The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-07-15
letter from Ssaunton.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.1
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY coUNcIL-Rg-
LECTION OF THE BID OF F. IL. HAMBLEToN-
IN,


LECTION OF THE BID OF F. Il. HAMBLEToN-
THE WATER WORKS STILL IN NUBIBUs.
STANTON. July IA, 1875.
At the request OF the special COMMITTEE
on the water.works the City Council me
yesterday morning for the purpose OF hear
ing the report Of this committee. The fol
lowing members were present--viz., r. G
Bickle, John b. Evans, Charles GrattaD
John W. Ably, NJ. =. Funkhouser, Rober
w. Burke. Isaac Witt, P. b. Hoge, and VIII
liam B. Keyser. The great interest which
our citizens feel in the action which the Coun
Gil will take in this important subject, involv
ing the expenditure OF SO much money, wa:
eyinced by the large number in attendance
at the meeting yesterday morning.
The special committee, consisting o
Messrs. Evans, Abby, and Grattan, whict
bad been appointed at the last meeting OF the
Council to contract with F. II. Hambleton to
build the water works, made their report in
writing, and submitted Herewith the con-
tract approved by the City Attorney, to.
gcther with the plans, specifications, and or
dinance for the carrying out OF said con-
tract, and also proposal from MeSsrs. Witt
d Holt TO sell the city their water.right
known as the Old Foundry property .incud-
ing the lot on Main street at the bridge, for
the SUN of $4,000. They made no report in
favor of the location Of the works, that being
left to future determination upon more ac-
curatc and thorough surveys and eNamina-
ton of the proposed locations than have yet
been made. The contract, ordinance, and
plans and specifications. we're read TO the
Council. When this somewhat tedious pro-
ceeding had been completed Mr.. William b.
keyser offered the following resolution
VIZ:
ReSolrea, That the report of the special
committee on the water.works, with the bid
of +. II Ham oe'on, proposing to complete
the works for the sum Of 100000, be re-
ceived ard laid upon the table, and the Couu.
Gil proceed at once to fix and name day
upon which the question shall be submitted
to the taxpayers OF the city to say whether
the Council shall or shall not at this time pro-
coed to expend the sum Of 100000 or the re-
quired sum necessary TO construct water
works suitable and sufficient TO supply the
city with an abundance OF water.
The latter clause Of this resolution was so
evidently an attempt TO shirk the RESPONSE
biilv of doing wha. everybody feels to De d
necessity that it met with no appreciation
from the other members OF the Council, and
was the subject of much discussion. The
Council seem fully impressed with the re-
sponsibilty resting upon them, but it Is no
question rs to The necessity or propriety Of
constructing the water works ut once, but as
to whether the sum Of 100000 is not greatly
more than said works eau be constructed tor.
During the discussion which arose upon this
resolution it was stated by one of the mem
hers that be was authorized to say for Dlr.
Hambleton that be would keep strict az
count Of all expenditures in the construction
of the water-works, and that he would re-
fund to the city whatever amount he cleared
over the sum OF $4,000.
This at once seemed TO open the eyes Of
the Council 10 the large profits which Mr..
Hanbleton was likely to make if his bid WAS
accepted, and none of them seemed willing
to pay hm so large Il sum as $4,000 for
about five mouths work.
Tnereupon the resolution Of Mr.. keyser
was divided, aud the latter clause being
voted upon first was rejected by vote OF s
to |.
The vote was then taken on the first
clause; which was adopted bya vote of to
l. Thus declining for the present TO rltity
tee bid Of Mr.. Hlmhleton.
Thcreupon Mr. Hoge offered the following
resolution; which was adop' ed-viz.:
ResoIred. That the special committee on
water be instructed to advertise in the
stanton papers, Richmond Dispatch, Biltl-
more Sun, and Lynchburg Neecs Tor sealed
proposals for the construction OF the water
works in accordance with the plans and Spec'-
tications this day offered by said committee,
until Tuesday the 2Ith instant at II O'Clock
NJ, with the express understanding that no
convict labor is 10 be employed on said work,
and report the same TO the Council also
resolved, further, that the bids received by
said committee be in eight per cent. city water
bonds. and that they reserve the right to re-
ject any or all bids.
Mr.. Hamblei on, believe, has Withdrawn
his bid and returned to Baltimore. MAX.