The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-16

Board of Aldermen.
On yesterday morning Mayor Wad-
dell called a special meeting of the
board of aldermen for last night and
the meeting was held. We might give
as a report of the meeting what Colo
mel White, who acted as secretary in
the absence of MIR. Fowler, said he
thought he would give, that the board
met at 8, adjourned at 10 and no bust
ness was transacted. Strictly speaking
nothing definite was done but OF the
other hand the board heard talks from
several business men and learned
what they thought Of a bond issue for
street improvements. Members of the
board also expressed themselves FULLY
as to their ideas and preferences. In
other words, everybody present had
their say in regard to issuing bonds
for street improvements and water
works. 1t was thought that the Dock
street side track matter would be dis
cussed, but nothing was done in re-
gard to it. The impression prevails
that the action of the board in order
ing the track. to be taken up will be
r%escinded.
When the board first met, Alderman
Brow was not present and it was
about 9 o'clock before he arrived. The
first matter to come before the board
was the reading of the report of the
water works committee by the chair
man. Alderman E. F. Johnson. He
also read a written opinion OF City
Attorney Marsden Bellamy, Jr., in re-
gard to the right Of the city to issue
bonds for water works, sewerage or
street improvements without a vote
of the people.
Report of the Committee.
ITO the Mayor and Board of Aldermen,
Gentlemen:
Your committee on water works,
having given full consideration to the
matter of municipal ownership OF a
water works and sewerage plant, beg
leave herewith to submit their findings
and recommendations.
/. We have considered the matter
~ lllt COSI Va uSIiOA vi " oUAA
cient and modern system of water
works and sewerage, and are advis-
ed by the experts employed that the
water works plant can be constructed
for about $3.50, 600 and a sewerage plant
for about SIPS, 900, the estimate in both
cases covering a complete and up to
date system.
-. We have had the matter of an
O-o,1o c,,In1v Of oOO6 and nIra water
thoroughly investigated and are adVis-
ed by the experts employed for this
purpose that a sufficient supply Of good
water can be easily obtained.
'3. Believing that all arguments
advanced in regard to the d~esirability
of municipal ownership of water
works. applied strongly to the matter
of sewerage. we have included, as Will
be noted in our Investigations, the
subject of a proper sewerage system.
"A. This matter has been fully dis
cussed by this board. and in the COM
munitv. and your committee believes
that the people are DESTROYS OF having
this work inaugurated Immediately,
and therefore recommend,
II That the city advertise for sale
at once an issue C 100000 in bonds
to Drovide for the requirement or CON
structiol, of water works and sewerage.
In this connection, we attach the oplr-
ion of the city attorney TO the erect
that such an Issue can be made by TINS
hoard. Said bonds TO iCl for thirty
wears AT a rate Of four per cent
&c The interest on This issue n
the amount required to be set ASIDE
he Droyided for without the increase
IF q single dollar of taxation, ana with
a reduction also of the cost OF water
service as DOW charged.
.7 We recommend that a commits
sion be provided by the legislaGie as
soon as it convenes for the purpose
of handling this Improvement, 1ree OF
anv changes that are liable to occur
in the city government from time TO
time. i
IS. In the event that the board of
audit and finance thinks it advisable
to submit the question of the issue OF
those bonds to an election, We recon-
mend that this board coincide there
in. provided there is no delay involved.
E. F. JOHNSON,
Chairman.
r. w. PRICE.
J. o. BROWN.
wilmington, N. c.. February IA"
City Attorneys Opinion.
To the Honorable Mayor and Board of
Aldermen of the City of Whining
ton, N. c.:
Gentlemen:-Complying with your
request that / give a written opinion
as to the authority OF the city OF