Selma, The City Revived

From "Selma; Her Institutions, and Her Men" by John Hardy, pub. 1879:

The Council elected John M. Strong, Clerk; A. J. Neil, Treasurer; a tie in the vote of the Council between J. A. Moore and Wm. Turner, for Marshal, The Mayor, Williams, gave the casting vote for J. A. Moore; Dr. Mullen, City Physician; the Council fixed the salaries--That of Mayor, $200; Clerk, $300, Marshal, $600; Treasurer, $100; Physician, $280; Police, forty dollars per month. Orders were given to all the city officers not to receive anything but United States money in payment of city dues. John McElroy, chief of the fire department, reported the two fire engines in bad order and greatly broken up. The Marshal was directed to take charge of the Wharf and to collect wharf fees. A license of three dollars was put upon washerwomen, John Parkman was employed to go to New York and secure the proper plates for, and have $25,000 of city shinplasters printed, which the Mayor and Clerk were authorized to issue. John McGrath was allowed five dollars per month as city Sexton. Burnett & Rixey wanted pay for a barrel of good whisky Dr. Henry had destroyed while the Yankees were coming into Selma, but the claim was refused by the Council. John Morrow's salary for taking care of the town clock on the Presbyterian church, was fixed at seventy-five dollars per year. The officers became restless at their small salaries. The Council increased the salary of the Mayor to $1,000; Clerk, $500; Marshal, $1,000; Police, sixty dollars per month. C. B. White was employed as wharfinger for one year at a salary of $1,500, payable monthly. The finances of the Council had increased considerably, it is to be judged form the fact that a resolution was passed to purchase the Central depot building for the sum of $50,000. Harrman & Von Fischer, were employed to survey and make maps of the city. The Marshal was directed to purchase a saddle horse for the city, which cost the city $150. John White was paid fifty dollars for defending Harrell and Farmer, two policemen, in the Circuit Court. Jonathan Haralson was elected Attorney. The Council donated to the Episcopal Church the alley or street running from Lauderdale to Church street, between the property of Mrs. Tredwell and the Voegelin estate property and Miss Tulley's, upon which to erect a church building. This property was afterwards sold by the church, and its donation caused the city some trouble and money. One thousand and fifty dollars was paid John M. Parkman for having $25,000 of city shinplasters printed in New York. Thirty acres of land was purchased form Fred. Voegelin, in East Selma, at $750, for hospital purposes. Permission was given to open a market house in East Selma. Albert Sandell had part of his licensed for selling lottery tickets refunded. C. B. White resigned as wharfinger. And Jacob Krout resigned his seat as Councilman. An ordinance was passed putting picks and chains around the legs of negro convicts, when put on the streets to work. This practice at once excited the sympathies of the military authorities, and the custom was ordered to be discontinued. Mrs. O'Rourke was contracted with the take care of two orphan children for the city. A blue uniform was ordered to be worn by the Marshal and police, thus assimilating, in clothing at least, the civil and military officers.

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