The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-02-02

CITY COUNCIL.

or LOCAL MATTERS.
it CITY COUNCIL. ....
A called meeting Of the City Council was
called in the City Hall yesterday. Present !:
Messrs. mcfarland (president), Saunders,
Milford, Clinton, Smith, Clopton, Gregory,
Taylor, Sharpe, Crutchfeld, Van Lew, Kent,
Ordwsy, Miller, Yale, Pelouze. .-..
DELINQUENT TAXES. ...
The meeting was called at the instance
of the Finance Committee, which had in
view the Offering of a resolution in regard
to the advertising of delinquent taxes due.
Mr.. Saunders offered the resolution which
provided for the authorizing Of the City
Collector to advertise the sale of delinquent
lands once week for the four weeks pre-
ceding the March term of the Hastings
Court in all the city papers. After some
discussion, on motion of MIR. Sharpe it was
resolved that the publication mentioned be
made in the Wing and State Journal at
rates already contracted for with the pub
fishers of the Wing.
The Dispatch and Enquirer have refused
to publish any advertisements for the city
at the price contracted to be paid for the
publication of the delinquent tax lists.
JAMES RIVER INSTRUCTIONS.
Mr.. Saunders offered the following:
"Whereas it is essential to the commerce
of Richmond that James river should be
improved 80 as to admit vessels drawing at
least sixteen feet Of water, and the inan
cial condition of the city not being such as
to make the outlay for said improvement,
therefore
RESOLVED, That committee be appoint
ed to prepare and report to the Council
memorial to the Congress of the United
States asking On appropriation by the
General Government for said improve
ment." Adopted. The following commit
tee was appointed : Messrs. Saunders, Ord
way, Kent, Sharpe, and Milford.
CITY GAUGER.
The committee retired, having obtained
permission to sit during the session of the
Council. The appointment of Captain B.
C. Cook as City Gauger was officially an
nounced to the Council. A recommends
ton of Captain Cooks for the appointment
of Mr.. E. Rawdin as deputy was adopted
by the Council, and Mr.. RaWdin chosen.
GAS.
A communication fro number Of tax
payers complaining Of onerous charges for
gas for the month of December was read.
Mr.. Clopton, in defence of the Superin-
tendent of the Gas Works, explained that
be was not to blame, and that consumers
could save gas by relieving the pressure
from the metres by partly turning Oft the
gas-cocks.
MIR. Smith suggested that special COM
mittee be appointed to Investigate this mat
ter. ------.. --........u.--.e--..a-
After some discussion, Mr.. mcfarland
offered resolution appointing committee
of investigation, to consist of three, to report
at future meeting, with neutrality-suspicious. as
may secure the, consumers Of gas against
abuses. Adopted.
The following committee was appointed
Messrs. Kent, Yale, and Sharpe.
THE MEMORIAL.
The committee on the memorial in re-
gard to distractions in James river hav-
ing returned, made the following memorial:
To the Honorable Senate and House Of Representa-
tireS:
The memorial of the Council OF the city of
Richmond respectfully represents that prior
to the year 1850 the depth of water in the James
river had been much increased, and its nayi-
CATION greatly improved. The city of Rich
mond is situated at the head of tide water,
and the river Is succession of long and deep
pools in terrupted by rocky reef Immediately
below the city, and in three or four points by
deposits Of sand and mud called " bars.
These deposits can be easily removed by the
simple use OF dredge- boats. The improve
ment of the river had so far progressed as TO
E., Ill thaf
nent depth Of sixteen feet of water could be
secured. Under the influence of the nayiga-
ton thus afforded, a large and at that time
wealthy city had sprung up here; the trade
Of a large portion Of the State began TO centre
here; canal affording ample facilities Tor
transportation and water-power for manufac-
lures had been constructed two hundred miles
in extent, finding Its terminus at Buchanan
and Lexington, in the heart OF the ricn v al
lev of Virginia. system OF railroads judi
ciously planned and faithfully carried out had
their departure from this city, and some OF
our citizens, availing themselves OF the mag
nificent water power afforded by the 1ais OF
the river, and the coal existing contiguous 10
the city, had established mere extensive anu
varied manufactures.
To show the advantages, the growth, ana Inc
general estimate OF the prosperity OF tne Guy,
we present extracts from leading periodicals
pu bished at that time:
" The growth of this beautiful city and its
progress in commercial and manufacturing
opuience must be subject Of just pride; and
we may be justified in expecting her TO De-
come one OF the great, If not the greatest,
cities Of the southern States.
"Let Richmond, therefore, enter the neld
in earnest. It is in her power TO conduct
large importing and exporting trade. Her ran,
roads are stretching In every direction wnere
production and wealth may be controlled.
80 The amount of capital invested IN manu- anu
features in Richmond is estimated at over
S6, 600, 900, and the product IN the last year
reached about go, 600 900; The population now
reaches In the vicinity of At, 900. The assessed
value Of real estate in the city is sls OF
personal estate, 90, s76,S7l.
1.-THE total export Of four In 1883 was as7,o6s
barrels. The celebrity, of Richmond manu-.
featured hour is world wide. In, sll foreign
markets It commands 8 higher price than Is
paid for any similar article from other ports,
especially in South America and the austria.
liam markets, whittier the exports from this
city are chiefly made. Twelve thousand
seven hundred and hfty-six hogsheads OF TO-
bacco were In 1888 exported directly to the
ports Of Australia, Bremen, England, France,
Holland, Italy, and Scotland"
Such was the position TO which our clty nae
ATTAINED DTeyiouS- lS5O.~ War, with Ills Ca