The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-09-30
CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
Harvin Street Side Track Petition Again
Postponed---Other Matters Considered.

The City Council held regular
meeting at s O'Clock Thursday night
with Mayor Stuckey and Aldermen
Chandler, ". H. Epperson, Hurst
and Schwerin present. The absentees
were Aldermen Boyle, Dick, Finn
and G. T. Epperosn.
A number of citizens were present
in reference to the petition of Mr.. W.
A. Bowman and associates for the
privilege of laying a railroad track
across Harvin street and they were ac-
corded the privileges Of the floor.
Mr.. Bowman renewed his request.
Messrs. Hurst and Chandler moved
that the petition be granted. DR.. A.
j. China and Mr.. NJ. E. Beck oppos-
ed the measure.
Mr.. Chandler stated that while he
favored the granting of the petition
he thought that in matter of SO
much Importance the entire Council
should act and not bare quorum.
He requested the Mayor to decide
whether or not the absent Aldermen
might vote by proxy. Mayor Stuckey
ruled that legislation could not be
done by proxy and only those mem
bers of Council present could vote
upon question of this nature. Mr..
Chandler then withdrew his second to
Mr.. Hurst's resolution and the matter
was left in statu quo.
Mr.. Abe Ryttenberg, lessee Of the
Opera House, was present and said
complaint had been made against him
for posting bills for theatrical per-
formances without license, and asked
Council to say whether he must pay a
license as bill poster for this work.
He further said that he does not re-
ceive any pay for the work, it being a
necessary part Of the business as a
theatrical manager. Mr.. Schwerin
contended that Mr.. Ryttenberg indi-
rectly works for others and should pay
the license, or regular bill posters
should be exempt from the tax and all
be placed on the same footing. The
work Mr.. Ryttenberg is doing he held
to be different to a merchant advertising
his goods, as Mr.. Ryttenberg erects
boards and adyertises about the city,
and not merely at his place of business.
Mr.. Chandler thought Mr.. Schwerin
took wrong view of the question and
said Mr.. Ryttenberg should be per-
mitted to do all posting in connection
with his business without license.
At Mr.. Schwerin's request action
was postponed, Mr.. Ryttenberg to
continue posting theatrical bills IN
the meanwhile.
The appeal of Gus Lewis from YER
dict of the Mayors Court was defer
red because of the absence of the pros
ecutor who had not been notified that
the case would come up at this meet
ing.
Mr.. Schwerin called attention to
the danger to pupils from bicyclists
crossing the Washington Street School
grounds, and proposed resolution to
prevent the practice. On motion OF
Mr.. Hurst the matter was referred to
the committee of public works with
power to act.
The minutes of meetings held Sept.
14th and 18th were read and approved
An ordinance to prohibit dry wells
and cess pools within one-half mile OF
the water works pumping station had
its second reading, was adpoted and
ordered published.
A letter was read from Mrs. Ella
Tuomey requesting Council to bear
part of the expense of building an
artificial stone sidewalk in front Of
her stores on Main street and was re-
ferred to the committee Of public
works to examine and report.
Council then adjourned.