The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-05-13
Consolidated Aug. 9, 1881.


afternoon to see what they should de-
eide to be the best thing TO do.
Mr.. Booth reported for the street
committee that work had practically
stopped on the streets for the past
few weeks as all OF his laborers had
left him and gone to the county
gang where they were paid better
wages. He said that various parts OF
the city had been cleaned up while
efforts were being made to get more
hands, and that work had been re-
sumed on Calhoun street, but that the
force OF hands were very small, al
though the work was being done on
the contract plan. He reported that
the pipe for the storm sewer on Main
and Kendrick streets was now being
made, but that he had not been able
as yet to get information about Main
street so that bids could be called for.
He was instructed to get information
from the city engineer for the special
street committee Sd that bids could
be secured from contractors at once.
The matter of connecting a sewer
line with the wholesale house OF
Crosswell & Company was brought up
and Mr.. Crosswell was given permits
sion to put in the line under the di-
rection Of the city engineer, who was
directed to furnish all information
needed for the line.
Mr.. McLaurin, for the finance COM
mittee, reported the books of the city
clerk TO be in good shape.
NJ. II. l.. Wright, as chairman of
the police and light committees, made
his report OF the number Of arrests
and fines during the past month. He
also made a report as to the lights
needed at various places in the city.
He was instructed with his committee
to arrange the additional lights at the
places that they were most needed.
The matter OF placing the arches
on Main and Liberty Streets as prom
ised by the Sumter Lighting Company
was next brought up and the light
committee was instructed to let the
company know where the arches were
to be placed and the committee was
also to look into the matter of the
electric sign for Sumter and find out
the cost Of erecting 1t and what was
't.re''best kind of display to he secured
and report this information at the
next meeting Of council.
The next matter brought up was the
paving on Church street and it was
this matter that took up a great part
OF the three and three-quarter hours
that Council was in session, for it was
discussed pro and con by every mem
Der Of Council, except Mr.. Glenn who
mad left previous to the bringing up
or the matter, and Mr.. Rhame who
was not present. Mr. Beatty wanted
w S"'''e ioi the Work at some price,
even II he was not paid the full price
Tor 1t. He had been To the street com
mittee. who at two different meetings
mad failed to come TO an agreement
with him. The street committee was
not ready to make any recommend
alton as to the acceptance or rejection
of the work. 1t was stated by them
that they had not seen fit to settle for
the work on any terms as they did not
think that they had the authority TO
do so when the city engineer had con-
demned the work as not up 10 speci-
fications.
IL seems that the part OF the work
condemned is that between Broad
ana Calhoun street on the east side of
Church street. Mr.. Lee examined the
work by drilling holes in il every fits
feet and reported it not to come up
to specifications i'm the thickness OF the
upper layer OF cement and as 20 the
stone used In the foundation. Mr..
Beatty contended that the work was
good in some places as was seen by
the go. X" marks made at & ut
half Of the holes and that all ought
not II be condemned because some
OF II was defective. He did not seem
To think that Maj. Lee could furnish
a thorough Inspection by means IF the
holes drilled at regular intervals. He
was ready to- allow 10 per cent off to
The property owners and the same t.
the city, provided that the claim was
paid and at the same time he would
cover the work with a $500 bond for
five years.
The matter was discussed fully. but
no satisfactory conclusion was reach