The daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1889-1890, 1890-02-08
THE COMMITTEE's REPORT.
Board Of Aldermen Talk Paving
and Adjourn without Action.

Board Of Aldermen Talk Paving
and Adjourn without Action.
When the Board of Aldermen adjourned
last night the report of the committee
appointed last Tuesday evening to look
into the street paving matter was in
sadly disfgured state.
The document was submitted by Al
derman Pulliam. 1t was in the shape of
contract, unsigned. with Gen. Young,
and called for the paving OF one mile OF
street nearest to the court house square
with HOLLYWOOD blocks. on a Hale patent
foundation. The contract covered a
number ofpagcs of legal cap paper, gave
the plan to be followed in laying the
pavement and seemed to be iron clad.
The consideration was fixed at $1.S5
per square yard.
In making the contract Mr.. Pulliam
explained the idea OF the committee. l,
was true that at the previous meeting
resolutions had been adopted instructinP
the committee to advertise for bids. Pre-.
vious to this Gen. Young had talked
openly of what his figures would be, and
upon the adoption Of the resolutions by
the council he decided to withdraw. His
bid was, however, to the knowledge OF
the committee fair and just one, and
they finally decided to make a contract
with him at the figures named for tn,
laying OF the pavement. That was thu
reason of the contract submitted las,
night.
The document was drawn by the city
attorney. 1t stated that the work was
to be done under the supervision of tn,
Board Of Aldermen and city engineer ;
that it was to be begun on or before
unc 1, 1890, and completed on OF
before November /. 1890. The means
for the payment were 81 900 on the COM
petion of each quarter mile and the bal
ance in five equal payments. In case OF
n disagreement between the committee
and Mr.. Young a board OF arbitrators
to consist of one for each party, and who
were to be entirely disnterestcd persons,
were to be chosen, and in case of disa
grecmcnt between them they were To APP
point an umpire.
A small portion of the macadam
already ON the streets was to be used by
the contractor. the rest was left at the
option of the city.
Mr.. Richmond Pearson. who was pres
ent, asked the Board if they had right
to contract debt of this kind.
I'm matter of this kind involving an
Expenditure Of money so great, believe
it good thing to look into" he contin-
ued. About how much will this amount
Of pavement cost ?"
Something like $30,0OO," answered
Mayor Blanton.
And can you make such a contract ?"
He was informed that the Board had
counseled with the city attorney and
that they had been advised that they
could.
"Thcn you can as we'll authorize the
laying Of ten miles Of pavement rs well
as one mile" said Mr.. Pearson, land
want to say to you gentlemen that il
you have the power to tax this city in
the sum of $500. 900 for street improve
mcnts you are vested with grave respon-
sibilitics."
Alderman Miller showed here the city
code, and article 100 he read. 1t was to
the effect that it is among the powers OF
the Board of Aldermen to borrow money
only by vote of majority of the voters
of the city.
1t was explained to him that no money
would he borrowed.
lie read from section l0+, which stated
that the commissioners were authorized
to issue bonds for the Improvement of the
streets but only in the sum of $4,000.
II am bondholdcr of this city," he
said, "and il the city is to issue $40, 900
worth of bonds at once for street i'm.
provcmcnts, it will perhaps lower the
value of Ashcvillc's bonds"
Then everybody took hand in speak.
ing Of the report. W. Penniman, Major
Pcnniman, T, ". Patton and T. A. Jones
were among those who spoke, and after
a discussion lasting fully un hour, il was
decided to leave the matter until Tuesday
evening when n special meeting will b,
held to consider il.