San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-04-09
MACKEY VS.. BRAND.
A TUG OF BITTER WAR BEGINS
BETWEEN THEM.
Brought Into Council Hindry
Heard From-Protest Against the
Police Bill Full Sewer Work
Report Presented.

and on account Of the fact of several
aldermen being evidently loaded with
speeches, was longer drawn out.
Mayor Protein RObards occupied his
position as acting mayor for the first
time. In presiding over the council, the
mayor having one of his sick headache
attacks. The mayor protein made very
capable chairman.
After reading of the minutes and their
adoption Mackey arose on question Of
privilege, and stated that L. c. Brand
had not come in with his books, but be
had heard, on the contrary that this
gravel business" would be sprung on
him: Brand or nobody else could stop his
mouth. He moved that Brand and the
books be send for, Beckmann seconded it,
and it was put in writing, while the fol-
lowing petitions were read ami dis
posed Of:
RObt Rose, to continue meat market;
granted.
The remainder were referred to COM
mittees.
John McDevitt, asking for his pay for
March as night fireman at City hall.
A. Joseph, for correction and reduction
of assessment.
Lambeth Il Hart, for correction and
reduction OF assessment.
St. Phillip Episcopal congregation for
use of end of Pc can street, to erect place
of worship.
Aug. Dratfllch, correction of assess
m ent.
Citizens on North street for better
drainage.
Southwestern Telegraph and Telephone
company, for permit to replace old with
new poles on Flores, between Houston
and Nueva streets, and on Fredericks-
burg road between North Flores street
and | & G. n. railway.
III d. Kampmann in regard to account
OF San Antonio Gas company against the
city.
Reports of officers were presented.
Street commissioner estimate of cost
of grading Macon street and finishing
Richmond avenue was filed.
Resolutions of thanks from City Council
of Houston for hoSpltable treatment upon
their recent visit, and extending our
Council an invitation to pay Houston
visit were real and ordered acknOwl-
edged
Reports of street commissioner and car
penter for the month of March and week
to April were filed.
A communication from Tax Collector
L. c. Brand i'm reply to Mackey's resOlu-
tion was read. He said that according to
the resolution, he was compelled to state
that he had 90 to % books, and some of
them weigh from 40 to 50 pounds; it was
impossible for him to produce them,
though he would cheerfully go over them
or any of them with any member Of the
City Council who cared to do so.
Mackey said he did not mean for Brand
to bring in all his books. Brand had col
lecled money from the Alamo and CryS-
tai Ice companies, and only that book
was wanted. as Brand knew very well.
He demanded that one book. He had al
SO collected 1916. 46 from the estate of
Peter PaulY, which had been paid two
months ago, including the tax for 1898,
then not due. He had no right TO collect
these taxes. He is depoSiting his collec-
tions in a private bank in his own
name. He wanted Brand to an wer
when he deposited certain checks in bank
and reduced his own balance. Why had
he presented a check on FrOsts bank and
collected same for 1885, instead of paying
this sum over to the city collector at the
tin e."
81 don't want all his books" continued
the alderman, but | want him to eX-
plain what right he has to collect any
money. What right has he to collect it?"
He wanted the new council to under
stand the matter. Brand has no right to
receive any money, but it shall go through
him 70 the city collector He had col
lected this money in January and kept it
till the last meeting and only then had
paid it over at the invitation of the
mayor. Il am going to handle him with
out gloves. He has deiied me and charges
me with this gravel business" Brand
had sent Mr.. Feltman a card as to the
amount he owed for taxes, on it Jumping
in the penalty without specifying same.
Feltman told him he had no right to col
lect ten per cent in this way and Brand
had quickly discovered that he had made
amiStake. Mackey wanted the opinion
Of the city attorney If the contract was
legal If so, he, Brand, had violated It,,
and had also acted in a diShOnOrable
manner. ard the alderman cited case in
which Brand had sent letter to HOuS-
ton firm saying he, Mackey, owed two
undue taxes for 1894. This was done be-
cause he voted against this collecting
contract in the old council. He charged
that Brand had lied when he wrote to
Houston that he had brought suit against
him.
The chair here interrupted him say
ing that If there is any ir'egu-
larity in any city olficiaE~ he
wanted to know it, but nothing was be-
fore the Council and he insisted that
Mackey should make motion to open up
the matter.
Mackey said it was only necessary for
the mayor to demand such book as was
wanted
The chair read Mackey's resolution that
Brand be requested" to bring in his
books.
Beckmann said it ought to be referred
to a committee for investigation and
moved that a committee of five be APP
pointed for the purpose. Mackey second
ed this.
McAllister wanted it postponed unit
the opinion of the attorney as TO the
validity of the Brand contract could bt
secured.
| Beckmann's motion was put and car.
ried, and the chair announced that Beck
mann, Dreiss, Menger, Fahey and Mac
key would be the committee.
Beckmann asked if there was any per
sonal spite between Alderman Mackey
and Brand II so he objected to Mackey
being one of the committee. He als(