Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-09-12
COUNCIL MEETING.
The Session Was a Very Busy One.

The Session Was a Very Busy One.
There was regular meeting ofthe
City Council at the Mayors Office
last Thursday night, which was pre-
sided over by Councilman f. v Lit
tie, in the absence of the Mayor, who
arrived shortly after, however, and
assumed his duties. The Street
Committees report, to the effect that
they had asked for bids for building
the bridge at Exchange Place, on
the Tuscarora, and that three bids
having been received they awarded
the contract to Messrs. Paschal and
Lamp, the lowest bidders, at The
price of $3.50. They had also ask
ed for bids on the hauling OF gar
bage, &C., for one year, from August
30, 1896, and received the following:
G. N. Wilson, 1888 for first and Sec
ond wards; W. B. Martin, $3.50 for
the entire city; Joseph Welsh, 500
for third ward; Thomas j. Brown.
1896 for entire city, and Geo. W.
Zepp, $500 for the entire city. They
awarded the contract to Mr. Thomas
j. Brown for the entire city, he to
give bond to the amount of $500 for
the faithful performance of his duty.
The report was received and adopt
ed. The Water Board rendered their
report, recommending that water
rate for the Auburn Wagon Com
pany be fixed at $50 per annum, and
that the Water Board be empowered
to have small wall built at the
spring below the dam, so that it will
keep the sur face water out, this wall
not being included in the contract
given out recently also to have the
spring cleaned out and do all work
necessary so that same can be used
to the best advantage. The report
was received and adopted. Clerk
Lambert read letter that had been
received by Councilman Wilen from
Mr.. John 7. Martin, General Yard
Master of the B. & o. Railroad. The
communication, which was in refer
ence to the water bill of the railroad
company, asked for reduction from
the rate fixed for water rent, but the
Council decided to let rate stand.
Mr.. G. G. Cushwa asked permission
to transfer his market stall license
to his successor in the meat bust
ness, and his request was granted.
Clerk A. F. Lambert, on behalf Of
Councilman Harry Little, who was
unable TO be present, referred the
attention of the council to the bad
condition of the crossings and cul-
vert on Queen street, North Mar
tinsburg. The matter was referred
to the Street Committee. Council
man Kline stated that Mr.. Russler
discovered a leak in O connection
with the water main, and had repair
ed it at cost of fifty cents, which
he desired to have paid him by the
corporation. II was ordered that Mr..
Russler be paid the amount asked.
Councilman Kline stated that he
found that reel No. l was not in
good condition, and recommended
that new wheels be purchased. It
was ordered that the Fire Com
mittee negotiate for new wheels.
The attention Of the council was re-
ferred to the danger of the old poles
of the Martinsburg Street Railway
Company that are still standing. It
was suggested that no action be
taken until it was seen what the
Circuit Court would do. The Gen
eral Receiver, Mr.. E. P. H. Harri-
son, spowerless to remove the poles
without orders from the Court.
Councilman Larkin spoke of the Of
fer made to the corporation some
time ago by Mr.. William T. Stew
art. This gentleman offered to
trade tract of real estate on the
north side of West Race street, for
the lot on corner Queen street and
Pennsylvania avenue. Mr.. Larkin
thought it was golden opportunity
for the corporation, andrecommend-
ed that the proposition be accepted.
He was informed that it was unnec-
essary to give Mr.. Stewart the lot.
Mr.. Kline and others of the Water
Board stated that MFR. T. G. Ward,
Of the Auburn Wagon Company,
had assured them that it was Mr..
Stewards duty to deed the ground
to the corporation, as he had agreed
to do, when the buildings and fence
of the Wagon Plant were set back
fifteen feet from the original line.
The matter was referred to the Real
Estate Committee for immediate in
vestigation. Messrs. Rothwell &
Lovett, through Mr.. c. W. Mann,
asked the council to put in plug
near their Canning Plant. The clerk
was instructed to inform the gentle
men that it has been customary for
the manufacturers to put in their
own plugs. 1t was ordered that the
Martinsburg, Electric Company be
notified to cut the weeds near their
plant. Councilman Martin asked
that Mrs. Lucy Mcdonald, of North
Martinsburg, be exempt from corpo-
ration taxes. The matter was
placed in the hands of the Financial
Committee. Mr.. B. F. Custer was
granted permission to remove an old
dead tree in his yard on Liberty
street, North Martinsburg. A num-
Der Of bills were read and ordered
paid The replacing of the street
crossings on Queen street was refer
red to the Street Committee.
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