Austin Oil Company Gets Railroad Switch Approval
• Main Decision: The city council approved a resolution allowing the Austin Oil Manufacturing Company to build and operate a railroad track across Austin streets, connecting to existing rail lines (the H&TC and A&NW railroads).
• Quick Process: The meeting was called specifically for this single purpose, with the resolution presented, amended, and approved the same day—showing the city moved fast on industrial development.
• Minor Technical Change: Aldermen North proposed changing the formal designation from an "Ordinance" to a "Resolution," which was accepted and adopted.
• Attendance: 14 of 22 council members were present, with 8 absent.
Full Transcript
486 The Minutes of a Called meeting of the City Council. Austin, Texas, April 08, 1893.
Hon. John McDonald, Mayor, presiding.
Roll. Roll called. Present - Aldermen Fischer, Glass, Humes Jackson, Ketchum, Linn, Nitschke, North, Platt, Powell, Schuber, Shelley, Taylor, Townsend. - 14. Call. Absent - Aldermen Anderson, Assmann, Dawson, Hancock, Miller, Raymond, Schneider, Warmoth. - 8.
Call of Council read. The following call and certificate thereon were read: Mayor’s Office, Austin, Texas, April 7, 1893. To the Members of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Austin: Gentlemen: - I hereby Call a special meeting of the City Council of the City of Austin, to assemble at the City Hall at 5 o’clock p.m., Saturday April 8, 1893, for the purpose of considering an Ordinance to be then introduced granting right of way over certain streets of the City of Austin to the Austin Oil Manufacturing Company for the purpose of laying a railroad switch to the property of Said Company, beginning at the tracks of the H. & T. C. Ry. Co. and the A. & N. W. Ry. Co. Yours respectfully, John McDonald, Mayor. Austin Texas April 8, 1893, 9. a. m. I hereby certify that Aldermen Anderson, Assmann, Dawson, Fischer, Glass, Hancock, Humes, Jackson, Ketchum, Linn, Miller, Nitschke, North, Platt, Powell, Raymond, Schneider, Schuber, Shelley, Taylor, Townsend, and Warmoth, were all duly served with the foregoing Call by having it read to each of them in person. Jno. E. Lucy, City Marshal.
Austin Oil Mfg. Co. Switch. An Ordinance entitled "An Ordinance granting the Austin Oil Manufacturing Company the right to construct maintain and operate a railroad track upon and across certain Streets in the City of Austin," was presented and read, after which Aldermen North offered the following amendments thereto:
Amend the caption thereof by striking therefrom the words "An Ordinance", and inserting in lieu thereof "A resolution"; and amend section one by striking out "Ordinance" and inserting instead, "resolved". The amendments were carried, and the resolution was adopted. The Council then adjourned. Milton Morris, City Clerk.