Selma and Gulf Railroad Bonds Reputed

From "Selma; Her Institutions, and Her Men" by John Hardy, pub. 1879:
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The bonded debt of the city was reported to be $347,120, after repudiating about $60,000. Joseph R. John, John White, Geo. P. Rex, James W. Lapsley, Geo. O. Baker and James M. Dedman, of the City Board of Education, made a report to the Council, asking for some legislation by the Council. Gen. R. L. Walker, Superintendent of the Selma Gulf Railroad, made a report to the Council of the Progress of the work on that road. A committee was appointed to negotiate for establishing a ferry across the river at the foot of Franklin street. Quite a number of good ordinances were adopted in relation to the market house, sanitary, taxation, &c. The office of captain of the guard was created, and Col. J. P. Jones, of Pensacola, Florida, appointed to that office, at a salary of $1,500 per annum. The police were ordered to be uniformed with a gray suit. The term of office of attorney was made to be two years. The $60,000 of the Selma and Gulf Railroad bonds were reputed, because their issuance had not been submitted to a vote of the real estate owners of the city, as required by the charter. A contract to establish a ferry was entered into with W. T. Hatchett & Co., of Montgomery, who put a flatboat on the river and commenced ferrying, but finally sold out their claim to the city, on which a loss of about $400 to the city. S. J. Saffold was elected city printer. John O'Neal resigned as policeman for South Selma and Wm. J. Smoke was appointed at a salary of fifty dollars per month. The city attorneys were instructed to revise the charter and ordinances. The Mayor was instructed to purchase an iron safe. The pay roll for the police, for the month of June 1871, was $1,050. The Legislature authorized the City Council to issue bonds to fund the city debt, which was, with the Selma and Gulf railroad bonds about $380,000. Dan. Sullivan, Robert Hall and W. R. Ditmars were appointed an assessing committee for 1871. New carpets were purchased for Marshal and Clerk's offices. Mayor Dedman vetoed several ordinances. Joseph Aunspaugh was elected wharfinger. The city hospital was abolished. The Council was petitioned to buy another steam fire engine. A street tax of five dollars was established, but was afterwards reduced to three dollars, on all male inhabitants of the city between the ages of twenty and fifty years. Five hundred dollars were appropriated to build a bridge over Beech creek. Amy & Co., of New York, who had managed to get control of the largest portion of the bonded debt of the city, became quite persistent in their demands for payment. The organization of the Mechanics fire company was reported, and its acceptance was recommended by E. W. Pettus, Chief of Fire Department. The property of the Central City Agricultural Association was exempt form taxation. The hand engine that belonged to Franklin fire company was sold to the town of Talladega. The Treasurer paid over the ten per cent. To the City Board of Education. A board of health was organized as follows: Jas. Kent, M.D., President; C. F. Fahs, M. D., Secretary; J. P. Furniss, M. D., L. E. Locke, M. D., and B. H. Riggs, M. D. The wharf was rented to Thomas & Vance.

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