Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-12-17
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.
Proceedings or tho City Council L.
Might.

Proceedings of tho City Council Last
Night.
The board was called to order at the usual
hour, Mayor Payne in the chair. The
minutes Of the previous meeting were read
and approved. The mayor read the follow
ing message to the board:
We are now nearing the term of our adj
ministration and the business we are called
upon to perform is immense. Knoxville
is very rapidly becoming city and it is
only necessary for one to be member of
the city council to realize this fact. Just
at this time with smallpox in our midst and
the building of water works in addition to
the regular routine, conv1nces every MEM
Der of this board the trying position of a
city official
would take the present time and oppor-
tunity to caution, once more; the board in
relation to extravaganza. We see and hear
of the present system of city governments
being failures all over the country. We know
from experience the utter impossibility
of conducting business in business way
under the present system, and while con-
graduate you in your efforts SO far in giving
US an economical administration, I would
say the board has not been as cautious as
they might have been, and / will predict
here, now, that within five years from to-
night, our city, like Memphis, Nashville
and other cities, not only in our State, but
all over the country, will be overwhelmingly
| in debt.
say this because I think it duty to
warn you of the impending danger, and if
possible, have our citizens elect none to Of
| fee but those who are capable, and willing
| to protect the city's interest. I would say
| I.e c,,I. @Hak q
| to be preconcerted plan or arrangement
on the part of some unknown parties, to
bring suits for nuisance, and other petty
annoyances, for the express purpose of
| making it SO unpleasant to hold a city Office,
that our best people, who should rule, will
not accept of an Office, and class will be
elected whose main object will be self
interest, at the expense of our city until she
is bankrupt like the rest.
In relation to the smallpox, am told the
committee appointed by the board had
buildings erected on the old Fair Grounds
property, belonging to the State, but they
cannot be used on account of an injunction.
This leaves the city with no other alterna-
tive but to try and secure another suitable
place convenient and as nearly isolated as
possible, and risk another injunction. Fol
it is impossible to stop the spread of the
disease without place to isolate the sick.
In relation to the water works contract,
the attorneys selected by this board to ad
wise them in this matter say the only course
open at present to the city to protect Itself
in suit seeking specific performance Of
the water works contract or arevision there.
of; and that it is necessary, as incident te
said suit, to make tender back to the
water works company of the money paid
to the city for the site, with interest there
on. The attorneys are now prepared to in
stitute the suit, SO soon as the necessary
tender has been made, and they recommend
that the proper authority to make such
tender should be given at once, if this board
intends to take action in this matter.
After the Mayors communication the
finance committee presented the following
| Oh 10 ho