Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-03-18
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
An Intere-ting Meeting.

An adjourned meeting OF Council
was held on Monday night. Present
the Mayor and Councilmen Showers,
McSherry, Hill, Parks, Degrange,
Lambert and Grozinger.
The Finance Committee made
partial report in relation to the bill
of Michael Grady, and the matter
was recommitted.
Mr.. Hill from Finance Committee
reported in regard to taxes due from
insurance companies. The report
was received and the Sergeant in
structed to call on all agents OF such
companies and learn the amount OF
business done on which they are LA
BILE to Corporation taxes.
Mr.. Parks, special committee to
ascertain cost of having portion of
report of Chairman Of Water Board
printed, reported not having yet re-
ceived bids.
The Sergeant was instructed to
rent at public renting, on Saturday,
March IS, the room in market house
now occupied by Mr.. Lambert.
On motion the Treasurer was au-
thorized to receive from the Auditor
of State, the money due from rail-
road taxes.
Mr.. Hill offered his resignation as
a member of the Council, to take eff
feet at the close of the first term,
May 31st. Mr.. Hill stated that he
thus early offered his resignation,
that his place could be filed after
due consideration. Mr.. Hill would
have a year to serve from the LIST of
June next. The Mayor and Mr..
Parks and others of the Council ex-
pressed regrets at his resignation, as
he had been a useful and hard work
ing member. His resignation was
reluctantly accepted.
On motion a rebate of head taxes
amounting to $4 and interest was al
lowed DR.. Hunter, as member of
the fire company.
DR.. McSherry's report of visit to
Hagerstown in relation to small pox
there was read, showing that while
there was several cases near the town
it was not epidemic, and not neces-
sary to quarantine. Report receiv-
ed and bill of expenses ordered paid.
Mr.. Parks offered a resolution
that a Committee be appointed to
inquire into the expense, manner
and expediency of lighting the
streets.
On this motion, he remarked that
as the Council had already deter
termined as soon as the finances
would admit, to light the town, he
thought it was now time to appoint
a Committee to inquire into the ex
pediency of doing so. The people
had waited patiently. He thought
we ought to curtail the expenses Of
putting in water, if necessary. in or
der to light the streets. AT any
rate, 1t would dono harm to inquire
into the expediency of so doing.
Mr.. Showers said that as the
terms of half of the present council
would soon expire, he did not think
il right for them to vote appropria
tions and incur heavy responsibilities
for their successors to assume and
look after. He thought the matter
of lighting ought to be left to the
new Council as they would have to
provide the means to meet the bills
The Mayor said this question had
engaged the attention of the Coun
ell at different times during the past
wear or two. So far as he knew not
a member was opposed to lighting
the streets. Why should they not
be as much in favor of it as any 9th
er citizen of the town ? They are
all property owners, otherwise they
could not be members of the Coun-
Gil. They are as much interested in
the property or the town as any oth
er citizens, and would be as much
benefited by light. Then why have
they not voted for light Simply
because, being in position to know
they believe the finances would not
Justify it. They are all in favor of
light provided they can pay for it
and not embarass or jeopardise the
credit of the corporation, which has
by close economy and the exercise
of good business judgment been
brought up from worse than moth
ing four years ago to par now. He
had agreed with the Council in this
position, and had always been, and
was now in favor of lighting the
streets, provided we were able to pay
for it. If the Treasurer would sub
NIT a statement showing our ability