The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-09-05
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

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Present-Mayor w B. Boyle, Al
dernan j. H. Chandler. P. P. Finn,
p. f. Haynsworth. E. H. Rhame and
r. * Wilder.
Aosent-Alderman H. D Barnett,
". a. Bowman and H. C. Hayns-
worth
Mr.. H j. Noise requested the
adoption of an ordinance granting to
him and his associates and assigns,
permission to construct and operate
Gas Works and to buy and sell gas
pipes. stoves, fixtures, etc. The or
dinan.e was read and discussed
Mr.. W. Il. Ingraham presented and
requested the adoption Of an ordi-
nance lgranling to him. MS associates
and assigns, a street railway and
eltctrc light franchise. The ordinance
was read and discussed.
Mr.. R. D. Lee. representing the
Sumter Telephone Manufacturing
Company, applied for permission to
install and operate an exchange un-
der ,he General Telephone Ordi-
nance. Mr.. Lee explained that his
company has no desire TO compete
with the company now operating an
exchange. But 9hey may find it
necessary to do so in order to pre-,
Vent their competitors, The Southern
Bell Company from gaining a foot
hold in Sunater.
Mr.. I. c. Strauss and Major Marion
Noise. for the Sumter Telephone
! Company protested against the grant
of second telephone exchange, as it
would be Of no advantage to the pub
lie and would be disastrous to one
or the other of the competing COM
panies. Mr.. Strauss then requested
council to grant the request of his
company to advance their rates for
service as agreed to by their sub
/! scribers. He further stated as an
evidence of good faith Of his company
not to sell thir stock without consent
! Of council, to contract to give the
| city an option to purchase their stock
either for the city or its assigns, at
any time for such price as may be
offered by any person, firm or corpo-
ration. And to give a bond of 10000
to 10000. Tor the faithful compliance
with the option contract On motion
Of Mr.. Haynsworth, action was de-
ferred On all telephone questions un-
| II the first regular meeting in Septem-
! Der, at which time a report is to be !.
made by the committee in charge of
these matttrs.
On request of Mr.. Bartow Walsh,
an exemption from taxes and licenses
| was granted to the Mutual Ice Gem
pany for a period of five years.
The Opera House committee was
authorized to award the contract for
necessary painting and repair of the
building to the lowest responsible
bidder
Before further consideration Of
requests for franchises, on motion Of
ar Chandler, the following resolution
was unanimously adopted: Resolved
that the council will grant no fran
chise for the construction and opera
ton, or construction or operation of
any public utility, such as steel rain
ways, gas works, electric light or
power plants, unless the person, firm
OF corporation applying for such
franchise shall enter into bond in
such reasonable sum as the council
may determine. to be forfeited at a :
certain stipulated time, in case there J
is no movement III good faith to-
wards such construction Or operation
as aforesaid
Council further considered the ap-
licat;on of Mr.. H. D. Noise for a gas
franchise and his request was granted
on the terms Of similar right here
torore granted in favor Of Mr.. n. G.
osteen. Jr. Provided Mr.. Noise
give the required bond in the sum of
two hundred and fifty dollars. and
pay cost Of publication.
The ordinance requested by Mr.. W.
II. ingram was referred to an attorney
on whose approval Council voted to
grant the franchise. Provided he
gives in the sum of $500 as required
under the above resolution, and pay
Attorneys fee and cost of publica-
ton.
On motion of Mr.. Finn the commit
tee of public works was authorized to
have signs made and posted at the =
cemetery, warning persons against
trespassing.
Air. Haynsworth reported that the