The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-08-09
A HOT TIME
Over the Eight O'Clock Law-City-
Attorney fowler Resigns.
The Board Resolves to Improve its
Street Work by the Purchase
of a Street Roller Machine.

1t looked for time rs if there would
be no business transacted by the Board
of Mayor and Aldermen at their
last week. the eight O'Clock
and nine O'Clock and ten o'clock
factions being unable to agree upon
a Mayor pro TEN, Mayor Cameron
being sick and absent.
1t was a play for advantage upon
both sides. If one side could get one
of the other side in the chair that,
would take one vote off the floor, and
give the floor side the advantage.
Both sides saw this, and for seven bal
lots the vote tied between Aldermen
Brownlow and Noss the eight o clock
men voting to put Alderman Noss in
the chair, and the 10 o'clock men, to-
gether with Alderman McClanahan,
who is a nine o clock man. voting for
Alderman BIownlow.
While this parliamentary scrap was
progressing it leaked out that another
important move was ON foot, to-wit to
abolish the office Of City Attorney
and this made the ten 10 O'Clock men
all the more determined to block the
game if possible. Finally the right of
way, by consent was given to other
important legislation, by the City
Attorney rendering his resignation. and
the consideration of the Eight O Clock
law being deferred to another meeting.
These preliminari9s being under
stood and agreed upon, Alderman
Brownlow allowed himself to be elected
and took the chair and business was
proceeded with.
The minutes of the previous meeting
were read and approved. Under the
head of communications, the resigna-
tion of the City-Attorney, to take effect
Immediately, was read and accepted.
Under the call of reports from standing
committees, Chairman Payne OF the
Street Committee reported that his COM
mittee and given a close and careful
investigation to the proposition of sew
eral manufacturers, and were prepared
to report and advise the acceptance Of
the proposition of the .. 5. Kelley
Machine at 50, 800. This is a rock roll
ing, or rock packing machine. 1t Is said
to do the work of more than 200 men.
1t has spikes to attach to the wheels,
which, when attached can dig up more
street in day than 800 men; and then
with the spikes off can repack the same
stone nard and smooth, so that 1t will
look better, ride easier and wear long
er than our present streets Ia the last
four years, Mr.. Payne said, Columbia
had spent $24, 900 on its streets and they
were no better now than at the begin
ming All first-class road building now
was being done with machinery, and
it was practically impossible without
tremendous cost, to build a street that
would last long, without the use Of
machinery. He had obtained informa-
tion from other cities, and from what
he had been able to learn he believed
that this corporation could do more
street work and better work the next
four years than they have the past four
and at the same time pay for the ma
chine and save some money beside.
The proposition of the company is to
bring the machine here and give a
practical and entirely satisfactory test,
and wait until November 1902, for
their money.
The proposition was discussed at some
length finally on an aye and no vote
the report and recommendation OF the
street committee was COncurred in, and
they were instructed to have drawn a
contract fully covering all the guaran-
tees contained in the proposition and
protecting IN every way the city's in
terest.
The Finance Committee reported a
large batch of accounts to be allowed,
and then on motion the Board adjourned
until last Tuesday night at O'Clock,
to resume their struggle over the Eight
npClnnl, Tow