The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-07-29

TTsTENEPs cTOsED.-MYSTERIOUS COUN-
CILMEN, DISAPPOINTED CONTRACTORS,
STRICKEN SPECTATORS, WEEPING RE-
FoRTERs
&C., &C., &C., &c.
"Our designs,
When once they creep from oul own private breast'
Do in moment through the city fly;
Who tells his secret, sells his liberty
Oh! disappointment, thy name is contrac-
tor Never perhaps beyond the blank, ard o'-
hara, has a glittering mirage so deceived NOR
tai man-so repeatedly, so disastrously beckon-
ed him on through the quagmires and treach-
erous qnicksands, as the much talked OF, notify
debated and long deferred water works OF the
city of Staunton. And now it becomes our
painful duty to add another chapter, dark,
mysterious chapter, to the voluminous record
of hopes deferred, bright visions faded, expec-
tations extinguished, disappointments multi
piled.
Tuesday night was the time appointed for
the opening of the bids. At a special meeting OF
the Council Messrs. Biclle, Abby, Grattap,
German, Evans, Burke and Hoge answered
to the roll call.
The rest, ssoll, where were they?" s'Echo
answered where 20 and John Kurtz was sent
in quest of the missing ones. Now it is known
to every well informed resident of Staunton,
that to send Cinthy Kurtz after a human be-
ing means that that human being must walk,
and the Council were not surprised to see Maj.
Bagby meander in, shortly after Cinthy's de-
| .t,, vvit 1oo< his h,.OyV q nd
long size palm leaf in his hand. Slowly and
sadly he sat him down and very soon the ge-
NAL face OF Mr.. Kayser appeared, bearing evil
dence of a day spentin sunday school picniclng,
far removed from the cares and responsibilities
Of a guardian of the city, and no one could have
looked on his beaming countenance and for
moment imagined that the Chairman of street
Committee could appear so entirely free from
corroding care.
The absence of Mr.. WITT was explained by
sickness and that of Mr.. Funkhouser, by the
statement that he was not in the city. But Of
Gen. Echols no man knew. He had been seen
late in the evening, slowly promenading the
Streets with pea-cock f1y-brush OH his shoulder
and it was supposed by some that he had dis
found on his back porch balancing each partic-
ular feather on the tip end Of his nose, and
blandly smiling at the verdancy of nine men
who believed that he would forego such eXlier-
ating amusement for the sole purpose Of voting
on matter so triling as the water works.
Cinthy disturbed him tho, and brought him
captive to the charmed circle, about the tenth
| Tour.
There was an evident indspostio.. to tackle
| the question, and Mr.. Bickle broke the ice, by
| asking il the Committee had its report ready.
| Mr.. Evans answered that the Committee had
been Instructed to advertise for bids and report
| to the Council-the first Of which they had
done and the second they were now prepared
| to do
| Mr.. Grattan stated that the bids received
were all based upon the Hambleton plan, with
the exception of two, and that, if desired, they
would be read, and just here it was suggested
by Mr.. Burke and moved by Mr.. Abby, that the
Council go into secret session for the opening
and consideration of the proposals, as that was
the course usually adopted in such matters.
Mr.. Evans asked Maj. Bagby, who is al old
contractor, if it was not the custom to consider
bids in private Maj. B. replied that he be-
besides the one accepted.
Mr.. Burke thought it best to postpone the
meeting in order to give each member Of the
Council an opportunity to examine the bids
separately and make his individual recommen-
! dation.
! Mr.. Evans said that the matter should be at
tended to at once, as many of the gentlemen
bidding we've now in the city awaiting the re-
suit of the Councils action, and would be at
considerable expense if compelled to stay any
length of time. So far as he was concerned,
individually it didn't make any difference
whether the session was open OF private, eX-
cept that it was probable that some of the bid
ders might desire to make statements and the
Council would be interrupted.
Mr.. Grattan.-Tde just as lief the whole
town was here. We expect to do all the talk
ing ourselves, anyhow, and don't propose to
listen to outsiders, but if it is the desire of the
Council to 90 into secret session will not OBJ
ject.
| The question OF a secret session was then
voice, after which Mr.. Bickle asked the spec
tators, a number of whom were present, in
Guiding several contractors, to retire and see
ing that the reporters didn't seem to consider
themselves as belonging to the common herd,
he made q special request that they TOO would
grant him the pleasure OF their absence With
sorrow they obeyed, moving cut sadder but no
wiser than when they entered, and stoppington
the porch gazed wistfully on their vacant
chairs, until special messenger was sent with
the suggestion that they right about face and
march.
After a long session, in which nothing def
mite was determined, the Council adjourned tc
meet on next Monday, at which time it is con-
fidenty expected that the whole matter will
be settled. So mote it be.
COUNTY BIBLE SoCIETY.-We call the at
tention Of our readers to the notice of Judge
Fl w. Shelley, President of the Augusta Coun-
ty Bible Society, to the patrons and friends OF
the Bible cause.
The circulation of the Bible is q subject
which should interest all, whether christian or
not for without its pure precepts our country
would be in a sad and deplorable condition
a ship without compass, in danger of being
wrecked against the rocks OF RIGHTEOUSNESS an,