The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-31
CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

Present: Mayor A. Is. SCuckey, Al
dermen W. B. Boyle, G. w. Dick,
W. H. Epperson, G. F. Epperson, E.
". Hurst and j. A. Schwerin.
Absent, Aldermen D. j. Chandler and
P. P. Finn.
| Minutes of Dec. 10th were read and
approved.
Mr.. Schwerin called attention to
work being done on W. Liberty street
at large expense, which he stated was
not authorized by Council, and should
not be done without such authority.
Mr.. Boyle as chairman of committee
Of public works explained that a part
of The work had been authorized by
Council: That the additional work
had been done because it was consider
ed important and could be done at less
expense now than at another time.
And further that he had been inform
ed that all members of the Council
had consented to the Improvements,
when he ordered it done. On motion
OF DR.. Dick thu action of the commit
tee was confirmed. This was not in
tended however to encourage such pro-
ceedings except when authorized at
Council meetings.
The police and fire department. COM
mittee reported that they had awarded
the contract for painting the Hose
Co.. s buildings: and had purchased
rubber coats and boots for Firemen
from J. Ryttenberg & Sons and D. j.
Chandler.
The committee appointed to look af-
ter heating the Opera House was
granted further time.
A written report was read from Mr..
Chandler. chairman of committee to
which was referred the application of
the Southern Bell Telephone and Tele-
graph Co., for franchise. He stated
that in compliance with instructions
of Council the Bell Co.'S. ordinance
had been submitted to Messrs. Lee &
Noise, Attorneys, with the request
that they suggest any alterations or
additions that should be made; and to
say whether in their opinion the ordi-.
nance in its present shape was detri-
mental to the interests Of the people.
The attorneys had written an opinion,
presented with the report, wherein
they said that the adoption of this
ordinance would be detrimental to
the interests of the people for reasons
given, and suggested certain addi-
tions. Mr.. Chandler therefore advis-
cd that Council adhere to it's action of
July 9Th in adopting the ordinance
prepared by Lee & Noise, and grant
the Bell Telephone Co. franchise
under that ordinance after the fellow
ing changes and additions have been
made:
First. In subdivision 6, Section 4,
insert the words per month" after
the words schedules OF rates. y
Second. Change subdivision I, Sec
tion 4, so that it will read as follows:
That for all calls by one subscriber
in the city of Sumter to a subscriber
or others residing without the city of
Sumter, through said local exchange
and over and upon the lines thereof,
operated or controlled by the South
ern Bell Telephone Co. within a ra-
dius of twenty-five miles, reckoning
from the Court House in the city Of
Sumter, there shall not be charged
more than five cents one way for each
three minutes or less, that. the calling
subscriber may have the use of said
lines"
Third. Add the following as sub
division, 13 Section 4. If the South
ern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Co.
succeeds to or assumes control Of the
Sumter Telephone Co, or its assigns,
it will continue ali out of town lines
now operated by the said Sumter Tele-
phone Co., at the rates hereinbefore
specified, and in case they do not sue
ceed to, or assume control of the said
lines, and in the event Of the Sumter
Telephone Co., going out of business,
then the Southern Bell Telephone Co.,
will erect and maintain such lines of
their own at the, rates for such service
heretofore specified.
Respectfully submitted.
d. j. Chandler. 9
Mr.. Schwerin stated that he had re-
fused to sign the report of the COM
mittee as one had been previously
made, and this one is unnecessary.
He further said that be had acted as
be thought for the best interest Of all
concerned. Mr.. Hurst explained that
he did not sign the report for the rea-
son that no question of law was in
volyed, and be did not therefore think
the opinion of the attorneys more
valuable than that of other business
men. The letter of Messrs. Lee &
Noise was read. The points are fully
covered by Mr.. Chambers report.
Messrs. Boyle and Dick moved
the further consideration of the
matter be postponed, on ac
count of the involuntary absence Of
Aldermen Chandler and Finn. Mr..
Horace Hardy, Jr.: was granted the
privilege Of the floor and said as the
representative Of the Bell Co., that
they wanted no further delays, and
asked an acceptance or rejection of tee
Bell ordinance. Messrs. Schwerin and
Hurst moved as substitute for the
motion of Messrs. Boyle and Dick
that the ordinance and agreement Of
the Bell Co., be rejected. The sub
stitute was lost and the original motion
prevailed.
The Mayor called attention to error
in publication of the ordinance adopt
ed January 18th. 1902, whereby the
American Telephone Co., was granted
the privilege of erecting an exchange
1