The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-05-21
CITY COUNCIL.
Regular Meeting Of the Municipal
Fathers, and What They Did
Last Night.

|
/ Last Night.
Eleven Councilmen responded tC
their names last night, not enough fol
4 working quorum, Whereupon Alder
man Schuber moved for call of the
Council, and the Marshal was ordered
to bring in the absentees. Several more
soon dropped In.
A petition was read from d. w.
Weaver, asking permission to put
platform scales on East Bots dare
street, at the old stage stand. Granted
A report from the Chief of the Aus
| tin Fire Department was read, call
ing attention to the condition of the
public cisterns. The report suggests
that the cisterns be inspected, and re-
paired where needed. A few
of the tisterns needed new
stone coaping and iron caps.
They should be kept full of water at
all times. so as to be available in case
of necessity.
The report of the committee on
paying Green Hamilton $3.50 for dam
ages to his house from an overflow of
Waller Creek, was read. 1t recon-
mended that the amount be not paid,
and the Council concurred in the re-
port by IL to 2.
The committee to whom was re-
ferred the ordinance granting pay to
the Chief, Assistant Chief and Re-
corder of the Fire Department, and
also to one tillerman each for Hook
and Ladder No. and Protection No.
3, reported unfavorably regarding
paying salaries to the first three, but
favorably as regards paying the tiller-
men.
Alderman Platt moved to lay the
matter of drawing up an ordinance to
establish market limits, on the table. He
inveighed against the plan of COMPEL
ing the butchers to do business at
particular places. 1t was an old fogy
idea, and should not be enforced. The
proposition to lay on table was de
feated.
The following report from the
committee on water and gas was
read
Your committee to whom was re-
ferred a proposition of the Capital
Gas Light Company, to light
the streets Of the city at the price
of $1.75 per lamp, per month, RECON-
mend that the same be accepted and
that the Mayor be authorized to enter
into a contract for said street lighting
for a period of not less than two
years. Signed by Lewis Hancock,
Chairman of committee. The Coun-
Gil adopted the report.
An ordinance, levying an
ad valorem tax of one per cent. on all
property, real and personal, within
the city of Austin, made taxable for
State and county purposes, for the
year 1885, was read, and by a unan1
nous vote the rules were suspended
and the ordinance passed.
Another ordinace was unanimously
passed, levying an ad vslorem tax of
one third of one per cent. on all pro
perty, real and personal, within the
city of Austin, made taxable for
State and county purposes, for the
year 1885, for the support of the pub
lie free schools in said city.
Alderman Hancock introduced an
ordinance authorizing contract
with the Capital Gaslight Company,
as follows: that the May
or is hereby authorized to
enter into contract
with the Capital Gas Light Co. for
lighting and taking care of fifty street
lamps, to be located on the mains of
said company under the directions of
the street committee, at price not to
exceed $1.75 per month per lamp; the
city to have the right to require the
erection. and lighting of any addition
al lamps, on same or any new mains
of. said company; said contract to
cover a period of less than two years;
said company shall give good and suf-
fcient bond in the sum of So 800 to Sc
cure due performance of its obliga-
lions.
A communication from the mayor
was read asking consent to the ap-
pointment of aldermen, J. Schuber, &.
Warren and r. J. Hill, and Messrs.
Galen Crow and J. p. Kirk, as board
of appraisers and equalization on the
assessment of city property, for taxes
for the year 1885. The nominations
wereconirmed by Council.
Alderman Brennan introduced a
| resolution to increase the regular
police force from twelve TO twenty
| policemen, exclusive of the Marshal
and Sergeant of Police. He spoke in
favor of the increase, and argued the
present number was totally made
Quate to put down crime.
| Alderman Metz: cit don't matter
if you have a hundred if they are nc
better than those we have now
General smiles). Resolution was re-
ferred.
Alderman Hancock introduced a re
solution to the effect that the present
stoppage of the water supply was
viewed with great apprehension, anG
that no excuse could be seen fol
such a state of affairs. Tht
Mayor was therefore requested
to Investigate the matter and repor
to the Council what steps, if any car
be taken to prevent a re-occurrence O.
this calamity, and to compel the com
pany to supply the water for which
the city and citizens pay for.
Council then adjourned.