The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1901-06-14

|
years, there was an exciting contest
| for the Offices Of mayor and aldCrman'
the candidates and their friends pu;
il some earnest work. For the frs
time in the history of Union the can
lidates for Mayor came before the
people on the stump, and define"
their ideas Of model government OF
the city looking to its upbuilding
and general welfare. There were
four candidates for the Office Of
Mayor, ard although the fight was
hot one, it was Il notable fact that II
was free from bitterness and mud
singing between the candidates, il
was campaign between intelligent
men, conducted in an intelligent,
business manner, which reflected
| credit upon the candidates and was
| instructive to the audiences. The
result of this campaign was the elec-
ton of the following officers: For
Mayor, Macbeth Young. Aldermen,
Geo. &. Perrin, II. G.. Bailey, '. l..
DePass and l.. D.'Smith.
Upon entering the duties Of their
office, the first business that came
before the body was a notice from
the bank that a note given by the
town council some time previous for
50, 900 was due, and it was neces-
| sary to make immediate arrange
| ments for settlement or renewal.
Besides this there were outstand-
| ing claims amounting to 81 800.
As the taxes for the fiscal year had
already been collected and expended
| with the exception Of the fall collec-
ton was yet many months in
the future, and eleven months Of
running expenses Of the town was to
be contended with it was n OF possible
to liquidate this floating debt, and
arrangements were perfected for the
renewal OF the note. With this float
ing debt OF over 5000, and eleven
months running expenses ahead OF
our newly elected city fathers, before
the regular town taxes could be co..
lected, the prospects must have ap.
peared rather gloomy. But we had
q Mayor at the helm, and a crew to
back him up, who were not accus
toned to baulk when difficulties
arose in their path, and they buckled
on their armor for the strife, deter
mined, Notwithstanding these diff
cu!ties, to pull the ship safely through
the breakers and make a successful
landing This they have not only
done, but have made the year a rec
ord breaker. They have with the
collections of fines for violations OF
ordinances, and the towns share OF
dispensary profits, not only done an
extraordinary work in the improve
ment Of the old streets of the town,
aud the opening up and grading OF
new streets, but they have accumu.
lated sufficient surplus to liquidat,
the floating debt above mentioned
and upon making the last payment
Monday Of this week of 5000 clear
receipt was handed the Mayor anC
the town enjoys the novel experience
OF being out Of debt, so far as tn
floating debt is concerned. This has
been done while not quite half of the
town taxes for this year have beer
collected, the Mayor and aldermen
having decided to collect the take:
in two installments, the first install
ment in June and the second in The
fall, so while the town has been lifted
out Of debt, there is yet half OF the
taxes to be collected, the Mayor
must have drawn deep breath O
relief, as he saw the burden rolled
away, and felt a pardonable pride a.
he looked back over the record of hi.
frat years administration and saw
what II fine record it was, ard the
enviable position which his town Low
occupies. 1t can well be said OF the
present administration, "well, done
thou good and faithful servants .
The town is certainly to be congratu:
lated in its very wise selection. Long
live the present administration.
Another good thing the city faith.
ers have done is to establish a sink
ing fund for the purpose of liquidat.
ing the bonded Indebtedness of the