Alderman Heisken moved to reject the
proposition of Mr. Cloud. After some dis
cussion the motion prevailed.
Alderman Hudiburg asked if the board
has the right to exempt any company from
taxation, and City Attorney Ledgerwood,
being called upon, gave it as his opinion
that the city cannot, by law exempt them,
and cannot refund taxes
Alderman Hockenjos moved to accept the
proposition of Mr.. Van Gilder's company,
the Knoxville City Water Company. Sec
onded by Alderman Luttrell.
Alderman Brooks moved to amend by
accepting and adopting the Cooke PROPOSE
ton.
Alderman LuttreH called for the ayes and
noes.
The motion of Alderman Brooks to
amend was lost, by the following vote:
Aye-Brooks, Fulcher, Michaels, Muir
ply, Mccoy, Ramsey, Selby-7.
No-Craig, Hudiburg, Heiskell, Hocken-
JOS, Irwin, Luttrell, Mcmillan, McAfry-S.
The vote then recurred on Alderman
Hockenjo jo' motion to adopt the Van Glider
proposition, and the ayes and noes being
called by Alderman Brooks, this was also
lost by the following vote:
Aye-Craig, Heiskell, Hockenjos, Lut-
trell, McMillan-5.
No-Brooks, Fulcher, Hudiburg, Irwin,
Michaels, Murphy, Mccoy, McAffry, Ram
sey, Selby-10.
alderman Micheals moved that the city
I build the works, as suggested by the mayor,
and that an election be had to determine the
will of the citizens.
Alderman Heiskell moved to lay the mo-
ton on the table. Lost.
Alderman Brooks made an argument
against the propriety or possibility of the
city building the works, reading some sta
tistics bearing on the question.
Alderman Heiskell wanted to have each O
the two bidders now before the board t
amend their bids, and see if they cannot b.
made satisfactory.
After some discussion Alderman Micheal
withdrew is motion.
Alderman Irwin moved to reconsider tn,
vote on the proposition. Carried.
Alderman Brooks moved to adopt tn,
Cooke proposition, with the modification
and requirements.
Alderman Heiskell moved to table it
Lost
Alderman Fulcher called for the ayes ant
noes, and the motion of Alderman Brooks
was carried by the following vote:
Aye-Brooks, Fulcher, Irwin, Michaels
Murphy, Mccoy, Mcmillan, Ramsey, Selb..
8
No-Craig, Hudiburg, Heiskell, Hocken
jos, Luttrell, McAffry 6.
Thus the proposition of the Knoxville
Water Company is accepted.
Alderman Fulcher moved that commit
tee be appointed to draw up the contrac
with the water company, with the power tc
investigate and accept their bond. Amend
ed by Alderman Brooks, to leave the dutie
to the present water works committee
Aldermen w. C. Fulcher, John Mccoy, L
E. Craig and Hu. Michaels, and carried.
Alderman Heiskell moved to make the
bond $75, 600 and require local security.
Alderman Brooks replied that the bono
is already fixed at $4,000, and the board
certainly has confidence enough in tn
committee to risk them in getting a gooc
and sufficient bond.
Alderman Heiskell, on being called t.
order, dropped the $4,000 feature, bu
contended for local bond, arguing tina
any bond made in New York would b.
worthless here, and could not be recovered
on.
Alderman Michaels moved to add Alder
man Heiskell to the committee, saying tina
would enable him to satisfy himself, bu
there was no second.
The ayes and noes were called for b
Alderman Brooks, and Alderman Heiskell
motion to require local Knoxville securitie
of Mr.. Cookies company prevailed, by tn
following vote:
Aye-Craig, Hudiburg, Heiskell Hocl
enjos, Luttrell, Michaels, Mcmillan, Nj
Airy. Selby-9.
No-Brooks, Fucker, Irwin, Murphy
Mccoy, Ramsey-6.
This brought to an end the much vexe
l water works question, and, after brit
| breathing spell, and the departure of larg
crowd of spectators, drawn together to he
the result, the regular order of business wa