Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-01
CITY kCOUNCIL.

The President submitted letter received by him
from the Hon. J. A. Seldom, in reply to communi.
cation transmitting the report of the persons appointed
to examine the census, &c.
\ Whereupon on motion of Mr.. Robinson,
ResolDed, That committee OF three persons be APP
pointed by the President ascertain as fully as they
can, within such time the President may designate
the Names well the number of persons iden in
the city on the first day of June last, who not
braced in the late census; and to make report thereof
to the President, who shall transmit copy of said
port through Mr. Seldom, to the proper officer of the
United States at Washington City, and lay another
copy OF it before the Council.
| ReSolued, That the committee find any difficulty
IN obtaining otherwise the original returns OF the
sus for the city, that the President inform Mr. seldom
thereof that he may have the proper arrangement
| made for that purpose.
Realized, That sum, no exceeding $50, be appro-
priated as compensation for the committee.
petition was presented from A. Bodeker and 9TH
ers, for flag stone crossing Main street, opposite
said Bodeker's store.
And on motion OF Mr.. Robinson, it was referred to
the Commissioners OF Streets for Jefferson Ward, to
have the crossing made, they deem expedent
Of the sum OF $1,000 year. subject to their order, for
repairs and improvements in that ward
petition of Lnessen and'Hines for permission to
erect soap mandatory on the lot OF G.. Green, on
motion OF Mr.. Allen, referred 10 the Commissioners
OF Streets for Madison and Monroe Wards.
Mr.. Bosher reported resolutions adopted by the Com
nssoners OF Streets generally, approving the grade re-
commended by the Superintendent for ed street, from
Main 10 Water street, and grades tor I'd and 4
from Leigh o.MarshalI streets7whch were adopted by
the Council
And the following resolution also reported from
the Commissioners
Resolved That it be recommended to tho Council
to 4th street to be graded, between Canal and
Byrd Streets provided the cost shall not exceed $500
| On motion of Mr. Bosher, said resolution was re-
committed to the Commissioners.
The ayes and noes having been ordered or the ques
ton OF recommitment, the vote
AYEs-Messrs Allen, Bosher, Exall, Goddin, Myers
| and Robnson--6
NoEs-Messrs. Darlington, Cullen, Denoon, Saun-
defs and Tait-5
| The following resolutions reported from said Con-
msslonels adopted:
Resolved, That be recommended the Council to
have 20th street graded, curbed and dshed cutters
paved from Grace 10 Franklin sreets-(estmated cost
S634
ReSolred, That it be recommended to the Council to
have Grace street eurbed, guttered and grayeed from
Clay to Broad streets, ar as has notsbeen done
ESTIMATED cost 1881
Vi ResOloed, That it be recommended to the Council
to have curb stones set 4h street, from Clay to
| Main slrees-(estmated cost $245.)
Areport was submitted from the Superintendent of
Streets, in compliance with resolution of the Council
of the 10th inst, stating the work ordered to be
ted by the city hands and now remaining uncompeted,
with estimate OF the cost 10 finish each improve
men.
! And, on motion of Mr.. TAFT, the resolution of the
Commissioners OF Streets generally, which laid
the table The 10th inst, Ton the subject OF having the
finished work done by conract,) and the Superinten
dents report were referred TO said Commissioners with
authority to have so much OF the work executed by
tract as they may deem expedient.
Mr. Robinson reported from the Select Committee on
the subject, IAN ordinance prescribing Sidewalks and
regulating openings thereorm to vaults and cellars
Also providing Tor crossings and Tor paving sidewalks
and for assessing OF adjacent lots with part Of
the expense OF paving the sidewalks and the carriage
way"
And, on his motion, it was laid on the table and Or
de7ed to be printed for the use of the Council.
| Mr.. Robinson presented the following report:
| The Committee of Finance, to whom was referred
the petition OF E. j. Picot and Others, have examined
that petition and if they could concurin the opL
pressed by the petitioners that they suffering great
oppression and inconvenience from the ordinance lately
passed concerning the assessment OF taxes, would be in
favour OF granting them relle
The petitioners complain OF, as onerous and UNJUST
the tax OF fifteen dollars each person. merchantle
firm that sells or barriers any patent, specific. quack
medicine. All taxes in some onerous, and the
Committee would be pleased if the taxes citizens
genarally, could be reduced. But they deem inexps
dent to recommend at this me reduction OF any Of
the imposed by the ordinances recently reported
by the Committee OF Finance, which have been passed
by the Council to increase the revenue.
In addition to the large amount OF interest the city
debt, and other current expenses there has been appro
priaed for Improvements on the streets dnrng this fiscal
year. much more than was before usual Enough is al
ready known 10 justify saving, that the Chamber
an's for the year TO end the 2Sh nst will
show the receipts to have been considerably less than
the disbursements Besides this the citizens expect the
Council subscribe behalf of the city the stock of
the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Company $780,
900 in respect to, which provision will have to be made
for paying the interest, aud gradually redeemng the
principal, along with the other city debt.
Under these circumstances we think it was obvious
ly proper increase the taxes generally, and is also
proper appropriate Tor making Improvements the
streets during the ensuing fiscal year, but little beyond
what will be required to pay for Improvements already
ordered, and not yet finished. This course best COM
ports with the policy determined on by The Council, OF
not increasing the permanent debt OF the City, merely
TO improve the streets.
While the necessity OF increasing the taxes generally
at this time will probably BIZ conceded, the petitioners
may deem unjust the particular tax on them OF $la, fol
selling baering patent SPECIFIC, or quaek medicines
and other persons may cosder some other taxes, also
burdensome.
IL has been the purpose OF the Committee OF Finance
and OF the Council in the recent revenue Ordinances to
arrange the different taxes as fairly as they could Tor
| all without unduy burthening any and there beng u
proprety in making the ordinances OF the City con
sstent with the laws OF the State practicable, the taxes
on merchants while in most less than under the
state laws have generally been arranged on Inc same
| principle with the state taxes.
! Under the State law, the merchants are divided INTO
nine classes, and taxed in proportion TO Then sales
mechon for example whose sales are S2ooo ana under
$4,000 paying state tax OF only Sl5, while one whose
sales 900 and under $i50OO pays state tax OF
$50 There is besides this general lax on merchants,
an additional tax sales OF certain thngs be-
of their nature or because OF the prolt which they
Weld iustfvine an additional Thus, in every case
| in which the license a merchant includes permission
to sell by retail wine or ardent spirits there has for year
ortwo past been an addnonais TAX OF Sl2 ana so
in every case which there IS license 10 sell or bar
ter patent, specific and qnaek medicines there has been
Il state tax on it OF Sla.
| II an spotheeary druggist whose sales are from
S2500 $1,000 generally makes much poht as VEN
der OF groceries dry goods, whose sales are from
$4,000 to SIS 900; ii is perceived that there is any
thing very unreasonable very unjust III making him
pay as much tax And upon the Supposion Just men,
toned moro than this would be required, even II the
additional tax OF $l5 upon every yender oil drugs
| or medicines whose sales are from $1,000 TO $aooo-
1t can with less be complained OF when Is con-
fined to those who sell or barter patent, SPECIFIC and
1 quSck medicines,