194 Regular meeting of the City Council Austin Texas August 03, 1885 Hon. J. W. Robertson, Mayor Presiding Present -- Aldermen Metz, Schneider, Pillow Hancock, Wills, Schubert, Underhill, Mace, Warrens, Crooker Odell, Carrington, Hill, Clark, Brush & Bremond--16 Absent Aldermen Campbell, Crisfiel, Holman & Erving 4 Correction of minutes of July 20, 1885. The minutes of July 20, 1885 corrected by changing the vote of Alderman Carrington from Nay to Yea on an amendment to insert the name of J.H. Whales in lieu of County Palm in an ordinance providing for the purchase of land for cemetery purposes Minutes then adopted, Approving contract between City & County for City County Hospital. The mayor submitted an agreement between the City of Austin & The County of Travis, signed by J. W. Robertson Mayor, and J. P. Fulmore, County Judge, by which the City assumes control of the City and County Hospital for one year from May 5th 1885. all indigent county patients to be admitted into the Hospital, County to pay to the City $2000.00 its share of the expenses On motion of Alderman Hancock the contract was approved. Petition against purchase of Palm Tract. Alderman Odell presented a petition signed by L. Death, C. Palmer, J. W. Curson, and others protesting against the extension of the cemetery by the purchase of the Palm Tract. That the extension of the cemetery by the purchase of said tract will injure them and their property, that they will, if not able to enjoined, hold the city responsible for damages, by instituting suit or suits, received and laid over. Invitation to attend Grand State Fire Tournament at Lampasas The mayor read an invitation from the Mayor and City Council of Lampasas to the Mayor and City Council of Austin, requesting that they be present at the Texas State Fire Tournament which takes place at Lampasas Aug 17th to 22, On motion the invitation was accepted. --- Page break --- 195 Pet. M. D. Martin Tax. A Petition was received from M. D. Martin resident of the city, water company asking that on water rent an assessment of $25.00, made against the city water company for the year 1887, be cancelled. Referred to the Finance committee. Pet C. E. Sheldon alley block 8. div E. The Petition of C. E. Sheldon, Joseph Disched & Earnest Meyer in regard to opening the alley through block of Division E. to shoal creek, was referred to the street committee Leave of absence to J W Johnson. J. W. Johnson was granted leave of absence for 10 days from Aug 24, with pay. Proposition Ordinance from S. C. Odell for a cemetery. Alderman Odell submitted a proposition from S. C. Whereby, to sell to the City his place for a cemetery for $3600, $1000 cash, balance to be paid out of the sale of lots. Laid over to be taken up in connection with an ordinance with an ordinance providing for the purchase of a cemetery. Resignation of Wm Howe The resignation of Policeman Wm Howe was accepted by the following vote, yeas Aldermen. Schneider, Hancock, Schuler, Underhill Mades, Warren, Crooker, & Hill & Nays, aldermen Metz, Pillow, Wells, Odell, Barrington, Drennen, Clark, Harnish & Being a tie vote the mayor voted yea Pet of Herman Benjamin. The Petition of Herman Benjamin complaining of treatment received from Sergeant Chenneville was referred to a special committee consisting of aldermen Clark, Wells, & Pillow. E. C. Barrington petitioned for permission to erect a shed in the corner of the alley on lote 6 block 60. old town plat. Petition granted, subject to the approval of the Fire committee. --- Page break --- 197 City Marshal. The report of the City Marshal for July 1885 shows July 1885. Amount of fines assessed in the recorders court $1329.65 Cash from fine $357.40 “ worked out 507.41 “ appealed 186.50 “ due by escaped 41.75 Amount brought forward $87.50 $1329.65 Cash from back fines $24.70 Back fines worked out 77.30 Total arrests 141. Referred to the Police Committee Sexton for July. Report of the City Sexton for July shows Deaths 50 1885. white 20 colored 15 Mexican 15 Referred to the cemetery Committee City Physician The report of the city Physician for the month of monthly report for July 1885. in Hospital July 1st 8 were admitted during and in Hospital the month 6 were dismissed and 3 died, leaving in for the year. Hospital Augst 1st 14. I take pleasure in presenting a synopsis of the work performed in the Hospital since its organization one year ago. There has been received and treated during the year 138 patients of this number 124 were males and 14 females According to nationality, they are distributed as follows: Americans 57. Germans-45. Swedes-9 Irish-7 African-6. English-4. Italian-4. Mexican-3. Scotch-3. Totals 138. The following table gives the number suffering from the several diseases when admitted and the number of deaths from the diseases; Disease Cases Deaths Consumption 22 10 Typhoid fever " 10. 2. Dysentery " 16 8. Gastritis " 4 1. Cancer of stomach " 1 1 Pneumonia " 3 1 --- Page break --- 198 Arg, M. Aug 3a 1885 Dying when received Malaria fever Rheumatism Insanity Confinement Incised wounds Ulcers Chronic trachoma Tumors Hemorrhoids Abscess of Liver Hepatitis Necrosis Injuries Delirium tremens Miscellaneous Cases. 4. " 11 " 7 " 5 " 6 " 51 " 4 " 13 " 3 " 8 " 8 " 5 " 2 " 4 " 2 " 16 Total 158. Deaths - 4 . . . 1 . . " . . " 1 . " . . 4 . . " . . 3 . . " . . " . . 1 . . 1 . . 4 . . 1 . . 1 . . 22 158 cases and 22 deaths give a high mortality being about 16 per cent. But when we deduct 4 cases that were dying when received and one cancer of the stomach which was incurable it brings the mortality down to 15 or about 12 1/2 per cent. There is also another consideration that is an important factor, both in the number of cases and deaths. The large per cent of consumption, being 23 in 158 cases (most of these consumption cases go to the Hospital to die, having tried everything and exhausted their means, and when they get so weak they cannot go around, they then either apply themselves or by some friend to go to the hospital to die. These ten deaths were just such cases and were entirely incurable at the time they entered the hospital. Now to give the correct per cent of mortality would be to throw out these ten cases, both in number of cases and deaths, also the 4 dying when received, and the one with cancer of the stomach leaving 123 cases treated and seven deaths, or a --- Page break --- 199 mortality of about 6 per cent. In a small hospital we find great difficulty in preventing the hospital from being filled with old chronic and incurable cases, we have some of them now, and we know of no way to get them out of hospitals. They have no homes or friends to care for them. we cannot put them on the street. The poor farm is full, so we just do the best we can under the circumstances I feel proud of our hospital, and without out boasting I venture to say there is not a cleaner or neater hospital in the state. Respectfully submitted W. J. Burt. M.D. City Physician. Street Com on locating hydrants in 10. ward passed Report of the street committee on an ordinance locating hydrants in the 10 ward. To Hon. Mayor and city council of the city of Austin: Your committee to whom was referred the within ordinance, have had the same under due consideration, and find the section asking for fire hydrants to protect property on Oak street, and would therefore recommend that the ordinance do not pass. Rhuber Chairman Report adopted. finance com- on bill of Mr Chighim The Finance committee submitted the following report on the bill of Mr Chighim To the Hon. Mayor and city council of the city of Austin: Your committee on finance to whom was referred the bill of Mr Chighim for plans & specification for remodeling the city hall, respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, and recommend that the same be not paid for the following reasons, viz: That the resolution under which said work was done does not authorize such plans. --- Page break --- 200 A.M. August 3rd 1885 and specifications, but only an estimate of the cost; 2nd. That the architect has in other respects departed from the resolution. Respectfully J. M. Odell, W. Maas, Lewis Hancock, Finance Committee. recommit nixon bill The motion to recommit the bill of Mr nixon was carried Police Com on marshals report for May 1885 Report of the Police committee on the marshals report for May 1885 Hon J. W. Robertson, Mayor. Your committee on Police to whom was referred the within report of the city Marshal for May 1885 beg leave to report that we have examined the same and find the same correct except that $70.70 of cash collected shows no receipt of the assessor and collector that they have ever been turned over to him Respectfully J Schneider A. J. Hise, W. J. Brennens Special com. inves- tigating Marshals book Report of the special committee appointed to envistigate the books of the city marshal Hon. J. W. Robertson, Mayor Sir -- your committee to whom was referred the investigation of the books of the city marshal, H. B. Lee beg leave to report that we have investigated the same, and find the following deficiencies commencing Feb. 19. 1884 and ending March 18th 1885 Service collected but not accounted for $52.50 " in cash but marked worked out $31.15 " " but marked escaped 8.00 we also find a deficiency of $95.78 } Total $90.65 in the Marshals account for the month of May, --- Page break --- 201 said deficiency being money taken from May to cover the same deficiency in April. Thus showing a total deficiency of $150.00 Respectfully J. C. Schneider, A. J. Hill, W. J. Brennan, M. Maas, George W. Pendexter. Report adopted. Police committee on report of Marshal for June 1880 Report of the Police committee on the report of the City Marshal for June, 1880. Hon. J. W. Robertson, Mayor. Sir- your committee on Police to whom was referred the within, beg leave to report, that we find the same correct. Respectfully J. Schneider A. J. Hill, W. J. Brennan. Report adopted. Police com. on Pet of Neil McCaskill Report of the Police committee on the petition of Neil McCaskill. Hon J. W. Robertson, Mayor. Your committee on Police to whom was referred the within petition, beg leave to report the same back with the recommendation that the same be laid on the table, as we find that the officer did no more than his duty, Respectfully J. C. Schneider, A. J. Hill, Report adopted > Geo. J. Brennan. Police com on Pet of Officer Bucherson lost time Report of the Police committee on the petition of Officer Bucherson asking pay for seven days, lost time by sickness. Hon. J. W. Robertson, Mayor. your committee have examined the same and recommend that the same be paid. Respectfully, J. C. Schneider A. J. Hill, W. J. Brennan Report adopted. --- Page break --- 202 C.W. August 3rd 1885 Police com. Report of the Police committee on the Petition of on pet of officer Officer Morris asking pay for dayes time, lost by sickness Hon. J.W. Robertson, Mayor. Your committee would respectfully recommend that the same be paid Respectfully J. P. Schnieders W.J. Hill, W J Brannen (Report adopted) Cemetery Report of the cemetery committee on propositions Com. in order to sell to the city land for cemetery purposes. his on land To the Mayor and City Councils for cemetery. Your committee on cemetery to whom was referred the several propositions of Messrs Stiles, Mr H. Wheless, and Owanby & Palms for sale of land to the city for cemetery purposes, have considered said proposals and report as follows: We believe the stile tract is too distant and inaccessible from the city, and besides a large part of the land is in our opinion, unsuited to the purpose intended, The tract offered by Mr. H. Wheless is more than a mile beyond the present cemetery, and is not of sufficient size to warrant the City in establishing a cemetery so far from the center of population. It would cost a great deal of money to make a road to the ground and supply it with water, it is also is inaccessible to the public owing to its great distance The proposition of Mr. R. Odon seems to us to be altogather the most feasible. The tract he offers contains about eight acres, by estimate and its addition would make the cemetery a square, The ground we think well suited for the purpose intended and when drained as proposed in the pending ordinances, it will as we believe be entirely satisfactory to everybody. The terms upon which it is offered are, In kind --- Page break --- 203 fair and can be easily met by the city, we believe that a very great majority of the people favor this purchase and we recommend that the binding ordinance be passed. It will afford temporary relief, and will give the city time to negotiate for more extensive and suitable grounds. Respectfully (R. C Underhill) To the Mayor & City Council of the City of Austin. Gentlemen- The undersigned a member of the cemetery committee to whom was referred the several propositions, of Mrs Stiles, Messrs Palm, and Thos. A. Wheelers, offering land for cemetery purposes, would respectfully state that he has examined into the desirability of the purchase of the above mentioned tracts of land, and has come to the conclusion that the purchase of the Palm tract would not only be unwise, but it would be unjust to the residents of the eastern portion of the city. I believe either the Stiles or Wheelers Tracts suitable, and either would cost per acre only about one eighth as much as the Palm tract. I think a few years will bring about the condemnation and removal of the present cemetery. Then why pay $500. per acre for lands, when it is possible to get land more suitable a little further out for $60. per acre. I would respectfully recommend that the Revanche Palm tract be not purchased. Very Respectfully J. M. Odell Report laid over. Ordinances To the Hon. J. W. Robertson, Mayor Your committee on ordinances to whom was referred the accompanying communication from the city recorder, recommending a codification and republication of city ordinances, have considered the same and beg leave to report, while they believe there is need of such revision, and republication, that, in view of the present condition of the city finances --- Page break --- 204 P. No. Aug. 3rd 1885 we do not believe the necessity so great as to render the necessary expenditures expedient, and we therefore recommend that such work be postponed. Respectfully A. J. Hill L. M. Brooker Committee Ord. Com: Report of the ordinance committee on an ordinance Transfer allowing the transfer of occupation license Licenses To the Hon. J. W. Robertson, Mayor. Your committee on ordinances to whom was referred an ordinance authorizing the transfer of occupation licenses, beg leave to report that they have considered the same, and it is reported back with the recommendation that it do pass. Respectfully A. J. Hill L. M. Brooker Report adopted. Ord. Com. Report of the ordinance committee on the petition on Pet. of of Nancy Robertson. Nancy Robertson Hon. J. W. Robertson, Mayor. Your committee on ordinances to whom was referred the petition of Nancy Robertson for remission of Taxes, would respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, and for the considerations stated in the letter of the City assessor & Collector, your committee recommend that the petition be not granted as to a release of taxes, but that the city assessor be instructed to release the lien of the city for taxes, upon the payment of the taxes due without charge for cost or interest. Respectfully A. J. Hill L. M. Brooker Report adopted. Ord. Com: Report of the ordinance committee on the petition on Pet. of of Julia A. Reed. Julia A. Reed. Your committee on ordinances, to whom was referred the petition of Julia A. Reed, for a reduction --- Page break --- 205 of taxes on lot H, (Block 40, Division D, have had the same under consideration, and would beg leave to report the same back with the recommendation that the petition be not granted, for the reason that the unequality complained of does not appear to be great, nor does it appear that the valuation made by the assessor, and board of equalization courts in excess of the true value. Respectfully A. J. Freeze L. M. Crooker $8,788.65 Report adopted. The Finance committee introduced an ordinance appropriating the sum of $8,788.65 for the pay roll for August 1885 and sundry approved accounts. The ordinance was read then read second and third times under suspension of the rules and passed by the following vote: Yeas, Aldermen Schneider, Metz, Olibus, Hancock, Wilke, Schubert, Underhill, Nolae, Warren, Crooker, Odell, Carrington, Heilig, Clath, Brush, & Brennen 16. Resolution on death of Grant. Alderman Nracie introduced the following resolution, which was adopted. Resolved, That the Citizens of Austin, in common with the entire union, express their deepest sorrow and regret at the death of Ex-President U. S. Grant, and that they tender their sympathies to the family of the departed hero. Resolution lamp & Swanks which San Jacinto Mesquite Sts. Alderman Hill offered the following resolution which was adopted. Resolved by the city council of the city of Austin, that the Austin Gas Light & Coal company be requested to erect a street lamp at the corner of San Jacinto & East Mesquite Streets on the corner of said walk at the Jewish synagogue, and supply the same with gas and clean on the same terms at which other street lamps are supplied by said company. --- Page break --- 206 A.M. August 3d 1885 Resolution Alderman Ockwill introduced the following resolution Gas lamps. Resolved that the Austin Gaslight and coal company 7. ward be and are hereby authorized to furnish five street lamps for the seventh ward, to be located under the direction of the street committee and the aldermen from the seventh ward The following amendments were offered: amendments By Alderman Wells - one lamp to be located in the Third ward By Alderman Bruch - One lamp be erected at the corner of Live Oak & Red River streets. By Alderman Schneider - One lamp be erected at the corner of Live Oak & Rio Grande Streets By Alderman Hancock - Provided that the street committee find that the lamps are needed. The resolution as amended was adopted. Ord. for An Ordinance providing for the purchase of purchase of the evantir Palm tract as an addition to the city cemetery was called up. The motion to lay the ordinance on the table to table was lost by the following vote; Yeas - Aldermen Metz, Pillow, Made, Crooker, Odell, Carrington & Plots 7 Nays - aldermen Schneider, Hancock, Wells, Schutze, Underhill, Warren, Hill, Bruch & Brennent - 9 On motion the council adjourned S. G. Burnell City Clerk. Minutes adopted Aug 17th 1885