Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-04
CITY AFFAIRS,
LIGHTING THE CITY

evening Every member present seemed to be fully i'm
pressed with the urgent necessity of Fastening the con-
sucton OF the gas works, give the city the bene
fit OF gas lights the earliest practicable day. Unusual
prevailed, and the important resolutions re-
ported from the Committee on Light encountered no
opposition from any quarter. 1t will be observed that
the Committee have been singuarly fortunate in their
proposed distribution of light in each Ward
Dr. CHAMBERIAyNE stated. that by the plan proposed
in the first resolution the Committee would be enabled
to light 57a squares in Jefferson Ward, 81 squares in
Madison Ward and 81 squares in Monroe Ward with
gas, at an additional expenditure of only about So 900
over ana above the amount originally asked for to
tee to equalze the amount OF light in each Ward and
would, he felt satisfied give general satisfaction.
r When finished, the citizens will be enabled to walk
from bacons Quarter Branch to Rockets by the light
dispensed from the public lamps
DIX competitors put in bids to furnish the requisite
amosnt OF ppes turns &c, needed in the construction of
to at glace the difference in the prices char ged
by each contractor for precisely the same amount Of
pipes, &c.
K e. o. s. IL Jones propose to furnish the pipes
Robert Campbell. ..26'1Is II
Caldwell q Co. ...................2 6 252 90
John !nrich & Co. Observation-Disclosures 81, 1863 90
f. G.. Etting IL Bros. ..............,3l3 29 90
ANDERSON " 20. 81 ,l57 IS
DR.. CHAMBERIAyNE said the Committee on Light had
instructed him to lay the proposals for supplying the
gas pipes &C.. before the Council to enable that body
to award the contract to whomsoever they might
Mt he lowest bid had been put in by Messrs r. &
:: II. Jones, of Philadelphia, and the highest by
Messrs. Anderson q Co., of Richmond. The differ
ence between these two bids amounted to fraction
over $4,000 He felt it due to the Messrs Jones to
say, that tn y gentlemen Of high reputation in
their line OF businesswere at the head of large es-
tabllshment, and had learned that they were fully re-
sponsible IN every respect. He said that whilst he
elt as much disposed any to encourage South
ern manufactures, and was prepared to discriminate in
favour OF our own mechanics yet he must say that he
could not 60 to the extent Of 30 per cent. The COM
award OF the contract to Messrs. Anderson & Co. had
their bid exceeded thatput in by any firm out of the
city only to the extent OF 10 or Is per cent.
Mr. late remarked that whilst he was disposed to
encourage our own mechanics and manufacturers to
LIBERAL Nays generous extent, yet he could
to pay them third more than charged by other
mechanics for precisely the same work.
Capt. D1MMoCK said disposition had been manifest
ed In the Committee on lighting the city with gas to IA
your our own mechanics to liberal extent but the
COMMITTEE could not consent to recommend the award
OF the contract to Messrs Anderson & Co.. the differ
ence between their bid and that of the Messrs Jones
| was too great. He said the committee would have
given our own mechanics the contract provided their
bid had not exceeded the other per or therea-
bouts.
Mr.. GoDDIN agreed entirely with DR.. Chamberayne
IN relation TO this matter and could not therefore,
scentlousy vote to award the contract Messrs An
derson q Co. However much he might be disposed,
IN his individual capacity to favour own mechanics
yet acting he did for his constituency he felt bound
procure Tor them the best terms possible. He pre-
suined the bidders to be responsible men, and
known as such to Mr.. VANCLEvE, the Engineer then
present, upon whose judgment in this matter, as well
asupon all others in relation to the gas works. he should
rely.
The PRESIDENT and DR.. CHAMBERLAYNE both sta
ted that the Messrs Jones were known as gentlemen
OF probity and standing. They had former occa-
sion taken contract to supply the city with water
pipes, and Mr. HANEs the superintendent had express
ed himself we'll satisfied with the manner in which they
had fulfilled that contract.
Mr.. CARRISGToN remarked that he approved the re-
port OF the committee and was prepared to in the
resolutions recommended to the Council for adoption-
tie hailed this report the harbnger of returning
peace to the councils of the city He and his colleagues
from Jefferson Ward had always been favorable TO
lighting the city with gas, provided it could be done on
just nd equitable grounds He desired permission to
make tn statement for the puspose Of placing himself
and colleagues in proper and attitude. Be-
evng the plan proposed by the committee to be toun-
ded upon justice and equality, it would therefore
mand his vote its favor In regard to the contract
Tor the gas ppes he said that he prepared to dis
eliminate as high IS per cent in favour of our own
mechanics, but not higher The bid Of the Messrs
Jones was nearly SO cent lower than that put in by
our own mechanics, and he did not think the people OF
Richmond would have Just complain if the hall
consulted the interests othe city, by giving the contract
to the lowest responsible bidder.
MIR. DENooN next addressed the Council He said
he had taken some interest in this of gas works.
and was decidedly in favor ofencouragng home manu-
iactures and home mechanics; anticipated competition
IN this city, he had reason to believe, had caused the
Northern bidders to reduce their prices The charges
heretofore paid in the North for pipes Of the description
required, were much higher than the rates at which they
were now proposed to be furnished This good result
ne agained reminded the Council, was owing to home
competition. He merely stated this as sustaining the
position he had heretofore taken-had full confidence
in the Committee Light and should vote to concur
IN their recommendations.
Mr. TALBorr said he had no disposition to press the
claims OF the home mechanics unduly. The bids from
the North were in truth, much lower than the one put
IN by Messrs. Anderson q Co. of this city
Mr.. ROBINSON then moved that the Council approve
the contract submitted by .Messrs r. & S. Ii. Jones
which was carried unanimously
The Committee on Light entertain the opinion that
the gas works will be completed by the first OF Novem-
Der next.