The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-07-10

ceiptS from fines ETC., $1650.40.
The city assessor and collector re-
ported that the city water company
refused to pay further ground rents.
Report of the city physician was
not read.
Above reports were all referred.
Alderman Hill appeared and took
his seat.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Committee reported unfavorably ON
petition of citizens, asking that certain
street bridges be repaired instead oil
removed. The city engineer recon
mended that the bridges be removed
on account of their being rotten and
liable to subject the city to damages.
A minority report by Aid. Brush
favored the bridges being repaired in
stead of removed.
Aid. Platt and Campbell argued
that crossings could be made, which
would be safer and cheaper, than the
bridges.
Aid. Sutor took his seat.
Aid. Wells and Hancock argued
the bridges should be repaired for
the present.
The object of the minority report
| is to stop the removal of the
bridges.
Alderman Brush said it would take
500 each crossing to change from
bridges to graded culverts.
Mayor Robertson said the city en-
gineer estimated the expense would
average $50 each crossing.
The council refused 30 substitute
the minority report, and the majority
report was adopted-ayes, IL; nays. 3.
This leaves the existing ordinance
unchanged.
Alderman Croker, for committee,
reported report of city physician ex-
amined and correct.
THE DRISKILL HOTEL.
Alderman Hancock, for special COM
mittee, reported that the fire compan-
les whose engine house on Bots dare
street, embraces the property on which
the proposed Driskill hotel is to be built
made no objection to the transfer of
the property to Col. Driskill, provided
the companies are provided with other
desirable locations for their engine
houses.
The motion to postpone was lost.
Alderman Hancock offered and
spoke in favor of resolution providing
for transfer of the property to Col.
Driskill at the price offered by that
gentleman.
Aldermen Schuber and Underhill
took their seats.
Alderman Hill argued that the city
would lose money by the sale, that it
would cost more to rehouSe the fire
companies elsewhere as desirably than
the price offered for the property by
Col. Driskil would cover. The offer
81, 500 was not sufficient. He wanted
the colonel to reserve the right to re-
move the engine houses.
Aldermen Wells and Hancock ar
gued that the fire companies could be
as well housed and satisfactorily to
them for $500. Mr.. Hancock speci-
fed as suitable location that could
he secured east of the Cumberland
and Presbyterian church for $275O.
Alderman Underhill favored post
poning and referring the matter to a
committee to investigate and further
report on the subject. He was in
favor Of the enterprise if it incurred
no loss to the city.
Alderman Hills motion that the
CITY reserve the right of removing the
engine houses 30 as to retain the ma
terial was discussed pro and con by
Aldermen Hill and Hancock.
Alderman Platt argued that the
old material would be comparatively
worthless to the city-not worth the
expense of removing.
Alderman Croker contended the
expense OF removing would more than
offset the value of the material, and
deprive the companies of quarters till
the new engine houses ere built.
The Hanct ok resolution was fin
ally passed.. Ayes, IA; nays, 4; the
latter being MessTs. Schneider, Schn-
Der, Cud~rniil aiid Hill,