Regular Meeting of the City Council Austin, Texas, February 02, 1885 109 Hon. J.W. Robertson Mayor President Roll called, present: Aldermen Schneider, Pritz, Pellows, Hancock, Wells, Campbell, Schubert, Underhill, Maass, Wahrens, Odell, Sarrington, Holman, Hill, Pleuty, Brush & Bremmond Absent: Aldermen Crooker, Rickey & Ervin. amendment Minutes of January 5th, 1881, amended as as amended to show that an ordinance appropriating $1000. for the purpose of establishing a park on the Block north of the graded-school, was read a second time Report of The City Sexton submitted a report, calling the Sexton attention of the City Council to the fact that the asking for ground used for the burial of Colored People an addition was exhausted, and not more than six or eight Cemetery bodies could be placed on said ground, that application be made for the purpose of burying which citizens and asked that an addition be added to the present City Cemetery Referred to the Cemetery Committee Pet. for Aldermen Plath presented a petition from Bridge citizens and business men asking that the Council over Walnut creek pass an ordinance appropriating $1000. for the creek purpose of building a bridge over walnut creek on Pecan St. Referred to the Street Committee Pet of Dr The petition of Dr Salm and R. Lemons asking Salm & R. that fines imposed against them in the recorder's Lemons. be remitted was not granted J. H. Taylor a fine of $17.50 imposed against J. H. Taylor in fine remitted the Recorder's Court, on motion was remitted Sexton for The report of the City Sexton for January 1881 shows January 1881 total deaths 28, white 13 Colored 13 Mexican 2, Referred to the Cemetery Committee --- Page break --- 110 February 3rd 1881 Physician. The report of the City Physician for January 1881 Jan. 1880 was read and referred to the Hospital Committee. Marshall Report of the City Marshall for January 1881 for Jan 1881 Total fines & cash from fines worked out appealed Turned over to the County Due by escape Brought forward. Jury fines Ass & Col The report of the assessor and Collector for the Gr. ending Quarter ending January 1881 Total collection Jan 1880 $8.639.76. created by Treasurer receipts Nº 990 to 1005 inclusive $8.639.76 School tax collected and turned over to Treasurer of Free Schools $1273.88. Referred to the Finance committee. Treasurer. Report of the City Treasurer for the month of for Jan 1881 January 1881 Balance on hand January December 31st $71.738.43. Received from the assessor and collector $3.613.91. Received from State of Texas school fund $17.03.75 Credits Paid Now interest warrants. $3.003.63. “ Cheif of City Hospital. $3.05.70 “ Treasurer of Austin public schools $14.703.75 Total $16.214.59 Unappropriated $8.906.08. Referred to the Finance committee. City Clerk The report of the City Clerk shows total amount of Gr. ending warrant issued during the quarter ending Jan 1, 1885 Jan 1. 1880 to Cr. $16.624.61 Referred to the Finance Committee Resignation The resignation of W. R. Brown as assistant of the Austin of W.R. Brown Fire Department was accepted. Recorder of Austin Tex Jan 8, 1881 Fire Dept. To the Hon Mayor and Board of Aldermen of on election the City of Austin. of Chief Gentlemen, I hereby take pleasure in notifying your honorable body that at a meeting, --- Page break --- 111 held by the various foremen of the Austin Fire Department, January 15th 1889. Mr. W. K. Brown was elected Chief of the Austin Fire Department for the unexpired Term Yours obediently Charles Hofheintz Recorder Austin Fire Department. Confirmation On motion the council confirmed W. K. Brown as Chief of the Austin Fire Department for the unexpired term. The Finance committee submitted the Finance following report, which was adopted. on Ordinance To the Hon Mayor and City Council of $1000. for improve the City of Austin. Park. Gentlemen: Your committee to whom has been referred the within ordinance, beg leave to report that they have had the same under consideration and would state that they are of the opinion that the sum of $1500. would be ample to improve said Park, the same being already inclosed and the planting of shrubbery as all which is needed Respectfully J. M. Odell ) Finance J. M. Maas ) Committee Lewis Hancock ) Finance The Finance committee submitted the following on Pet. of report on the petition of R. H. House, which was adopted R. H. House To the Hon. Mayor and City Council of the City of Austin! Gentlemen: Your committee to whom was referred the within communication of R. H. House beg leave to state that they have investigated the subject, submitted to them and are of the opinion that inasmuch as an appeal has been taken, and the question of law involved as well as the amount of the judgment being great, we had better allow the law to have due course, and therefore recommend that the petition be not granted. J. M. Odell, Chairman Finance Committee, --- Page break --- 112 February 2nd 1885 Police on The Police committee submitted the following report the reports of the City Marshal for the months of monthly Dept. Oct.& Nov. 1884 which was adopted. To his honor the Mayor and City Council Your committee on Police to whom was referred the within reports, have examined the same and find them correct. Respectfully J.P. Schneider R.J. Hill W.J. Brennen Police on The Police committee submitted the following report charged on charges made by H. Benjamin against Sergeant Chenneville against the report was adopted, To his honor, the Mayor and City Council Your committee on Police to whom was referred the within petition of Herman Benjamin) believing the same to be frivolous recommend that the same be dismissed Respectfully J.P. Schneider R.J. Hill W.J. Brennen Police on The Police committee submitted the following petition of Mrs. Groble for pay for hogs impounded the report of the Committee was adopted To the Honor the Mayor and City Council of the City of Austin Your committee on Police to was referred the within petition report that the same having been reported on by a special committee, we recommend that the same be dismissed Respectfully J.P. Schneider R.J. Hill W.J. Brennen Police on The Police committee submitted the following an Ordinance for report which was adopted, on an ordinance for purchase the purchase of Police uniform To his honor, the Mayor & City Council Your committee on Police to whom was referred the within ordinance by leave to report and recommended that the same do not pass. Respectfully J.P. Schneider R.J. Hill --- Page break --- Police on the police committee submitted the following report on the petition of Louis Morris asking Morris for 2 months back pay. To his honor, the Mayor & City Council. Your committee on police to whom was referred the within petition of Louis Morris, beg leave to report and recommend that the same be not granted J. P. Schneider A. J. Hill The report was adopted by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Schneiders, Hutz, Dellon, Hancock, Liles, Campbell, Roe, Schuher, Undershill, Maas, Warren, Coleman, and Hill, Maayo, aldermen Odell, Carringtons, Platt, Bush and Brennen. The following report of the police committee was adopted. Police on To his honor the Mayor and City Council Pet of E. A. Your committee on police to whom was referred Ebenwiter the within petition of Policeman E. A. Ebenwiter beg leave to report and recommend that said officer be allowed for eight days ducted in August Respectfully J. P. Schneider A. J. Hill Alderman Hill introduced the following resolution which was referred to the printing committee. Ord. on Resolved that the committee on Printing make of ad. or of inquiry and report to the Council the amount of printing. additional expense to the City at which 500. copies of copies of the proceedings of the City Council, Minutes be now published, can be distributed, either by mail or by carriers, among the Citizens Ord. on The ordinance committee submitted the following an ord. on report which was adopted, on an ordinance prohibiting sale of the sale of undressed fowls. undressed To the Hon. G. W. Robertson, Mayor fowls Your committee on ordinances to whom was referred the accompanying proposed ordinance, --- Page break --- 114 February 2nd 1881 has had the same under consideration, and the undersigned members of said committee, by leave to report the same back with the recommendation that it passes as it now reads. R. J. Huile E. D. Mile Charity, on The following report of the charity committee on 100. for charity an ordinance appropriating $100. for charity purposes was adopted. In honor, J. W. Robertson Mayor We the committee to whom was referred the above ordinance have had the same under consid eration and do recommend that the same as passes R. C. Wells R. F. Holman A. Carrington Printing, Mr. Maas. for the printing committee submitted the and distribute following report on the resolution offered by Alderman 500. copies Hill in regard to distributing 500. copies of the printed proceedings. This report was adopted. To the Hon Mayor and City Council of the City of Austin. Gentlemen: your committee to whom was referred the above resolution, by leave to report that it has had the same under consideration and would recommend that the same as passed. Respectfully M Maas For committee Res. to Alderman Hancock offered the following resolution call for which was adopted. bids, printing. Be it resolved That the printing committee be minutes instructed to call for and receive bids for publishing the proceedings of the City Council, and report the same to the council. Ord. 4.49128 The finance committee introduced an ordinance appro priating the sum of $4.491.28 for the pay roll for Jan. 1881 and for approved accounts. The ordinance was read second time under suspension of the rules and then amended by and Richards striking out "$80." witness for R.E. Richards. in case Rouse davinty. --- Page break --- V. The City which was referred to the Police committee. The ordinance was read third time under suspension of the rules and passed by the following vote: Yeas Alderman Schneider, Metz, Pillows, Hancock, Wells, Campbell, Schubert, Underhill, Maas, Warren, Odell, Carrington, Hill, Holman, Platt, Brush & Brunner. Ord.$185.00 Alderman Campbell introduced an ordinance wall at appropriating the sum of $185.00 for the purpose of Mkt house building brick walls under line of posts of shed attached to the market house and repairs on market house roof. The ordinance was read second and third time under suspension of the rules, and passed by the following vote. Yeas Aldermen Schneider, Metz, Pillows, Hancock, Wells, Campbell Underhill, Schubert, Maas, Warren, Odell, Carrington Holman, Hill, Brush and Brunner, Nays Alderman Platt. Ord.$100.00 An ordinance appropriating the sum of $100. for for charity charity purposes. was called up, and read a second time, then read third time under suspension of the rules and passed by the following vote, yeas aldermen Schneider, Metz, Pillows, Hancock, Wells, Campbell, Schubert, Underhill, Warren, Maas, Odell, Carrington Holman, Brush & Brunner, Nays Aldermen Hill & Platt. Res to call Alderman Hancock introduced the following for bids resolution which was adopted. feed Prisoners Be it resolved that the Mayor and Police committee are hereby instructed to call for bids and make a contract for feeding the City Prisoners and to report their action to the City Council. Ord. fire dept. Alderman Brush introduced an ordinance fire dept. entitled an ordinance to establish a Fire Department for the City of Austin. The ordinance was read first time and then referred to the Fire Committee. Alderman Hancock introduced the following resolution which was adopted. --- Page break --- 116 February 2nd 1885 Ord. bids. Be it resolved that the market house committee was. was are hereby instructed to call for bids and make a of 6 block contract for taking care of the City Block for the next two years. $1000.00 for Alderman Maade called up an ordinance entitled park & an an ordinance establishing a public park and appropriating $1000 for improvement of the same The ordinance was laid upon the tables, Res $800 for A resolution offered by Alderman Brennan expenses appropriating $800 to be used towards defraying the of commissioners expenses of laying the corner stone of the state capital was laid upon the tables, Ord 50th. Alderman Brennan introduced an ordinance for Brazos appropriating the sum of $50. for the purpose of opening st and ave the gutters on Brazos street, South from Pine street, 1st ward to Tenard Read first time and then referred to the street Committee. Ord. an ordinance An Ordinance prohibiting the sale of domestic fowls fowls from which the feathers had been removed was call up and read second time The motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance third time was lost. Alderman Cleith introduced the following Resolution which was adopted Hon: J. W. Robertson, Mayor. Resolution Whereas the quality and condition of the to legislate public highways have always been held as the best for reform evidence of the civilization of a country, Good school roads are a sure indication of a progressive and prosperous people, In fact their utility and importance as necessary factors in social progress cannot be over estimated. The value of the production of the farm itself directly, and hence of the farm itself indirectly largely depends upon the facility which which those productions can be transported to market. --- Page break --- The growth and prosperity of the towns and cities and the value of their real and personal estate depends equally upon the number and condition of the public roads tributary to their trade. Our present state road law although considered burdensome in it exaction and oppressive in it impressment of citizens into road services, and in its operation the source of endless litigation, contention and litigation, yet is found thoroughly inefficient and wholly inadequate. At the season of the year when good roads are most necessary and required they are generally almost impassable. Incalculable losses to our citizens is the result. And whereas the opinion of the disposal and utilization of the labor of the state convicts has been the cause of considerable disputes, worry and dissatisfactions that they must labor, their own health and morals as well as state economy demands that their labor should be utilized is universally conceded. But that their labor should be brought into competition with honest labor is largely antagonized, and with reason too. There is a question of principle as well as of policy involved. Therefore be it Resolved That the city council of the City of Austin hereby respectfully but urgently request the state legislature to pass the necessary legislation to provide that the various counties of the state take charge of all the convicts sentenced in their respective courts, to terms less than five years, That these convicts under charge of an officer appointed by the county court, be kept constantly at work upon the county roads, that a regular and permanent system of roadmaking be instituted and pushed forward this to be supplemented by other means if necessary to make the roads equal to the requirements of its people And whereas a large number of the criminals convicted in our courts are mean youths upon whom promiscuous associations with --- Page break --- 118 February 2nd 1883 Harden criminals in our jails and penitentiaries must necessarily result in fatal and irretrievable demoralization. Is the state justified under the guise of a nominal sentence for a crime possibly committed in impulsive thoughtlessness to condemn their young men to conditions and associations which must inevitably eliminate all that is good, and foster and develop everything evil in their nature Though convicts they are yet human beings, though criminals they have still immortal souls with feelings and aspirations susceptible to indelible impressions of good or evil according to associations, all criminals are largely the creatures and creation of circumstances, ignorance and vicious associations make them what they are liberty forfeited to society then the state deliberately proceeds to make their moral degradation perpetual Their reformation impossible, instead of providing a reform school for saving them to society and elevating them to worthy manhood it sends them to the high school of vice the county jail their to the normal school of infamy the penitentiary to graduate in criminal accomplishments and by periodically precipitated upon society hardened and skilled in villainy to again run the gauntlet of the law in their warfare against life and property. While punishing to prevent crime though the law of the consequences we should endeavor to reform the youthful offenders and teach them if possible to eschew crime from principal upon self preservation and not sentimentality alone in this position founded justice reason and humanity re-echoes the appeal. Therefore be it resolved that we hereby ask the legislature to provide as soon as possible for the establishment of a reform school for confining and educating youthful offenders --- Page break --- Resolved that our representatives from this County and our Senator for this District be and are hereby requested to introduce Bills in their respective houses to carry the provisions of the foregoing resolution into statutory effect. Alderman Schneider moved that the council proceed to elect Two regular Policemen motion carried Regular Kolman Oenory & R Connors. were placed Policemen in nomination and both confirmed by the following vote yeas Aldermen Schneider Pillson Conners Hancock, Campbells, Schubur, Underhill Mades, Warrens Odell, Fille, 10. Nays Aldermen Metz, Wells Carrington Kolman Pears Brust & Breenny. On motion the council adjourned. J. L. Russell City Clerk Read and approved Feb 18th 1881