San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-02-18
COUNCIL SESSION.
ENGINEER GRAY'S UNPAV0RABLE
REPORT PRESENTED.
Gravel Pits LeaSed-Cemetery Matters,
Appropriations Tax OOlleC-
ton Ordinance Adopted.

present and sat through part Of
the proceedings, or until Engineer
Gray's report was read, when two
or three were excused.
The following petitions were
read:
Petition of citizensHfor cross
walk on Alamo street, at Presa.
Petition of citizens of the Fifth
ward, asking for a crosswalk at
the junction of Fourth and Taylor
streets.
Petition of citizens asking for
crosswalks at various crossings on
Avenue E.
Petition of Benevolent society
No. 2 to lease one-half acre as
cemetery.
Petition of Sam. G. Bells for "a
market house on Houston street
and Avenue c.; granted.
Petition of Chief Tobin for APP
preparation of $S46.45, to liquidate
account of fire department.
There was quite a little sensa-
ton and flutter in the council
chamber when the report of Con-
sulting Engineer Gray was read.
In the report Mr.. Gray stated that
while in general the work and the
material used in the sewers we're
satisfactory, he must take excep-
ton in a number Of instances
where the brick were carelessly
laid and the work constructed
loosely. He said that the atteu-
ton of the city engineer had been
called to these cases.
He laid great stress on the de-
STABILITY of uniformity of loca-
ton in the sewers, and for many
reasons, which he set forth, showed
that the best results were obtained
when in the center Of the street.
He showed that in a city grow
ing as San Antonio is, many addi-
tional improvements are made I'M
der ground, such as the laying Of
new water and gas mains, ETC., and
that it Is important in such cases
not to allow them in too close a
proximity to the sewers. He Illus
trated the possible danger of ada
cent locations by instancing his
experience with the sewer on Ma.
varro street, which, on being
opened for inspection, was found so
full of coal gasithat he could not en-
ter. The gas had entered the sewer
from leak in neighboring
gas main. He said that the insin-
uation of the inspectors lantern
would have resulted in the loss Of
life and property. He offered no
extenuation for the failure OF the
inspectors, and suggested that the
city engineer should appoint the
inspector. In concluding, he said
he was satisfied that the system
could not be completed by the time
specified in the contract, on account
of the numerous Interruptions, and
that no human foresight could
divine the time Of its completion,
because of the infinite possibilities
and convenience of injunctions.
The report was referred to the
public improvements and finance
committees.
The finance committee recon-
mended appropriations of $367,66
for wood for schools; $25 were ap-
propriated for five crosswalks,
The committee reported unfavor-
ably the resolution instructing the
consideration of the propriety OF
issuing warrants for current debts,
to be paid in the order OF issue, as
"inexpedient;" adopted.
Also unfavorsbly on petition OF
an old citizen for $40 as charity, on
account OF his age and impover.
ished condition. The committee
said that it was not advisable to
begin such course of allowing
charity from city funds, "except a
uniform system be adopted" This
was adopted by the council.
Mr.. Minor, on petition for re-
moval of bodies from one cemetery
to another, on which some mem
bers of the family objected on re-
ligious grounds, he declared the
city could not consider such oh
jections and could only interfere
with removals of bodies when the
public health was endangered
The report was adopted.
| The city rock uuarrips were
leased to j. A. Ostrom for term
OF five years at 10 cents per cubic
yard OF material removed.
Petition for the draining OF South
Presa street was granted, ant
crosswalks on East Commerce,
l xxrara ardaraI Iofd