The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-11-24
LOCAL MATTERS.

Psb9tc MeA.ng-pursuant to n notice in the
newspapers meeting pf citizens was held at the
African Church last night in order tina; the pro,
per proceedings may be had 70 procure proper
4 nve.tiSation into the Financially condition of the
city"
The meeting was called to order by Mr. James
Lyons, on whose motion Mr.. Wellington Goddin
was chosen chairman, and Mr.. c. w Purcell ap-
pointed Secretary.
On taking the chair, Mr. Goddin discIaimod any
desire or intention on bis part, or those who sign
| 90 Ihe can with him. to cast censure on the City
| Council for imposing tho additional tax of 30 per
cent, and, after submitting synopsis Of the re-
port of the Chamberlain for 1854, and an appro XII
nation of the expenses and receipts of 1850 an
nounced his readiness 10 receive motions for busi-
| ness.
Mr.. Lyons then addressed tho meeting at length
on the subject OF tho city finances, and after dis
| Claiming any intention of censurny the Council
| offered the following reso olutons
!. Resolved, That will pay our share of sny tax
which may be assessed orthe purpose fulfilling the
eonEscts protecting the honor of the city, and this
we heeve we may say without hazard. ID the uuver-
| sal sentiment o; our people. But claim at the
same time, behalf of the people, ths naIienabs
night of every froe people supervise the acts of
agents and representatives. investigate the affairs
OF hs clty and enquire into and direct the mode
which the public money paid by the people has been
| distursed.
q Resolved, That while we are in favor of all ex-
penciturrs which are sssry for the public good,
to make the CITY Convenient for trade and more
useful ana comfortable, he well as all those which
may be necessary on the part OF the State udicously
to deveiope the resources of the State and bring x
products to market, we ale opposed TO and ex-
trayagsnce, and III favor Of economy in the govern
| ment of the city, money usees ly drawn from the
poHie by taxes, being at at all times clear loss
| them.
8. Resolved. That Committee of thirteen be ap-
pointed, any 1--WE of whom shall constitute quorum,
who.e duty shall he to apply to the Chamberlain of
the lily, and II necessary, TO the Comm Council,
Tor the necessary facilities TO invest gate the financial
condition of the City, and especially to ascertain
l. W nat wa tie current revenue of the City in the
years 1853 and 1854 and what it will be for the year
| l8a5, distinguishing all the sources of it.
< W What funds iuto the City Treasury in those
years III addition to the revenue, and have
| come will be carried into the present year
| IN what manner the funds aforesaid have been
| expended, and whether judiciously not; and how
the present deficit i'll tho Treasury of the city has
| been occasioned.
4 Whether the charter hes been complied with
| in respect to sinking fund
5 What retrenchment in the expenditures Of the
city for the future be juGiciously effected and
whether any reduction of our taxes can ho effected
consistently with the view herelnbefore Expressed
| and whether it would be iuGicious make sale of
| any part Of the property of the city.
| 6. Whether the recent ordinance increasing the
taxesis in conformity with the Charter and pre-exist
ing ordinances of the city, and tho collection of the
increased tax can be enforced and ifnot, what amend
ment to 1t is necessary make it eectua and whet
the increased tax is necessary the preservation
| of the faith and honor of the city.
| 7. Resolved That the said committee also inquire
whether the present financial system proper and
efficient one, providing equal and uniform taxation.
and ensuring fidelity and punctualty in ascertaning
| and collecting the public revenue.
8. Resolved, That the Council of the city, be
quesed to publish hereafter quarterly statements of
its receipts and expenditures.
9. Resolved, Thst the said committee be reque sted
to maze ITS reports as speedily as practicable, and
publish the in the newspapers, and if in its
opinion necessary that another meeting of the people
| be called to consider Of the
Mr.. r. It. Daniel opposed the resolutions on the
| ground of inexpediency, committee of thir-
teen, by assembling at the Chanberlans office
| day after day, would retard the public business
| and showed that the present Council had appro-
| priated but S25, 900 for all purposes Sl50J0 of
| which were to pay for addition 10 the water
| works, contracted for by their predecessors
| MIR. J. II. Cimer thought the meeting too small
| to act upon question OF such vital importances,
| and moved as an amendment that the resolutions
| be referred to committee sof nine--three from
| each ward-to be reported upon at An adjourned
| meeting to be held next Tuesday night.
| Mr. l. A. Goddin vas in favor Of maintaining the
credit Of the city all hazards, but feared that 3
| postponement would effect it more than even the
| present meeting had done
Judge Crump was opposed to the resolutions, as
tho requisite Information could be had in smother
form, and offered substitute, that the Council
be instructed to make full report OF the finances
Of the city at once, for the information of tho
people.
| Mr.. McCance gave as a reason why the usual
| report had not been made before, 'the illness of
| the late chamberlain and assured the meeting
| that complete and accurate report would be pub
shed at the close of the present fiscal year, end
| ing the last of February next. The Council de-
sired the fullest investigation into all their acts
| The question then taken on Judge Crumps
substitute, and it lost by the following -
| ayes 76-noes 90
Mr. Gilmor's amendment was next put to vote
| and lost.
The question was then taken on Mr. Lyons res
| olutions, and they were adopted.
On motion, the Chairman allowed time to
| appoint the committee of thirteen.
The meeting then adjourned
| fote-Owing TO the latencss of the hour at which
mo- adj r1nlIy tl,, to
an outline of the remarks Of the various speakers
Sored 4acaY-William Cartain, a Young man
hailing from Old Point arrested and cared last
| Thursday night, by Watchman Andrews, for being
| drunk and disorderly in the street and breaking
| Frederick loves windows. Yesterday morning ne
| was taken before the Mayor and committed to ail
in default of bail for his good behavior
Tie Continental Guard, under the command Of
| Capt. Crawford, intend making trip to Peters
burg, next Monday morning. The Armory Band
will be in attendance and fu rlish delightful music
on the occasion
Iajured-John Ross, a free negro, from Henrico
county, was badly bruised about the head and face
yesterday morning, by the upsctting of his wood
cart near the gas works, in Rockets
Ice-A small pond in the Valley near tho old dis
tillery was covered with ice yesterday morning
Old winter seems to have commenced his reign in
earnest.
Short Of Eintrirls-The workmen engaged in
cutting stone for the new custom house in this city
have been doing but little for day or two past
owing to the fact that the contractors unable
yet to supply granite blocks fast they car
dress them for use
Crotcded.-As winter approaches, loafers begir
to secure quarters in the city Jail where they can
live easy without work. We understand tha
| there are now over sixty persons in confinement
for trivial offences, TO be fed and clothed at public
| expense.
Beating his Wife-Stephen Bryan got drunk and
beat his wife Bridget very cruelty, for which he
| locked up in the cage several hours. Yesterday
morning the police brought him before the Mayor
to be punished for the offence, but the madam fail
ing to appear and testify against him, he was dis
charged
Satyed.-A slight difficulty occurred yesterday
morning between Capt Scranton and his mate Mr.
Goodwin which resulted in both parties appearing
before the Mayor who, after hearing the state
ments of both Sides and their determination tt
\ separate peaceabe, set them at liberty.
n Gro,rth of the City-By reference to an old bool
in the Clerks office of the Hastings Court we
find that the population OF Richmond according Il
the census taken the first of JANUARY 1900, was
35U9-2,65o Of whom were white porsons ., l9t
slaves, and 456 free negroes At this time the pop