Smyrna times., 1898-08-31
TOWN COUNCIL.
All the Trees Around ibe Standpipe to be
Cut DOwn-The Alderman Collins
Policeman Jones Case
Still Unsettled.

Every member was at his post at the
regular meeting of the Town Council
last Friday evening. There was very
little business to be transacted and the
Council adjourned shortly after
o'clock.
The following bills were read and
allowed Helios Electric Co., $3.50;
Brady Steamboat Co., 80 cents; Jo-
Coal Co., $2.81; j. w. Tucker, 5000
Ames Iron Works, SO. 20; P. W. B. r.
Il. Co., $50. 90; l.. HirOns, 50 cents;
Peter w. Downs, $1.25; j. Wesley
Start, 70 cents; Total $129.99.
Policeman Joseph Garner presented
bill of S21. 90 for serving notices on
parties reported by the Board of
Health for nuisances. There were S4
names in the list who had been no
titled by the secretary at the direction
of the Board of Health. The bill of
Policeman Garner was duly drawn up,
certified to and signed by G. II. Reg
lister, secretary, and DIR. G. o. SWIM
ney, president of that organization.
The Council allowed the bill as pre-
sented, and some of the members com
mended that body for what they had
accomplished.
The condition of the chimney on the
east end of the residence of DIR. G. o.
Swinney received some attention be-
fore the Council. It is looked upon as
being in a very dangerous condition
and those who have occasion to use
that side of the street fear that some of
these times the chimney is going to
collapse and do some damage. At
present the bricks are very loose and
near the top there is hole big enough
for q man to crawl through. The
Council took no action upon it as the
DIR. seems perfectly willing to have it
fixed if he can get man to go up there.
The difficulty, however, is to get man
who will muster courage enough to at
tempt to climb the chimney.
A motion was made and carried at
the last meeting of the TOwn Council
authorizing Alderman and our three
policemen-Messls. Joseph Garner,
Benjamin Turner, and Charles Jones'
to appear at the Friday night meet
ing. When the matter was brought up
and inquiry made as to why they were
not present, it was let out that Presi-
ident Robinson had the presumption
| to take the matter in his own hands by
notifying Policeman Jones that it
was not necessary for them to come,
claiming that the Council could attend
to their case as we'll if they we're not
present. This caused some indigna-
ton, and the question naturally came
up: "By what authority had the Pres
ident the right to give such orders, es-
pecially when the Police Departm ent
was ordered to be there by special
action of the Council. The reason
why the Police Department was
requested to be present was to hear the
particulars of both sides of the cOnten-
ton existing between Alderman Col
Inns and Policeman Jones, growing out
of the recent negro cases tried before
the Alderman. Some of the members
thought it would have been better
had the Council refused to take notice
of the matter at all, but now that they
were into it, and hard Rasssd an order
for their appearance before them, theV
did not like to be treated in any such
manner Councilman Reynolds was
the only man who upheld the President
in his course. The controversy was
ended in DR.. Moore making a motion
that Alderman Collins and the three
Policemen appear at the next meeting
of the Council at 8 o'clock on Septem-
Der the 9th inst, which was carried.
George Nj. Stevenson came in during
the session and made a statement in
behalf of the residents in the vicinity
of the ''FOur Corners. ." against the
noise and disturbance created on Sun
day afternoons by a crowd of half.
grown boys, who make it their blsi-
ness to cOngregate there. The Coun.
ell gave assurance that they would look
into the matter, and requested him to
submit the names of those making the
disturbance if it were not stopped. In
the same connection, President Rob
insOn spoke of the complaints made
against the loafing and disorder around
the standpipe. Councilman Denney
offered a remedy for the latter, mas.
much as he thought it ought to be done
as protection to the sewer. He sug
gested that the silver poplar trees
around the standpipe be cut down. II
was only question of time before the
town would have to have it done from
the fact that the fast growing roots OF
this specie of tree, was a costly annoy
ance to the automotic flush tank sta
toned at that point. Then, he thought
by taking away the shade trees, The
boys would not be desirous of making
1t a loafing place ON Sunday after.
moons. The suggestion seemed t.
meet with approval. COUNCILMAN
Fowler moved that the chairman of tn,
Street and Sewer committee have all
the trees removed, seconded by Mr.
Denney, and carried unanimously will
the exception of the vote of Council
man Reynolds.
Council adjourned.