The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-08-19
CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
Council Chamber.

Stuckey, Aldermen D. ]. Chandler, j.
A. Schwerin, P. P. Finn, G. W.
Dick, W. B. Boyle, E. W. Hurst and
W. II. Epperson. Absent: Alderman
G. F. Epperson.
Mr.. I. G. Strauss and Dr.. S. C..
Baker, representing The Sumter Tele-
phone Co., were present in response to
request of Council, for the purpose of
defining their position relative to the
general telephone ordinance. They
claimed to be operating under their
franchise granted by Council in Oc-
tober, 1893, but intended to accept the
terms of the general ordinance on the
adoption of certain amendments
whereby ~ Office and business phones
shall be liable to the same rates; ~
the company may make discretionary
contracts with country subscribers,
as this class of patronage is supplied
at loss to the company; 81 in case
Council at any time shall order poles
removed, and wires placed under
ground then companies in existence at
that time shall be allowed ten years IN
which to comply with such order.
Mr.. Strauss further stated that the
company has spent and is now spend
ing large sums of money in improving
an extending their service, and ask the
adoption of these amendments for the
safety of their investments, which
might at any time be destroyed by
arbitrary act of some future council.
Mr.. Strauss was reminded by Mr..
Chandler that his company is asking
for amendments to an ordinance which
they claim does not effect them !;
whereupon Dr.. Baker fled the follow
ing written acceptance:
Sumter, S. c., Aug. 12, 1908.
The Sumter Telephone Company
hereby accepts the terms of the gen
eral telephone ordinance as contained
in the Code of Laws of the City of
Sumter, 1903, page rs (Sec. u to page 81
The Sumter Telephone Co.,
by S. G. Baker, Pres,
by [. G. Strauss, Atty.
On suggestion of Mr.. Chandler the
desired amendments were submitted
in writing, for future consideration.
In reference to Mr.. E. r. Miller's
demand for Office ssrates, Mr.. Strauss
declared that printing Office is a
business house and not entitled to
Office rates which were intended for
professional men only, and was con-
cession made to secure subscribers
when the company first started in bus
mess. He asked that this matter be
settled, as Mr.. Miller's protest had
brought forth others of a most unreas-
III TN, f0
ton Mr. Strauss said that the COM
pany is now installing the double me-
tallic system and will have it complet-
ed in sixty days.
Minutes of July 24th were read and
approved.
Alderman Dick declared that posi-
tive measures should be taken to pre-
vent the establishment of a second dis
pensary in Sumter. He and Alderman
Chandler offered the following resolu-
ton which was adopted without a
dissenting vote:
Resolved, That it is the opinion Of
Council that second ,dispensary in
Sumter would be contrary to the pub
lie good both of the city and county,
reducing, as it will, the profits of
both, without any compensation there
for.
Resolved, further, That Council
will cooperate with citizens in OBJ
tanning the petition necessary to pre-
vent its establishment.
Mr.. j. j. Hardy, manager Of the
Electric Light Company, appeared be-
fore Council and stated that the clerk
and treasurer had rendered bill of
s24 for lights not burning and S35 for
absence of globes. He protested
against paying the claim, because
daily notices had not been given the
company, and because they had been
unable to procure globes after repeated
efforts. The clerk was directed to de
duct the S35 charge for globes and col
lect the charge of s24 for lights not
burning.
Alderman Dick thought the charge
Of cents per hour as made by the
clerk for lights not burning was
greater than it should be, and moved
that it be reduced to 215 cents. His
motion was lost by the following vote:
Yeas: Dick, W. 81. Epperson.
Nays: Finn, Boyle, Hurst, Chan
der, Schwerin.
Mr.. Schwerin stated that he had
been surprised to discover that the
City has been paying for repairing
water-pipes belonging to private par
ties, which had from time to time
been broken by the street roller. The
Clerk explained that the preceding
Council had ordered all such breaks
to be repaired at City's expense, which
amounted to considerable sum when
macadam work was started, but that
such breaks were now quite rare, he
having paid but one dollar and twenty
five cents on that account during the
present administration. Council de-
cided that it was right that such ex-
pense should be borne by the City and
on Alderman Dicks motion it was SO
ordered, Nh. Schwerin voting "No."
A request for 800 feet fire hose from
the Fire Chiefs was referred to The
Fire Department Committee to con-
slider and report.
By unanimous resolution the Mayor
and Clerk were authorized to. borrow
one thousand dollars from the First
National Bank, giving a certificate Of