Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-08-22
Local.

Guy Stuart and Witt. Vice President Evans
presiding.
OBJECTION OF THE sTREETs-IM PRovEMENTs-NEEr
OLA CITY ENGINEER-THE AUGUSTA
STREET DISTRACTIONS.
Mr. Evans. from the Committee on Streets,
stated that the work on New Street would, in
the opinion of the Superintendent, be completed
in ten days. and the force emplo yed would
then be ready to 60 on Church street.
Mr.. Stuart stated that contemplated fill, to
make the grade on Church.Street, Of three feet,
would seriously damage the property of Mrs.
TAYLOR, Maj Elder and others.
Mr. Evans explained that it was not now in
landed to carry out the grade as originally pro-
nosed. and there would therefore be no three
foot fill in front of the property mentioned
rho +rouble in these matters was that the engi-
,eors wanted to take straight shoot, (" regard
1aso IF the damage, while the Street Committee
desired to save as far as possible, the citizens
nronerty from unnecessary injury.
NJ Albv-That's it, The engineers and the
conmittee don't agree in their views as to the
carving out of the grades.
Mr. Stuart-Then we ought to conform 10 the
anoineer's idea as far as we can, without damage
to property
The question of paving Church street then came
nm and a resolution was adopted to pave the
street IN the East side, from Main street down
to tbe lower end of J. W. Todd's 'ot, and on
the West side the entire distance, except in front
of Mr.. Stuarts and Mr.. Summerson 8, which is to
be gravelled.
The Augusta street obst ,uctions came up, on
petition of three property-hoders - Messrs.
Cease, hardwood and Long, who asked that the
removals of the distractions, created by their
nronerty. should be done at the expense of the
city @
Mr.. Burke proposed delay by which the re-
movals could be made more convenient to the
petitioners
Mr.. Communicating these petitions is a
bad precedent. If the city pays for the damage
in these cases, then the Catholic Church and the
Augusta Female Seminary might both make the
same claim on the city, their fences, which were
over the line having been removed for the i'm
provement on New Street.
Mr.. Evans said it had been shown by verbal
statement, according to the memory of the par
ties. that Mr.. Mark woods wall had been erected
under the AUTH rity of former street commits
Bioner.
Mr.. Stuart thought this was strong case,
Int the council ought to have these matters on
record before acting. The facts in all these Pc
titons ought to be down in white and black,
and the merits of each case fnlly stated.
A resolution was adopted suspending the re-
movals for Is days, and directing the street com
mittee to examine into the petitions and report
to the next meeting of the council.
The Street Committe vas authorized to have
rock broken for the street entering the Church
vile road.
The petition Of j. G. Marquis to have The street
lines established, cor Coalter and Frederick SITS ,
where he has been ready for six weeks to erect
a building, VIZ referred to the Street Com
mittee.
Mr.. German offered resolution approprating
5000 to clean Lewis Creek from Spring Lane to
Tilt-Hammer bridge, and remove the dam at the
bridge which was defeated.
MIR. Gorman-Well, l am going to bring that
resolution up every council night till colo Weathe
CONS, if it is voted down every time. The
health Of the city is worth more than some of the
little work called improvements" going on.
Mr.. Stuart offered resolution instructing the
Street Committee to inquire into the cost OF the
work suggested by Mr.. German. Adopted
THE MOVEMENT FOR THE RELIEF OF THE POOR.
Mr.. Burke, Chairman of the Committee on the
Poor. presented report in which it was shown
that the cost to the city Of relieving Its poor last
year was So, 500, with very inadequate relief to
the suffering The report suggests two plans to
the council one is to build an alms-house on
the Crawford lot, now owned by the city, which
shall cost SIS, 900. The yearly expense in such
a case would be $500 interest Ca the ,o0o,
$500 for a Superintendent and Sl,6s0 for the
support of Is paupers-total $2,58 the other
is to transfer the paupers ESTIMATED 10 average
Is during the year) to the County Poor-House'
at a cost tof ST ,4So per annum, which includes
yerything but their clothing. In case OF the
adoption of either plan the Committee recon-
mend abolishing one of the offices OF overseer O.
the poor. The report was laid over for consid-
GRAFTON at the next meeting.
THE FEMALE soHooLs--ARE THEY SUBJECT TO TAXA
TON ?--THE CITY ATTORNEY SAYS
No-THE PARsoNAGas.
A communication was received from Maj. L.
G. Elder, attorney for the city, in which he gives
the official opinion that the female schools are
exempt under the legislative enactment exempt.
ing from taxation buildings used for education
al purposes. He does not think the occupation
of such buildings as residences by the teachers,
&C., make them liable to taxation. lively
conversational debate sprung up over this opln-
ion, participated in by the Attorney himself, who
was present.
Mr.. Wtz-The profits of these establishments
go to the principals, and are not devoted to ed
Vocational purposes"
Mr.. Burke-Under this construction of the law
denomination might put up any number OF
buildings and rent them out.
Mr.. Evans.-How if parsonage ws1 rented
out?
Mai. Elder--In that case the building would
be liable to taxation. These school establish
ments are exempted by the State, which goes to
show the spirit and intent of the legislation re-
earding them. l have conversed with Mr. Wad-
dell, who was member of the legislature which
passed, and that is his view of it.
Mr.. Burke-It leaves very wide opening for
private profit.
Mr. Evans 1t does indeed.
Maj Elder-The Deaf and Dumb Asylum, the
Lunatic Asylum and Military Institute, and the
University of Virginia are all used as private
residences by the officers and professors.
Mr.. Stuart-They are State institutions.
Maj. Elder--Certainly the legislature meant
more than to exempt bare, naked building for