Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-08-08
OH Uinditator,
Friday Morning. Aug. 8. 1873.
Local.

Cry CoUNcIL.-The city council held its re-
gular meeting on Tuesday night. Present
Aessrs Bagby, Evans, German, Guy, Hoge, Mel
son, Stuart and Witt. Mr.. Evans presiding in
the absence Of President Bckle.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
President H. M . Bell, of the city school Board
read to the council communication regarding
the Staunton Academy, and the improvements
about being made. The plans of the improve
ment were exhibited which show that the ex
terror of the building is to be improved, hand
some cornice put on the roof, the ground laid of
and neat porter's lodge put there for the occu.
Pancy of the janitor of the school. The interior
OF the house is to be e-arranged, so as to give
Six spacious rooms, three to floor, capable o.
holding desks for 324 children (Which is more
than the present average daily attendance with
wide aisles and room around the teachers pulpit
The balls are spacious and the stair will be
strengthen The grounds are divided by afence
providing separate Fairgrounds for girls and
boys. The health arrangements of the school,
are outside the building. The sum of So 900 is
asked from the city to make these improvements
and $I75 to pay a judgemnt held by Mr. Chas.
E. Young late principal, against the Stanton
Academy. The Improvements will be completed
by the 18th Of September, and the building will
remain in the possession of the city fer five
years and as long thereafter as the academy trus-
tees may agree-the trustees withdrawal from
the contract to be preceded by a years notice.
The city Board estimate 81, 600 to be the cur
rent expenses for next year. which is the same
amount as last year. With regard to the Shires
fund, the Board say it was distributed as follows
Virginia Female Institute $1,000, Augusta Fee
male Seminary $1,000, Wesleyan Female lnsti-
tute $1,000 and the city of Staunton $1,000, and
the Board asks that the city may apply to the
Circuit Court for possession of the whole OF the
$4,000, as its objects can now be carried out BY
the city. The council adopted resolutions max
ing appropriations to carry out the suggestions
in the report. The sum of $50 was allowed Geo
H..Hudson for listing 1911 children for the pub
lie schools.
$50 THE STREETS.
The committee on streets, now consisting OF
Messrs Ker, Evans and Abby, reported in favor
of adopting the survey of Augusta St., BY COL
Lilley, which was adopted. In carrying out
Col. LIS survey no permanent buildings already
on the city line, will be removed but walls ana
ferces and porches encroaching will be made to
conform, and the street committee was authorl-
zed to take steps to that end at once. 1t appears
from 1t that the Picker building, whichsswas the
cause of SO much discussion, was two inches on
the city line Mr.. B. N. Markwood whose street
wall is one of those that will have to.come down,
by permission of the council, stated that before
putting it up, be got it staked off under the d.
rection of Mr.. Davis Kayser then street com
missioner of the city, and under the clrcumstan-
ces be hoped the council would pay for its re-
building. Mr. Nelson thought Mr.. hardwood
request was reasonable on the facts stated and
the street committee should look into it. The
matter was referred to the street committee.
The council agreed not to fill in New Court
House street in front of the engine house as 1t
had resolved to do for the reason that some prop
erty along there would be injured"
1t was directed that the walk around from the
bridge to Stuart's warehouses should be paved
at once
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE WATER SUPPLY.
A communication was received tlom chief en-
gineer J. H. Waters of the fire department, ask
ing an appropriation for the repair of the steam
er, which he thought ought either to be put In
order or sold and another one purchased.
Mr.. Stuart favored selling it for the reason
that it was too heavy to be drawn around in this
billy city. A lighter one, he thought would
be more serviceable.
Mr. Nelson said the council should think be-
fore exchanging for lighter one, which would
not have so much power and could not be placed
At any point on the creek when a fire occurred
on the hills, because it would not hare force
enough to send the water there. If there was a
reservoir so that water would be plentiful in the
elevated portion of the town; light engine
might do.
Two members of the water committee stated
that the subject of reservoir would be immedi-
ateiy attended to.
A claim of m. A. Miller for 500 for expenses
In examining water works in VARIOUS western
and northern cities with a view of aiding the
council with information in the erection of wa
ter works here, was rejected, the council not
having authorized him to obtain such informa-
tic nor acted upon it.
A resolution by Mr.. German appropriating
$lU0 for the repair of the steamer was adopted.
THE NEW ASSESSMENT -REDucTIoN OF THE EsTI-
MATE.
TIL export of the assessors was taken up and
with the complaints made by citizens. A COM
plant of Mrs. Bridget Bollin, asking q So, 500
assessment on a stable, to be reduced to 81 500
was rejected petition of Mr.. Thomas Honi-
han, asking reduction the ST., 400 assess
luent on his building near the gas works, was
rejected and petition of Mr.. Jno. OConner,
asking reduction on the So, roo assessment on
o corner LOT of his, met the same fate.
Mr. Hoge offered a resolution to reduce tn
total assessment in the city one third
Mr.. Nelson said that would make no difference
as to the burden to be borne by real estate hold
srs, but he thought some reduction ought to be
made SO as to equalize the taxation between the
holders of personal properly and real estate own
ers.
Mr.. Evans thought the State had the right or
could exercise the privilege 80 as to get hold OF
our assessment and assess our city accordingly
Mr. Nelson-The State assessor has no RICH
to an inspection OF our DOCKS anu canuot 40 Ii
without our consent.
Mr. Evans read letters from Richmond and
Norfolk, to show that the citizens there were
dissatisfied with their separate city assessment
and thought the citizens of Stanton might gel
in the same fix.
Alters me other propositions the council Fl
nally agreed to reduce the general estimate 2:
per cent
FINANCIAL.