San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-04-16
MUNICIPAL MATTERS.
A HOMOGENEOUS SESSION YESTER-
DAY AFTERNOON
The Protest of the Fire Companies-The
New Police Oficers-The Democratic
Hall at the Springs and
Other Matters.

A session of the City Council, pur-
suant to adjournment, was held yester-
day afternoon, a full board of aldermen
being present.
The minutes of the last meeting were
read End approved, and the following
petitions and memorials were then read ::
W. G. Monigan: Asking for remission
of So fine by the Recorder. Granted.
Citizens: TO have street opened
through the breckenridge property to
connect with the BlnZ-Englemann road.
Referred to Special Committee.
Paul Wagner: For deed of relinquish-
ment Referred to Committee on Petit
tions and Ordinances and City Attorney.
F.A. Pelleton: For reduction OF as
sessment for 1885. Assessment Commit
tee.
Ed Stoves, ST.: Offering to sell
strip of land TO the city on Sycamore
street for $3.50. Deferred. a resolution
having been passed by the Council to
condemn same.
Sam Maverick for remission OF taxes
on property decided to the city. Assess
ment Committee.
Herman Heiligmann, Inspector OF
Weights and Measures, for forage allow
ance. Finance Committee.
Mrs. Z. A. Stribbl'ng for building
permit. Fire Committee.
Proposition from Hilton Il Young,
offering to sell property on Trinity
street for gravel pits. Committee on
Streets and Bridges.
A. Drefilich for reduction of assess
ment. Assessment Committee.
The following communication from
Chief Duerler was read:
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, April T. 1886.
To the Hon. Mayor and Board of Aldermen,
San Antonio, TeYas:
CENTENNIAL IA regular monthly meeting
OF the Board of Fire Directors, held April 3,
1886, the following resolutions were read and,
on motion, unanimously adopted, and the Sec
rotary instructed to transmit a copy of the
same TO your honorable body.
Attest: HARRY c. MILLER, Secretary.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, April ), 1886.
To the Board of Fire Directors, San Antonio:
GENTLEMEN-Permitm me to offer the follow
ing resolution:
Whereas, "The San Antonio Times" has re-
pcatedly published insinuatiOns rejecting up
on the efficiency of this Fire Department 10y
advocating paid system, etc; therefore be IL
Resolved by this Board of Fire Directors in
regular meeting assembled, that the Honor
able City Council be requested to consider this
matter. and If deemed advisable, to disband
the present volunteer force and institute
paid Dire department.
The mover of this resolution, As well as
every member of this board, is fully aware
that the criticism OF our press Is in almost
every instance unjust and unwarranted, pIHC-
ing us in a ridiculous position before our fell
lou oft tIhA TTnn nFfN md "a a
have upon more than one occasion rescued
from the merry elements.
Are We the members of this fire depart
ment, TO be held responsible for the reckless
manner in which many buildings have been
erected, which, by the time an alarm can be
sounded, are beyond all human efforts to saver
Have we ever allowed fire to extend beyond
immediate CONTROL We have not, and you
will bear me out in this assertion. But If our
citizens have no longer any confidence in our
ability, it is time for us to step aside.
| am fully aware that whenever the growth
and wealth of city becomes such that II paid
fire department can be maintained without
too great hardship upon the Taxpayers
(amOng whom we are all included il is but
proper to institute il, and no one would more
cheerfully relinqush control than the men
who are now ever ready TO respond to the
dread sound of the alarm bells, rain or shine,
night or day.
But, gentlemen, has this day arrived Are
we, as citizens of san Antonio, willing to in
cur an annual expense of s33,G45, besides SIS
So, 695, to maintain a paid fire department,
which is the smallest estimate can make, al
lowing the lowest salary and the iewest posi-
BILE number of men. / say no. Not so long as
we have willing hands who will do it without
pay and with no other motive than desire to
help those of our people who may be in need
of our assistance.
Trusting these remarks may meet with APP
proval, ] am very respectfully
GA. DUERLER,
Chief of Fire Department
This communication was referred to
the Fire Committee.
The following new police officers were,
In accordance with the recommendation
of the Police Committee, nominated and
elected: IF. Kroeger, to fill vacancy;
Steve Dolan, z. w. Seffel, Aleje Perez,
Frank Dalcourt and j. +. Brown.
The Engineer submitted report esti-
mating that 1t would cest 1858 to repair
erty. Adopted.
The removal of distractions from
alley between Avenues b and G were
ordered.
Thirty-six dollars was appropriated
for clearing Quitman street.
The Finance Committee stated that
S42,2 worth Of bonds, bearing 10 per
cent interest, had been taken and can
celled, being replaced with bonds bear
ing per cent interest.
The same committee reported in favor
of allowing contractors running scraper
teams an increase TO $3.50 per day from
So. Rejected by vote of 8 to 3.
The Puzzle Improvement Committee
reported on the Jack Harris corner,
and recommended that $3.50 be paid
Mrs. Sarah b. Smith, the owner, for
portion Of the property necessary to
widen Soledad street.
Mackey brought in minority report
to pay $947. 80 for less amount, or to
assess one-half the sum against those
property holders who would be bene-
flied by the improvement.
1t was argued by French that the
proposition and plat was not In accord
ance with the plans drawn by the En-
gineer, and finally moved that the city
proceed to condemn the property
under section pol of the city charter,
which was adopted by vote Of 7 TO 3.
The Streets and Bridges Committee
made an unfavorable report on the reso-
luton to gravel Live Oak street.
Fifteen dollars were appropriated to
build a bridge over the San Pedro ditch
at Arkansas street and the approaches to
Conception creek were ordered graded.
The Fire Committee recommended
that Leonardo Castigbona be granted a
building permit. Adopted.
The same committee submitted re-
ports of Ditch Commissioners, which
were ordered filed.
The Assessment Committee recon-
menasd the correction of J. +. Prices
assessment, as prayed for, be granted.
Adopted.
Eliza Singers, II. +. Loeherberg's
and n niaflar's natitinn xyara raiantad