Typed as spelled and written
Lena Stone Criswell
THE DAILY DEMOCRAT
Thirty-First Year - Number 232
Marlin, Texas, Saturday, January 30, 1932
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WHEN FINANCIAL WORRIES
CONFRONTED CITY COUNCIL
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Methods of Securing Money For Pur-
chase of Fire Horses and Street
Mules Had to be Devised.
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When the city council met April 5, 1899, and new officers were installed (J. M.
Kennedy, mayor, W. H. Jones, B. C. Nettles, C. H. King, W. T. Fannin, F. E.
Hailey and Sam Samuels, aldermen), a committee was immediately appointed to
draft resolutions for respect for former Mayor C. H. Bartlett, F. E. Hailey, Sam
Samuels and W. T. Fannin were appointed and at a subsequent meeting presented
the resolutions. They were adopted and written in the minutes.
***
April 5, 1899, Nash, Robinson & Company was given permission to put a railroad
switch on their land to cross Live Oak strett (sic). The street
commissioner had previously reported that the mules used for street work were
too old to give good service, and the council had authorized W. T. Fannin to
purchase new ones. Mr. Fannin, now, was authorized to sell the old mules
just as soon as younger ones were obtained. But, according to one
alderman, "one old mule had been faithful for a long time and deserves to be set
free, fed or pastured for the balance of her natural life." It was so
ordered, and W. H. Jones assumed responsibility for "caring for her."
***
The well committee, appointed to make inquiry into necessary repairs to the hot
well, damaged by the casing breaking deep underground, reported that "material
is at hand and we have written H. G. Johnston (the man who drilled it).
Nothing further can be done until definite word is received from Mr. Johnston.
***
Mr. McCoy's idea was to pull the upper section of casing, which had broken
loose, and by a special process "re-thread the lower end, put on a coupling, and
then screw the pieces together again. Mr. Bedichek had a different idea,
which was Mr. Johnston's plan. It was to join the ends with cement.
Details of how the work was to be accomplished were immaterial. Mr.
Johnston's plan, proposed by his representative, was adopted. Thirty days
later, the public improvement committee reported that "the well was fixed."
***
Alderman Fannin made a trip to Missouri and returned without purchasing mules
for work on the street. On June 7th, he told the council "mules were too
high in Missouri."
***
A month later special ordinances were enacted for the protection of firemen and
fire-fighting equipment, including the appointment of a fire policeman or
"marshal." A "hitching ordinance" was likewise pased. Mayor Kennedy
previously had been authorized to borrow $200.00 with which to purchase fire
horses (Nip and Tuck); also $250.00 for the mules. At this meeting, he
reported he was successful in being able to borrow for the fire horses, but the
bank "declined to lend the money for the general fund for mules, unless I would
give them personal assurance the same would be paid out of taxes collected this
year, 1899. As the council gave me no instructions as to that, I did not
feel that I should assume the authority." The bank wanted 10 per cent
interest.
***
That the failure to borrow the needed funds brought much discussion is shown by
various proposals being offered and voted on. And this is not the only
evidence of financial difficulties. For instance, Alderman Nettles,
chairman of the street and alley commtitee, (sic), said, "since there is no
money in the treasury and repairs are needed (refering particularly to Bean's
bridge) there is no further use for the street and alley committee, and I offer
my resignation."
***
The emergency demanded action, according to one alderman who spoke eloquently
and moved that $750.00 be borrowed (evidently with the understanding that it be
paid from 1899 taxes, as this seems to be the only understanding with which the
banks would lend money). The motion was carried--and the council adjourned
until later in the day.
***
Following adjournment, the mayor vetoed the order to borrow $750.00. There
was considerable discussion, but the veto was sustained. Alderman Nettles
thereupon offered his resignation. Not accepted.
***
To add further to the financial embarrassment, Z. W. Bartlett appeared in
"behalf of teh Boston Woven Hose Company and asked that the account of the city
with that concern be put in some definite shape." A motion carried in
which the city agreed to make notes bearing 6 per cent interest since 1896
(the account was three years past due) and payable in one and two years.
***
The mayor, at this moment, presented another veto--a veto of the order
authorizing borrowing $250.00 for the fire horses. (The amount previously
authorized for this purpose was $200.00). The veto was sustained after
discussion and refering back to minutes of previous meetings to determine the
exact status of the order.
(To be continued.)
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Permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing
by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas.