The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-08
CITY HALL LIVE ISSUE
SELMA CITIZENS TO PROTEST AGAINST OLD MARKET.
Southern Shops in the Central City Running Double Time and Work is Plentiful-Working for
 Fall Festival.
Advertiser Bureau,

Advertiser Bureau,
 Selma, Oct. '.
 For many years the citizens of Selma have been discussing the matter Of ouiiu- ing a new city hall, jail, market mousse and engine rooms. The old, unsignuy buildings in the middle of Washingt on Street between Selma and Alabama Streets have long been an eyesore, but on account of the financial condition of the city of Selma since a Republican ad- ministrat.on voted S6O0,000 of railroad bonds the city has been unable to help itself, but from necessity has been forced to use these old buildings.
 At the last session of the Legislature Mayor Mcleod drew up and mad passed a bill providing for the issuance Of bonds for the purpose of erecting new clty hall These bonds were exempt from State taxation and Governor Sanford vetoed the act. It was amended and put through and is now on the statute books, but the bonds cannot be sold.
 There is no sinking fund provided by law for the payment of the interest on these bonds and laying aside so much for the express object of retiring so many thousands of thes ebonds per year, and moned men look at them and then pass by on the other side. The result has been that the bonds have not been issued and Selma has no new public building.
 The bankers applied to for the purpose of floating these bonds doubtless referred the matter to Selma attorneys, and when told that the bonded indebtedness was still q little over $30O,OOo though reduc d over one-half from what it originally was, and that the floating debt is in the ncighborhood of s2O,0oO to $25,OO0 and Is still growing a little each year, they would not invest their money.
 The city has a lot paid for at the cor her of Alabama and Franklin Streets upon which to erect the proposed new building.
 The failure 10 float these bonds for the purpose of building a new city hall did not increase the amiability of the prop erty owners who have stores fronting tine little narrow alleys on each side of the market house and their patience has at last about given out and they now pro- pose to resort to legal means to get rid of the old buildings.
 A lot of property owners, headed by w. M. CHI, propose tS go into the courts in order to force the city to take the old buildings out of the middle of the street. They have employed lawyers and 1t is said on good authority that suit will be brought in MT. Gills name to compel the city to remove these old buildings. The streets belong to the public and lawye,s say that any citized who goes into court can force the city to remove the old buildings. Tn ay will test the matter, any way.
 Not being able to build, what will the city do?
 Many think, in clse of removal, that all butchers and green grocers ought to be made to pay privilege tax of $20 per month the price of a stall in the market house at 'he present time, and do business where they please in the city. Some say that this is the best plan, as it will keep the city out of the real es- tate business and will enhance property values by forcing the butchers to rent from private individuals instead of talk ing stalls in the market house. and beef markets will then be put up all over the city. close to the consumers.
 These matters will come up for discus sion if the case is decided against the city and the public will watch the out come of the suit with the deepest in tereSt