Called meeting Roll call Present Absent Call of council Marshal's certificate of call recess Ord. ordering an Election Minutes of a called meeting of City Council Austin Tex Nov 11. 1893 Hon John McDonald Mayor presiding Roll call Present--20 Alderman. Anderson. Assmann. Davidson. Fischer. Glass. Hancock. Horne. Jackson. Ketchum. Linn. Nitschke North. Platt. Powell. Raymond. Schuber. Shelley. Taylor. Townsend. Marmoth. Absent--2 Aldermen. Miller. Schneider. The following call of the council and certificate thereon were read: Office of Mayor Austin Tex Nov 11. 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 in said city at 5 o'clock P. M. this day. Nov 11. 1893 for the purpose of ordering an election of Mayor. Trustees of the public free schools and aldermen of said city in accordance with the laws of the state of Texas and the charter and ordinances of the city of Austin. And also for the further purpose of confirming the election of assistant chief of the Austin fire department. Respectfully John McDonald Mayor Austin Tex Nov 11. 1893. 4 Oclock P. M. I hereby certify that the following aldermen have been served with the above call by having it read to each of them in person. viz Anderson. Assmann. Davidson. Fischer. Glass. Hancock. Horne. Jackson. Ketchum. Linn. Miller. Nitschke. North. Platt. Powell. Raymond. Schneider. Schuber. Shelley. Taylor. Townsend. and Marmoth. James C. Lucy City-Marshal A recess of five minutes was on motion taken. After expiration of recess the following ordinance was read An ordinance ordering an election to be held in all the wards of the city for the purpose of electing a mayor of the city. three members of the board of school trustees, and one alderman from each of the wards of the city. Section 1. Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Austin that an election be and the same is hereby ordered to be held in this City on the first Monday in December A. D. 1893 for the purpose of electing a mayor of the city for the ensuing term of two years Commencing on the expiration of the term of Office of the present Mayor. Three members of the board of school trustees to fill the places of W. J. Matthews J. M. Smith. and J. M. Graham. whose terms expire. And for the election of one Aldermen from each of the wards of the city to hold the office of ~~Aldermen from~~ said ward respectively for the term of two years from their election and until their successors may be elected and qualified in place of the following Aldermen:- --- Page break --- 602 In the First Ward One alderman in place of J. P. Schneider whose term expires. In the Second ward one alderman in place of Chas C. Anderson whose term expires. In the Third ward one alderman in place of Wm D. Shelley whose term expires In the Fourth Ward one alderman in place of J. Schuber whose term expires In the Fifth ward one alderman in place of H. A. Linn, whose term expires. In the Sixth ward one alderman in place of J. L. Blume whose term expires In the Seventh Ward one alderman in place of P. C. Ossmann whose term expires In the Eighth Ward one alderman in place of J H. Warmoth whose term expires. In the Ninth ward one alderman in place of H. C. Miller whose term expires In the Tenth Ward one Alderman in place of J. A. Jackson, Jr. whose term expires. In the Eleventh Ward one alderman in place of H. J. Ketchum whose term expires. Section 2. That the polls shall be opened and the election held at the following places in the respective wards of the city And the following named persons are hereby appointed judges of said election in said wards: Judges appointed & places for holding election named In the First Ward at Glass' Wool yard. And the following persons are hereby appointed Judges of election in said ward R. L. Shelley, Aug. H. Pressler, and J. D. Schneider, In the Second Ward at First National Bank Building and the following named persons, are hereby appointed Judges of election for said ward; J. C. Crand, Ernest W. Carleton, and C. J. Fisher. In the Third Ward at the City-hall and the following persons are appointed Judges of the election for said ward. G. L. Wren, Tom. Smith Jr. and W. L. Lubbock. In the Fourth Ward at Goodman's Store and the following named persons are appointed Judges of the election for said ward. Fritz Tegener, W W Williams, and Ed Junck. In the Fifth Ward at hall of protection hose company No 3 And the following named persons are appointed judges of the election for said ward; Chas Shuppesty, Joe Minn, and John Luckey In the Sixth Ward at Hollands Shop and the following named persons. are appointed judges of the election in saidward, J. M. Peacock, Aug Meilbacher and Joe Johnson. In the Seventh ward at Wellmer's Mill and the following named persons are appointed Judges of the election in saidward. M. V. Crenshaw, C. J. Wilhelm, and Wm Sears. In the Eighth Ward at the County Court-house and the following, named persons are appointed judges of the election in saidward. H. W. Walker, J H. Millican, and J H Johnson. In the Ninth ward at Colored Masonic building in block No 62 On East avenue and Pecan street. and the following persons --- Page break --- 603 Are appointed Judges of the election in said ward; R. M. Castleman R. Y. Bondy, and Wm Fisher. In the Tenth Ward at Zickers Coal bins and the following named persons are appointed Judges of the election in said Ward, E. D. Trotter, M. H. Turner, and W. G. Milam. In the Eleventh ward atnamed persons are appointed Judges of the election in said ward - - - Time for Polls to open & close Section 3. That the polls shall be opened at 9 Oclock A. M. and shall remain open until 6 oclock P. M. Ord read & motion to suspend rules and place same on 2nd reading The ordinance was read after which a motion was made to suspend the rules and place the same on its second reading which was adopted by the following vote; Yeas - 20 Aldermen, Anderson, Assmann, Dawson, Fischer, Glass, Harwood, Hume, Jackson, Ketchum, Linn, Nitsche, North, Platt, Powell, Raymond, Schuber, Shelley, Taylor, Townsend, Marmoth. to amend by naming Judges & place The ordinance was accordingly read after which alderman Ketchum moved to fill the blank concerning the Eleventh ward by naming the place of Henry Pohl, West-Monroe street: near Carson's store as the polling place for the election and J M Blatner, H. B. Milam, and Chas Schaffer as the Judges of the election in said ward. Das offered a substitute Alderman Dawson offered as a substitute the same place for holding the election and the following named persons as judges of the election in said ward, Henry Nilson, Chas Schaffer. P. P. Bouldin. The Substitute was lost and the motion made by alderman Ketchum adopted. Ald. Dawsons requests his reasons be spread in the minutes granted Alderman Dawson requested permission to have his reasons for voting against the amendment made by Alderman Ketchum spread upon the minutes Granted. The reasons given are as follows Alderman Dawson gives his reasons Alderman Dawson as his reasons for offering and voting for such substitute stated the following, Mr. M. C. Read a candidate for alderman from the Eleventh ward in opposition to Alderman Ketchum of the Eleventh ward who is a candidate for reelection requested of me as Alderman of said ward to have Mr Bouldin appointed as one of the judges of election. And as two of the Judges selected and agreed upon by alderman Ketchum and myself are known and recognized as supporters of alderman Ketchum I think it fair that the person selected by Mr Read should be chosen as one of the judges at said election and surely no harm or injustice to Alderman Ketchum will result from the selection by the council of Mr Bouldin, And before offering the foregoing substitute I proposed to Alderman Ketchum to substitute said resolution with name of either of the following gentlemen, Geo A. Brush J. J. Laree, G. M. Beaver, Dr King, Jas Downie, J. H. Potest, C. L. Whitehead, or Walter Durham or any other gentleman whose name might be suggested who --- Page break --- 604 is known to be a supporter of Mr. Reed, And while it is claimed by Alderman Ketchum to be the courtesy and custom of the Council to allow out-going aldermen to name the judges of election in their respective wards I regard such rule as a dangerous one and as tending to lead to the perpetuation in power of any existing administration. And I regard the power of any out-going administration to appoint all officers of election as a dangerous one and as leading to oppression if corrupt measures are resorted to and while I know no such methods are contemplated in the presentinstance I consider it an act of injustice to deny any citizen a right that is reasonable and within the power of the council to grant. Motion to suspend rules & place ord on 3rd reading adopted A motion was made to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its third reading which was adopted by the following vote yeas-20Alderman. Anderson. Assmann. Densuun. Fischer. Glass Hancock. Hume. Jackson. Ketchum. Linn. Nitschke. North. Platt Powell. Raymond. Schuber. Shelley. Taylor. Townsend Wormath. Ord read & on motion passed yeas The ordinance was accordingly read and on motion passed by the following vote. yeas - 20Aldermen Anderson. Assmann. Densuun. Fischer. Glass Hancock. Hume. Jackson. Ketchum. Linn. Nitschke. North. Platt Powell. Raymond. Schuber. Shelley. Taylor. Townsend. Wormath. Resignation of H W Brown accepted The resignation of Henry W. Brown, Assistant Chief of the Austin Fire Department having been accepted the following was read Austin Tex Nov 11. 1893 Communication from W P Ford Recorder A. F. D. Hon John W. McDonald, Mayor of the City of Austin Dear Sir- I have the honor to present through you to the City Council for confirmation the name of Albert Peterson for assistant chief of the Austin Fire Department who was elected by ballot at-a meeting held by the foremen and assistant foremen of the respective companies at-Washington hall Nov 10. 1893 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Assistant Chief Henry W Brown. Respectfully W. P. Ford Recorder A. F. D. motion to confirm the election of A. Peterson Asst-Chief. A. F. D. It was then moved that the election of Mr Albert Peterson as assistant chief of the Austin Fire Department be confirmed and the motion prevailed Mayor Message The mayor stated that he desired to present a message to the Council on a subject not-embraced in the call of the council whereupon a motion was made and adopted requesting him to have the message read The following was then presented: Office of Mayor Austin Tex Nov 11. 1893 To the Honorable Board of Aldermen of the City of Austin --- Page break --- 605 Gentlemen - My attention has been called to false reports circulated in the City of Austin setting forth "that the debenture bonds now owned by the city of Austin remaining unsold are hypothecated, money having been obtained upon them unlawfully." While this slander is totally unworthy of notice yet that you may be informed in regard to this matter I submit the following correspondence with the Nation-al City Bank of New York where the bonds are now held for the City of Austin subject to my order as Mayor of the City of Austin The bonds were originally sent to the aforesaid bank to be delivered to one Morton upon his payment for the same. Morton failed to take the bonds and make payment. The National City Bank was then instructed to hold them to the credit of the City of Austin. I received the following letter: No 1461 James Stillman President Capital $1 000 000 David Palmer Cashier Surplus $1 000 000 G.S. Whitson Asst Cashier Undivided Profits $1,500,000 The National City Bank of New York New York, June 19th 1893 Hon Mayor of the City of Austin Austin Texas Dear Sir:- We wired you today and now confirm as follows "We hold $500,000 City of Austin bonds for your account and risk subject to your orders" Yours Respectfully D Palmer Cashier After the above date $50,000 of bonds were sold to Bernard Corrigan of Kansas City- and were ordered to be forwarded to the National Bank of Commerce, Kansas City to be delivered to him to which order I got the following reply. No 1461 James Stillman Capital $1 000 000 President Surplus $1 000 000 David Palmer Cas'r. Undivided Profits $1 500. 000 Cashier G.S. Whitson Asst-Cashier The National City Bank of New York New York June 24 1893 Hon John Mc Donald Mayor of the City of Austin Tex Dear Sir- We have in accordance with instructions contained in your favor of the 20th inst, this day sent per Wells Fargo & Co's express to the National Bank of Commerce Kansas City- Mo for your account $50,000 City of Austin Water Works and Electric 5 per --- Page break --- 606 Cent-Bonds Nos 901 to 950 inclusive July 1893 and subsequent coupons attached. Express charges on these bonds have been prepaid and charged account of Messrs J. H. Raymond & Co and coupons from same nos 10 and 11 have been detached and sent to J S Myrick treasurer of the City of Austin as directed Very Respectfully D. Palmer Cashier After which $12 000 bonds were sold to Bernard Corrigan and were ordered to Kansas City as before. In answer to said order I received the following No 1461 James Stillman President David Palmer Vice President Geo D Meeker Cashier G.S. Whitson Asst-Cashier The National City Bank of New York Capital $1000 000 Surplus $1000 000 Undivided Profits $1500 000 New York Aug 19, 1893 Hon John Mc Donald Mayor of the City of Austin Austin Tex Dear Sir - Your favor of the 14th at hand, as ordered we ship. This day via Wells Fargo Company express to the National Bank of Commerce Kansas City to be held subject to your order $12 000 of the City of Austin water works and electric light bonds no 951 to 962 inclusive, We detached and cancelled coupons from said bonds and forward same to J. S. Myrick Treasurer of the City of Austin as per instructions. We prepaid package of bonds and shall look to Messrs Raymond & Co for cost of same as per your letter. Yours Truly Geo D Meeker Cashier The Bonds above mentioned were delivered to Mr Corrigan and I hold his receipt for the same. Having a false report in the New York World stating that the City had defaulted in payment of interest? I wrote to the National City Bank asking said bank to give the New York World's representative full information concerning the matter to which I received the following reply No 1461 James Stillman President David Palmer Vice President Geo D Meeker Cashier G.S. Whitson Asst-Cashier The National City Bank of New York Capital $1000 000 Surplus $1000 000 Undivided Profits $1500 000 New York Aug 7 1893 Hon John Mc Donald Mayor of the City of Austin Austin Tex Dear Sir. Your favor of the 2nd inst at hand --- Page break --- 607 Confirming telegram sent by you to the New York World requesting us to furnish full information concerning payment of interest on Austin' water^works and electric light bonds sold and also full information as to the status of the $450,000 of said bonds now in our hands subject to your order. Its representative of the World, has called upon us in regard to the matter at this writing, Yours Truly Geo D. Meeker, Cashier. It is needless to say that the bonds nor any portion of them have ever been hypothecated, or any money obtained thereon. They are now subject to my order as mayor. These bonds when sold will probably have to be delivered in New York City. I have therefore, allowed the bonds to remain on deposit at the National City Bank of New York subject to my order as mayor of the City of Austin. If it is thought wise by your honorable body I will cause the same to be returned to the City of Austin and placed with the City Treasurer. The expense in so doing will be about $240. Yours Respectfully John Mc Donald Mayor Motion to referr message to special com Alderman Linn moved that the message be referred to a special committee of three to be appointed by the chair and requested that he be not placed on the Committee Substitute offered Alderman Nitschke moved as a substitute that the mayor be instructed to have the bonds brought to Austin at once Alderman Fischer moved that the mayor be requested to ask the president or cashier of the National City Bank to make a sworn statement as to the condition of the bonds and when received forthwith publish the same. Substitute offered for all the motions by Ald North Alderman North moved as a substitute for all the motions that the Mayors message be received and published in full in the proceedings of the City Council and that the mayor be requested to order at once by Telegraph the shipment of the bonds to the City Treasurer. Sub offered by Ald North Lost. The substitute offered by Alderman North was lost. Motion of Ald Linn adopted & com apptd The motion made by Alderman Fischer was then put and lost. The motion made by Alderman Linn was then adopted And the chair appointed Aldermen Raymond, Nitschke and Platt as the Committee Council adjourned. The Council then adjourned. Milton Morris, City Clerk. @