718 Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the City Council (Nov. Dec. 6th 1897. Hon. Lewis Hancock, Mayor, presiding. Roll called. Present, Alderman Brady, Fischer, Haynes, Holden, Hood, & McCorkle. Platt, Protzmann, Roogge, Schneider, Shelley, Stout, & Went. 15. Absent, Alderman Belvin, Lundess, Linn, Miller, Budd, Bobo, Drew and Townsend 6. On motion of Alderman Stout, the previous minutes were adopted as printed without reading. Petitions, Etc. Petitions of S.G. Munn, & A.L. Ballard, requesting Council to refund to them Occupation Tax paid in error; were referred to the Claims and Accounts Committee and the City Attorney. Alderman Belvin entered the Council Chamber. City Officers Reports. The Mayor laid before the Council the monthly reports of City Officers for November 1897. On motion, they were referred to their appropriate Committees without reading, except the reports of Assessor & Collector and Treasurer, which were read. The following is a synopsis of these reports: Assessor & Collector. By the Assessor and Collector. To collections as follows: Account of General Revenue $4,709.41 " " License Tax 1,736.30 " " Fines Recorder's Court 157.75 " " Pound Fees and Sales 44.50 " " Interest & Costs on Taxes 157.53 " " Dog Tax 1.00 " " Pay Patients City Hospital 189.16 Total Account General Revenue $6,995.65 Interest Sinking Fund Water & Light Bonds 11,881.70 " " on Old Bonds 1,169.60 Account School Tax 4,750.62 Total Collections $24,797.57 City Treasurer. By the City Treasurer. Balances in hand Nov. 1st 1897, viz: Sinking Fund $7,971.74 " " " " Interest on Old Bonds 2,869.71 Received from Assessor & Collector during month of Gen'l Revenue 4,709.41 " " " " " " " License Tax 1,736.30 " " " " " " " Fines Recorder's Court 157.75 " " " " " " " Miscellaneous 397.19 " " " " " " " Int. on Old Bonds 1,169.60 " " " " " " " Total, $13,504.70 Disbursements: By A.L. Young, Supt. Nov. 1st to Dec. 1st 1897 $7,971.85 By W.W. Baines, Dec. 1st to Dec. 6th 1897 5,148.51 --- Page break --- 719 Balance Dec 1st 1897 account Interest on Old Bonds. $1,034.31 Total. $13,504.70 Interest and Sinking Fund Water and Light Bonds. Balances Nov. 1st 1897 Account Interest Fund $18,875.33 " Sinking Fund 6000.00 Receipts during the month. 11,881.70 Total $36,707.03 Balance Dec 1st 1897 Account of Interest Fund $26,707.03 " " " " Sinking " 10,000.00 Total $36,707.03 Referred to Finance Committee. City Clerk By the City Clerk. Total amount of Warrants drawn against the General Fund during month $6605.77 Referred to Finance Committee. City Marshal By the City Marshal. Total amount of Fines assessed in Recorder's Court $195.00 Paid in Cash $86.50 Worked out 94.00 Carried forward 14.50 Collected on back fines 195.00 Found fees for the month 4.00 Total number of arrests during the month 33 Referred to the Police Committee. City Physician By the City Physician. Number patients in Hospital Nov. 1st 1897. 19 " " admitted " " " 17 " " dismissed " " " 12 " " died during " " " 5 " " remaining " Dec 1st " 19 " Visits made to paupers " Nov. " " 92 " Prescriptions " " " " 172 " of Cases of Diphtheria reported 1 " " " Scarlet Fever reported - Referred to Hospital Committee. City Sexton By the City Sexton Total number of deaths. 23. White 17 Colored 5 Mexican 1 Male 17 Female 6 Referred to Cemetery Committee. Aldermen Bobdean, Townsend, Nitsche, Linn, Miller and Reed entered the Council Chamber. On motion of Aldermen Bice and [illegible], adjourned until 8 P.M. upon Saturday Dec 11th 1897. Geo. P. Johnson Secy. --- Page break --- Minutes of an adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council. Austin, Texas, Dec. 1st 1891. The Council was called to order by his Honor, Mayor Lewis Hancock. Roll Call. Present: Aldermen Bruty, Balvin, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Lundgren, Lynn, Madoz, Miller, Nitschke, Cobb, Powell, Robardeau, Rosengren, Schneider, Shelley, Stumpf, Townsend & Zilker – 21 Absent: Aldermen Redd. – 1 Alderman Bowell moved to suspend the regular order of business Committee appointed to and that a Committee be appointed to canvass the returns of the canvass Elections Returns election held on Monday December 6th 1891, which motion prevailed. of Election held Dec. 6th 1891. and the Mayor appointed Aldermen Bowell, Lawless and Nitschke as the Committee. Alderman Redd entered the Council Chamber. Alderman Balvin moved that the Mayor be requested to lay before the Council his Annual Message, while the Committee were canvassing the election returns, which motion prevailed. Mayor Hancock’s Annual The Mayor then laid before the Council the following message: Message read. Mayor’s Office, Austin, Texas, Dec. 1st 1891. To the Honorable City Council: Gentlemen: - I herewith submit to you my Annual report for the fiscal year ending November 30th 1891, together with the reports of the City Officers, the Superintendent and Treasurer of the Public Schools and the Water, Light and Power Commission, covering the same period. The City has not escaped the effects of the industrial depression which has prevailed throughout the State and Nation during the past year, and it has been a period of anxiety to many of us. Our local difficulties were increased by the high rate of taxation rendered nec- essary by the construction of the Water and Light Plant. Everything pointed to economy as an imperative duty on the part of the City Government, and I am gratified to be able to say that this duty was ably and well performed. The expenditures of the City on account of Public Schools and bonded indebtedness are fixed, the one by law and the other by the amount of the debt. It is in the expenditures on account of General Revenue that the economy may be exercised. That this has been done may be seen by a comparison of the expenditures of the year just closed, as compared with preceding years. Expenditures on Account of General Revenue. Year ending November 30th 1891 61,963.82 " " " " " 1890 79,787.94 " " " " " 1889 83,048.30 " " " " " 1888 91,804.45 " " " " " 1887 97,216.89 " " " " " 1886 106,274.67 " " " " " 1885 108,141.20 --- Page break --- Mayor Hancocks Annual Message Year ending November 30th 1890 " " " 1889 $98,752.36 $81,610.30 The expenditures for the past year, as shown above, were $61,963.84 and are the lowest for any of the years back to 1889, beyond which years I have no information at hand. There is no floating indebtedness properly chargeable to this year, except the current expenses for the month of November just passed, the bills for which have not yet been approved for payment, and an ample balance amounting to $5147.54 is in the hands of the City Treasurer to pay them. The amount due the Water and Light Commission for the Water and Light service from April 1st 1891, to November 30th 1891, amounting to about $10,000.00, is provided for especially in the estimate upon which the tax for General Revenue purposes for the present fiscal year was based. There is an outstanding claim of a troublesome nature and of ancient date, which has not received the attention it demands or grows out of the relations between the City and the Austin Water Light and Power Company, and is based upon a claim for water and light furnished the City by the Company, during the years 1893, 1894 and 1895. The City failing to pay for Water and Light used, the Receivers of the Company brought suit and recovered judgment in the Federal Court for $30,844.00. By agreement, this sum was to be paid in three Annual installments of about $10,000.00 each. The first installment was payable out of the taxes of 1896, but it was not paid. A second installment will be due out of the taxes of 1897. As the Company will doubtless seek the aid of the Court in enforcing payment, the matter requires serious attention. There has been some complaint, and I think justly so, at the small amount of street work done during the year. It was possible, even consistently with a liberal administration of the City government, to further cut down expenses and to devote the money thus saved to street work, and I so recommended to the Council, suggesting specific economies. My recommendations were not adopted, with the result that the sum available for street work was very scanty. I am still of the opinion that the expenses of the City can and should be further reduced, saving from five to eight thousand dollars a year to the tax payers, as for needed street work and other public improvements. With this reduction against the General Fund, the City for the General Fund, the City should find itself in no difficulties during the coming year, though strict economy must be exercised. The tax levied is twenty-two cents upon the hundred dollars upon a valuation of $11,513,845.00, amounting to $27,899.68. In addition, the Assessor and Collector, estimates the receipts from miscellaneous sources at $84,805.00, making a total of $103,903.70. The City is also prosecuting this litigation involving the payment of the $30,844.00 judgment, and it is [illegible], the General Revenue will, for the last [illegible] [illegible], been a [illegible] of [illegible] [illegible] should have to be [illegible] by payments of [illegible] --- Page break --- 722 Mayor Bannons Annual Message If necessary, the City should take possession of property bought in for taxes and sell same to recuperate back that sum, and in maintaining that government should be thrown on those who pay willingly, while other had paid and rely upon the bounty of the City to escape their just burdens. One of the items in the estimate upon which the above levy was based is the sum of $24,500 for Water and Light for public use from April 1st 1897, to November 30th 1898. This is an extremely low price for the service rendered, and should be promptly paid. It is only just that the taxpayers should contribute through the General Revenue to the support of their plant, to the extent that it furnishes Water and Light for public purposes. It is pertinent also to remark that this sum of $24,500 is relied upon by the Water, Light and Sewer Commission as so much revenue in estimating the surplus which may be turned in by the Commission to the payment of Interest and Sinking Fund on the Dam Bonds for this year. Including this amount the Commission estimated that they would have a surplus of $36,500 to so apply. And relying upon that estimate, the Council levied a tax of sixty-two cents for Interest and Sinking Fund, instead of ninety-four cents per year. It is evident that if the amount due from the General Revenue to the Commission is not promptly paid, the Interest and Sinking Fund will suffer to that extent, and the credit of the City be materially affected. I feel it my duty to again call attention to the costly, extravagant and unsystematic method employed by the City in working its streets. During the fifteen years ending November 30th 1896, the City has spent approximately $300,000 for work on its streets and bridges, and it is undeniable that there is little to show for it. In my opinion this is due to two causes: 1st a failure to separate repairs from new and permanent improvements, and 2nd, an effort to make new and permanent improvements by means of a permanent Street force instead of by contract. The Street force has always been and always will be a creature of politics, pulled around from one locality to another, wherever it could do the most good politically and never allowed to stay long enough on any one piece of work to finish it in a permanent manner. In most cases, work done one year is only an excuse for doing it over again next year. My opinion is positive that the City will never receive a commensurate return for its expenditures. Till repairs are distinguished from permanent work, and the latter is undertaken only upon proper plans and specifications, and when there is money available to complete each piece of work undertaken. I am happy to be able to state that the other departments of the City have been satisfactorily administered. The yellow fever scare in this part region of the State caused some anxiety here, but did no harm, and may have done some good in inspiring new efforts to sanitation. The sum of $400.00 appropriated, for extra sanitary work, to be expended under the direction of the Mayor, was disbursed as follows: Oct. 13th 1897, Payroll, extra Sanitary Labor. $158.75 Nov. 1st " " " " 84.00 Dec. 1st " " " " 106.00 $348.75 Remaining $51.25 remains in Gen. Treasury unexpended. --- Page break --- Mayor Staunsen's Annual Message The City is to be congratulated on the flourishing condition of its public schools. During the last two years, the schools have been kept open for the full period of nine months. The West Austin school building has been remodeled, a new building erected for Colored children, in the First Ward, and a considerable reduction was made in the debt to the Allan Fund, incurred for the erection of buildings. This debt will probably be extinguished in another year. I also take much pleasure in calling your attention to the Manual Training School, recently established and maintained out of the income of the Fund generously bequeathed by the late John S. Allan for this purpose. The fund was originally all in Real Estate. It has been judiciously managed by the School Board 'till in the summer of 1895, the income was deemed sufficient to warrant the putting into effect the testator's wishes. The school was, therefore, established, under the direction of Mr. C. A. Humes and in connection with the City High School, and has completed one very successful year. An additional teacher was employed this year, the school fully equipped for a second year's course, and opened to all White men and youths desirous of taking advantage of it. It has passed beyond the experimental stage, and will be of much benefit to our community. It has attracted attention among all progressive school communities of the State, and is doubtless only the forerunner of many similar institutions. It should be cherished by the people of this City, and the benefits of similar training extended to Colored youths as soon as possible. The Water, Light and Power Plant has continued to be the most important part of the public business, and has received the largest share of my time and attention. The control of the Plant, since its inception, has been exercised through various agencies: First, through the Board of Public Works, then through the Water and Light Commission of the City Council, then through the Water and Light Committee of the City Council, all exercising their powers, as representatives, and under the control of the City Council. The State Legislature, at its last session, passed an act amending our Charter by the establishment of a Water, Light and Power Commission, and vesting in it the entire control of the Plant. In pursuance of this act the Commission was elected and organized, and assumed control of the Plant on April 1st last. The two elections held since the passage of the act, are very encouraging, in demonstrating that the people take a deep interest in the selection of the Commissioners, and that there is no lack of good Citizens who are willing to assume the laborious and serious responsibilities of the position. It is proper here that I should express my high appreciation of the patience, industry, and zeal displayed by the Commission, and of its successful efforts to operate the Plant upon strictly business principles, solely in the interests of the people. The Commission in operating and completing the Plant, has in the main carried out the plans and plans begun by the former, making only minor changes where necessitated by unforeseen contingencies. The control of the Plant may therefore be relied upon as prudent management. --- Page break --- 724 Mayor Hancocks Annual Message the most troublesome problem to deal with has been that of supplying pure water. the original plan of the Board of Public Works was to use the Sand Water, in connection with a reservoir of large capacity, to be located among the hills on the opposite side of the river. Early in my administration this plan was abandoned, because of; First, the cost. estimated at about $100,000.00; and Second, because it was not believed that this plan would supply pure drinking water. It was then determined to utilize the flow of water from the Spring in the Power-house. Two pumps having each a daily capacity of 1,500,000 gallons, had already been placed in the Power-house, and supplied with water from the Spring Experiments showed that the Spring could supply all the water needed by the City, and the only limitation upon an ample and healthful supply of water seemed to be the size of the main leading from the Power House to the City. This limitation it was proposed to remove by the construction of a reservoir at some point north of the City, and beyond our system of pipes, and Mr. Allen Hazen, of Boston, prepared plans and specifications for such a reservoir. Before these plans could be carried out, the Spring showed unmistakable signs of a direct connection with the Sand, and, contrary to its preceding history, became muddy whenever the water in the Sand became muddy, and has exhibited this characteristic ever since. This being the case, it was evident that the water from the Spring would be no more wholesome than the water from the Sand, and it became necessary to abandon this plan. Three alternative sources for securing pure water had been recommended by Mr. Hazen; first, Barton Springs, Second, Artesian Wells, and third, Filtering Apparatus located in the sand beach south of the City. The first plan was rejected because of its cost, the second on account of the uncertainty as to cost and possible supply, and the third plan was adopted. In pursuance of this plan a filtering ditch or canal, 180 feet long and 10 feet wide, has been built, and another of the same capacity, is nearly completed, a pumping house built, and foundations provided for two pumps connected by 8-inch suction pipes with the filtering ditches and by 20-inch discharge pipe with the water mains of our system and a contract made with the Henry R. Worthington Company of Brooklyn N. Y. to furnish a new pump of a daily capacity of 1,000,000 gallons. the necessary wire to connect the Electric Motor with the Power-house has been run, and the motor itself, is ready to be set up at very small cost to the City. It only remains to complete the second filtering ditch and install the new pump, which will probably be done in thirty days. the cost of these extensions to November 30th, 190?, has been as follows; as shown by the Annual Report of the Water, Light and Power Commission; Filtering Ditches $6950.58 Sand Pumping House 1000.00 Pipe, Valve, Cast Iron work, etc. 6054.52 Labor, laying pipe etc. 2803.58 Pump House and Foundations 9930.31 Worthington & Dinner Co. Gears, etc. 9170.60 Cast Iron Mfr. Y. 403.00 Valves 119.00 Miscellaneous ~37994.09~ --- Page break --- 725 Mayor Hannah's Annual Message. The further expenditures will be about as follows: New 4,000,000-gallon pump $11,800.00 Completion of Second Filtering ditch 4300.00 Transferring one Stillwell-Bierce Pump from Power house to new pump house, and necessary gearings and valves. 2000.00 New Motor for same; 4000.00 Total $20100.00 bringing the entire cost of the new plant for the supply of pure water to $58,045.00 The City will then have two complete pumping plants, two 30-inch mains leading to its system of supply; and a pumping capacity of twelve million gallons per day, exclusive of the Gold Springs. There has been expended besides, in making water service connections, the sum of $1609.99, as shown in detail by the report of the Com- mission. The report further sets forth in detail the nature and cost of extensions of the Electrical Department for the year, which may be summarized as follows: Two 250 H. P. Power Machines $9830.77 One 1700 H. P. Turbine Wheel 3099.25 To St. Mary's Company, One 80-Light Arc Generator 1500.00 " " " " 39 Commercial Arc Lamps, etc. 660.00 Freight on Machinery 1735.66 Austin Rapid Transit R. R. Company, 7 Generators 1400.00 Walter S. Beeson Wire, Hardware, etc 4615.75 Falls Church Machine Company, Shafting, Pulleys, etc. 865.14 Extra Labor setting Machinery 771.05 Miscellaneous 250.50 Total $26,765.06 The operating expenses of the plant have been $36,709.07, for the year, which is higher than they will be when the plant is entirely completed. The Commission estimate that they will be $31,000.00 for the next fiscal year, which is probably about as low as they can be kept, taking into account the repairs necessary to keep the plant up to its good condition when perfected. The total expenditures on account of the plant for the year as shown above have been as follows: Water Service Connections $1609.99 New Pumping Station, Filtering Ditches and Connections 20445.02 Electric Extensions 26265.06 Total Extensions 57,821.02 Operating Expenses 36709.07 $94,530.09 Of the $57,821.02 expended for extensions, $28,431.60 was taken from the Water and Light Fund. The proceeds of the sale of Bonds, thereby exhausting the fund. The balance of extensions, amounting to $29,389.42 and all the operating expenses were paid for out of the earnings of this fund. The repairs of the plant for the year, as shown by the Commission's --- Page break --- 726 Mayor Hancock's Annual Message report, were as follows: Water $27,844.04 Light 28,718.35 Power 9,130.70 No payments were made during the year by the City for the use of Water and Light for public purposes. Acting under the Charter, the Commission fixed the prices of Water and Electricity for public purposes as follows: - For fire hydrants, per Annum $34.00 - Flushing gutters, Fire Company buildings, other City buildings and City Cemetery, per Annum. 600.00 - each public watering trough, per Annum. 30.00 - " " " Incandescent Lights, and Power for the City Hall, and 600.00 - " " " City public buildings, per Annum 30.00 These rates are practically the same as those established by the Council when the plant was first put in operation, and will amount to about $1275.00 for the twenty months from April 1st, 1898, to Nov. 30th, 1899, or $14,700 per year, and from the Commission for Water and Light Commission estimates the receipts from private consumers for the year at $72,000.00 making a total of $96,500. The estimated cost of extending is $24,000 and operating expenses is $32,000, a total of $60,000.00, leaving the sum of $36,500.00 as surplus to be applied to the Interest and Sinking Fund of the bonded debt. The above estimates contemplate that practical completion of the plant and in a few months from now substantially all necessary extensions and improvements will be made. The plant will be equipped to furnish an ample supply of pure water and satisfactory service in Lights and Power. It is therefore proper at this time to consider the probable earning capacity of the plant in the future. The Commission estimates the receipts from private consumers for the next year at $78,000. This is a conservative but fair estimate. The payment by the City of $14,700.00 for Water and Light for public purposes brings the total estimated ordinary receipts for the year to $92,700.00. With estimated operating expenses of $38,000.00 this would leave a surplus of $54,700.00 per year as the net revenue of the plant. The bonds issued to build the plant and now outstanding are $200,000.00 of 4% bonds and $1,305,000.00 of 5% bonds. Interest and Sinking Fund on which amount annually to $70,350.00. If the net revenue of the plant is $54,700.00, as above estimated, there will be a deficit of $15,650.00 which must be raised by taxation. That is the City after paying $14,700.00 per year for Water and Light for public purposes, will have to raise by taxation a further sum of $15,650.00 annually to meet the requirements of the debt contracted for the construction of the plant. It is evident therefore, that the plant is not now self sustaining. What are the chances for it becoming so? On Nov. 30, 1896, the number of Water consumers was 717, on Nov. 30, 1897, the number was 705, a decrease of 12, caused partly by a more neglecting of old accounts, and partly by the poor quality of water furnished. The number of Light consumers on Nov. 30, 1896, was 90, and on Nov. 30, 1897, --- Page break --- 727 Major Humphreys Annual Report 1080 showing an increase of 150. It may be seen therefore that the Water and Light business has not greatly increased during the past year, and it is fair to assume that the increase will be still less this year. What increase of business may be expected as the result of supplying pure water, it is impossible to estimate; but it will not be great. We have now nearly all the Water and Light takers in the City. Definite knowledge on the subject is not at our disposal, but Dept. Gathright estimates that if we should get all the Water and Light business of the Old Water Company, it would, at present prices, increase the re- ceipts of our plants only about $13,000.00. This would still leave the deficit $39,650.00. The receipts from Power for the year ending Nov 30th 96, were $3,843.19 and for the year ending Nov 30th 97, $9,130.20, showing a substantial increase. This was mainly due, however, to getting the business of the Austin Rapid Transit R. R. Co., and of course that source of increase is exhausted. The power supplied to private consumers on Nov 30th 1896, was 105.5 Horse power, on Nov 30th 1897, it was 161.5 Horse power, an increase of only 56 Horse power for the year. There is a wide field in the sale of Electric power for the development of the business of the plant, but this development will come slowly, and cannot be relied upon for immediate relief. The use of our surplus water power for manufacturing purposes was expected to yield a large revenue, but has not done so, and there is nothing now in sight to indicate that it will do so in the near future. It remains therefore to consider what treatment the business we now have in possession or immediate prospect should receive, in order to render them plant self sustaining. After very carefully studying the situation, I am of the opinion that the following course should be pursued: First. Meters should be used in the sale of all products of the plant. The present policy of selling by flat rates is an invitation to extravagance and works injustice and hardship in every direction. Everybody should be willing to pay for what he gets. In most cases at present, and especially among the larger consumers in the Water Department, the consumer does not pay for more than a third or a fourth of what he gets. The use of meters would benefit the plant in two ways, 1st by reducing operating expenses, and 2nd by enforcing payment for all products used. The meters should be owned and furnished by the City, and a stand pipe erected to insure evenness of water pressure and regularity in the operation of meters. The equipment of the plant with meters, and the erection of a stand pipe would necessitate considerable outlay, which must come out of the earnings but it would be money well expended. Second. In case the use of meters did not bring the plant to a self sustaining basis, the Water and Light rates should be raised sufficiently to do so. This could be done without imposing any hardships on the people. The rates now in force are lower than in any other City, and they would remain so after a reasonable increase sufficient to bring them up to the cost of production. Every consideration of justice and fairness recommend this. The Citizen should not want the City to furnish Water and Light to him below cost, and to do so puts an unjust burden on somebody else. As long as the plant furnishes the products below cost, --- Page break --- 728 Mayor’s Message. Our self sustaining, is an unequal burden upon the tax payers, a menace to the solvency and credit of the City, and a stumbling block in the way of other and desired municipal improvements. The great obstacle to getting manufact other foreign capitalists to come among us, and invest, is their knowledge power plant is not self sustaining, and that the great debt incurred in its construction is a menace to every form of industry in our City. The spring in the Power House, has been at times a cause of uneasiness and has attracted much attention. I am convinced that it is not a genuine spring, but an outlet for the lake. Whether or not it is eating away the foundation of the Dam, the head gate masonry, or the Power house, it is impossible to say. The indications are that if it is doing so, at all, it is so slowly, that no immediate danger need be apprehended. The sudden increase in the flow of water which occurred in the spring of this year caused great un easiness at the time and the Commission made an effort to discover the causes There seems to be found in the bogging away and falling into the runways of certain obstructions which have been placed in the way of the flow, when the contractors were seeking to control it, and since the foundation of the Power House. The flow has apparently not increased since, its situation is under unnatural and important masonry foundations, and if erosion is now taking place, or should take place in the future, the consequences would be disasterous beyond calculation. For this reason the flow should be stopped, as soon as the City is in a financial condition to do so. From the best information obtained the flow can be stopped without encountering extraordinary engineering difficulties. The case of the Sinn Mutual Life Insurance Co. against the City now pending before the Supreme Court of the United States has been argued and submitted to the Court, which now has it under advisement. The City’s interests were ably represented by Mr. S. A. Fisher, and a favorable decision is looked for, almost any day. In conclusion I desire to express my high appreciation of the services of Mr. H. L. Patterson as Superintendent of the plant and of his unremitting industry and zeal in directing and carrying out most important changes in its construction. This task has been a difficult one, involving radical changes which had to be made with limited means, and by degrees as the means came in, and that too, while the continued operation of the plant was not interfered with. Only those thoroughly informed as to his work, know how arduous it has been, and in enduring it for the past but in a few months, when the improvements now being made are completed the future operation of the plant will testify to the value of his services. In conclusion, gentlemen of the City Council, as I am about to retire from our official office, I assure you, that welcome as the rest from official care will be, I feel a sincere regret at severing my long connection and in separating myself from the labors which I have given to so much of my time and thoughts during the last two years. But it gives me much pleasure in laying down my official responsibilities for this reason especially: that in our City, upon the threshold of a new and upon the attainment of what, so far as your presiding and --- Page break --- Mayor Hancock's Annual Message! I have occasionally been called upon by a sense of duty, to disapprove of the action of a majority of your body, and my reasons for doing so, have always received earnest and respectful consideration at your hands. As your presiding officer it has frequently become my duty to interpose summarily in your deliberations and to rule off hand upon intricate points of order. Such action on my part, was always received by you in a spirit which evidenced to me your confidence in my impartiality. The recollection of these things I shall always cherish as one of my old and to those of you who remain in office my interest in all you may good fortune and to those of you who remain in office my interest in all you may undertake for our City's good, and my earnest desire for your success. I wish also to express my thanks to all the City officers for their courtesies to me, and the valuable assistance they have rendered me in my labors. Without any exception, I have found them efficient and pains taking officials, animated by a high sense of honor in the discharge of their official duties. To my successor in this important office, I extend my best wishes for a successful administration of the City's affairs. He will encounter arduous duties and difficulties, but I am convinced that as he approaches the task imposed on him with an eye single to the best interests of the City and being well equipped for the performance of the work assigned to him, by our people, he will acquit himself of the undertaking with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of the Citizens. Respectfully, Lewis Hancock, Mayor. Report of Committee appointed The Committee to canvass the vote, presented the following report: to canvass returns of election Austin, Texas Dec. 9th 1897. held Dec. 6 1894 To his Honor Mayor Hancock. Your Committee appointed to canvass the returns of election held December 6th 1894, for the election of a Mayor, School Trustees, Water and Light Commissioners and Aldermen, beg leave to report, that they have canvassed the returns as filed by the officers in charge of the polls and report the following as the vote cast, as per their reports: For Mayor Jno. D. McCall received 2100 votes Jno. S. Peeler " 1875 " Jno. McCall's majority 225 " For School Trustees R.W. Bachman received 2349 votes. G.W. Whiteman " 2643 " W.D. Matthews " 2637 " A.J. Thurrott " 1243 " For Water & Light Commissioners Jno. Sigel received 2066 Votes Randolph Lawrence " 1624 " Arch. Luitz " 2380 " For Aldermen 1st Ward. Milton Morris received. 297 Vots. For Aldermen 2nd Ward. D.M. Bruty received. 289 Vots. --- Page break --- 730 For Alderman 2nd Ward " " " " S. S. Kingsbury received 137 Votes. " " " " Skutija Majority 150 " " " 3rd " For Alderman 3rd Ward " " " " G. H. Batten received 117 Votes " " " " M. D. Shelly " 161 " " " " " Shellyi Majority 44 " " " 4th " For Alderman 4th Ward " " " " R. C. Roberson received 158 Votes " " 5th " For Alderman 5th Ward " " " " L. M. Crooker received 180 Votes " " " " G. W. Hill " 115 " " " 6th " Crooker's Majority 65 " " " " " For Alderman 6th Ward " " " " Joseph Stumbal received 397 Votes " " 7th " For Alderman 7th Ward " " " " L. Q. Horton received 583 Votes " " 8th " For Alderman 8th Ward " " " " Ed. Roseman received 286 Votes " " " " G. H. Wanamath " 159 " " " 9th " Roseman's Majority 127 " " " " " For Alderman 9th Ward " " " " J. S. Gannaway received 32 Votes " " " " H. S. Horton " 19 " " " " " Jeff Lemord " 189 " " " " " John Shuman " 128 " " " 10th " McCromis plurality 59 " " " " " For Alderman 10th Ward " " " " S. H. Krich received 140 Votes " " " " D. G. Zilkers " 364 " " " 11th " Zilkers Majority 224 " " " " " For Alderman 11th Ward " " " " W. C. Bradd received 146 Votes " " " " S. B. Wilson " 50 " " " " " Bradd's Majority 96 " Alderman Baldwin moved that the report of the Committee be received and that the newly elected Mayor and Aldermen be sworn in, which motion prevailed, and the Mayor declared the following named, as the Officers elected for the ensuing term of two years: Mayor Dant McCulloh and For Mayor Hon. Gro. D. McCulloh. Clerk & Aldermen Elect For Alderman First Ward. Milton Millar for ensuing term of two years For Alderman Second Ward. G. M. Brown For Alderman Third Ward. M. D. Shelly For Alderman Fourth Ward. R. C. Roberson For Alderman Fifth Ward. L. M. Crook For Alderman Sixth Ward. Joseph Stumbal For Alderman Seventh Ward. L. Q. Horton For Alderman Eighth Ward. Ed. Roseman For Alderman Ninth Ward. Jeff. Lemord --- Page break --- 731 For Alderman Tenth Ward A. G. Zilker. For Alderman Eleventh Ward H. A. Redd. The Mayor appointed Aldermen Bowell Maddox and Alvin a Committee to escort him McCall into the Council Chamber. The Hon. John D. McCall, Mayor-elect, was presented by the Committee, and the oath of office administered to him by Recorder Carleton. Alderman Maddox moved that the Aldermen-elect, now come forward and have the oath of office, which motion prevailed, and the following named Aldermen were sworn in by Recorder Carleton, viz: Milton Morris, F. M. Beaty, W. D. Shelley, A. A. Boulden, L. M. Brooks, Joseph Stumpf, R. A. Horton, S. E. Rosengren, Jeff. McLemore, Jeff Zilker and W. A. Redd. Mayor McCall after a short address, declared the new Council ready for business. Alderman Fischer moved to suspend the regular order of business, and take up an ordinance fixing Salaries of Officers and employes for the ensuing two years, which motion was lost by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Belvin, Fischer, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, Miller, Skitscheu, Redd, Robardeau, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor and Townsend 13. Nays Aldermen Beaty, Brooks, Haynes, McLemore, Morris, Platt, Bowell, Rosengren and Zilker 9. The Mayor declared that nominations for President of the Council were in order. Alderman Maddox nominated Alderman Shelley. There being no further nominations, Alderman Bowell moved that nominations be closed, and that the City Clerk be directed to cast the vote of the Council for Alderman Shelley which motion prevailed, and the Mayor declared Alderman Shelley duly elected President of the Council for the ensuing term. Alderman Maddox moved that the Council now take up the ordinance fixing Salaries, which motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Belvin, Fischer, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, Miller, Skitscheu, Redd, Robardeau, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor and Townsend 14. Nays Aldermen Brooks, Haynes, McLemore, Morris, Platt, Bowell, Rosengren and Zilker 8. The ordinance was read first time, and on motion the rule was suspended, and the ordinance placed on its second reading by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Belvin, Brooks, Fischer, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, McLemore, Miller, Skitscheu, Platt, Bowell, Redd, Robardeau, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf Taylor, Townsend and Zilker 20. Nays Aldermen Haynes and Morris 2. The ordinance was read second time. Alderman Taylor moved that the ordinance be acted upon by sections, which motion prevailed. Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, were read and adopted. Section 7 was read, and a motion made to strike out $1080. and insert $720. which motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Beaty, Belvin, Fischer, Kuhn, Maddox, McLemore, Mill... Bowell, Redd, Shelley, Stumpf, Townsend and Zilker 17. Nays Aldermen Brooks, Haynes, Horton, Morris, Skitscheu, Platt, Robardeau, Rosengren and Zilker 10. Yeas Aldermen Sections 8 to 11 were then adopted. --- Page break --- 732 Sections 8 and 9 were then read and adopted. Section 10 was read, and a motion made to strike out $500 and insert $12 instead, which motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas Alderman Beaty, Belvin, Brooker, Fischer, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, Mc Lemore, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Powall, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 19. Nays Alderman Brooker, Haynes and Platt. 3. ✓ Section 10, as amended, was then adopted. Sections 11, 12 and 13 were read and adopted. Section 14 was read: Alderman Shelley moved to strike out this section; which motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas Alderman Beaty, Belvin, Brooker, Fischer, Horton, Kuhn, Miller, Nitschke, Platt, Powall, Redd, Roberdeau, Shelley, Stumpf and Taylor. 14. Nays Alderman Haynes, Horton, Maddox, Mc Lemore, Morris, Platt, Rosengren, Townsend and Zilker. 9. Sections 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 were read and adopted. Section 26 was read: Alderman Horton moved that this section be stricken out; which motion was lost by the following vote: Yeas Alderman Beaty, Horton, Nitschke, Stumpf, Taylor and Zilker. 6. Nays Alderman Belvin, Brooker, Fischer, Haynes, Kuhn, Maddox, Mc Lemore, Miller, Morris, Platt, Powall, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Shelley and Townsend. 16. ✓ Section 26 was then adopted. Section 27 was read: Alderman Roberdeau moved to strike out this section; which motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas Alderman Belvin, Brooker, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, Mc Lemore, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Platt, Powall, Redd, Roberdeau, Shelley, Stumpf and Townsend. 18. Nays Alderman Beaty, Rosengren, Taylor and Zilker. 4. Section 28 was read: Alderman Maddox moved to strike out this section which motion was lost by the following vote: Yeas Alderman Maddox, Redd and Taylor. 3. Nays Alderman Beaty, Belvin, Brooker, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Mc Lemore, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Platt, Powall, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf, Townsend and Zilker. 19. Section 28 was then adopted. The remaining sections of the ordinance were then read and adopted. Alderman Taylor moved to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its third reading and final passage; which motion prevailed by the following vote: Final Passage of Ordinance. Yeas Alderman Beaty, Belvin, Brooker, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, Mc Lemore, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Platt, Powall, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 22. Nays None. The ordinance was then read, third time, and passed by the following vote: Yeas Alderman Beaty, Belvin, Brooker, Fischer, Haynes, Horton, Kuhn, Maddox, Mc Lemore, Miller, Morris, Nitschke, Platt, Powall, Redd, Roberdeau, Rosengren, Shelley, Stumpf, Taylor, Townsend and Zilker. 22. --- Page break --- 733 Nays None! Resolution regulating the order of Alderman Bowell offered the following resolution, which Election of City Officers was read and adopted: Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin, That the City Council now proceed to the election of City Officers in the following order: First. Assessor and Collector. Second. City Marshal. Third. City Clerk. Fourth. City Attorney. Fifth. City Recorder. Sixth. City Treasurer. Seventh City Engineer. Eighth. Street Commissioner. Ninth. City Physician. Tenth. Sanitary Inspector. Eleventh. Resident Physician. Twelfth. City Sexton. Thirteenth. Chief of Police. Fourteenth. Pound Master. Fifteenth. Matron of the Hospital. Sixteenth. Bridge Keeper. Seventeenth. Porter. Nominations for Assessor & Collector. The Mayor appointed Aldermen Morris, Delvin and Zilker as tellers, and announced that nominations for City Assessor and Collector were in order. Alderman Morris nominated Fred. Sherging. There being no other nominations, on motion, nominations were closed and the City Clerk was directed to cast the entire vote of the Council for Fred. Fred Sherging declared elected Sherging. The Mayor declared Fred Sherging duly elected Assessor and Assessor & Collector of Taxes. Collector of Taxes, for the term of two years. Nominations for City Marshal. The Mayor announced that nominations for City Marshal were now in order. Alderman Bowell nominated Capt. J.E. Lucy. No further nominations being made, it was moved that the City Clerk be directed to cast the vote of the Council for Capt. Lucy, and the Jas. E. Lucy elected Marshal. Mayor declared Jas. E. Lucy duly elected as City Marshal for the ensuing two years. Nominations for City Clerk. The Mayor announced that nominations for City Clerk were now in order. Alderman Fischer nominated Jno. O. Johnson. No other nominations being made, it was moved that nominations close and that the Assistant City Clerk be directed to cast the vote of the Council for John O. Johnson, which motion prevailed. Jno. O. Johnson elected City Clerk. The Mayor declared John O. Johnson duly elected City Clerk, for the ensuing two years. Nominations for City Attorney. The Mayor announced that nominations for City Attorney were now in order. Alderman Delvin nominated J.B. Cochran. Alderman Miller nominated W.C. Dubois. Alderman Horton nominated J.H. Maddox. Alderman Cromer nominated C. Hardeman. Alderman Morris nominated O. Crocher. The tellers announced the following as the results of the ballot - viz: --- Page break --- 734 G.D. Cochran received 17 votes O. Archer " 1 Gardner Burges " 3 M.G. Swain " 3 J.W. Maddox " 3 G.D. Cochran elected City Attorney The Mayor announced that G.D. Cochran having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected City Attorney for the ensuing two years. Nominations for City Recorder Nominations for City Recorder were declared in order. Alderman Hocker nominated Fred Carleton. Alderman Bell nominated G.N. Mendell Sr. Alderman Platt nominated S.A. Rutherford. Alderman Roberts nominated G.O. Caldwell. Alderman Horton nominated H.M. Brown. The tellers announced the following as the result of the first ballot: Carleton received 9 votes Mendell Sr. received 2 Rutherford received 4 Caldwell received 1 Brown received 6 No one having received a majority, a new ballot was ordered; and the tellers announced the following as the result of the second ballot: Carleton 8 Mendell Sr. 1 Rutherford 4 Caldwell 1 Brown 7 No one having received a majority, a new ballot was ordered. The tellers announced the following as the result of the third ballot: Carleton 11 Mendell Sr. 1 Rutherford 2 Caldwell 1 Brown 7 No one having received a majority, a new ballot was ordered. The tellers announced the following as the result of the fourth ballot: Carleton 10 Mendell Sr. 1 Rutherford 3 Brown 8 No one having received a majority, a new ballot was ordered. The tellers announced the following as the result of the fifth ballot: Carleton 13 Rutherford 1 Brown 8 Fred Carleton elected City Recorder Fred Carleton having received a majority of the ballots cast was declared elected City Recorder for the ensuing two years. Nominations for City Treasurer Nominations for City Treasurer were declared in order. Alderman Cochran nominated M.G. Swain --- Page break --- 735 Alderman Zilcher nominated G. S. Myrick. No other nominations being made nominations were closed, and the tellers announced the following as the result of the ballot: Hamby 10 votes Myrick 12 " J. S. Myrick having received a majority of all the votes cast, the Mayor announced. that he had been duly elected City Treasurer, for the ensuing two years. Nominations for City Engineer were declared in order. Alderman Zilcher nominated G. H. McFall, and as there were no other nominations, the City Clerk was directed to cast the vote of the Council for McFall. The Mayor declared G. H. McFall duly elected City Engineer for the ensuing two years. Nominations for Street Commissioner were declared in order. Alderman Horton nominated E. M. Sawyer. Alderman Redd nominated Mrs. Jackson. Alderman Roberdeau nominated Geo. Schuber. The Tellers announced the following as the result of the ballot: Sawyer 15 votes Jackson 5 " Schuber 1 " Era 1 " E. M. Sawyer having received a majority of all the ballots, was declared duly elected Street Commissioner, for the ensuing two years. Nominations for City Physician were then declared in order. Alderman Roberdeau nominated Dr. Dordon. Alderman Morris nominated Dr. Graves. The Tellers announced the following as the result of the ballot: Dr. Graves 15 votes Dr. Dordon 6 " Dr. A. S. Graves having received a majority of all the votes cast, the Mayor declared him duly elected City Physician for the ensuing term. Nominations for City Sexton being declared in order. Alderman Zilcher nominated H. S. Nitschke, and there being no other nominations, the City Clerk was directed to cast the vote of the Council for him. The Mayor announced that H. S. Nitschke having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected City Sexton for the ensuing two years. Nominations for Sergeant of Police, being next in order, Alderman Bobble nominated H. Montgomery, and moved that the Clerk be directed to cast the vote of the Council for him, which motion prevailed, and the Mayor announced that H. Montgomery, having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected Sergeant of Police for the ensuing term. Nominations for Resident Physician being next in order, Alderman Nitschke nominated Dr. Hamilton. There being no other nominations, the City Clerk was directed to cast the vote of the Council for Dr. Hamilton. Dr. E. F. Hamilton having received a majority of the votes cast, the Mayor declared him duly elected Resident Physician for the ensuing two years. Nominations for Paupers Inspector being next in order, Alderman --- Page break --- 736 Dowell, nominated M.H. Calhoun. Alderman Roberdeau nominated Guy A. Collett Alderman Haynes nominated O.F. Plumb. Alderman Zickler nominated M.O. Murphy. Alderman Plesscher nominated Geo. Holdstock. Alderman Townsend nominated John Stellfox. Nominations were then closed, and the Tellers announced the following as the result of the first ballot: Calhoun 8 votes Collett 5 " Holdstock 1 " Murphy 3 " Stellfox 3 " Plumb 2 " No one having received a majority, a new ballot was ordered, and the Tellers announced the following as the result of the second ballot: Calhoun 9 votes Collett 3 " Holdstock 1 " Murphy 5 " Stellfox 4 " No one having received a majority, a new ballot was ordered, and the Tellers announced the following as the result of the third ballot: Calhoun 9 votes Collett 4 " Murphy 5 " Stellfox 3 " Plumb 1 " No one having received a majority, a new ballot was ordered, and the Tellers announced the following as the result of the fourth ballot: Calhoun 9 votes Collett 5 " Murphy 6 " Stellfox 2 " No one having received a majority, a new ballot was ordered, and the Tellers announced the following as the result of the fifth ballot: Calhoun 12 votes Collett 3 " Murphy 4 " Stellfox 3 " M.H. Calhoun having received a majority, of all the votes cast, the Mayor declared him elected Sanitary Inspector, for the ensuing term. Nominations for Pound Master being in order: Alderman [illegible] nominated S.M. [illegible] Alderman Miller nominated H. Hutzelman. Alderman Olson nominated John Simons. Nominations were then closed, and John Tellers announced the following as the result of the ballot: --- Page break --- 737 J. H. Bowell received 12 votes. W. Hutcherson received 6 "" Jno. Lansing received 4 "" J. H. Bowell elected Pound Master Having received a majority of all the votes cast, the Mayor declared Nominations for Matron of the Hospital being in order. Alderman Horton nominated Mrs. Ritter. Mrs. D. M. Ritter elected Matron Alderman Gaylor seconded the nomination and moved that the City Clerk be diof City & Co. Hospital rected to cast the entire vote of the Council, for Mrs. Ritter, which motion prevailed. Mrs. D. M. Ritter having received the entire vote of the Council, the Mayor declared her duly elected Matron of the Hospital for the ensuing term. Nominations for Bridge Keeper Nominations for Bridge Keeper being in order. Alderman McPherson nominated Thurlow Alderman Bowell nominated J. D. Schneider Alderman Miller nominated Wm. Malone Alderman Redd nominated H. Badger Alderman Kuhn nominated Capt. Dunn The Tellers announced the following as the result of the first ballot: Schneider 7 votes Malone 5 "" Badger 3 "" Dunn 1 "" Ward 6 "" No one having received a majority, a new ballot was ordered, and the Tellers announced the following as the result of the second ballot: Schneider 5 votes Malone 5 "" Badger 6 "" Ward 6 "" No one having received a majority, a new ballot was ordered, and the Tellers announced the following as the result of the third ballot: Schneider 9 votes Malone 4 "" Badger 4 "" Ward 4 "" No one having received a majority of the votes, a new ballot was ordered and the Tellers announced the following as the result of the fourth ballot: Schneider 9 votes Malone 3 "" Badger 3 "" Ward 7 "" No one having received a majority, a new ballot was ordered, and the Tellers announced the following as the result of the fifth ballot: Schneider 11 votes Malone 3 "" Badger 3 "" Ward 11 "" No one having received a majority of the votes of the Council, a new ballot. --- Page break --- 738 was ordered, and the Tellers announced the following as the result of the sixth ballot. Schneider 13 votes Malone 1 " Whed 8 " G.D. Schneider having received a majority of the votes Cast, the Mayor declared him duly elected Bridge Keeper for the ensuing term Nominations for Porter being next in order. Alderman Robedreau nominated. W.H. Harrison. Alderman Horton nominated G. Harrington. Alderman Zilker nominated G.H. Bennett. Alderman Platt nominated Ellis Monroe. Alderman Brooker nominated Gus Johnson. Alderman Nitschker nominated Jno. Holland. The applications of Jacob Thomas and J.F. Kavanaugh for the position of Porter, were read, and on motion, nominations were closed, and the ballot ordered. The Tellers announced the following as the result of the first ballot: Harrison 11 votes Harrington 5 " Bennett 3 " Monroe 2 " Johnson 1 " No one receiving a majority, a new ballot was ordered, and the following announced as the result of the second ballot: Harrison 11 votes Harrington 4 " Bennett 3 " Monroe 2 " Johnson 1 " No Election, and a new ballot ordered. The Tellers announced the following as the result of the third ballot: Harrison 15 votes Harrington 3 " Bennett 3 " Johnson 1 " G.B. Eyre 1 " W.H. Harrison elected Porter W.H. Harrison having received a majority of all the votes Cast, the at City Hall. Mayor declared him elected Porter at the City Hall for the ensuing term. On motion, the Council adjourned. Geo. Johnson City Clerk.