The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-11
DEEP WATER MOVEMENT DE-
FUNCT CITY BANK OF
HOUSTON.
Special Telegram to the Statesman

oPcIial leleSrdlu 10 Ile statesman.
GALVESTON, February 9-To-morrow evening
there Will he special meeting of the city council
This meeting is called for two purposes The first
matter for consideration will be the report of the
committee on deep water and harbor improve
ments. This committee, consisting of Aldermen
Fowler and Weis and citizens Sinclair and Hawley.
was appointed at a meeting of the city council sew
eral weeks ago, and were Instructed to prepare a
memorial on the deep water question for submits
body to act inteligently, appropriate generously
and legislate wisely in behalf of Galveston and
deep water What action the council will see
their special committee upon this vital subject be-
fore congress is difficult to foreshadow, iD view of
the conflicting opinions prevailing here as to how
and under what direction and supervision the work
to secure deep water in this part should be
placed. The second matter for consideration
by the council will be the contents of the letter of
Hon VIM. II. Grain, addressed to Hon
r. l.. Fulton, in which the distinguished con-
gressman suggests to the mayor that the city
postoce building from the general 5 'Ge goveFn@ent
for the sum of $5O0OO that if the city will agree to
make this purchase of the government it will Sc
cure building adequate in every respect for city
hall Mr.. Grain says it will enable him to get an
appropriation through the present congress for
public building that will accommodate and provide
facilities for the transaction of all government bus
mess at Galveston both judicial and civil 1t is
doubtful from the opinions expressed by number
of aldermen whether the suggestions of the rising
young bJhleSlndn from L0e 'SnOeStrlng
district will be concurred in
At all events, the call session will be an interest
ing one.
The hearing of the contempt charges brought by
Receiver Dillingham;, of the ii. & 7. G. road as
an officer of the United States, against Mayor Ba-
ker, Cashier Weems, and directors Brewster and
Mcllhenny, of the defunct City Bunk of Houston,
were renewed this morning before Circuit Judge
Pardee. The evidence on the part of the defend
ants, ,-Nentr tUrshoN that they, as Sofeere of the
bank, had perpetrated no Intentional fraud upon
the receiver, or any of their depositors but that
the heavy losses sustained by the bank had seri-
ously crippled them, and they had suffered far
more than any OF the banks other creditors
In these arguments to the court, the attorneys
for Baker and Brewster held that they had never
received legal snotice; that their bank had by an
,rder of this court been specially designated as
depository for the reception of funds belonging to
the court that such notice to each officer and di-
rector was necessary in order to bring them within
the jurisdiction of the court in their individual ca
pacty. 1t was also maintained that no quasi Grim
inal proceedings for contempt could lie again re-
spondents until the debt had been established by
civil proceedings. Members of the bar listened TO
the arguments with great interest, as the case is
very exceptional one and the question one of vital
importance to four well-known citizens of Harris
county. The judge finally announced that he
would render his decision at the March term of the
court, and the special session adjourned. This |
disposition of the case something of surprise
to the attorneys both sides, as they anticipated
an immediate decision. Judge Pardee, Receiver |
Mayor Baker, and others left by this
evenings train for home.