The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-05-22
CITY FATHERS.
CITY FATHERS.
old Council Adjourn Sine Die Organization Of
the New-Lighting the Streets, and
/ other Matters.

The Mayor and Common Council met on
Monday night last, all being present except
Councilman Reese, whose absence was una.
voidable. TIE meeting lasted from until
IL. 80, and those who think the city officials
have but little to do should attend one OF
their meetings.
After the Council was called to order, John
L. Reifsnider and Vim. A. Cunningham, q
committee from the Westminster Light
Company, replied to a note OF inquiry from
the Council, relative to putting down more
mains and the lighting of the lamps. Mr..
Cunningham stated that, for contract for
FIVE years, the board of directors would agree
to lay mains on Green street, from Washing
ton street to the Railroad, on Union, Web
ster and College streets. This, he said, would
involve a considerable outlay, as the distance
the pipes were to be extended was nearly two
miles. The work would be commenced I'M
mediately upon the contamination OF the con-
tract, and if made at once, would be com
pleted by fall As to the price of gas, per
lamp, the Company would make it $40 per
annum. seventeen nights month, at the
present arrangement, burning until ~ CLOCK
from October to April, and until 1880 from
April to October This, the company con
cluded, would be the minimum, and he further
stated that there was but little profit IN 1t at
where, he said $50 per lamp was paid at An
napolis, S25 at Cambridge, SIS at Easton, pc
at Frostburg, SIG at Chambersburg, Pa; S2l
at bloomsbury, Pa; $3.50 per 1000 feet al
Gettysburg, Pa; and SIT at Reading, Pa. The
lamps at Reading number 2l5, and burn all
night. but most of the towns burned about as
in Westminster.
Mr.. Reifsnider stated that it must be re-
membered that Western Maryland and Penn
svlyania towns were nearer to the coal fields
than Westminster, and the cost OF coal was
less. 49,
Mr.. Cunningham, continuing, said that Sl5
per lamp was about the rate OF ~ per looe
feet. The Gas Company did not propose to
be rigid in the contract, and would not com,
plain if the town was lit up an extra night
during very cloudy weather, or if the lamps
occasionally burned little after the usual
hours.
The Council are considering the proprlety Of
burning few lamps all night, and in reply to q
question as to the cost, the committee SAID
any number not exceeding twelve could be
burned the entire night at $50 per lamp.
The Council will consider the proposition
carefully, and will decide on the matter short
ly, and the committee retired.
The Council some years ago contracted with
the gas company to light the lamps at SooG
per year. The lamps tnen huupereu ~, 'nu
the rate was SIS per lamp. The lamps have
been gradually increased to 90, but the gas
company has not been receiving anything foi
the ten extra outside the contract.
Clerk Baughman submitted his financial
report for the month, showing that he had on
hand at the beginning Sl4.52, collected SS45:'
81 taxes, $40 license, and old taxes Sl52. 10;
The disbursements amounted to $40 IL, and
Sl57. So more belong to the Water Company,
leaving balance of Sl24.34.
Bills of L. J. Await, for S25, and Chas. ID.
Baughman, commissions, for SIS. "a were
passed. The yearly reports were laid over,
and the Council adjourned sine die.
Justice George W. Matthews was present
and administered the oath ofofice to Messrs.
Fink, Myer, Gehr and Stouch. Mayor Schaef,
fer took the oath of office before the Clerk OF
the Circuit Court, and Justice Matthews quail
fled Mr.. Reese at his residence.
Clerk Baughman organized the new Coun-
ell. On motion of Mr.. Gehr, Mr.. Fink was
chosen president. Mayor Schaeffer nominal
ed Chas H. Baughman for Clerk and Chas.
Z. Fink for Treasurer, both nominations be-
ing confirmed George r. Gehr and Thomas
R. Myer were appointed committee on finance,
and George Il. Gehr and Orlando Reese a
committee to confer with the Gas Company.
/ The whole amount of the town bonds have
been sold. They realized 81, 502.6S, and the
l. L ,,,,.l,aI follouc.