The record-union., 1898-07-19
TRUSTEE BENTLEY WILL STAY
HE HAS NO IDEA OF REsrGNING
HIS OFFICE.
0Atumen Streets to be Wet Down
at Night-City and County
Consolidation.

trustee Bentley. whose recent nro-
Ionged absence from meetings of the
poard caused considerable dissatisfac-
'ioli among number of his constitu-
eA'S' was present at the regular meet
iis OF the board last night. as were
all the other members
TRUSTEE BENTLEY EXPLAINS.
AFTER the minutes had been read,
trustee Bentley rose to a question of
personal privilege. He wished, he said
70 explain matters in connection with
ms recent absence from the city, and
from the meetings of the board. A
week ago, remarks were made before
the board which We're pertinent, and
winch had considerable truth in them
he did not he said, seek the office of
trustee. and was absent from the city
When 1t was given him. He had since
his election done his duty as he saw
1t, though business had called him
from the city oftener than he had an
tclpated. Before he left the city he
had secured an unlimited leave of alb
sence from the board, but as he was
longer away than he expected to be he
had sent a letter of resignation to some
OF the representative men of his ward
the Eighth). 1t was withheld, owing
tereSted.
AS for the citizen who a week ago
appeared before the board, Trustee
Bentley said he had about a year ago
appeared before the board and asked
10 nave his water rate remitted He
(Bentley) had opposed the request
Trustee Bentley said he expected in
the future to attend meetings of the
board regularly, and as representative
men in the ward had interposed objec-
tions TO his handing in his resigna-
tion at this time, he had concluded not
to do So
A LEGAL POINT
Plumbing Contractor Houston, who
before the adoption of the ordinance
providing that no direct connections
with sewers could be made from vaults,
had entered into a contract to make
connections with the sewer from a resi-
dence situated on @ street. between
Fifth and Sixth, addressed the board.
He stood ready, he said to carry out
his contract to the letter but wanted
to know whether, if he proceeded to
do so, he would be violating the or
dinance.
After rather heated debate it was
decided TO refer the question to the
Corporation Counsel for an opinion
The following message from the May
or was read, and took the usual course:
To the Board of Trustees: / hereby
nominate, and by and with your con-
sent, appoint j. n. Payne d special po-
lice officer for the locality bounded by
/, J, Eleventh and Sixteenth streets.
Very respectfully,
WILLIAM LAND. Mayor
I-STREET IMPROVEMENT
Trustee Paine. Chairman of the
Street Committee, reported adversely
on allowing l street. between Sixth
and Seventh. to be improved by pri-
vate contract. The proposed improve
ment was to consist of a four-inch
layer of gravel laid on the present
grade.
Attorney Avery who appeared for
the petitioners, requested that the mat
ter so over one week to allow him
time to acquaint himself with the facts
in the case
Trustee Tebbets said that while he did
not believe in fiimsy and temporary
improvements. he would not hinder
property owners from making improve
ments when they so desire. He moved
that Attorney Avery's request be grant
ed. and that the matter go over a
week
Trustee Devine said it would not be
justice TO allow the property owners
TO eXpend 60 cents per foot on the
street at the present time on tenn
porary improvements, and a year hence
mulct them for 81 % per foot to ma
cadamize the same street in accordance
with surveys made by the city 1t
was evident he said, that no street
could be properly improved with the
money it was proposed to eXpend upon
it.
Trustee Tebbets' motion to defer ac-
tion was carried by a unanimous vote.
SOME MINOR MATTERS
On motion of Trustee Dolan. the
Clerk Of the board was instructed to
advertise for sixty tons of hay and
800 bales of straw for food and bedding
for horses in the fire department.
The appointments of j. NJ Wallace
and Fred. II. Almos for special police
men were unanimously confirmed.
Trustee Douglas of the Water Com
mittee recommended that in making
out the tax levy. provision be made for
purchasing a new boiler for the Water
Works. With those now used, he said,
il seemed to be impossible TO get suft
cient pressure TO supply residences out
side of Fifteenth street. Action was
deferred one month.
l.. $. Erne was granted a license to
conduct a saloon at $40 street.
\ remonstrance against the improve
ment Of Eighth street, between j and