The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-01-29
CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

The City Council held a regular
meeting at 8 O'Clock last Wednesday
Present Mayor stuckey, Aldermen
BOYLE, Chandler. W. H. Epperson,
Finn, Hurst, Purdy and Rowland.
Absent, Alderman Geo. F. Epperson.
Messrs. j. K. Murphey and Horace
Hardy, Jr., Attorney, representing
the Southern Bell Telephone and Tele-
grapth Co., were present and request
ed the adoption of an ordinance per-
mitting their company to erect. ope-
rate and maintain lines of telephone
and telegraph over the public roads
and streets as its business may from
time to time require, the purpose
being, for the present to operate
long distance line, with the expecta-
tion of establishing local exchange
at later day in competition with the
Sumter Telephone Go. Council so
changed the proposed ordinance as to
grant the lease Of the streets for a
long distance line only, promising to
consider their request for right to
establish local exchange when the
company shall desire to build and
place it in operation. The ordinance
as read was unanimously adopted.
Under resolution to dispense with
the rule which requires two readings.
Mr. II. L. Scarborough, Superinten-
dent of the Sumter Water Co., came
to answer complaints made in regard
to defective water pressure at the re
cent fire on Church street, when Mr..
II. D. Noises residence was destroy
ed. He stated that an examination
had shown there had been an OBJ
struction of the water flow which had
been found and removed. How or by
whom the obstruction was made he did
not say, but that the pressure on its
removal was good and sufficient. He
said his company is desirous of giving
good service and are ready at all
times to correct any difficulty that
may be known to exist. He asked
that the hydrant be tested by Council.
On Mr.. Purdy's motion it was referred
to the Mayor and fire department
chiefs to witness tests and report to
Council.
z. E. Walker requested Council to
refund a fine of s25 imposed upon
Moses Farmer Dec. 18th 1901, by
Mayor Pro TEN Hurst for disturbance
of the peace and cutting James Mid
dleton with knife. He stated that
Middleton died few days after the
cutting and that Farmer is now held
for murder. That Farmers family
are all very poor and under the cir
cumstances the fine should be refund
ed. Council declined to disturb the
sentence of the Mayors court.
The minutes of meetings held Jan.
sth. 18th and 18th we're read and
confirmed.
The Fire Committee reported ap-
! proval of all bills referred to them.
The Paving Committee reported
work progressing satisfactory.
Mr.. Finn presented letter from j.
R. Haynsworth, Surveyor, in reference
! to the contract for the survey of the
city and making of q map.
A request from Crosswell & Co. and
others for street lamp between the
Atlantic Coast Line and Southern
Railway depot was referred to Com
mittee Public Works.
The Committee of Public Works re-
ported that DR.. Archie China in
building fence on New street is
encroaching on the sidewalk. The
Mayor was requested to confer with
DR.. China and adjust the matter.
Mr.. H. D. Noise requested as sug-
gested by letter that letters should be
fled with the city clerk from Mr.. 81.
L. SCARBOROUGH, Supt. and Mr.. W.
H. Epperson, Engineer, of the Sumter
Water Co., setting out the facts as to
what had been done between the time
of his fire and the subsequent investi-
CATION made by them. Received as
information.
On Mr.. Purdy's motion, the city at
torney was requested to prepare an act
to be presented to the Legislature for
adoption, authorizing the city to i'm
pose license tax on bicycles.
The Clerk and Treasurer's Decem-
Der report was referred to the Finance
| Committee.
Council then adjourned.
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