The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-12-11

i A rather lively passage at arms be
tween Major W. j. Whitthorne and Nj
J. P. Street, and the election OF Re
9 corder for the next two years enliv
j, ened the regular session Of the BoarC
: of Mayor and Aldermen Thursda!
night
As to the election of a Recorder, the
prediction of The Herald was fulfilled
and Judge Erwin was reelected by
unanimous vote. No other name was
placed in nomination and there was
not the slightest jar as the Judge
stepped from his twentieth year in
the service of the city as Recorder
into his twenty first year. When
nominations were called for the name
of Judge Erwin was placed before the
Board by Alderman Swansburg and
was promptly seconded. Mayor Bid
die asked if there were any other
nominations, and as none were made
| Alderman Hayes moved that the Judge
be elected by reclamation, which was
done. A rather broad smile adorned
the faces of some of the on-lookers
who were conversant with the situa-
ton and saw with what ease the
unanimous vote was cast.
Judge Erwin thanked the Board for
their confidence and endorsement. He
said he had always tried to serve the
city faithfully and to the best of his
ability and would continue to give
his best thought and energy to the
work He said he did not know how |
long he would be here, but when his .
service was ended he hoped the city
would secure a man who would dis
charge the duties of the Office even
better than he had done.
The passage at arms between Major
Whitthorn and Mr.. Street occurred
over the proposed Cemetery avenue
To make a long story
short, and the story was rather long
in the telling, the city and the Louis
Vile & Nashville Railroad have had
under consideration the building of
an underpass at this crossing and
nave had several conferences over the
natter. An underpass is badly need |
I'd at this dangerous crossing. A {
lumber of runaways have occurred I
here, people have been injured and q
number of head of horses have been I
Tiled So the underpass would not 7
,nly be protection to life and prop Il
rty, but would save the railroad the g
expense of a Waterman and consid- >
.rable loss in the way of damages for 5
destroyed. t
Major Whitthorne became interest a
d in the matter at the solicitation of IL
ONE of the property holders living p
outh of town, and his efforts with Il
hat of the Board secured a PROPOSE z
ion from the L. & N. for the con- Il
truction of an underpass north of the W
resent crossing and the closing Of
emetery avenue at the railroad, pro- ST
lded the city would secure a right Of CT
ay through lot belonging to the Ell
otton Factory up to the entrance to ST
lie proposed underpass. The rail- OF
,ad however, was to build the street at
tier the right of way was secured
n. Street as president of the Cotton be
actory offered this right of way to br
lie city at $500. BIZ
When the matter was called up tn
ajor Whitthorne as representative Gu
the railroad, and as he said also OF II
lie city'in the capacity of citizen, an
:. S. Fleming and Mr.. Street were an
'esent as representatives of the Cot in
n Factory. Major Whitthorne de- de
,unced the price demanded by the wi
)tton Factory for the right Of way ne
exhorbitant and said the company un
as simply trying to hold the city up. sti
nat the lot was a vacant one, was wi
,out four acres In extent and was
sessed for taxes at only $3.50, while Ca
e amount needed by the city was IS
~ one.fourth of an acre and the thi
mpany was trying to sell land they asi
I in for taxes at less than 800 an wa
re, at $4,000 an acre. He said the rel
tton Factory had in large measure An
EN- exempt from corporation taxes inv
years and at the same time had ma
ioyed the privileges of being within ma