The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-05-12

land tpresldent), August, Sdunder6, 0ClOp-
ton, Taylor, Mulford, Yale, Sharp, Van
Lew, Pelouze, Humphreys, Kent, Wigand,
Crutchfeld, and Smith.
Finance.
Mr.. Saunders, from the Committee on
Finance, submitted q report favoring the
petitions Of A. Winkers, Robinson & Fair
banks, John T. Sizer, and E. Holzinger
also, adversely to the petitions of Susanna
s. Walter and Lewis l.. Smith.
The committee alsoreported that they had
appointed Mr.. James L. Capston collector Of
delinquent taxes in Jefferson Ward, in the
place of Mr.. Baptist, resigned-to enter
bonds in the sum Of $4,000 MS soon as the
Council should decide to receive it.
| Mr.. Humphreys wished to know if Mr..
Capston was an agent of the Confederacy
in Europe during the war.
Mr.. Saunders said he understood he was
A vote Wns taken on this part of the re-
port with doubtful result, and Mr.. Saun-
ders called attention to the fact that the
committee had been authorized to make this
appointment, and therefore this vote was
unnecessary. .ss
Mr.. Humphreys thought the Council
could pass upon the competency Of the ap-
pointee. He moved to rescind the resolu-
| ton.
| The Chair decided that two of the officers
having been appointed, and having entered
upon their duties, they must remain so, and
| it would not now be in order to rescind the
resolution.
Mr.. Saunders submitted the bond of Mr..
| Capston for the approval of the Council.
Tol U,11o ],
Mr.. Smith suggested that the case in
point might be reached by declaring the
security insufficient.
Colonel August said that that would be
| declaring what was not 80.
Mr.. Humphreys said he didn't want to
raise any captious objections to the appoint
ment, but if his impressions of Mr.. Cap
ston's antecedents were correct, he did not
think him the proper man to represent the
city of Richmond as collector Of delin-
quent taxes or in any other capacity.
After some more discussion, the bond OF
Mr.. Capston was received.
The committee reported against receiving
the bond of Benjamin Bragg, newly-ap-
pointed superintendent Of the Gas Works,
with A. G. Dunn as his bondsman. They
deemed the surety insufficient.
Mr.. Saunders submitted another bond for
Mr.. Bragg, with William Cammack, Will
liam B. Brown, John McEvoy, D. B. Smith,
and c.. S. Mills, as his sureties.
This bond was received.
The committee also reported an ordinance
for the collection of taxes; and another,
amending first section, chapter twelve, con-
cerning the assessment Of taxes.
The tax bill was laid on the table tempo
rarily, and the ordinance amending first
section. chapter twelve, was passed. The
amendment differs from the original in au-
thorizing the City Assessor to appoint two
or more deputies, instead of four.
Official Bonds.
The official bond of H. @. Mansfield, the
newly appointed City Collector, was sub
mitted. The following parties were entered
as sureties in the sum of $4,000: George
Rye, James Turner (negro), Normand
Smith, William Ryan, Albert R. Brooks
(negro), Edward Cunningham.
The bond was referred to special com
mittee composed of Messrs. August, Null
ford, and Smith.
The bond of James Hays, Superintend-
ent of the Water Works, with James Ship
ley, E. H. Gregory, and Dennis Brophy, as
sureties, was also submitted, and referred
to the same committee.
The bond of Nicholas Sweetman, with E..
H. Smith and c. S. Mills as sureties, was
also submitted, and referred to the same
committee.
Streets.
Mr.. Crutchfeld, from the Commissioners
of Streets generally, submitted the annual
report of the City Engineer. The expendi-
lures for city improvements are shown to
be $42,982.10.
The report contains suggestions from the
City Engineer as to the importance Of
paving Brooke avenue, and Broad street
from Mayo street to the Central depot, as
soon as the finances of the city will permit
of it,. The report was adopted.
Police.
Mr.. Saunders offered a resolution provid-
ing that no officer or policeman shall here
after bereceived into the force without hav-
ing undergone physical examination and
received certificate of physical ability
from the physician. This was adopted.
He also offered an ordinance providing
for the appointment of two or more detec-
tive officers of the police force, to have the
powers of captain of police under the
charter of the city, the officer to give bond
in the sum of 81, 900, and to be entitled to
receive any rewards offered for the arrest
of persons accused of crime, recovery of
stolen property, etc. The city not to be
held liable for any other salary or fee.
This was adopted.
Ouerseer of City Hands.
Mr.. Crutchfeld offered resolution au-
thorizing the Commissioners Of Streets to
require the Overseer Of the City Hands to
give bond for the faithful performance Of
.his duties.
Salaries.
The special committee to which was re-
ferred the report Of the Committee of Claims
and Salaries, upon resolution inquiring
into the expediency Of reducing the sala-
ries of city officers, reported in concurrence
with the original report e., adversely to
reduction, and in favor of giving the
Messenger to the Council 81 200, from
which he should be required to pay the e1-
penses for cleaning up the City Hall. The
committee further reported In favor Of
abolishing the Office Of City Wood Mea-
ssuTer.
The report was adopted.
Fire Department.
Mr.. Clinton. from the Committee on the