Houston Daily Mercury (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 119, Ed. 1 Tuesday, January 27, 1874 Page: 1 of 4
four pages : ill. ; page 24 x 18 in.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
■mm®?*
*•/•;. ..:?
BP
iirfn ■" niif.iawvM..**
liUflMX
-
at?
P
©
OD
s
I VOL. VI—NO. 119
n/ ! M ffi i f,SilJ55I3M YIlAfi
* * *it
* iht
■ ■ ' ' ■ •■' :
•i .-fi*1 'i1 ;.'** . — ! "'W'-'
HOUSTON, TEXAS. TUESDAY MORNING. JAUARY 27, 1874.
PRICE: TEN
.••• v:n«' " ■■
t<l
Wi . m-"
&,*• ■ ir-
w
o
2
S
+■
I
fcfi
DAILY HEECURY
.J.
II. BAKER,
PROPRIETOR.
ED1TUK8:
r. H. BAKER J. EC- WILSON
K. R. Cheesborougb, Bnsinew Mt n ^rr.
|
|
m
•C!
J
§
*S
ac
S3
es
w
35
00
-ia
so
«
©
*-4
o
a
&
a
30
ss
as
©
>■
©
. #■*
g$
ti
©
00
©
,*■1
•>
0B
S*
si-
's*
©
&
3D
•T\
©
1-4
A
©
U
©
•C*
lutes of Subscription:
DAILY MEitCUBY. One Year... $10 00
DAltT MBBOCBY, Six Month* 5 28
DAILY MKBdtfRf, Tar® Months...... 2 7
vaily MEBCDBY. One Moatb.. 1 <>"
*Z8IU,T MEROUKY, One Yaw.... ... «*'
liaie> oi Advertising.
DAILY. I mo. 2*oS |3 MO> ,8 *o jlS ■<«
<>*■ ixch. aT wji«w;$isooywoo,~pe ue
Dailv and Weekly * on Daily rates Every
other <Uy % ot IMily rates. Weekly a of
Diilv rates.
Ali articles for publication should l o ad
dressed co the Hoaiton Mxrcqbt.
AD Advertisements and COTHnunicatioii* oi,
bnsicoss should be addressed to the Boiiin«w
Manager.
Compliance with these rules will inhere
promptness and provem errors and delays-
NOTICE.
Gksebal Agent.—Thos. MeJaiyre iiwvr
General Agent for Louisiana and Ahatfama.
Courtesies sJiown Mm by the press will he
appreciated. Contracts made by him ar or
cour se binding upon the proprietor.
e. Albers is our duly authorized Agent in
Galveston to solicit and collect; and all busi-
ness transacted by him inn be faithfully car-
ried out by the proprietor.
fsTATU AttENT*.
Mews. G.IB. Weight and Tho.j. B.
Johxson are tw duly authorized agents for
the State. Mb. Joh.vbon will give hi* espe-
cial attention to Austin and the West. All
contracts made Iry them for advertisimj, sub-
scription a i job work and their receipts for
amounts due as will be binding on this office.
J. H. Bakek.
Proprietor.
SOTICE Ti) OCR FATRON .
K A. FIFE, ESQ., well and favorably
known to all the residents cf Houston. Kill
* hereafter give his exclusive attention to city ad-
vertising and job work. All contract* for
printing of any bind made by hrm icill 1*
faithfully executed by this office. Be it tilso
authorized to receive subscriptions and irdpt
for 3te some. J. IL BAKER,
Proprot'"-.
OUR CITY A6KNT.
Major if. F. DeBajligethy is our ottUor-
ized Agent for City Subscriptions and Collec-
tions. He will take exclusive charge of the
News Boys and City Delivery, and my
subscriber failing to receive his paper promptly
can have the omission supplied by notifying
either Major DeBajligethy or this offi>:e.
ob
©
OB
A
3D
u
33
©
>
il!
©
mm
S2
5C
©
a
©
I
u
&
£
©
5S
sC
S
*S5
©
©
U
*
t
©•
©
( .
(=
a
©
•p^
u
&
8
©
=
o
©
X
©
©
ce
LERISL1TIVE PBOCFEBI>Ov
ELEVENTH DAY.
Austin, Jaa. 24,4 v. m.
senate.
Committee ou Enrolled Bills,
through Dwyer, Chairman, re-
ported Senate bill No. 23, an act
to amend the charter of Browns-
ville, correctly enrolled.
The Judiciary Committee,
through Ireland, Chairman, re-
ported on Senate hill No. 33, an
act to change the venue in civil
cases, that it pass; on Senate
bill No. 32, an act to amend sec-
tion 773 of criminal code, that it
pass; on Senate bill Np. 34, act
to regulate proceedings in the
District Courts, that it do not
pass; on Senate bill -No. 29, an
act to validate the registration
of deeds and other instruments
in certain eases, amended, and
that it pass ; ou Senate bill No.
38, amending an act regulating
proceedings in the District
Court, approved, 1S4G, that it do
not pass; on Senate bill No. 27,
amending article 2994, criminal
code, that it- pass; on Sen-
ate bill, an act regulating
the sale of homesteads,
a substitute offered; Senate bill
No. 40, act requiring ex officers
to turn over books, papers, seals,
etc., amended, and that it pass.
Committee on Education,
through Westfall, Chairman, re-
ported on an act to add certain
lands to the sehool fund, that it
pass. , ii
Committee on Public Buikl-
iugs, through the chairman, re-
ported that they found the Gov-
ernor's Mansion greatly h need
of repairs, and short of needful
furniture, and therefore offered a
joint resolution that six hundred
dollars be appropriated, to make
needfal repairs and purchase fur-
niture.
Committee on Engrossed Bills,
through Mr. Handle, Chairman,
reported the following bills cor-
rectly eugrossed:
Senate bill No. act author-
wing the County Court of Tyler
county to levy a special tax.
Senate bill No. 8, act reorgan-
izing the 7th, Kth and 11th Judi-
cial Districts.
Committee on Contingent Ex-
penses reported, through West-
fall, aeting Chairman, that
House bill appropriating £20,-
000 to defray contingent ex-
penses of Legislature, that tlie
bill pass.
Swift introduced an act to re-
lieve the heirs of N. B. Garner,
lieferred toT Committee on Pri-
vate* Laud Claims.
Swift introduced an act to re-
lieve Shipp's heirs, lteferred to
Committee on Private Land
Claim?, j • . . .r
Erath offered a joint resolution
to amend certain sections of the
Constitution.- Referred to Com-
mute on Constitutional Amend-1
ments. ' -
Ireland iotradpeed an act to
regulate the1 testimony of wit-
nesses In questions of bribery
and fraud. Referred to Judiciary
Committee.
The President then took from
his desk House bill 47, amending
an act to incorporate Jefferson.
Read ^irst time. Rules suspend-
ed : read second and third time,
and passed.
House bill incorporating Gat
veston and amending charter read
.first time and, under suspension
of rules, read second and third
times,and passed.
House bill No. 53, supplemental
act incorporating Brenham, read
first time. Under suspension of
rules, read second and third
times and passed.
Russell moved to take up
House bdf No. 01, authorizing
Cameron county to issue bonds
to fund outstanding debts. Car-
ried. Bill read first time. Rules
suspended, and bill read second
and third times and passed.
Randle offered resolution that
Committee on Engrossed Bills be
authorized to appoint Assistant
Engrossing Clerk. Carried.
Dillard offered a resolution
that the President be authorized
to employ a special messenger to
bring from the counties of the
13th Senatorial District the bal-
lots cast in the late election, to
be used by the committee as evi-
dence in the investigation of the
contested election case between
Burton and Hunt.
After some discussion and a
little filibustering it was adopted.
Swift offered a resolution that
the Secretary be instructed to
have one thousand letter heads
printed for Senators. Adopted.
Ellis, with leave, introduced
au act to. repeal an act regula-
ting the side of lauds under a
decree of the District Court,
approved August, 1S70. Re-
ferred to the Judiciary.
Swift moved that Honse bill
appropriating twenty thousand
dollars to defray expenses of-
Legislature, lie taken from the
table and read the second time.
Adopted. ITnder suspension of
the rules it was read third time
anil passed.
Culberson moved to take from
tahle Senate bill No. 8, an act to
reorgaaiiae 7tli. 8th and 11th Ju-
dicial Districts. Carried. Bill
was read second time un-
der suspension of rules aad
was read third time and passed.
A committee from the House
was here announced, who,
through their Chairman, report-
ed that articles of impeachment
for high crimes and misdemean-
ors had been preferred against.
Judge Wig. Chambers, of the
First Judicial District, and that
Messrs. Simpson, Epperson,
O'Neal and others had been ap-
pointed to conduct the prosecu-
tion.
Hobby offered a resolution
that the Secretary -of th£ Senate
l^e instructed to issue' a sum-
mons to Judge" T^hambers com-
manding his appearance before
the Senate, at its next session, to
answer the charges made, etc.
Adopted. • . ^
A message from the Governor
announced the nomination of a
number ot Notaries Public and of
J. Mv Lindsay for Judge of the
13th Distant, and Silas Hare
for Criminal Judge for Grayson,
Dallas and Fannin counties.
Trollinger offered a resolution
for Senate to go into executive
session. Adopted.
In executive session all the'
nominations were confirmed.
Allison, with leave, introduced
an act.to fortify Land Claims.
Referred to Judiciary Committee,
(il.EASlNGS FROM OUR EX-
4*1' CtoANOES.
- .■ ' ■ S- w ' '■ *
There is a marked change in
the conduct of the negroes since
the inauguration of the^new reg-
ime. They had learned to be-
lieve that Davis and Newcomb
ruled the Statejby virtuenof some
imprescriptible right, and that
power could fiever fail! from their
bands while Grant remained in
the White House. Their eyes
have been opened to their error.
They discovered with surprise
that the Sheriff was sustaining
thelegally elected civic authori-
ties, and not the would-be usurp-
ers, and they realize the fact that,
in some political capacities, fcOth-
ello's occupation's gone up."
Killed.—A man named Basi-
gan, going out yesterday to fifid
his oxen, found them not far off,
all dead, and having been skinned.
—San Antonio Herald.
A; bill was introduced in the
Texas Legislature, a few days
ago, to authorize the Governor
to appoint a Mayor and City
Council tor Houston, and to de-
prive the present city officers
from serving out their term, to
which they Were elected by from
400 to 700 majority. They are
all Republicans, and the Mayor,
Scanlan, was elected by an over-
whelming majority. This is a
nice beginning for a body and
party who claim, with so much
loud protestation, that they wish
the voice of tbe people to rule.
If the city officers were Demo-
crats and the Legislature Re-
publican, and should take such
an action, one continuous howl
would go np from all ovfer the
State.—Sherman Patriol.
We are familiar enongh with
the style of Galveston lawyers to
recognize in the article of the
News the ear-mark's of the writer.
Were we disposed to make a
wager on the subject, we would
bet lively that the manuscript of
the article was in the handwriting
of one of the candidates for the
Supreme bench.—Galveston Civ-
ilian.
Theatrical agents should pay
as they go if they wish to come
again. Manager McVicker, of
Chicago, was obliged to capture
several thousand dollars of the
receipts for Salvini's perform-
ances to satisfy an old claim
against M. Gran, who is playing
the great Italian tragedian
through the country.
- Kossuth is in his seventy-sec-
ond year.
CHARTER.
AN ACT to Consolidate in one Act, ami
auiend the several Acts incorporating
the City of Houston, in Harris Couuly.
Section 1. Be it enacted l v the Legis-
lature of the State of Texas, that all the
inhabitants of the City of Houston eh all
be a hody corporate by the name of the
Mayor, Aldermen, and inhabitants of the
City of Houston, and by that name they
shall be kDown in law. and shall be capa-
ble of suing and being sued, and defend-
ing in all courts, and in all actions and
matters whatever: may have a common
seal, and may alter aud change the same
at pleasure; may hold and convey any
estate, real and personal, for the use of
said corporation, provided that such real
estate be within the corporate limits of
said city.
Sec. 2. That the bounds and limits of
said corporation shall be three miles
square, to be run with the cardinal points
of the compass, of which the centre of the
Courthouse square, in the City of Houston,
shall be thfe centre.
Sec. -3. That the City Council may
divide the city into a convenient number
of wards, not exceeding eight, and define
and establish the boundaries thereof.
Sec. 4. That the administration of ihe
business affairs of said corporation shall.,
be conducted by a .Mayor and Board of
Aldermen who phall compose the City
Council.
Sec. 5. That uo person shall be' a quiili-
fied voter at any election for officers of
said corporation unless he possesses the
qualifications of an elector under the laws
of the State, and has resided within the
corporate limits of the city sixty days
next precepdiug the elation, and is at the
time of the election a registered voter
therein.
Sec. 6. ThfTi the Mayor shall be elected
by the qualified voters of the city and shall
hold his office for the term of two years,
and until his successor is elected and
qualified, He shall he a conservator of
the peace throughout the oity. He shall
have power, by and with the consent of
the City Council, to appoint any number of
policemen on any special occasion, that
lie may deem necessary to preserve the
peace of the city, and to discharge the
same at pleasure; he shall have power,
in cas« of necessity to call oat the militia,
or any military company in the city, to Aid
in the suppression of any riot orpublic dis-
turbance ; he shall be active ahd
vigilant in enforcing ail lawe apd
ordinances foF the government of the.
city, aqd he'shall oause all the suborai-'
nate officers to be dealt with promptly for
any neglect or violation of duty* He shall
preside at all meetings of the City Coun-
cil when present, and in case of a tie vote
in the Board of Aldermen he shall give
the cairtttig ivote, lie shall have the power
to veto any resolution, by-law or ordinance
passed by th# Council, and when vetoed,
the same shall 'ber inoorporatlve, uples it
shall be reconsidered at a subsequent
meeting, and passed by the Votes of two-
thirds of the aldermen present, taken by
"yeas and nays'' and,enteAd upon the
journal of the Councilv He shall have
power to hold the Recorder's Courfin case
of the temporary absence or illness of the
Recorder, and it shall be his duty to do so.
He shall h V« power to administer oaths
and affirmations, He shall hays and exer-
cise such powers and authority as may be
conferred by the City Counoil not incon-
sistent with the general purposes and pro-
visions of this Charter.
Sec. 7. That each Ward to the city
ahalL be represented ■ in the City Cbancil
by two Aldermen elected by the quali-
fied toters of eaoh Ward, who
shah vote only in their -respective wards.
They shall be residents i the ward repre-
sented by them, and shall be qualified
elector^ of the city at the first election for
officers of the city to be held under this
charter, two Aldermen shall be elected
from each ward, one of whom shall hold
tfee office for term of one year, and
other for the term of two years, and im-
mediately after the organization of the
Board of Aldermen so elected, the alder-
men from each ward shall determine by
lot which shall hold for the term of two
years, and annually thereafter one alder- o
man shall be elected from each •ward, who
shall hold the office for the term of two
years, and until his successor shall be
elected and qualified. c- j
Sec. 8. Thai regular . meetings .the
City Councd shall be 'held "in the CoBncil
chamber, at least once in each month, at
such times as may be fixed by resolution
of the board, and the mayor, of his
own motion, may call special meetings for
the transaction of special business, by
written notices seryed personally upon
each member of the' boa^rd, or left at his
usual place of abode;Jmy three members
of the board may in like maun^r call
special meetihga of the Councili-jbut no
special meetings shall be called exegpt ia
cases of urgent necessity, and the wfiften
notices served upon the members of -tjie
board shall state the object and purpose
for which the Council is convened; and no
other busings? sh4ll.be transacted at such
special meetings except that for which the
meeting is Called. General business shall
only be transacted at the regular meet-
ings. The Oity Council may adjourn from
day to day until the business properly
coming before it is disposed of. f
Sec. 8. That- a majority of the whole
number of Aldermen elected and qualified
shall be required to constitute a quorum
for the transactien' of business; but any
four aldermen may oonveee and compel
the attendance of absent members on any
day of regular meetings. . >
Sec. 10. That the Cftty Council shall adopt
rules and regulations for the government of
the Council in its proceedings, and the order
for the transaction of business before it.
It shall be the judge of the qualifications
and election of the members of the Council,
including the .Mayor. It may punish
members or other persons during the sit-
tings of the Council for disorderly conduct,
to the extent that it may fine and im-
prison by ite by-laws and ordinances; and
with the affirmative vote of two-thirds of
the whole number of aldermen elected and
qualified, the Council may remove any
officer of the city from his office, for any
conduct or offense which, in the opinion
of the Council, expressed by the two-thirds
vote as aforesaid, sliall render him unfit to
hold his office; but no officer shall be re-
moved until he shall have had the oppor-
tunityof being heard by himself, or coun-
sel, or both.
Sec. 11. That the meeting of the Coun-
cil shall be held with open doors, except
when by a vote of two-thirds of the mem-
bers present it may be deemed expedient
upon a special question to deliberate with
closed doors.
Sec. 12. That whenever it shall be
necessary so to do, the Board of Aldermen
shall by ballot elect a member of their own
body to act as Mayor pro ten., who, for the
time, shall have and exercise all the powers
and authority of the Mayor.
Sec. 13. That in case of a vacancy oc-
curring in any office elective by the quali-
fied voters of the city, the City Council
shall order an election to fill the vacancy
upon giving teu days notice thereof, which
election shall bo held and conducted in
the same manner, and under the same
rules and regulations prescribed for the
holding of general elections in the city.
Sec. 14. That there shall be elected by
the Board of Aldermen aa soon after its
organization as practicable, a City Re-
corder, the Secretary anl Treasurer, the
City Marshal, the Assessor and Collector,
the City Attorney, the Street Commis-
sioner, and the City Sexton, who shall hold
office for the term of one year, and until
their successors are elected and qualified,
and the election of said officers named in
this section may be remitted to the voters
of the city at any general election after
the firct year.
Sec. 15. That the City Recorder shall
have jurisdiction within the limits of the
corporation. with: power to hear
and determine all cases of -violation
of the ordinr.nces of the City Council,
which shall be prosecuted in the name and
behalf of " the Mayor, Aldermen and in-
habitants of the city of Houston " and for
the proper exercise of such jurisdiction,
the Recorder shall Jiave power and au-
thority to issue process: to preserve order
and punish for contempts committed in
the presence of his court: to administer
oaths and affirmations: to summon wit-
nesses. either in the city or from any part
of Harris county, and compel their attend-
ance. but process to be executed beyond
the city limits shall be directed to and ex-
ecuted by the Sheriff or some constable
for the county; to summon jurors and
compel their attendance; the Recorder's
Court shall be opened daily and the ac-
cused shall have a speedy trial, the law
of thp State regulating the practice and
procedure in the Courts of Justices of
Peace, shall be the rule for the practice and
procedure in the Recorder's Court. In the
absence, sickness or inability of the Re-
corder to. act and hold his court, the Re-
corder's Court may be held by the acting
Mayor at the time; and in such case
the aeting Mayor* Shall have the
same jurisdiction, powers and authority
as the Recorder. The Recorder in addi-
tion to his salary, aud his ministerial offi--
cers executing his process, shall jiayc the
SSTW6" fl?8<T(iy "'.TOuie Peace have
for similar ;terVi6es.': He shall make re-
port to the Council from time ,to time as
required, and shall do anfl perfoiprsuch
duties prcperlv appertaining to tlie office
of Recorder as may be prescribed by the
City Council. *
Sec. 16. That the Secretary and Treas-
urer shall attend the City Council at its
meetings; he shall have the custody of
all the laws and ordinances of the city*
he shall have the custody of the common
seal of-the corporation, and shall only;
affix the same to the. obligations of the.
city by.order of the City Council; he shall
keep a regfclterand eorrfeeti jourmtfc the
proceedings of the Council in well aDnnd
record book; he shall be the Treasurer !
and hare the custody of ali moneys, and
valuable papers, records and archives of
the oity; he shall receive all moneys and
revenues coming into the city Treasury,
and pay the same out by order of the
Council; he shall keep the money and
funds of the city ,o*; $epo#t 'to «>me
bank in the city of Houston; he sh$l fceep
the accounts of the city in well bound
books, and the books and records of his
office shall be opened to the inspection of-
any citizen, upon request, at any reason-
ably and ;pi'crper Jti |9f Jinepare
and publish in one of maw newspapers
printed in the city of Houston, an accurate
and detailed statement and account of the
receipts and disbursements of the reve-
nues of the city;-the outstanding obliga-
tions and liabilities of ($6. oity, and. the
ei-fhe' /citfrj tfensuty-i. 4rhich
statement shall be prepared and made up
to the first Mondav of December of eaoh
year, and published on or before the fif-
teenth day of December; aad it shall be
the duty of the City Council to requice
this statement so to. be made and pub-
lished ; and- shoHkt - the statement
not be made in the manner and at the
time provided, the Secretary and Trea-
surer shall be liable to a fine of one thou-
sand dollars, to be recovered in the Dis-
trict Court of Harris Ppunij, aj; the.suit of
the CWy Attorney, for abq ih behalf of
the Mayor, Alderman, and inhabitants of
the City "of Houston," and the securities
of the City Secretary and Treasurer, on
his official bond, shall be liable for the
amount of such fine-; and judgment 'w«"
shall be entered against them at the same
time witfi the srWoipeli to be made final
upon a r£ti^n.<# a jwit £fvscire farias, and
the City Council may prescribe such other
duties to be performed by the Secretary
and Treasurer, concerning tho administra-
tion of his office, as | may be deemed ad-
visable.
Sec. 17. That the-City- Marshal shall be
the Chief Police officer of the city under
the Mayor; he shall attend aR,regular
and special meetings <kt likS CotifftM j he
shall attend upon the Recorders Cdifrt,
and shall proi
process issued
diStSrbaicfe of
of said city, and
all persons so off<
of the community"
and return all
mrt. He shall
sord^rsj and
e within thte nitrite
take in custody
;ainst the peace
arrest all of-
fender^ erdinauoea of the city
for offences committed' in his presence,
and shall have authority to .take bail for
their app^arance b^fore the "Recorder; and
fn default of giving which, he shall com-
mit them to the city^prison for safe keep-
ing until,tfce/fcati; ba broiight? before the
Recorder for trial. He shall have authority
to appoint one deputy for whoso acts and
conduct he sliall be responsible, and such
deputy shall have all the power and
authority of the Marshal: he shall perform
such other duties and shall be invested
with sueh^other powers, rights and authori-
ty as the City Council may by ordinance
confer, not inconsistent with the constitu-
tion'and laws of the State.
Sec. 18.' That the Assessor and Collector
shall assess and collect the. licenses and
taxes levied and imposed by the City Coun-
cil, and shall pay the same over to the Sec-
retary and Treasure^ weekly on the Satur-
day of each week, taking duplicate receipts
therefor, one of which'he snail retain, and
the other he shall return to the Council or the
proper, committee appointed by the Council
[of the proper dammittee apjioih&d "by' tlie
Counoil] to receiye the same, with his" Re-
port in detail showing the several amounts
received and by whom paid^tidjich report
shalLheTifwiteto the ffrif USdon^ of the'
Council in each month: he shall be gov-'
erned by the rules and regulations herein-
after prescribed io relation to the assess-
ment add collection of the licenses ahd
taxes imposed by the City Council, and
shall do and perform such other acts and
duties concerning the administration of
his office as may be prescribed by the
City Council fS
Sec. 19. That the City Attorney shall
in person or by deputy appear and prose-
cute all cases in the Recorder's Court aris-
ing under the ordinances -of the city; he
shall, upon the request of the Mayor or
Board of Aldermen, attend the meetings of
the Council,to give his advice and counsel,
and shall give his opinions verbally or in
writing, as requested, upon all legal ques-
lions affecting tlie fights and interests of
the city wlficn may arise under the city
government. He shall, when requested,
draw up or revise any ordinance of the
city, shall represent the City in
tho prosecutiea br defence of ahy #nd
all actions or suits in any and all coifrts
wherein its rights or interests are involved;
he shall draw tip all contracts for the city,
and prepare all official bonds.
Sec. 20. iTkat the . duties of the Street
Commis8i6ner/and City Sexton, and such
other officers not specially named in this
charter as the City Council may from time
to time see proper to appoint for the bet-
ter administration of the affairs of the city,
shall be prescribed by ordinances passed
by the City Council.
Sec. 21. That bonds shall be required of
the City Assessor aud Collector, and of the
City Secretary and Treasurer in an amount
not less than double the amount of the
funds which may probably' bo ia 'heir
hands at any one time, to be determined®
by the Council which bonds shall be upon
such conditions as xnay be determined'by
the City Council, and with good securities
to be apDrovcd by the City Council; and
the city shall in like manner require bonds
of any officer or agent of the city through
whose hands the money of the city may
pasH.
Sec. 22. That the by-laws and ordi-
nances of the city shall l>e enforced by fine
not exceeding one hundred dollars, or by
imprisonment not exceeding thirty days:
and the Council may provide by ordi-
nances, that fines may be commuted by
labor in a workhouse, or in the public
works, and an execution may issue against
the goods and chattels, land® and tene-
ments of the offender.
Sec. 23. That the salaries mid fees oi'
officers of said city shall be at tho follow-
ing ratos, for each and every year com-
mencing from the date of their qualifica-
tion, viz: The Mayor shall receive three
thousand dollars. Kach Aldermau shall re-
ceive five dollars for every meeting of the
City Council attended by him. The Re-
corder shall receive two thousand dollars.
The Secretary and Treasurer shall receive
twenty-five hundred dollars. Tho City
Marshal shall receive two thousand dollars
and such fees as may be allowed by tho
City Council. The Assessor and Colleeto
shall receive such commissions as may be
allowed by the City Council, not to exceed
tho sum of five thousand dollars. The
city Attorney shall receive the sum of
twenty-live hundred dollars. The Street
Com msioner the sum of fifteen hundred
dollars, and warrants shall be drawn
monthly by the Secretary for the payment
of these salaries, but tho City Council
shall have power to establish and fix
the salaries and compensations of all offi-
cers and agents of the city, for the next
succeeding year, commencing on day of
general election, provided they shall not
exceed the maximum abovo prescribed for
the several officers named.
See. 21. That the City Couueil shallliavo
power and authoriiv to maintain tlie clean-
liness of the city to secure the safety and
convenience of passng in the streets, side
walks, and other public places in the city,
to fix the squaring, and to prevent en-
croachments and obstructions on the streets
and sidewalks, squares, ways, levees, and
public roads and places, to determine the
dimensions, and provide for grading, com-
pleting, maintaining and repairing ot streets
and pavements at expense of the owners
of the adjacent lands. To fix the place
for anchoring of all water crafts on Buffalo
;Bayou. 'To establish an active system of
inspection over the conduct of persons and
premises; to prevent cattle, hor-ses, swine,
goats', geese, and animals from running at
largot in the streets. Tq establish and
maintain a City, Polioe, prescribe the duties
;of pohcemeu and regulate their oonduot.
To provido for lighting the streets, and
for this purpose may establish gas-works
for the manufacture of gas for the use of
the cityand the inhabitants thereof at cost
price,- Co determine in what part of the city
slaughter-houses, bone-boilers, aoap-boilers
iand other establishment.-* for any business
which is or may be injurious to the value of
adja'eent prdpferty or unwholesome or disa-
greeable to'the occupant of adjacent proper-
ty sliall not bp allowed to be erected, to de-
termine in what part of the city-wooden
buildings shall "not'be erected, within the
limits prescribed ho person' shall be .per-
mitted to erect such buildings. Trf' pre-
vent gunpowder or other explosive materi-
ai,,kerosine oil or other inflammable oils be-
ing stored within the city limits in such
quantities as to endanger the safety of ad-
jacent property: To provide means for the
protection and extitiguishinentof conflagra-
tions and for the regulation, maintainanee
and support of a fire deparWent To per-
mit or' forbid theatres, balls and other
public amusements and to suppress the
same whenever the preservation of order,
tranquility or public safetyjnay require. To
close dramjshops, drinking salooas and
other places ^vhcre intoSicating liquors are
sold whenever necessary or expedient. To
defines wha£ Sliall be deemed nuis-
ance -in. said city and to abate
them . by summary proceedings,
to provida a workhouse for vagabonds and
disorderly persons who are unable to pay:
•fine and make regulations eOBOwruiirg-'the
same; to provide and keep a city prison;
to make all needful and proper rules and
regulations concerning bakers, butchers,
keepers of taverns, grog shops and other
public ' houses; draymen, horse drivers,
water' carriers, omnibus drivers, hack
drivers and drivers ®fi baggage wagons;
and especially to preserve order and pre-
vent noise and confusion in and about the
several depots oh the " arrival and depar-
ture of railway trains;:to prevent extor-
tion by carriers of passengers and bag-
gage, hacks, drays, and all public convey-
ances, by establishing maximum rates of
charges; to direct and control the laying
and construction 6f railroad bracks, turn-
outs and switches, and to require that they
be constructed and laid.so as to interfere
as little as possible with ,the ordinary
travel and use of the streets; to require
railroad companies to keep the streets
through which they run in repair, and to
light the same whenever deemed neces-
sary; to construct and keep in repair
bridges and crossings at the intersection of
streets and avenues, and over all ditches,
sewers and culverts on the line of the rail-
i way; tt> regulate the speed of engines and
locomotives within said city; to control
and regulate every tiring concerning street
railways, and generally to make and es-
tablish all rules, regulations, by-laws
and ordinances which may contribute to
and promote the better administration of
the affairs of said city, as well as for the
maintain*ace of the peace, tranquility and
safety of said city and for the protection
of persons and property Of its inhabitants.
The City Council of the City of Houston
are hereby empowered and authorized to
take and condemn land and real estate in
said city to the public use, viz.: for
streets, alleys and public ways; for ex-
tending, straightening and widening those
streets now in use; for public wharves
and landing places for steamers and other
water orafts, and for public-squares, parks
and" pleasure grounds. For the condem-
nation of^ariy land or real estate the fol-
lowing proceedings shall be had: The
City Attorney . <)t Attorneys employed by
said ,<jity for that purpose, shall file a peti-
tion" ii th^ District Court Of Harris county
-agbirtst'thte owner'of the land or real
vm tkL sought to be condemned for any
of "tha;purposes aforesaid, setting forth:
First—-The name or names and resi-
dence of the owner or owners, if known,
and if unknown the same shall be stated.
Second—The description by' notes and
bounds of an actual survey had for that
purpose of the land or real estate sought
to be condemned.
Third—The pupose for whloh the same
is proposed to be taken and applied.
Fourth.—The supposed value of the
property sought to be condemned.
Fifth.-—The prayer that the same be con-
demedto the public -use, for the purpose as
stated. And upon the filing of such peti-
tion, like proceedings shall be had thereon
as in other civil suits, and when personal
service cannot be had by reason of the
defendant being a non-resident or! un-
known, service by publication shall be
made as provided in other cases n the
District Court, and upon trial the Court
shall proceed to' render judgment condemn-
ing the land to public use upon the pay-
ment of the value thereof as assessed by
the jury, and upon any suit being brought
thereafter against the said corporation for
such "property so .condemned, a copy of the
judgment and an actual tender ot tho
money in court shall be a sufficient answer
in bar of a recovery in any such suit. All
costs of proceeding for the condemnation of
land and real estate, under this act shall be
taxed against the plaintiff, including reas-
onable fees of the Attorney which the
court shall appoint to represent the defend-
ant when cited by publication.
Sec. 25. That the City Council shall
liavo power and authority to establish oue
or more markets and market places, and
within reasonable hours, not later than ten
o'c'oek daily, to prevent the sale of fresh
meats, game, fresh fish, poultry, butter,
eggs, vegetables, and such country pro-
duce as is usually sold ia markets, at any
place in said city other thafl in said mar-
kets sr> established; to rent aud lease
stalls and stands In said markets and mar-
ket places, atid"Collect market licenses and
privileges, but no intoxicating liquors shall
ev«r be sold in said markets or market
places. To provide for the inspection of
all things sold in said markets, and also
for the inspection of the weights and
measures used therein. To establish pub-
- i! :• 3
lie scales, and require all corn, .grain, hay,
oats, fodder, and the like, brought "to mar-
ket in Wagons aud carts, arid sold by the
cwt., to be weighod thereon/ aud to Charge
a reasonable compensation therefor.
Sec. 20. That the market and market
privileges of said city may be
let and farmed out "annually to
tho highest bidder, at public out-
cry at the market house, after ten days"'
notice of the time, place and terra shall
hare been published in two oF, the city
papers, and two copies posted id conspic-
uous places in said market iieudei ? The
City Council shall, before t.h&day of let-
ting, fix upon the minimum sum at-which*
the market and market privileges may be '
leased for the ensning yeaf; and publish;
the same in the public notices reqntred to
be giveu as herein prescribed, and all bids
below the amount named shall be rejected:
at least five days before . the day adver-
tised for the letting, the Mayor shall cause
to be prepared the contract required to be
signed by the lessee, and the same shall
not in any manner be changed or modified
within the five days previous to the Jet-
ting; and said contract, so prepared, phall
be open at the Mayor's office'to the in-
spection of all parties who may desire to
see it. A good band and securities, to be
approved by the City Council, shaU be re-
quired of the lessee, arid now and' addi-
tional securities be required at any
time, under penalty of forfeiture-lof eou- -
traoCt- - •<£: •.<!• • .mi Ot ,!
Sec. 21. That the City Cquijcii Hy>y ap-
propriate to such uses and purposes as may-
be deemed advisable such halls tlnd r6oms
in tlio upper stories of the new market
house in said city as may not be necessary
for public use and to lease and rent; the
same from time to time for any term not
exceeding one year. 'i ~ ,
Sec. 28. That the City Cauucil iihall
have power to construct? wharves Ort the
banks of Buffalo Bayou within .the"limits
of the corporation and make; fuefe other
improvements as may be necessaryrfor the
better navig^tion of said bayou, and for
convenience of landing vessels and flieir
cargoes and toSivy contributions
upon all vessels, .-ifed ttheir cargoes
as may land at thjB• wharves,
and to demand and collect the* same, JLo de-
fray- the expenses of Sridt ithprovethbiits-
audrepairs. " j
'Sec.-29.1 That whenever any-'s¥e£miboat
or other,craft shall sink to
Bayou above" Harngburg and tkq nji
tion be obstructed thereby, , it shall l^tLdf'
duty of the ' Maoyr' Of' the cjty
Houston "to ^appoint:1tftre6! gbotf 'and;
discreet oommisfcioneM to'" iiapieet' 'api,.
examine the sanrej attd!! itafi-oondaierr
and immediately toreport,in.wilting.their
opinion, stating wheQier in .tfiettj.opSfidn:
the boat or craft sunk can' be, 6f is likely.
to be raised or rejaev^d wfttom f6e spice of
ten days after their examination^, and'
should they be of opinion .thqt ttuchi > iwet or-
craft is not likely to be raised^o.ps •to,v|>en "
the navigation within the spa^' o^,twenty,
days from the time of tljeir exainin^tioa,
then and in that ease the Mayor and Alfler-'
men of the City of Houston m«y onler the1
removal of such boat or oraft so sunk,it* any
manner they sliall deem proper, without
incurring any damages or penalty for the
same. ' ^' *! f e
Sec. 30. That said COTparj^ko o#; the
City of Houston is hereby given f&B ffcwer
and authority to take such steps to pjeadrve
and improve the . navigatwp :.ot ibe, ,sai&
Buffalo Bayou above the. town of j^aeris-.
burg as they may think proper, aud fortjiat
purpose they are authorized to lwy tWtfd eol-
lect a.tax an allflteamhantw and'<othancraft
running in said Bayou to the City-of Hous-
ton, for the purpose of improving, nayiga- j
tion thereof; provided, 'that flie ,
power in this seotfcn shall not1^)^ (
construed to give, said !corporation
any jurisdiction or : contract) over
said Buffalo, Bayou, -jor- , banks
thereof in any ihaiiner beyond or withqut
the corporate limits of said city .except
for the purpose of protecting or'imptovtog
the navigation of said bayoti, and shall
not give said corporation, juris4ictipr. or '
control to prevent or. interfere. wjfcl}:rthe
construction of any railroad br; otljer
bridges by any company or pCredn'Setoss
said bayou in such manner ae "BotiUii-in-
terfere with the navigation of said Beijeu.
Sec. 31. That the City Cbuaoii,byd -rete
of the majority of the wholq auaabgr .of
Aldermen taken by, I'yeasf taRd ^jiajB^
ahd entered-upon tnefr ,-johriial,' "shsflUiave
power to assess, ficense and'tax' hawkers,
peddlers, auctioneer^ theatrical hud -other
exhibitions, shows j-aad ;amusements,,bil-
liard tables, nine aou ten, peu afl^ysK pub-
lic drays, wagons, imnibuses and carriages,
grog shops, toppling house amd • dram
shops, beer saloons, (whether- $af < the
sale of domestic beers-and. liquors br
otherwise) and such, other ■ trades and, .oc-
cupations not especially mentioned-t^ri^m,
as maybe taxed by the laws of the'State;|
but no assessment or license tax'T^Vfed.
under .this, section shall ever exceed Tthrte
times the amount levied by thp State on
the same subject of taxation;. jjn , :
Sec. 32. Thai); the City. jbjt :aj
vote of .a majority of the wl^le . number
of Aldermen, taken by'"'yeaS" and^^aya,"
and entered upon their jbutnsfl,' 'tney
assess and colleot an annual aad direct
tax upon all property, real ..and.
'inKwftr'
.examine for, that purpose any periston? eeia--
• itie from any, plfcd infoctpd bejioyf?!' to
'bematted with such disease to establish,
maintain fand Wgulate pe&t Bori ses' or hos-
pitals withyj the dty, or not exceeding.
five miles'frpmj^S:bounds; localise any,_
person wfeo ,a$a}].;be suspected <krf ;# eing -
infected with'any sucji disease to be sent
to such pest 'hotlse 'or hospital; to remove
from* the city'/ftr destroy2 any furniture,
iJwearing apparel; :or tfrdperty of ah'ykind
which shftlH<e«u peotjod.irf being "tainted
or infected with pestUence; to prevent'
persons from infected places coipiijg. ipto
the city of Houston, and to jjideipl any
sanitary measures whereby the health of
■Uie city may be protected or iurpruve.?
But said corporation shall not hare power
situate and being witliui thfe lihiits ft the
corporation, not exceeding twO per cent.
ad valorem all taxes on' real e strife shaR/be
a lien and charge upon the; property, and
it may be subjected to the payment ot tbe
same. p fir f>3
Sec. 33. That eyery person, qr persons
on whom, or 6b whose voeatfqii'&iioeiisfe
tax may have been assessed/shalljibefdre
engaging in saqh vocation, pay to the City
Assessor andrCpl^ctof, the' amount of saiil
ofeipt shall entitled or tliem, tf>
a corresponding license
the Mayor. If any, pets&n ' or parsons
shall engage in any, (vocation; :withi ;.tiie
limits of the city, on whpm,iOf 'Whi^h,.a
license tax had been assessed by,the t'ity
Council, without .having opined a
license therefor from the Mayor;' 'Siifeh
person or persons shall be liable tot pay
one-fourth oi the amount of each annual
portion for eri^h daiy wildh "maybe 'fat
covered by action before tlie Recorder w*
any justice of ;the peace, or she-District
Court, according to the amount,
Sec. 34. That it shall be thetsfuty of the
Assessor and"Coll#ctor,"irftel' "the assess-
ment of the property liaSIe to'tAfttibniias
been made, to call upon, each, tax:pa^et
for the amount of the taxes duo by him
or them, and Upon ; failure tq pay the.
same, then the Assessor and Collecfor
shall turn over to the City Recorder the'
assessment rolls. - 'The City. Recorder,1
upon receiving such assessment .fpUf*. sha}j
thereupon issue a summons tq the part#-
against whom any tax may have.ljeen as-
sessed, to appear and show cause, if ^nv
said party have, why judgmetA shb'uld
not be rendered against said party for
the amount assessed againat saijl party fbrl
taxes. Should the party not appear at the
time and place, aS summoned, judgment
shall be rendered against said party, as in
a civil suit, and execution shall follow
such judgment, and the coats . shall
be adjudged as in civil crises;. and
uo property liable to taxatibn shall be ex-,
ompt from sale under. stieh execution'^
and all laws governing justices' courtsl.
shall govern the said City Rrcorder m
these cases. If the sum for taxes against
any individual or corporation be greater In
amount than that allowed by tlie jurisdic-
tion of a justice of the pcace, then ihe,
City Assessor and Collector shall file suit
against him, her or them in the District
Court of Harris County, and the assess-'
ment books shall be taken as prima, fade
evidence of the statements made therein
and each assessment therein made by kimj
her, or them, or his, her, or their agfent
shall be accepted as proved upon the trial
before any court; provided, this section
shall not be construed;to,.prerei* the Cay
Council from adopting a mode and manner
as near the mode and manner prescribed bv
die lawsof the State, asthecirCumBtence.®
wiilperniit; aud further provided, that all
taxes due the city may be collected by an
action of debt in any court having juKsdfr-
tion of the amount 1: ^'!: 1
Sec. 35. That the said corporation shall
not b"e liable toapy person for damages for
injuriescaused fromsUeet^ways.croseinsrs,
bridges or'sidewalks being out, of ^repair
from;of' &id Corporation
and remains so for ten' daVs' aft^r Special
notice - in, writing gtfefr t# the Mayor or
StijoetCommUsioaorsi;,.,, ni >; I *'*
i Sep. ^G. That it," slW not hp. tjeec.siwj? f
in iliy action. Stiit or proceeding in wliieh.t
8i$<v$tav!Aid&ftnen' and ihtratfi&nu of
the'CityOf Houston «li ll be a pttrty. that
any bond or security haH be required, but
all actions,, ,«r proceedings shall be'
condrtfctea as if such bond or security had
been given. The property, real ana per-
sonal, belonging to the city shall not' bt lia-
ble to be sold under an$• writ of execution.'
nor shall tho funds in the hands of any pet-
son belonging to the city be liaMo to lie'
garnlsheed; nor shall the city or iiriy of ics
officers oi* agents be required to answer to.
any writof garnishment > !
Sec. i37. That all cemetery lots which!
have been or may l>e hereafter laid out by.
said city, oar'm anv 5private cemetery
•grounds, together monuments or
railings upofl the same, shall, with all their
appurtenances, forever lie exempt from
taxes, executions. attoclaiM-D te *or forced
salc. J^, . *- .j'.,j *, -. '.
Sec. S^r.ifhatno pcrsou'shail Ve .^nin-
corapefcnt jiidge, jttStice. witness or
juror-1 by : reason -i^of' }ms .being
an iuhabilant or freeholder in the City of
Houston,: in any acjion or proceeding in
which said city may be a party mterostedj,
and ali officers of saTd city shall be'exempt
from jury'service while holding theif
!offl*es. } -i
Sec, 3ft ~ That theproperty ''of } all
Churches,,.Masons, or Odd-Feilowi?. or
, other eliaritahle . aseoeiatiopp, used by >
then! for' thfew' places of meeting, both.
rc-al;and personal, shall be forever exempt
from taxation. Bonds of the TJhited
States and bonds .of the corporation of
Houston shall not W>^ bjeet-ti> tax uit'fcr
tmi'acf.*". ..-;t -
Sec. -10. The City Council shall auimally i;
appoint, by ballot, one person from each
Ward of tho oil^ who, together with the'
CSty CjilhtflT 'may ijtpfc^'rit k health ph_\
• ciatt. aod sisi imftt health inspectors as
i tli$£ in ay t^f>ip^qeoe8|a y. and sliall pre-,
eej-s and-duties
niemliers.: and the
of' tiif'.tioArd" anu
•SeerWAry iff the "Cfty OaTinen' sliall be* the
clerk oil tfee ,Koardt-Af Health.- jfnd shall
jkeepe a jS.<Soi?I < f ,tH6ir {irooeddings,' R'
Sec.^ 41 .* Tl ^pity ^Cpupeil sliall have
hower'ib take siicK uieasures as they niav
deem —?±~—-r
effectti&i to p^vdht the entrance of
said city, bnt tafty.regulate'1 the speed of
smdi trains passing through "andf present
their stopping.' ftt Si'y/l'A ""i
SBo.,45;.fTbat all wbiks of improvedieut
and all public works for .said city exdeed-
.ing the, stt^i. of flye hundred dpUars-
ih cost, shall b6 let out to the' lowest, bid-
der by! Sealed pr6$osd!ls and 'no ftotitract
•shall "be made or entered into until 'after
the plans and specifications shall have
been prepared and submitted to the Coun-
cil and -appryrtiftjyiitfltid afterwards
published in at least, four issues of some
daily^ftper published jji the city, inviting
bids therefor
t sweb "sealed
bid dial! be
cordance with the pl4aa and-specifications
so, p^bUsh^d, and: W>. i^ow^nce, for ^xtra
w6rk snall eyer bemaaeorpaid for,. .JJhe:
sealed proposals ^shall, bfe'ddaressdd 'fo the'
City.Secretary- stod'TSeaSartfr, atM;-6tiall
.ctoly be opened rthe presence of the City
Council at acisguiaf j meeting, andtiieibid-
ders shall hfve tie pgljt ^t^e.-Brcsftnt.
^ood.and secrirityj' to be approved by. the
<City Oibttci!, ^ttUlT^ftqnfrea of ail con-
tractors. The takiflji 6f any <KmtraytbfBify
interest therein, j.{ openly 'or eecfetly,
.^dirpctly, cr , ind^e^jj.j hy,, ^y; - offi-
cer of'Vttie <a'ty ..shall facto
Work a forreltlirfe 6f the' pontract and the
consideration "fteree^ arid1 shall vacate the
offiec (held by the party tating the satne.
Sec.f,43^ ; Cityx Coflnoil shall have
'po^'^ud^authority fo borrow money on
the Credit of the city and issue ^kmi^s
therefor, to an amount not. to ex'c'eol one
hnndred tlion^ftnd dollars dnring any one
year;rto-tOretlto a debt daring ^ant one
year exceeding oue hundred thousand dol-
lars, the question must be submitted to
'the registerwl pf the city, aud if
two-thirds at tfct?-' Votes-ptfted shall bt> 'in
{aver of' croatiug^ SudK deiit^ rt-tehtAl' be
lawful for the City Couneili to mtrthorize
the issuance oi (the l$nds he amOijWit
^. to
candidate receiving th«,1 feighpst
number of vote* for th^. respec-
tive officers, ah&.the candidates ro receiv-
ing .Uie (eerjjjieatos. ah*U proce«Lt *quallfy
land discharge the duties of the.office.iHi
^•ceerdance Wfffe fHS*4 charter, and iT the
,aaR> presiding ouetkn shall die. bi unable,
,pr i-efuse to act, then_ the Citv.rCouncii
hereili'appomted'shall perform the ' duties
assigned to i id presiding Jnatice. After
said election the City Council Bhgil make
igulatloris conceTning reg-
bondS shaft be is&ti&t' 'd^Awteg a! igrMttcV
fate of interest thBB tea per catt per ati-
num, but shall«pt be valid if sold for. less
than their par value. All bonds shall op-
press upon .their face for what purpose
iltey were 5 When atiy bonds are
authorised to be1 -iasobd,-' : iu^' the
same- qrduMHice,' n.; fund .shall be pro-
vided,. to- pay a^e interest, and . 4wt)
per :ce'nt fper annum On the principal,; as a
sinking'fnnd fo redeem the bonds: and the
two pdrbertt. slnkibg foM shaM tfe' ixmtf-
ed in the bonds of the' City or to JTniWcf
States bonds, the Appropriation made ft*
ptrrptme. "*City scrip or bther certificates of
indebtod^ss oriAligitforis ef the fcity inay
be. made jeoeivabife fof> tases, b«t. wtietf
paid m, to the Ass^sor and Collecfor, he
shall require the party paying it in t can-
cel H by writing ''cancelled," artd the' date
ah8 hfe nanid'acroSSi the face of it nnd, fit
the Same time, tiie Ass^sso* &nd Collector-
shall eKeoate, a, reeoip gliowing,-what
amotrnt^vas-paid,^;. mfiney and-wlva^ in:
scrip, and his 'montlily - report sjiall ,uop:.
resjipMf an'l^iv£ rf^mcs * of the Tax'-
Sea 4i. tThat: :a* goneftil elect'niu for
Mayor and Aldermen for said city sluill be
' held on the first Tuesday io March. A;'®-,"
1874, and tho officers clected on that 'day
shall, on the tenth day aftef smd' elec-'
tion, take the oath,;iof office and
enter upon the, <hs<:hargei .^of, tlie
duties of th§ office to whicH they have
been1 elected; and until said Officers Shall
bo elected and qualified under this act, the ^
following persons aie Iwreby.sppointed die
Mayor and^Uftermeu aud Recorder Of said
city, and shall immediately enter upon the
discharge and duties "of their offices.
Mayor, {James T. D. ' Wilson. Aldermen
for First .Ward. N. T. Turner, Wbitfield
Harral; . for the Second Ward, Charles
ii
Ward, L C. Lord, S. T. Noble: for Re-
corder. John H. Duncan. The officers so
elected shall hold their offices antd the
first Monday in January. A- D- 1875, but
the Aldermen so elected shall determine
ty lot, immediately after the organization
of the Board, which of them shaB hold for
the long term as provided in Section 7 of
ty -•>,
this chf
mt TTTJ '
chartef. and the term of such as hold
for the long totm shall empire on the first
Monday ia January, A..IJ. 1876. '
Sec. 45. Tho Recorder, of,*l|e of
Houston shall be e-c-offCao tlie* Registrar
. of voters for the city and the present
Recorder, viz: John IL Dui an,spall be
the first Registrar, and in case o'f his death
orrefit8al or inability to act, tha CHy Coun-
cil shall appoint a proper person so fo tfct.
The Registrar may appoint some suitable
person in cach Ward'to actas Deputy* Reg-
istrar for such Ward, and iha Rfigistrar
and deputies shall' take tin oath that they
will faithfully and impartially diachni^e the
duties of the qffiiKjQf Re^istxaf,,(,!Q4 Re-
ctrrfler may at his offifce" register all voters
-ill an.t Ward of Uie:city.; hhd after the reg-
iatratioii of the T^tfr3 tl^S^ejal&Fords
has been ijompleted, fie shall transcril^ the
names of the Motors ^dfcgitet4r«! by him to
the.preper, list of, toe. Wa^df whi^h tha
Votfe¥s 'reside!' Books or registeatfon shall
be kept open iff Bach Waiti for at five
days* of which notice shall j hp by
pnbKcatibh iff one or more of the "city pa-
pt-rs Vif the time arwTpipce. anS1 they'^shall
be closed three days be/ore-the eiection,
and after the books,have been cloewsd, no
. voter shall fee registered. The' "Registrar,
and his deputies shall havo' ftathority, to
administer oaths to applicants for registra-
tion touching their qualifications as voters.
- apd when not' satisfied as to - the right of
the applicant to vote, or, as to his identifi-
cation, ' the Registrar may require 'hini
nnderoathi in what particular^jrtof the
city he resides, and also the.na|nes (of at
leaSt-two of Hs nearest neigWksrs, t^icii
shaU-bo recorded opposite his name for
reference %. and any person ,presenit ahali
have the right to feqtflrr the Registrar to
put the questions as to residence *and
neighborhood to any applicant . , The
names shall 'be -ntimberetJ' conseciitivelj- in
the order of registration in-Oach-W?irti,"and
when the registration is completed, the
names shall be arranged alphabetically on
the -lists fot, ^ach ward, -which sMfl be de-
livered, to the manager, of the.elac^on ia
such ward on the day of the election.
Should thfe Riegistraiyor any rie^raty will-
fully and corruptly refuse to register any
person entitled to' Vcite; he shall fje 'mied
in tlie sum of fire hundred dollars,
upon indictment by the g
41 6 ' (friminal district'Court oi
eoirctyr. and any person who shall
unlawfulk and willfully,vote at.anytelec-
tion-for'officers of said city who is not a
rjuahfied-viijtef uiidBf thisdiarteflP, Tf^«hall
be fined iij the spm, ql .five hunda d dol-
la'rs or iitfprisbned in the,county jaufbr the
• tern^of rsix months" or both, in the difcre-
tjoiirof the j wry,(, aad -the. Criminal, District
Court Or Harris county shall have jiiris-
dicition thereof. Itlti t:!** ' •* •
- Sec. 4£., At the election take place on
thfe'fitst Tuesday in March', 1874, the Pre-
side Jtwtic# if • the Peace -ofi Ha'rrrs
county filial^ a opin^
two judges of election in each war8, ont
y f Jhe'Tttdjges" ffom 'feaoh Of tho pdlfecal
the "plaoe in each
ward for the holding of- the election, and
•thctelaitfofi flhail'W eoDi6fcfc6A-%s tr^r aa
Pfesldlag
county, who sliaiL oatlie fifth day after-
the election, proceed to count the, votes
and 'issue a certificate ttf
the
su'A fiirther regula
istration and eiecticalsiits map be neceSsa
t*n i,; The Registrar of Voters1 Sliall be
entitled, as compensation for his services,
ttrtin amount not exceeding ten ceritg'for
eacK registsred .voter, fo $e -pnfii the
Thilt' the1 * general eieciion for
officere of saM cSty: shaU be the ffimts Son-
day in January of, each year, oommeqeing
on1 tHe! first'Moiriay in'January, A, p.
1875; and no election for officers for 'Said
city,shall eycr be^eiu, qtrthe day/af ^elec-
tioirfor fetate ana county officers. Ii it
should 30 hup pin thrft'An •'election !for Stdte
and connty officers should ..be ordjereds ^c
the first Monday in "January, then and in
that case the cily BWitlon shall "be post-
poue_4 bs the^rd^p;,.^ Msvpr.Jt* one
Sec..-48i:l%aHaa
Consolidate in ope A^and -uneg^tbafgv-
erkl Afeti mcorpoHifihg the City" of Hous-
ton, fin Himui dtiatity.'' passed August 2d.
(1870, iand, rplatiye - to 1 toe
incorporation of the City of Houston, be
and the same are hereby repoeded: but all
property, actiop, .rights of,actioils, claims
and demands, of'every nature and kind
whatever, veated'm said bferporation* under
andjby.virtwa of ,the said lawahereby re-
pealed, shall vest in and remain and
■irfure -to the said ' Corporation trader
this act. as fully and completely
in all respects as if the said laws had [had]
not been repealed, and all' by-laws, reso-
lutions and ordinances made and passed
under or in pursuance ®f said laws, here-
by repealed, shnll continue and remafc in
full force and effect until repealed by the
proper authorities of said corporation. «'
Soc.- 49. That this act shaR be deoraial*
public,, act and judicial notice shall
tie taken thereof in all Courts.
Sec. 50. That <tue ,.pii ristmat--of
the .Joint Resolution qL<: ijm -■ heg-
Jre a Jolht ResOluwan sus-
pending the powers of tiife Siartw JatW "&h-
dermen and other officers of ,.the..City. oi
Houston, in Harris Muijty, in certain oases
enumerated herein" approved January 20th.
1874, shall not apply to the Mayor -imd
Aldermen and officers named, appointed or
elected under this act. wm'i
Sec. ffl.'That this act shall, teke^ eS««3
and be in force'froni its passage.
JSJgned.] Geo. M. Betak,
Spi'r .House Sep.
fl; -A* * , t , «
'imrrii toe swato..
Approved January 2:
'dSTn^
rtwfl
Tub.^T4,TB.OF
Department of State, f ,
'3,' Geokwi^'i.ark, Secr^WtV of State for
, the State ol-Teafaaido horebv eertifv that
cuBsotidate-isOte'AptanfcameBd toe sev-
! eral acts incorporator the Cite of .Hot^^-.
ton. In Harris County,"';Jfpproved 'Jhnuary
-•id, 1874,^akca fron^tiie ortfjtoal Si ,aite*
Department wij^ ^ich it hac
b'tfetlCarefully Compared.'
r-tfi-r* to -teetoDony wt>9 eaf T
( t ohereunto, signed m anke
( )' caused the iS&l Wme Dapart-
——- ment of State to be affixed -at* 'fhe.
Citv of Austin^ thi&Atd day o£ January'.
(A. *D., 1874. GEO. clare,
5 -Ujo t ;
Great Depbt?for
Shriifle«5
Rough and Dresred Lumber,
AT WHO^ESALPJ vfclfD RETAIL.
A* BERI3C« A BRO s
Netr new Market Hcn e,
deel Cm M SAW Houston, Texas,
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Baker, J. H. & Wilson, J. H. Houston Daily Mercury (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 119, Ed. 1 Tuesday, January 27, 1874, newspaper, January 27, 1874; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth232968/m1/1/: accessed May 21, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.