The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-11-05
COUNCIL HOLDS EXTRA SESSION.
City Fathers Extend Time for Com
pletiOn of Gas Plant--Mr. j. Is.
Rafiield Nominated for Cotton
Welgher.

The City Fathers met in a special
session Tuesday at 8 p. m. for the
purpose of recommending someone as
public cotton weigher to take the
place Of ], +. Reid. resigned, and,
incidentally. to grant an extension
OF time to certain parties In which to
complete the erection Of a gas plant
In this city. The meeting was a very
short one and all members Of City
Council were present. except Alder
man Booth.
Mr.. r. o. Purdy was present on be-
half Of the Sumter Gas Co., asking
that an extension Of nine months be
allowed the parties now controlling
the plant in which to complete The
work which was begun here several
months ago.
He stated that the work had fallen
through to certain extent at the
death of Mr.. Alnutt, and that Mr.. Z.
b. Wright, Of Boardman. N. c. who
had up to this time paid all bills
connected with the plant had with
draw from the company and no long
er had any interest in the plant. He
said that he had receive letters from
Mr.. w. w Randolph, of New York
city. a constructing engineer who had
formerly had charge Of the work
here. stating that the plant had gone
into new hands and that If the nine
months extension was granted that
work would be begun here in the
next thirty days. He thought that Mr..
Randolph was acting in good faith
and so far as he knew. there was
nothing at all crooked about the
proposition. The matter was discuss
ed for some time and it was moved
and carried that it, by extending the
franchise for nine months longer it
would not hurt the original holders
OF stock in the company, and that
the work on the plant would be re-
sumed in the next thirty days, and
that this In no way affected the bond
of $1,000 which was now held by
council, that the franchise should be
extended.
1t is not known who are the parties
who now own the stock in the plant.
but 1t is known that the original
owners no longer have anything to
do with the company. they having sold
out all of their stock.
A letter was read from the Coun-
ty Board asking that Council recon-
mend someone to take the position
OF public cotton weigher. now vacant,
because of the resignation OF Mr.. ].
f. Reid. Mr.. Hurst read applica-
tions from Mr.. j. b. Raffield and Mr..
j. j. Thames asking that council
recommend them for the position. If
1t should see tit to do SO. A secret
ballot was then taken and 1t was
found, when they were counted, that
NNN' IL AsdhiCio WdS
recommended by council for the po-
sition. The clerk was directed to
notify the County Board OF this re-
commendation at once. so that they
could appoint Mr.. Raffield at a spe-
cial meeting. to be held Wednesday.
1t was brought up that the position
Of Recorder would be left vacant,
should Mr.. Raffield be appointed
public cotton weigher but no action
was taken, as Mr.. Raffield had not
resigned his position as Recorder.
Mr.. McKeiver notified Council that
the rope for shifting the scenery in
the Academy of Music was worn out
and he was instructed to get another
one.
Mr.. Cuttino asked that bicycles pe
prohibited on the sidewalks Of Board
street, stating that the sidewalks
were narrow. the street was in good
condition and that there was danger
to pedertrains from the bicycles. This
was put to vote and carried, bicy-
cles being forbidden on the sidewalks
Of that street hereafter.