The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-05-03
TIE COUNCIL MEETING.
Matters Of General ana Special In
terest Considered.

dermen II. d. Barnett, P. Finn, r.
Haynsworth, e ". Hurst, c. G.
Rowland, w G. stubbs and, R. x.
Wllder.
Absen lderman II. w. Hood.
The minutes Of April 12 were read
and confirmed.
Mr.. d D. Noise presented a petition
On behalf of Mr.. T. B. Jenkins asking
: that the city have terra Gotta drain
s laid in the ditch across his property
and have the ditch filed up in order
that the adjacent lands may be rem
dered more desirable for residential
purposes. The petition set forth that
the filthy water and sewerage in the
ditch amounts to nuisance, danger
4 Gus to public health The petition
was referred to the committee Of pub
ne works to consider and report.
Mr.. 3. S. Lewis asked to be allowed
one third the cost Of digging ditch
IN the southern part OF the city, but
no action was taken.
A letter was read from Messrs. Lee
Noise, attorneys, proposing some
modification Of clty's contract with
the Sumter Electric Light Company,
whereby an all night and every night
schedule might be Installed: same was
referred te the committee of public
works as requested by the attorneys
80 consider the report.
Stubs brought up the petition
sof merchants presented in January
asking that dealers in second hand
Elothing be required to pay license
Of $500 per annum. Same was refer
red TO the committee on police and
sanitation.
The committee OF public works was
requested Io examine condition of the
bell tower to be sure of its safety for
the new FIRE alarm system.
Barnett for police committee
aIed report of lights not burning. He
recomnended purchase of pistols for
the police force.
Chief of Police Bradford stated
shat the pistols of the force had been
an use for several years and are not
as reliable as they should be.
The request was referred to the po-
lice committee with power to act.
me finance committee reported
they had disposed of claims referred
to them and had checked up the
clerk and treasurer,s report for March
and found it correct. The clerks an
nual report for the year ending March
ga, IS very gratifying to your commit
Zee.
Totaa liabilities of the city April 2 Il
1904, were ss6.T2s.s6,, the same day
1895. ss1,s75.00, showing a decrease
IA the public debt for the year s4.-=
$3.50. This decrease has come about
not as the result Of stopping any pub
lie Improvements hut from q. marked
increase Of income Of various kinds,
FOR instance, our license tax shows an
increase, approximately of s1,1oo;
real estate tax, $3.50; personal prop
erty tax, $500; street tax, $3.50; fines
and penalties, $500; dispensary prof
It's, $1,000
we disbursed on streets and bitches
IN 1865, 500 more than 1904; scaven-
ger carts, $50 less; electric lights,sSoo
more; opera house repairs, $3.50
more, FIRE department, 1885 less; in
udental expenses, s275 more; special
police, s2o5 more; board of health,
$3.50 more; interest and discounts,
$3.50 more; public printing. 500 less;
Dmcers salaries, $500 more Upon the
whole the outlook is encouraging.
C.. G. Rowland, Chairman.
The committee returned bill for re-
Dairs Of health officers bicycle, s6.15,
for action Of council; it was ordered
paid.
The committee Of public works re-
ported the work Of claying Washing
ton street progressing nicely. They
were requested to prepare, with the
assistance Of the clerk, an ordinance
IA regard to trash boxes on the
streets and for the protection Of the
Hre alarm system.
Reports were received from man
ayers Of election this day held on the
uuestion Of issuing bonds to purchase
the Sumter water system and for
three commissioners Of public works.
Number Of ballots cast 205.
OF these 100 were in favor Of the
purchase and bond issue and rs in
opposition thereto.
For commission Of public
works 2o5 ballots were cast, of which
H. L. Scarborough and r. l. Ed