Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-08-21

CITY CoUNCIL.-A called meeting of
the City Council was held Thursday night
Mr.. Evans in the Chair. Present, Messrs.
Evans, Echols, Guy, Burke, Kayser, Cor
man, Hoge, Witt and Bagby.
Mr.. Evans announced that the object of
the meeting was to consider the re-commit-
ted report Of the Fire Committee, relative
to the purchase of hose, a bell, sc.
Mr.. Guy, from the Fire Committee, pre-
sented report recommending the pur-
chase Of one thousand feet of gum hose,
and an additional appropriation of $3.50
towards the purchase Of an alarm bell, as
recommended in tile original report. Also,
that $35 be appropriated to strengthen the
cupola on the Engine House, and that
twenty pairs of couplings be purchased
In urging the report he stated that full
conference had been had with the Board
of Control, and that it had been ascertain
ed that three sections of 700 feet of old
hose could be repaired, and that there
were four hundred feet unsafe.
Mr. Evans thought it shame that the
hose should be neglected, and allowed to rot.
They were reeled up in wet condition, not
great fuss WAS made, and an appropriation
asked. He was opposed to the purchase OF
the hose. If he voted in the affirmative it
would be with the distinct understan ding
that some one should be held responsible
for the condition of the hose.
4lo+
man was responsible. He was a paid
officer,
Mr.. Evans. The engine was out of order
at MI. Sublett's.
Mr.. Burke. 1t had just come from the
shop, and was screwed up too tight.
A general debate then ensued, and the
Council finally got off the track upon the
water question. Mr.. Burke stated that it
had been suggested that boxes be sunk in
the creek, and that iron pipes be put in
them so that the suction could be attached
to these pipes.
The Chief Engineer of the Fire Depart
ment being called upon for his opinion,
stated that he did not think the plan
feasible.
MI. Burke called the attention Of the
Council tothe business before the meeting
Mr.. Evans was opposed still to the pur-
chase of the one thousand feet. Why not
try five hundred feet? He then advanced
the idea that the greater stretch of hose
laid down, the greater the pressure upon
them, and the greater the danger of their
bursting. Captain Crowder had on one oc-
casion put the hose to Il test that new hose
would not stand.
Mr. Guy was satisfied that five hundred
feet of hose would not answer. 1t was
necessary to use two streams sometimes.
1t WAS then moved to strike out 1000 and
insert 500.
Mr.. Witt moved as a compromise 700
feet.
After some discussion thevote was taken
on 500 and lost.
The question then recurring on 700, it
was carried unanimously.
The vote then being ON the report as
amended, MI. Evans objected to the 20
pairs of couplings.
Mr.. Burke explained that of course no
more than was needed would be bought,
and the report was finally adopted.
On motion the Fire Committee were en-
powered to carry into effect the action of
the Council.
Adjourned to meet the following Tues
day night.
ADJOURNED MEETING.
At the adjourned meeting Tuesday
night there were present Vice-President
Evans in the chair, and Messrs. Abby,
Burke, Guy, German, Hoge, Ker and WITT
THE AIMS HOUSE.
Mr.. Hoge, chairman of the committee
on the Poor, reported an ordinance for the
regulation of the new aims house, which
was put on it's passage by sections. At the
section about outdoor relief, Mr. Burke
said there were many parties getting two
and three dollars relief money week, who
would be supported by their friends if it
were made imperative that they should go
to the poor house.
Mr.. Evans said if outdoor relief were
given Unfortunately, very few would
go to the aims house, preferring to lay
around with the money they could get
from the city.
Mr. Ker agreed with the other gentle
men in favoring a stringent arrangement
outdoor relief, and it was adopt
ed.
At the section regarding the manner the
fund for the aims house was to be disburs-
ed, it was made very strict, so binding that
a bystander handed our reporter the fol-
lowing numerous amendment:
1t is further ordained, out of abundant |
caution, that the whole committee on the |
Poor shall be Immediately incarcerated in
the city jail. to prevent any possible pecu-
|ation, and for the entire security of the
city, the jaiior be required through MI.
Kurtz, to make monthly reports as to the
amount Of pocket money they have.
The new ordinance provides for only one
overseer of the poor instead of two as
heretofore, a superintendent of the aims
house and a physician. 1t was adopted.
THE WATER QUESTION.
The water question being up, Mr.. Allen,
The City Engineer, stated to the council
hat the Edison spring was out Of the
question except in case where it was an
,nly alternative. At the lowest gap
through which the water could be con-
lucted the hill was too high for cut, and
100 wide for tunnel unless at great cost.
It might be used by running the pipe some
distance down Middle river and might not
" more costly than the spring at Bow
81 aH, ioIa