Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-01-23

its regular meeting on Tuesday night last,
present Messrs. Abby, Burke, Evans,
German, Guy, Hoge, Ker, Nelson and
Witt, Vice President Evans presiding.
MONEY FOR STREET IMPROVEMENT.
A proposition of Col. J. H. Skinner, to
take 5000 worth of the city per cent.
bonds (of the street and water appropria-
ton upon condition that that, or a suf-
ficient amount be expended in paving and
curling Prospect st., from the corner OF
Augusta st. to the residence of Mr.. A. L.
Gilkeson, was received. Col. S. who ap
peared in support of his proposition showed
that the proposed improvement would ben
eft $37 900 worth of property, only one
fourth of which was his; that in II years
the property he now owned had paid the
city 81, 1000 in taxes and received not one
dollar in street improvements, and that in
the last two years he had paid $lS7 to the
city in taxes without any return in the in
crease of the value of his property. He
did not make the proposition as an advan-
tageous investment only, for while he paid
lanta citys per cent. bonds in the market
at IS cents.
Mr.. AlbNwas in favor of the proposition
and desired to see the 5000 used in paying
off the city scrip. He was opposed to see
ing poor workingmen with nothing but
the scrip in their possession, going around
irving to sell it at discount.
Mr.. Evans said the only doubt he had in
the matter was whether the council had
tie right to make local exceptions in i'm
provement, when it had determined upon
general plan in which all the citizens were
benefited alike. He also stated that Mr..
Waddell, one of the property holders along
the line to be improved by this paving,
said he didn't want it, and was opposed to
paving his two-fifths Of the cost of paving
the walk.
Mr.. Nelson-Col. Baldwin offered the
same opposition to the paving on Frede-
rick ST., but the city had it done.
Mr.. Hoge-No property holder can OPP
pose his private wishes to the general inte-
rest of the city to the extent OF estopplnga
public improvement for the benefit OF all.
A resolution offered by MI. Burke was
then adopted accepting Col. SINNERS prop
osition, the improvement to be made as
part of the general plan and the work to
be done in the Spring.
The report of the Superintendent OF the
water works was read showing sos charged
against private citizens. MI. Guy, chair
man Of the Water Committee, made re-
port to the effect that the Committee had
authorized the hire Of the Archie Stuart
spring in case Of necessity; the committee
also asked authority for the employment
of an hydraulic Engineer with view OF
getting the best plans Tor the new water
works.
Major Elder, City Attorney, being pres
emit, suggested that the Council had bet
ter be sure of their water rights IN the
premises before proceeding with the ques-
ton of works on the Crawford lot.
A member stated that there would be no
difficulty about that as the only party in
terested, MI. Witt, was willing to accom-
modate the city.
Mr.. Eyans-We would like to know
something about the cost OF that Engineer
before we act. Our experience with en-
gineers is calculated to make us careful.
Mr.. Guy said the committee had not
been in hurry in the matter OF the water
works and he hoped the council would not
now embarrass them.
MI. Burke-They certainly have not
been in a hurry. Laughter 1t is now
about wear and half since they first
took the matter under consideration
A resolution offered by MI. Nelson
granting the request of the committee was
adopted.
1.-THE committee have had two Oh three
reports of engineers in the matter but
none of them conclusive. Where SO much
money is at stake the committee should do
as they do in other cities, go in person and
examine works elsewhere. 1t saves great
deal of money in the end, and is the only
way the council can reasonably fix the re-
sponsibility on them which they should
Justly bear.l
LICENSE ASKED.
A communication from Mr.. W. 5. Stutz
was read offering to pay the following IL
eense; FOR the privilege of selling fresh fish
$50, vegetables $50, and oysters $50.
Mr.. Gornlan-i will give $1,000 for the
privilege of selling all the groceries in
town.
Mr.. Alby-I should like to buy the priv
i]ege of selling all of the clothing In the
city.
The communication was referred.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The matter of the land required for the
opening of New street to the railroad with
the question Of the ownership OF the land
required for it, wtis on recommendation of
Mai. Elder. City Attorney, referred to the
CITY Engineer with instructions to make
a survey of the land required.
The Police Committee reported in favor
OF allowing the jailor 20 cents day extra
for feeding the members of the chain gang
when they WORK. Adopted.
Mrs. Bolen was refused authority to
make a frame addition to her house on Au-
gusta and New streets.
An account of Maj. Jed Hotchkiss for
surveying, for $40, was again referred.
A petition to open a new street to the
new fair ground, parallel with Frederick
was referred.
4 petition Of Paul Richter (by j. Fred.
Efinger his eoaacil,) for relief from tax
was referred
A petition of John j. Christian for relief
from a tax was referred.