Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1894-12-08
MAYORS SEM!-ANNUAL REPORT
FULL STATEMENT OF THE ClTY's
CONDITION.

CONDITION.
Franchise Wanted by the Asheville and
Biltmore street Railway CO.-The
Lighting Characterization From
Butchers Put Under the Table.
Alderman Henry Redwood Was at the
meeting Of the Board yesterday after
noon, having lately returned from trip
to the metropolis partly in the interest
of the football science. All Of the men,
bcrs were present except H. L. Gudger.
and three things OF Importance we're
before the body: the seni.annual report
OF the Mayor, the action upon the con-
tract with the West Asheville Improve
ment company and the question of the
renewal of franchise to the Asheville
and Biltmore Street Railway company.
When the latter question was taken
up ], S. S. Adams. esq. and Others inter.
ested we're present. The Mayor read the
proposed ordinance, w hich conveys fran
chise to the company for an Unlimited
time. the route being from the city limits
over South Main street to Valley, up
Valley to Sycamore or Eagle, up Syca.
more or Eagle to Market and over Mar
ket to the square near City Hall. 1t is
provided, however. that the charter shall
not be deemed exclusive. The company
shall begin work within four months Of
the granting Of the charter, failing to do
which it shall forfeit its rights. 1t is
provided that the company shall give
written notice of its acceptance within
80 days after the passage Of the ordi-
nance, and $4,000 bond must be given
tor the careful replacing of the pavement
wherever torn up. Freights may be car
ried over the line. but heavy articles may
be utloaded only at such points as may
be designated BY the Board.
The Committees Report.
Following this ordinance there was a
report from Messrs. Guiger and Blair,
the special committee appointed there
for, on the question. In this report the
committee says it conceives that the
citizens generally are in favor OF increas.
ing the facilities of rapid and cheap
transportation, and at the same time
recognizes its duty to protect the sire. Is
OF the city from damage as far as is
pt ssible. The recommendation are that
with such alterations in the wording OF
the ordinance as the city attorney and
the Board NAV deem necessary fran
chsc he granted for a street railway
alorg South Main from the city limits tC
Valley street. provided the line shall be
located on the east side Of the east curl
OF the street; that the comp nv shall
hold the city harmless from all claim:
for damages that may be made; that tht
company before beginning the worl
shall obligate itself to put down the full
width of the sidewalk which it propose.
to occupy, with brick, under the CITY en-
einecr's supervision; that in lieu Of thu
ordinance submitted by the applicant
one shell be drafted by the city attor
ney. embracing such suggestions as th
committee may make to him. and tina
: the committee be continued for this pur
J. pose. When all this has been done, tn
report said, the committee would sub
nit the work to the Board. recommend
ing its adoption. The report close
with: Beyond the expression Of a de
sire to promote in all legitimate way
the extension Of travelling facilities. you
committee recommend that you do no
commit yourselves in this matter"
In the discussion which followed Jos
S. Adams, repre- senting the company
said that in the main he was grati6e
with the report. He was sure there wa
Presidential timber on the committee. 70
the report was better than MIR Clevelan
could write on the silver question. Blu
he demurred against being brough
to Valley street and lett withou
any way OF getting to the squar.
II the company should be stopped ther
it was doubtful il the capital could b
secured with which to equip the roac
1t was said that Valley street wes muc
too narrow for car line, and Mr.. Adam
said the company would bind itself t
pay the damages that the city might b
charged with should such widening b'
come necessary.
By motion OF Mr.. Jones the cOmmitte
and city attorney were instruct, d to r.
port upon line including Valley, Esgl
Sycamore and Market streets. and IL
report was re-rcferred to the committe
1t was developed during the discussio
that Alderman Jones did not know Il
location Of Valley street. although it
in bis own ward.
The Mayors Report.
A very comprehensive paper was tn,
Of the Mayor presenting the semi-annu
report upon the city governments co
ditiou. 1t covers The mouths betwe,
May 2l and November 80, 1894. q
ginning with cold figures, it shows th'
the sinking fund has to itscredit $3.50. %
Then follows the general fund stateme
in which the receipts are shown to ha
- been: