The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-04-15

CITY CoUNcIL-Met Friday night, Apri
9th, 1875. Present, Robert G.. Rickle, presi
dent, R. W, Burke, NJ. P. Funkhouser,I, Witt
]: B. Evans, J. w. Abby, Heber Ker, Johr
Echols and W. B. Kayser.
| The President stated that the object of tn
meeting was to consider the accounts in con.
nection with the construction of the Stons
Bridge, on Augusta street, which had been re-
ferred to the committee on streets for investiga
ton, and, also, the subject of the negotiation
of the Water Bonds.
Mr.. Kayser, from the street committee, read
a paper in reference to the Bridge accounts,
showing the accounts due merchants, &c., fol-
articles furnished the latorers engaged on the
Bridge. 1t appeared from the developments
OF the proceedings that these accounts amour
ting to about $1,000 had been furnished on
the authority of the city engineer and the
street committee,
An account of Alex. Hartman against Abram
Sims, amounting to over $500, was presented
by S. T. Phillips, attorney for Harman, and
reference made to the presentation of the orders
of Sims upon the city for the specified accounts,
to be taken out of his December and final
estimates. Mr.. Phillips stated that he consid-
clainl-that the two methods for procedure
were either to allow the amount of the claim,
or retain. it under control ;:ntil the differences
between Hartman and Sims could be adiudica-
ted. That he could look to the city for pay
ment.
Messrs. Evans, Ker, and Witt considered the
claims of Richardson, Abby, Summerson, and
McIlhaney, as of superior dignity to all others,
and the honor Of the city pledged to their pay
ment.
After various suggestions, from Messrs. Ech-
OILS, Burke, and others, the report of Mr.. Kay
ser was referred back to the committee, with
instructions 70 submit all the papers to the at
torney for advice, and report to council.
THE amount of claims against Sims, on ac-
count of the Bridge, is about $1,000. There is
due him about 81, 700-and $500 the city will
probably allow in addition to the amount due
on contract, will make about ,2O0-leaying
something like 81, 400 unprovided for, which is
due to the laborers employed Gen. Echols
was very solicitous that provisions be made for
the satisfaction Of these latter claims.]
Col. Harman, from the committee of citizens,
appointed to canvass for the sale of the water
bonds to our citizens, reported that he did not
think, in the present. Strengthened condition of
the money market, the bonds could be sold at
par. He thought it would be better to sell the
bonds in the principal cities, to the amount OF
$4,000 and thus bring foreign capital here,
than to sell at par to our own people.
Mr.. Evans read letter from a gentleman in
Baltimore, which substantially stated that the
whole of the bonds would be taken by certain
parties, if the conditions were satisfactory.
After desultoyy conversation over the whole
matter, Mr.. Burke offered resolution to the
effect that Gen. Echels be authorized to pro-
coed to Baltimore, for the purpose of negotia-
ting the water bonds, with a view to the early
commencement of the construction OF the
works. Adopted
Gen. Echols read a proposition from Maj:
McMahon. offering the old Valley Hotel prop
erty, located on Augusta street, northern end,
to the city for $4,000 in per cent. city bonds,
for the use Of the colored schools.
Mr.. J. E. Guy submitted proposition from
the African Methodist 3. Church, to sell one
half Of their acre lot and the church building,
located between Augusta and New streets, for
the same amount.
Maj Bell, representing the school Trustees,
explained the necessity OF better school accom-
modations for the colored children, and urged
the acceptance Of Maj. McMahons PROPOSE
zion.
1t was put to vote and cast-ayes 4, Erhos,
Bcklc, Witt AND Fupkhouser. Nayes Swans,
Burke, Ably, Kayser and .Ker.
Mr.. Evans moved reconsideration, Which
was carried, and on being again submitted,
Maj. McMahon's proposition, in modified form,
was accepted-ayes, Bckle, Evans, Burke, Ech-
els, Wiz, Kayser, FunkhoAser. Noes, Ker
and Abby.
Maj. Mcmahon has declined to accept the
modifcation]
A petition was read from Mrs. w. H. FANS,
in regard to curbing and pavement, which was
referred to street committee.
On motion of Mr.. Ker the tax tickets issued
against the property holders for pavement no
Lewis street, between Main and Frederick,
were ordered to be returned.
Mr.. Evans reported water ordinance Of 1874,
for 1875, without amendment. Adopted.