The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-04-15
or Holt Takes the Reins of rlunicipal Gov
and lnstalls the Official Family.
HERMAN T. KELLER MAYOR PRO TEN.
" u. Bryan, Secretary Jack Arto Chief of Fire De-
Par'ment; A. K Miller, Market Master; Jack
hennedy Scavenger-ResoIutions.

No confirmation
y n. NorFs ''''--.s-s..........1
No confirmation.
Robert Iiston ..-,..3 -
No confirmation.
Jack Kennedy ....,.s
This vote confirmed the nomination Of
enger. ~ N''
Tho mayor then appointed the following
street and bridge committee; Edgar Wat.
A'IS' W. A. Archer and Henry Pulls.
RESOLUTIONS.
Alderman Keller offered the following
resolution which, on motion, was adopted
Under a suspension Of the rules:
Resolved, That the mayor APP
point at once the standing committee
on records and accounts, and that said
committee in connection with the mayor
be given full authority to employ an cx-
pert accountant or accountants to ex-
anime all books and accounts of the
city OF Houston and report to the city
council an exact and full itemlzed state
ment OF the condition Of the city OF
Houston. Also that said statement he
made public upon its acceptance by the
city council
The mayor named on the COMMITTEES OF
er l.. d. Miller and W. r. Wall
on motion Of Alderman Miller the rules
OF the old council were adopted to govern
the procedure of the present board.
Alderman Watkins introduced the follow
ing resolution. which was adopted under a
suspension Of the rules
whereas, the contract between the Hous-
ION water company, assignee If the con
tlAct made with James NJ Lowcree and
tbe city of Houston, expires by the terms
thereof on November 30 1903. and
Nhcleas, IN said contract II is provided
thar ON said November 80. 1908, the city Of
Houston shall have the privilege of pur.
chasing the entire works tof said company
q their appraised values" and, whereas, in
SAID contract IL is further provided that
should the party Of tho first part NOW tho
water company at any time fail to per
form faithfully the several obligations en-
tered into by them they shall
then forfeit and lose the rights and prI,i-
legeS In said contra II granted; and
Whereas II Is the sense of this council.
and We believe of the majority of the peo-
pie OF this city. that Houston should own
aud operate her own water plant; there
fore, he IL
Resolved by the mayor and aldermen Of
the city Of Houston. That the city Of Hous-
ton shall own and operate water plant for
some wafer TO It's inhabitants, and TO fur
uiSh an adequate supply OF water for the
eItinguishment OF fires and for other neces-
Sary proposes
men shall be appointed by the mayor on
or before the next meeting Of this council,
such committee to be charged with tho
duty Of investigating,
/. The question Of whether or not tho
water company has forfeited its rahts nm
der is contract by noncompliance there
with.
. The approximate cost Of erecting and
coulppnc q complete and adequate water
system for the city of Houston.
g. The price at which the water com
pany will sell Its present plant to tho city
~ Houston, If such company desires TO
sell,
4 Such other facts as may he valuable
TO this council in determining what action
il may take towards obta lining for our city
municipal water plant
Aud in this investigation such committee
when appointed shall have the right to ask
the assistance of the city attorney and of
tho heads of any OF the departments In the
city, and II shall he the duty Of the city
attorney and the heads Of the different de-
EartmentS to aid the committee when re-
Qucstod by the chairman thereof so To do
This committee shall report In writing TO
this council the result Of its Investigation
on or before ninety days from the date Of
its appointment
Alderman Thompson offered the follow.
Ing which was adopted under a. suspension
OF the rules
whereas on the Soth day Of November,
1878, the city Of Houston entered into con-
tract with the Houston Water company
and by the terms Of said contract the said
Houston Water company was to furnish
water for the extingulshment Of fires and
to furnish a water pressure sufficient to
throw in time OF FIRE six streams of water
at one time 100 feet high through fifty
feet Of 2ls-inch hose and 1M,nozzle; and
whereas on the oath day Of June, 1901,
the city Of Houston was the owner of
building. known as the market house, sit.
uated on block "a, in the said city of Hous-
ton, on the south side Of Buffalo bayou,
and that said building on the said oath
day Of June, 1901, was reasonably worth
the sum of $4,000; and
whereas on the Gath day Of June, 1901,
the said market house was destroyed by
tire; and
whereas, the said Houston Water com.
pany failed during the burning Of the said
market house building on the oath day or
June, 1901, to furnish the pressure re-
qured Of them by their contract with the
said city Of Houston thereby causing
loss to the said city for the value Of said
building that the said building before IT'S
destruction by IRE was reasonably worth
the sum Of $4,000; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the city attorney of tho
city Of Houston is hereby Instructed TO ile
suit against the Houston Water company
for the loss sustained by the burning OF
the building known as the market house on
the aith day OF June 1901; he 1t further
Resolved, That the city attorney shall ie
this suit as soon as consistent With the In
terests OF the city and for the sum Of siiG.-
COO 10 cover the loss sustained by the city
and for such other relief as he may think
proper and Just
ON motion Of Alderman Kohlhann the
couscn .s'o---~S till e'cloek thLs after
So