Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-15
IT WAS A BUSY SESSION
Council disposed Of Matters Of
Moment Last Night,
SUIT AGAINST Mr.. C. C. SMITH
Difficulty Will Be Taken to Court
For Adjustment officer Hollis
Is Exonerated.


council last night was a some hat
lengthy and heated one and keIt the
aldermen hard at work until nearly IL
O'Clock disposing of several matters of
importance and holding extended de.
bates on other matters that were not
so important
Among the things of importance
were the Diet rmina'ion to institute a
suit in the Circuit court against Mr..
G. G. Smith. who is alleged to have
placed the wall around his property
on South Queen street foot or two
on corporation territory the determi-
nation to collect back taxes immedi-
ately by process OF law; the final
action before widening North Queen
street near the railroad crossing. and
the etion of the council in ordering
Officer Hollis back to work over the
SUSPENSION of the mayor, with full pay
for the month.
There were present Couneilmen
Lemen. Poole, Thompson, Cushwa.
Stewart, Grozinaer, Lambert, Emmert
and Schill- Hutsler was the only
absentee.
The finance commit. reported that
On estimate of the receipts and dis
bursements for the coming year had
been made. The receipts will be as
follows:
Taxes, $l6, 600; water rents. $4,000 ;
liquor licenses, 1000; miscellaneous,
80, $50; total, S3l ,639
The principal items of expense will
be. water. $4,000; streets, 50. 500:
police, So, 500: salaries, 50, 800; sinking
fund. So, 600; interest 81, $50; lights,
81, 400; paving, $4,000; Queen street
bridge, $1,000; KiImer springs pay
ment, 81, 200 miscellaneous to make
total of $3l, 450
The sum of 81. 200 was ordered drawn
from the treasury and paid TO Mr..
John D. Kilmer as part payment en-
the Hilmer springs property, which
the city purchased two years ago as a
source of water supply.
Attention was directed to the fact
that the interest on the city debt.
amounting to some 1900, would fall
due on July 10, and that there is not
sufficient funds on hands to meet the
payment. Sergeant Sencipdver stated
that about So, SEQ of back taxes had not
been ccllec ted, owing to the failure OF
the tax PAYERS to liquidate, and that
If this could be collected there would
be sufficient funds on hand to meet
the interest when due. The council
thereupon instructed and enjoined the
sergeant to Immediately proceed to
collect the back taxes by process of
law, and suits will be brought against
thoss who fail to respond at once.
The report of Fire Chief Kline for
the past six months was submitted,
showing a limited number of alarms
of fire re responded to by the depart.
ment, with comparatively small
damage. He asked for the purchase
OF 1000 feet OF hose for the different
reel houses. and a2ain brought up the
question of a central fire house apart
from the CITY hall. where it is pro-
posed to install chemical wagon and
horses, with several paid tiremen to be
ALWAYS on duty. He stated that if
the city would erect suitable build-
ing he would enter into an agreement
to thoroughly equip it with modern
apparatus without asking a cent from
the council, the WORK to be done by
private subscription No action was
taker. Council granted permission
for the department to hold street
carnival for the benefit OF the depart
ment.
The water committee reported that
a total expenditure of about $1,000
would be required for new water
pipes, connections. Plugs. etc., on that
portion of Queen street it is proposed
to pave.
The city attorney reported that the
city has the power, under the law. TO
pave any section of a street or allev
upon petition of two-thirds of the
AUDITING property owners, one-third
the cost to be borne by the city. the
balance to be assessed upon the prop.
erty owners pro rata.
Rev. @. p. Moon. pastor of the col
ored Methodist church, asked the aid
of the council in repairing his church,
DAMAGED by the explosion of dynamite
on the morning of July The coun.
Gil Informed him that no aid could be
extended in such cases. but that the
Individual members OF the council
would be pleased to help in restoring
the church.
The street committee reported that
the bids for widening Queen street
near the Baltimore & Ohio crossing
bad been opened. and that committee