The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-07-31
CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

CITY COUNCIL MEETikG.
Exclusive Telephone Franchise Revoked
No Money For Charleston Exposition.
The City Council met in regular
session last Wednesday night at s
o'clock.
Present-Mayor Stuckey, Aldermen
". H. Epperson, G. F. Epperson, ?.
P. Finn and E.. W. Hurst. Absent
Aldermen Boyle, Chandler, Purdy and
Rowland.
Minutes of June 25th and July 18th
read and approved.
Mr.. Belk, of Gable Piano Co., was
present to offer piano for the Opera
House at s235, $3.50 and $3.50. On Mr..
G. F. Epperson's motion the Commit
tee of Public Works was requested to
purchase a piano. Mr.. G. F. Epper-
son was requested to assist the COM
mittee in the purchase.
On Smetion of Messrs. G. F. Epper
soE and Hurst the request Of the S. G.
and West Indian Exposition Co., for
an investment in their stock, was re-
fused, on grounds of necessary econ
omy and illegality Of expenditure Of
city funds for such purpose.
The special committee in charge OF
the matter were requested to proceed
with putting up street names and
house numbers, as that has become
necessary in view of the expected
establishment of free mail delivery IN
Sumter.
A letter was read from W. S. Ora
ham. acting chief of fire department,
asking that ladders be furnished the
hose companies and extra pay be al
lowed for such additional service.
Referred to fire department committee
to consider and report at the next
Council meeting.
Mr.. Finn reported that great diff
Guilty was experienced at recent fire
in opening the hydrant, and consider
able delay in getting water on account
of neglect to open hydrants occasion
allyn order that the nuts do not cor
rode and rust. It was suggested that
the fremen be requested to open all
hydrants at least~once each month.
Mr.. E. F. Miller appeared before
Council and stated that he is getting
up a pamphlet representing resources
and products of the city and county,
of which he purposes to distribute
10000 at the South Carolina and West
Indian Exposition, and ne is also
working up county exhibit for the
same. He requested that Council aid
him in this work by a money appro-
priation. The matter was discussed
favorably, but action was postponed
until the next meeting and Mr.. Mil
ler was asked to ascertain meanwhile
what aid he would receive from other
sources, and to what extent he would
desire aid from the city.
A letter was read from Messrs. Lee
& Noise, attorneys for the Sumter
Electric Light and Ice Co., notify
ing Council that in absence of any
contract on the subject, the number
of lights in the Opera House would be
reduced to 100 from Sept 1st, and re-
questing that a committee be appoint
ed to confer with them in reference to
the matter. Messrs. Finn, Hurst
and City Attorney Young were ap-
pointed to look after the matter.
A request from Joseph Lewis for
permission to erect fruit stand on
the street near the A. G. L. depot
was referred to committee on public
works.
An amended bid was received from
G. 81. Dorm for lease of the Opera
House, one year, for s240. and he fur
nish piano, Mr.. Dorm himself being
present. It was decided to accept
Mr.. Dorn's original bid of $500
Council providing piano, andtMr. Dorm
put in new drop curtain if that be
deemed necessary.
Mr Finn called attention to the
failure of the Sumter Telephone Co.
to improve their service as promised,
and complained of the careless, reck-
less manner in (which they are erect
ing their poles and trimming shade
trees in Harvin street. On motion of
Mr.. Hurst the Clerk was directed to
notify the company that because of
their failure to comply with conditions
on which the Council agreed to protect
their franchise, their exclusive right
is declared to exist no longer, and that
any other company desiring to do so,
Will be permitted to erect and operate
competing system. The Committee
Of public works were requested to su-
pervise location and proper erection of
telephone poles.
The ordinance to prevent discharge
Of sewerage into drains and ditches''
was read the second time, adopted and
ordered published.
The ordinance prohibiting nuisances
was ordered amended so as to increase
the term of Imprisonment from five to
thirty days.
Council then adjourned.
Z Deep Mystery.