The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-16
RAILWAY FRANCHISE GRANTED.
City Council Adopts Ordinance, Granting
40-Year Franchise and Five Years Tax
Exemption.

A special meeting of City Council,
called for the purpose of considering
the Street Railway ordinance, was
held at p. m. last Friday. Mayor
Stuckey aud Aldermen Boyle, Dick,
". H. Epperson, G. F. Epperson,
Finn, Hurst and Schwerin we're pres
ent Absent Alderman Chandler.
The clerk presented the Street Rail
way ordinance for a second reading.
Mr.. Schwerin asked that this reading
be for the benefit of Aldermen who
were absent at the first reading and
not be considred as the second reading
Council decided this to be the second
reading.
M. Schwe,in stated that be wished
to see the railway esta blished and
would vote for the ordinance, if it
were amended in two particulars, viz ::
1st, that the company shall run line
down Liberty street at least as far as
Levi street, as there are good many
large taxpayers in that section-that
will be all that the eastern section of
the city will get, which is but a small
concession and they should have some
representation in public Improvements.
End, Eliminate that part Of the ordi
nance which exempts the company
from taxation for five years, as it is
unconstitutional and council has no
right to exempt any corporation except
manufacturing esta blishments and be-
sides, be was opposed to the tax ex-
emption because the franchise is too
valuable to be given away for nothing.
Messers. Finn, Dick and G. T. Ep-
person also supported the claims of
the Liberty street line.
Mr.. D. A. Minor said that be and
his associates had given much thought
to the question Of the best route, that
they were satisfied that the proposed
Liberty street line could not be oper-
ated except at q considerable loss,
which the enterprise in its infancy
could not afford They do not expect
the enterprise to make money under
five years, and they ask Council not to
impose conditions that will cripple
them at the start. Mr. Minor further
said the company would be glad
enough to occupy other streets as the
demand for increased railway service
grows and a reasonable hope Of COM
pensation IS apparent.
The ordinance was read.
Mr.. Schwerin asked that it be sub
lnitted to a lawyer for an opinion,
which Mr.. Boyle thought would be a
wise precaution. DR.. Dick stated that
the ordinance was modelled after that of
another city in this State where a
street railway system is now in opera
tion.
The committee by whom the ordi-
nance had been submitted recommend
ed that, "a proviso be inserted that all
cars be of modern, up to date style,
and also that Oakland avenue be in
cluded in the streets through which
the railway shall run. The petitioners
were present and agreed to these
amendments.
Messers. G. F; and W. II. Epperson
moved that the ordinance, as amend
ed, be adopted.
Nh. Schwerin offered, as Substitute.
that the franchise be refused unless
the Liberty street line be included and
the tax exemption be eliminated.
There was no second to the substitute.
The ordinance was then adopted and
ordered published by the following
vote:
Yeas-Boyle, Dick, Epperson. v.
H., Epperson, 6. F., Finn, Hurst,
Stuckey.
Nays-Schwerin.
The business which the meeting was
called to consider being thus disposed
of, council adjourned.