San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-03-26
how the latter committee had arrived at

their decision.
Oge said he was the only one who had
gone with the citizens committee, as
they could not postpone the matter on
account of other important business
They did not say how they drew their
conclusions, but Alderman Mackey GER
tainly has hean damaged, but do not
know how much.
Beckmann thought that when this
committee thinks the damages should be
$4,000, they ought TO present the facts on
which they base their verdict. Both COM
mi tees should get together and report.
Mackey said that in speaking with Al
derman RObardS, the latter said 1T was
rather delicate question, as the proper
" was that of an alderman. M8ckey said
| If that was what was the matter, he
would resign his seat, II he could get JUS
tce. he spoke at some length.
BeckmAnn asked if the city was dump
ing garbage out there now? Mackey said
yes.
HOefling read the rules defining that
such matters should come before commit
tee, the Omplainant in person or by an
attorney being present.
Robards answered the reference to him
self, saying II would be a dangerous
precedent for the council TO pass on facts
and laws simply on reports of committees.
II WI uld be very dangerous, and especial
,
1t would be proper for the council TO
adopt this report of the aldermanic COM
mttee, and throw the matter in the
courts for settlement.
Mackey said this would give no relief,
at least Immediately. A case in court
would drag a long time. He offered a
compromise by arbitration of attorneys,
who would fix the damages.
RObards said the city has an attorney
10 rpDrpSpnt her in the pnnrtS not
arbitrator
Beckmann moved that the joint COM
mlttee get together and report.
Mackey presented a resolution that the
mayor appoint a board of arbitration
composed of lawyers, whose decision
should be final
Devine asked what provision would be
made 10 pay these arbitrators. Few
lawyers ever gave opinions without some
charge.
Mackey said he would pay these
charges
The report of the aldermanic committee
was adopted.
The ordinance authorizing E. J.
O'Beirne to transfer his franchise to the
San Antonio Electric company. composed
OF R. V. Mcdonald. president of the Fort
Wayne company, VIM H. McGaw and E.
j O'Beirne, was brought up on report of
VIC ivy uVlOl WIZ III Iut PAPER
and said he was OF the opinion that the
bond was valid. Under suspension of
the rules the ordinance was adopted.
Under new business Mackey intro
duced resolution that the city attorney
give his opinion as to the validity of L. G.
Brands contract with the city to collect
back taxes. He said that Brand had COL
lected and received commissions on nom
delinquent taxes and he had also been in
m q mis- 20 TO-,
to peoples taxes. and he mentioned sew
eral cases. He did not understand why
the city paid collector and assistant
who had nothing to do, and also paid
Brand. Brand had collected $685. If
the collector needed legal assistant he
can have one or more. Brand draws
his pay, when the laborerS can't get
heirs. Even the aldermen can't get
their salaries. So much complaint about
this matter had induced him to bring
this up.
Beckmann said the citizens cannot ex-
Dect to get any government II they won't
come up with the taxes. The city at
torney could not do it as the work was
TOO great.
Devine spoke to the question, saying it
was too much of task for the city attor-
ley, but he thought it a hardship for a
taxpayer 10 be put on the delinquent list
t he could not get through the crowd |
)n the first day of June to pay his taxes |
Beckmann said il the city could make |
for the taxpayers to make or |
payments in inStallments during the |
year 1t would be a good thing, though it |
would put little more work on the COL |
ector, who would have to open a set of |
books. Money would be coming in con-
ttnually this way and tax payments |
made lighter these hard times.
Holt favored this eSDpciallv for the |
back taxes. He knew Of people who would |
have paid portion of their taxes had they |
Ceen accepted. The city could get a |
very respectable sum out of this plan.
Mackey'S resolution was again read, |
seconded by Beckmann and adopted.
The question OF reconsiderng the &C
ton on the Mayors veto of the Ordi- |
nance granting the privilege to the |
American District Messenger company to |
transfer the franchise Of the San Antonio !
company, was brought for |
ward by Beckmann who proposed to al |
low legal representatives of both com
panieS TO place their respective claims be-
fore the Council at the next meeting.
This was adopted.
Holt presented rule TO fix Thursday
Of each week as general committee meet
ing day, except in June, July and August,
when meetings would be two THURSDAYS
per month. Referred for draft of ordi-
nance. Another rule to change the hour
of meeting Of the council to p. M, took
the same course
By Menger-To cut brush on Ell Paso
street; carried.
Devine-That the engineer give the
grade to the street commissioner on Tren-
ton street and Brooklyn avenue, from
Labor ditch to Augusta street, to relieve
this portion of storm water; Referred.
DreiSS presented communication from
citizens asking that the city fix a regular
price for grave lots in city cemeteries.
The mayor said the price had already
been fixed to uniform sum of s. instead
Of 81. The matter was referred to the
markets, parks and public buildings COM
mittee.