Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1891-04-07

Der that | was very much surprised
when heard from Mr. Cobb, that it was
proposed TO pass the bill in such shape
that it would become law without be-
ing voted on by the people. But as no.
body present seemed to be opposed to it,
| took no decided stand against it.
| am certainly not responsible for the
idea, did not originate IL, but il com
mltued sin in not opposing the Others
present, then have sinned.
The impression conveyed by Mr.. Cobb S
letter that Mr.. Blanton took the oppO-
site course, should not be allow ID to pre-.
vail, for it is not correct. Mr Reed, our
representative III the legislature, is the
man who took the stand that the people
should be allowed to vote on the bill.
Mr.. S. II. Reed his brother here, was re-
qucs,cd TO write to him and urge him
to pass the bill, but he declined to
do it except in shape so as to
be voted on BY the people. Then il
got talked rourd on the street and
many people agreed with Mr. Reed,
This was on Saturday, Feb. l4th., and
on that day wrote to Mr. Cobb, at
Raleigh, saying that the general scnti-
mcnt seemed to be that the people should
be allowed to vote on it. This was the
Some day, think, that Mr. Blanton
tclcgraphed Mr.. Cobb TO the same effect.
Mr. BInnton is welcome to all the credit
he can get out OF these facts.
! Now, Chen, rs to the part had in the
drawing of the bill | regret that Mr..
Cobb has sprung this matter on me, for
! shall dc forced to say some things |
would ,athcr not. Before going into
chat ma,ter let me premise that It was
d, Mi. Cobb's request that ! wrote out
my views on several points covered by
the bill and that did not undertake to
dic,atc to Mr. Cobb.
Some OF these SUGGESTIONS he III, orpora-
tco almost verbatl,uin the bill AS ne says,
These suggestions are embraced in that
part of Sec s whicl, provides way fur
land owners to subdivido then land be.
fore lien is put on it, so as to subdivide
tho lien as well as the land, thus cnabl-
ing them to sell md transfer any lot dis.
charged Of all lcn except its own pro.
pottionate part. have heard no CON.
plant as to thee provisions They are
obviously in the =, rest Of all, and dam.
age no one.
The provision of Sa'u section rela live tc
filing map IN tie ,crk's Office showing
he liens on he ditirreui lots, and arccorG
book showing payments, was also Sug
gcSted by me.
On one occasion Mr. Cobb told us that
ne was going in for half million dollars
bonds or more, which gave NE great sur
prise, as had not contemplated such a
big thing. | then suggested finance
commission as check and safeguard
and a few minutes later Mr Powell cam,
in and sad the same thing. NV rccollec
rign is that Mr.. Cobp thought it WAS un
'",essary, and on going to my Office
wrote Nj. Cobb letter, of which tho
following is an exact copy,
ASHEv,LLE, N. c., Feb. 6, 1891.
I. II. Conn Esq, City. My Dear Sir
Pardon me for trying to put into somt
definite shape my suggestion in re@arc
to The proposed sinking fund, think
here are two serious objections to leav
ing it in he hands of he aldermen. One
is that it is extremely liable to get mixec
up with the general funds Of the city
and thus be liable to be Spcut tor the
purposes tAis might he avoided BY
having Il separate bank deposit for that
= YOU can see how great the temptation
would be to borrow from the fund TO-
temporary cXigcnceS. In my opinion
these facts would weigh so heavily witt
bondhodcrs, or father with seekers o
such investments, that they would re
gard the proposed lien as of small value
The second objection is that the hand
ling Of this fund might become an objcc
and promises OF iavors in case of election
, might become the means of clction as al
alderman. Furthermore, do not thin
the management of such large fun
| ought ia lac entrusted To a body of mel
e elected by popular vote as aldermen, Il
p they are liable to be men not qualitic
. for such business, think finance con
3. mittce, paid for their work, and givin
$ heavy bonds would be the correct thin.
{ BY the way, what would you think
T. the plan of making the asscssments o
\ tNe abutting property tall due, say, 81
. months before maturity OF the bond
{ drawing interest in the mean time, payi
=, bic semianruaIly, The interest not to c
d cccd the interest on the bonds. Th
d would bc in the nature of speCi
a stated tax, or ground rent, the prinCip
,r falling due at a stated time, and wou
= of course be lien on the laud. In Il
,c event of subdivision and sale it wou
o cause confusion, but the adjustment
d charges could be made the SUBJECT ol p
II vate agreement
N Furthermore, it might beprovided tht
/ the owner uf property so charged, al
it who desired to clear his property of su
mcumbrance, could do SD by the purcha
e. OF bonds to an amount not less thi
o. such charges and surrender them for ca
ne collation.. Yours very truly,
lr w. b. GWyn
o. The public can see my exact position
n the subject OF the hnance commission, a
'c- also in regard to the time people Dug
ia to he allowed to make payment.
IL not undertake to say that my views {
ty better than those of Others but | "
II, much astonshed when read the bill
III find that it was drawn like an ironcl
" mortgage with power of sale on defa
as OF payment OF the first installment.
We gard this as severe and useless, bu
don't think any mayor and board W
X, hearts IN their bosoms will sell out q
mt poor man under that Section
When Mr., Cobb came back from
, leigh and was advised that public sc,
ment demanded the election of an ad
orv committee, he asked me to write
my views on that subject. Among OF
red things, suggested that all question
paving, and all contracts for paw
must be approved by at least four of
l, l advisory committee, This suggest
ent was not followed, On the contrary
lie bill reads that the mayor and boar
H. alderman and the advisory commi
~ shall constitute joint commission,
ION that four members of the board OF al
men must be present before any busine
+. transacted, According to that, the ad
orv committee can attend or stay av
as they please, or one or two of t
> can go and participate, ther being
ling sent, and the acts of those present
L., l,;,J;pu IN thP ritV IL all are 7