Asheville daily citizen., 1894-01-13
LIFE IN THE OLD BOARD
SCENES At THE LAST ALDER
MANIC MEETING.

some Unusually Plain Talk He
tween r.. G. Carrier Ana Alder
man Jone s-The Mark House
Comes Near Causing a Tie.
Alderman ]. NJ. Gudger was the only
Alderman that was not present at
the yesterday afternoon meeting,
which was one of the liveliest that the
Reformers have held, and which went
along with "zipp" that at times caused
things in general to s'zzle. The missing
member was present at mnute-reading
but was called away soon after.
The debt of the city to the West Ashe-
vile Improvement company for street
lighting was an early topic of consid-
Grafton. Readers of THE CITIZEN will
understand this case il they have kept
trace of the doirgs of the Board. Quite
recently the parties to the difference got
a step nearer together and it was prom
ised L. G. Carrier, president of the COM
pany. that part of the money should be
paid him soon. Mr.. Carrier appeared at
yesterdays meeting aid Inquired as tc
whether he might get payment on
account. Mayor Patton explained that
the matter was in the finance committee s
hands for report, and that as Mr.. Car
rier had made no return or statement as
to his business IN the city the committee
could arrive at no idea as to the tax
which the companyis due the city, which
was to be deducted from the bill, and
that report could not be made until
some such statement was rendered.
Mr.. Jones-Why not hear that state
ment now and maybe we can arrange
to pay Mr.. Carrier something.
The Mayor-Because one Of the mem
bers H. Redwood OF the committee is
not here.
Mr.. Carrier--As understand it, he is
not member of the Board of Aldermen
at all.
A Member Still.
The Mayor-But he is member of the
finance committee, and an active mem
Der.
Mr.. Carrier said his company had
made no return of taxable property ir
June because at that time there was little
or nothing in the way of their incan
descent system for taxation. Moreover
the city in its special levy charged the
West Asheville company twice as much
the speaker said, as the other electric
company was charged. His company
would not object topaying nyequltablt
tax.
Mr.. Joncs-Wcll, it is not right to dis
criminate.
The Mayor-But it is not discrimina
tion. The one companyis located out O
the city and pays no other tax here
while the other pays all its tax here.
Mr.. S,armes Grows FacetiOus.
Mr.. Starnes-Does the Board collec
taxes now? Has Mr.. Fagg asked th'
Board to take charge Ct this matter?
think we ought to pay Mr.. Carrier some
thing il we can do so.
Mr.. Westall thought that in justice t.
MIR. Carrier the Board ought to pa,
: what it could on account. The Mayo
then suggested that $1,000 be paid
Mr.. Gudgrr caught the idea and movet
. the payment OF that amount. The mo
tion was carried.
This having been disposed of thu
Mayor showed last months lighting bill
Of the company, which bill was no
itemized. He submitted that the financ
committee CT uld do nothing with tn
bill in that condition. The Jumping O
the bill was explained by MIR. Carrier, b
claiming that in making up the forme
bills, deductions tor poor lights wer
made; then, on top of this the tinanc
committee made deductions to accor
with the chi, of police's report, virtually
according to this statement, amounting
to double deduction. To avoid thi
the lump till was rendered.
MIR. Jones about this time remarkc
that Mr.. Carrier seemed to think tn
city wanted to take advantage of him.
Plain TaIk, Certain.
MIR. Carricr-lt not only wants to; /
has done it.
Mr.. Jones warmly)-lou are ycr
much mistaken, sir. My knowledge {
these gentlemen with whom am Il.
sociated assures me that they are a
anxious to do you full justice at tn
same time protecting the city. You al
TOO suspicious. II you will come u
fairly and squarely, am sure it will nc
take long to get settlement of the ma
ter.
The Mayor-Gentlemen, suggest th;
this discussion end here.
Mr.. Carrier drew from his pocket
paper, seemingly copy of the tinant
committees report soon after the adver
of the Reformers to the effect that II
- contract could be found between the cit
and the light company. He asked:
"ls not that enough to make ma
suspicious?"
- Mr.. Jones-I signed that report.
original of the contract was found, b,
a copy of the contract.
Mr.. Carrier-The contract was in Il
\ hands Of the former city attorney.
Mr.. Jones--lt was your business
bring it here. Your withholding OF Il
data at that time left the imprcssc
chat you were afraid to trust the Boal
OF Aldermen, which is not the prop
spirit to show. confess that when thi
report was made was inclined to thit
you were trying topractice fraud. Yo,
whole conduct before the Board at thu
time was such as would arouse a su
,. picion in the breast Of any man that VI
were practcing fraud upon the city.
- In closing his exceedingly plain tai
- although he was seen to be talking wi
the intensest earncstness, Mr.. Jones d
claimed any feeling in the matter al
said some good things about what NJ
Carrier had done for this section.
Mr.. Carrier. during this very unusu
scene, il he were made to smart und
the words Of Mr.. Jones, gave little e,
dencc of it in his outward expressio
He explained that he had been misu
derstood as to the advantage" the ci
had taken of him. The advantage
meant was in the apparent double {
duction for imperfect lights. And til
the incident, an almost unprecedent
l..