The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-07
THEY PASSED MANY LAWS
BUT THERE WAS NO "SIGN OF
LIGHT AMONG THEM.
ERECTION OF AWNINGS TO BE REGULATED
The Street Car company's Franchise to be In
yestgated With View to Compelling
the Taking up Of I'm
used Tracks.

The board of aldermen last night had
a ''fit" of generosity and spell of
law-making.
They passed ordinances as regular
business and made appropriations ''be-
tween times.'
The appropriations amounted to ST.
900. The laws passed didn't amount to
so much.
Then there was the usual number of
petitions, reports of committees and the
like-buSiness sufficient to keep the
board in session some three hours.
The best of the ordinances introduced
during the evening-that allowing cleo
trio signs under certain conditions
was defeated. For Consideration of this
momentous question the board went into
executive session, excluding the news
paper men. Then for one solid hour the
abstruse question of signs agitated the
minds of the city fathers. Finally City
Attorney Watson relieved the situation
by informing the debating solons that
to pass such an ordinance meant COM
plete and humble surrender TO Sher-
wood Higgs & Co, who haye the only
electric sign this city can boast.
He begged them not to make this hui
initiating spectacle of themselves with
the whole world in the grand stand
looking on. He thought they ought to
be made of Sterner stuff and assured
them that he would win out in any test
of the ordinance that might be applied
by the highest courts. In no less than
four great sovereign States, ne added,
this very question had been laid to rest
on his side of the fence.
This lifted the cloud of doubt resting
on the aldermanic mind and they all
or nearly all-with one accord said nay,
when asked should electric signs be al
lowed. Then the executive meeting adj
journed.
The concensus of opinion, however,
seemed to be that the amendment To
the ordinance was a good one, but
Sherwood Higgs x Co., were trying to
keep up their sign and until that comes
nobody else must be al
lowed to put up one.
The resignation of DIR. George A.
REM as city physician was read ami
referred to the Charity committee. 1t
will be acted ON at the next meeting.
DIR. james r. Rogers was elected TO
fill vacancy on the board of health,
caused by the resignation of DR.. Bat
tie.
THE APPROPRIATION MADE.
The appropriations made during the
session of the board were as follows:
An appropriation of 500 to run a line
of sewerage pipes along Elm street be-
tween Jones and Lane streets.
An appropriation of $500 for perma-
nent improvements in the city ceme-
terry. The amount asked by the Gene
terry committee was $500.
An appropriation of 5000 to drain
Nash square and put the walks in good
condition.
An appropriation of 5000 to enable
the A. and M. College to make good
athletic ground of part of Pullen Park.
An appropriation of 5000 for sewer
on Bloodworth street.
The city clerk was authorized to draw
a warrant transferring about $4,000
from the bond fund to the general fund.
this amount having been expended from
the general fund in street work during
the months of july August and Sep
tember, before the bond money arrived
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
The report of the Finance committee,
read by Chairman Miller, Showed ex-
penses during the month of September
about $4,000; the receipts were ST.
1929. The tax receipts during the
month were $3,197.70, as against
$44S. Is collected during September,
1898. Among the expenses of the month
were: Pay roll of the various depart
ments, $7,09S. 43: machinery for quarry.
$2,91965; curbing, $S06.30; lights,
$685.. 80
The report of the Street committee
was read by Alderman Hamilton. This;
report has already been published in
full in this paper. At the conclusion
Of his report Mr.. Hamilton said the
committee desired to purchase about l.
600 nice sugar naples and furnish them
TO all citizens who will agree to box
and. care for them. The city will not
only furnish such trees, but will put
them out.
Chairman Parish, of the Police COM
mittee, asked an appropriation OF $40
TO pay for one-half the winter uniforms
for the police force, the policemen them
selves paying for the other half. The
board declined the proposition.
Alderman Wynne reported for the
Park committee a proposition from
pracidaut Winston of tho A and NJ