363 The minutes of a Called meeting of the City Council. Austin Tex May 26, 1888. Hon. Joseph Nalle, Mayor, Presiding. Roll Call. Present- Aldermen Assmann, Boland, Brush, Campbell, DeGress, Fisher, Graham, Naigler, Jones Metz, Linn, Odell, Phillips, Pietour, Platt, Townsend, Wilson, Wartham - 18. Absent - Aldermen Caldwell and Schneider-2. The following Call was then read: In accordance with Article 9, section 1 of the City Charter, I hereby Call a special meeting of the City Council to meet at the City Hall this (Saturday) evening, May 26, 1888, at 9 oclock, for the purpose of receiving and acting upon the report of the Special Committee appointed to take into Consideration the message of the mayor presented at the last meeting of the City Council, held on May 21, 1888, and to take such action thereon as it may see fit. Joseph Nalle, mayor. Austin, May 26, 1888. Alderman DeGress presented the following: Austin, Tex., May 25, 1888. To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Austin: Gentlemen: Your Special Committee, to whom was referred the mayor's message, making recommendations for Curtailing the expenditures of the City government, have the honor to report as follows: Upon the matter of hospital, we are unable to find that any Saving can be effected, believing that the present management is as economical as can be, under the Circumst ances. Dr. Graves, the City Physician, informed us that it has been his practice to transfer all persons, who are sent to the hospital for treatment, immediately to the County home. --- Page break --- 364 far as, when, in his opinion, such patients did not require constant medical care. So. We recommend the reduction of the police force from 20 to 15 policemen, that the offices of assistant assessor and Collector and City Secretary be abolished. We further recommend that the salaries of drivers of hose carts be reduced to the sum originally paid them, $40.00 per month, for the reason that with their quarters, fuel, light and water furnished by the city, both for themselves and families, free, we believe their pay to be much more liberal than that of persons employed by private individuals. San. Insp. We also recommend that the office of health inspector be abolished, and that the duty of looking after Sanitary matters be vested in the City Marshal. We are of the opinion that this duty can be much more efficiently performed by the marshal, his Sergeant and 15 policemen, than by one man, for the reason that the marshal and his forces is in every ~~way~~ part of the City each day, and knowing his untiring vigilance and energy, we are satisfied that the execution of this work required of him will meet the approbation of the people. besides the saving the City of $790.00 is an item to be Considered Very Respectfully, J. C. DeSress, A. M. Wilson, Geo. A. Brush, I approve all of the above, except that part relating to the drivers of hose Carts and the Sanitary Inspector: W. B. Worthem, Special Committee. I approve that portion of the foregoing report which relates to the proposed reduction of the police forces and the removal of the City Secretary, only. C. E. Fisher. --- Page break --- 365 Alderman Fisher then presented the following minority reports: Austin, Texas, May 26, 1888. Hospital. To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen: Gentlemen: The undersigned member of the Special Committee appointed by the Mayor at the last regular meeting of your honorable body to Consider Certain propositions for retrenchment proposed by him, begs leave to submit the following report concerning the City hospital. 1st I am Candidly of the opinion that the entire pauper practice of this city, including the practice at the hospital, Can be well done by one physician, and that the abolition of the office of resident physician is fully justified 2d I believe that it is not more necessary or proper to provide for the horses of the resident physician than to provide the same for the horses of the City physician the marshal and the Sergeant, and I recommend that this expense be stopped. 3d I recommend, as a matter of economy, that the provisions, wood, food, etc., used at the City hospital be bought in bulk and by Contract, after bids shall have been advertised for by the mayor and hospital Committee. Respectfully Submitted, C. E. Fisher. Austin, Texas May 26, 1888. San. Insp. To the Hon. Mayor and Board of Aldermen: + Drivers. Gentlemen - The undersigned members of the Special Committee of your honorable body, appointed by the mayor at the last regular meeting, to Consider Certain propositions for retrenchment proposed by him, beg leave to submit the following report Concerning the Sanitary Inspector and Tillermen: San. Insp. 1. We do not believe it wise to destroy the office of Sanitary Inspector, being --- Page break --- 366 Convinced from observation and experience that public Sanitation is a necessity, and that it is better accomplished when Conducted by a separate and distinct department than when devolving on the police. Especially do we Consider it unwise to make any Change in this department, or to make it Subservient to any other at this Season of the year. The lives and health of our Citizens are of greater importance and Value than the few Dollars proposed to be saved by the destruction of the office, and we Recommend its Continuance as at present. Views. 2d We do not assent to the proposed reduction in the Salaries of the drivers in the fire department. The reasons for increasing the Salaries of these men to fifty dollars, as given by members of the City Council at the beginning of the year, we Consider good and Sufficient for Continuing them at that price throughout the year. The position requires skill, experience and bravery, and day and night duty. The men appear to be performing their work faithfully and we consider them fully entitled to their present Compensation. We therefore recommend that no Reduction be made in their Salaries. Respectfully Submitted, C.E. Fisher W.B. Wortham. Austin, Texas, May 26, 1886. To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen: Gentlemen:- The undersig- ned member of the Special Committee, appointed at the last meeting of your honorable body, to Consider Certain propositions looking to retrenchment, begs leave to report as follows upon the proposition to discharge the Assessors and Collectors assistant: --- Page break --- 367 From the testimony of the assessor and Collector, it appears that that officer has been provided with an assistant for many years past, and that with our present population and growth it will be impossible for one man to properly perform the entire duties of the office. The very nature of these duties demands, as a matter of true economy and business prudence, that they be carefully and thoroughly performed. It occurs to me that it would be "penny-wise and pound-foolish" to discharge the assistant assessor and Collector, whose salary is but $900 per annum, leaving the entire Assessment and Collection of all real, personal and license tax to one man. I therefore recommend that the office of assistant assessor and Collector be not abolished. Respectfully Submitted, C. E. Fisher. Alderman Wortham moved that the subjects named be taken up and considered separately and in the order named in the majority report. Carried. Ald. Schneider Alderman Schneider entered and answered to his name. Hospital. Alderman Wortham moved that the majority relative to the hospital be adopted. Carried. Yeas- Aldermen Assmanns Boland, Brush, Campbell, DeGress, Graham, Haigler, Linn, Metz, Odell, Phillips, Pillow, Platt, Wilson, Wortham- 15. Nays- Aldermen Fisher, Jones, Schneider, Townsend 4. Police. On motion, the report of the Committee on the second subject (the reduction of the police force) was unanimously adopted. A.&C. The third subject (dispensing with the office assistant assessor and Collector of taxes) was next taken up under Consideration, and Alderman Linn requested the reading of the minority report on this point, which was done. He then moved that the --- Page break --- 368 minority report be substituted for the majority report. Motion Carried-Yeas- Aldermen Assmann, Boland, Campbell, Fisher, Graham, Haigler, Jones, Linn, Odell, Pillow, Schneider, Townsend -12. Nays- Aldermen Brush, DeGross, Metz, Phillips, Platt, Wilson, Wortham 7. The fourth Subject (dispensing with the office of City Secretary), was taken up, and unanimously adopted. The fifth Subject (reducing Salaries of drivers and tillerman of the fire department), was next taken up, and Alderman Linn requested the reading of the minority report on this point, which was done. He then moved that the minority report be substituted for the majority report. motion adopted, Yeas,- Aldermen Assmann, Campbell, Fisher, Graham, Linn, Odell, Pillow, Schneider, Townsend, Wortham-10. Nays- Aldermen Boland, Brush, DeGross, Haigler, Jones, metz, Phillips, Platt, Wilson-9. The sixth Subject (dispensing with the office of Sanitary Inspector), was then taken up, and, on motion of Alderman Linn, the minority report was substituted for the majority report by the following vote: Yeas- Aldermen Campbell, Fisher, Graham, Linn, Odell, Phillips, Pillow, Schneider, Townsend, Wortham-10. Nays- Aldermen Assmann, Boland, Brush, DeGross, Haigler, Jones, metz, Platt, Wilson-9. Alderman Wortham then moved the adoption of the majority report as amended, which was Carried by the following Vote: Yeas Aldermen Assmann, Boland, Campbell, Fisher, Graham, Linn, Odell, Pillow, Schneider, Townsend, Wortham-11. Nays. Aldermen Brush, DeGross, Haigler, Jones, metz, Phillips, Platt, Wilson-8. --- Page break --- 369 On the recommendation of the Mayor, the fine and Costs assessed in the recorder's Court against John Prior, was remitted. On motion, the Council then adjourned. Milton Morris City Clerk.