Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-10-08
THE CITY FATHERS.

DISGUSTED COUNCILMAN--lf 10 AAiA
OvER-ANoTHER EFFORT TO SIG VI
THE WATER RIGHTS PURCHASE
THROUGH OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
TO SELL THE OLD WESLEYAN FEMALE
INsrfruTE-THE WATER " oRKs.
&C.. &c. &c.
On Tuesday evening the City Council
held its regular meeting under the rays OF
new and handsome gas burner, which in
conjunction with the mallet recently
presented the President by the thoughtful
Clerk as gavel, contributed to make the
session an awe inspiring one to mere
spectator. There were present Messrs.
Abby. Bagby, Burke, Funkhouser, Cor
man, Grattan, Hose, Kayser and Witt.
ACCOUNTS.
Among the accounts allowed were some
for hacks, at 81. 80 each for the Council to at
tend Mayor Trout's funeral, which were
objected to. 1t was explained that it was
in Camp Meeting time and the hacks were
retained on special order though they could
have been easily hired to other parties at
that. Another account for So for a hack
for Councilmen to go out to the Water
Works, was also commented on, but all
were finally passed. Another account of
the City Engineer for hotel board, hack
hire, &C., in Richmond, where he went to
inspect some pips for the water WORKS was
not so lucky and was laid over. An &C
count of the same officer for $34 for chain
men on the water works here, was allowed.
An account Of Bagby 4 Earman for
$247, for paving on Prospect ST., was
passed.
RESIGNATION OF A COUNCILMAN.
In looking over the accounts Of the
Street Committee, Mr.. Chas. Grattan, a
member of it, said if it was understood
that they were to undergo the annoyance
of hunting up and investigating each charge
!. instead of relying upon the men put by
the city at the heads of the Departments,
he mustsbe changed from the Committee
or resign his seat. No change being made
by the Presiding Officer, he, later in the
evening left the room leaving his written
resignation behind him. Mr.. Funkhouser
expressed the opinion that this action was
discourteous to the body, and Mr.. Bag
by moved that the resignation be accepted.
Mr.. Hoge, Mr.. Burke and others opposed
it, and the motion was laid over.
PETITIONS
IS The petition for reduction of the tax
on bagatelle Tables, was responded to
by reducing the tax to $50. Those of a.
J. Accord, NJ o. Southers, B. P. Wood
ward, J. Wren and Geo. r. Griggs, for re-
duction of taxes, were rejected, and that
of the city Treasurer for an office in which
to transact his business, was referred.
PURCHASE OF THE OLD WESLEYAN
FEMALE INSTITUTE.
A proposition was read from the Board
of Trustees of the Wesleyan Female In
stitute, to sell to the city their old build
ing on Main St., for $4,000 in per cent
bonds and its release to them of the 81 900
Of the Shire education fund which belongs
to the city and which they now have as
borrowed money. The proposition was
referred for investigation.
THE CITY FINANCES
A resolution offered by Mr.. Abby, was
adopted requiring the city Treasurer to
render monthly balance of the state of
the city finances. It was stated that the
action was suggested by Mr.. Ker, the
Treasurer, who wished to keep the bust
ness in way that the financial condition
OF the city could at all times be ascer-
tanned. A discussion followed in which
the idea of investigating the pr opriety Of
selling all the city's useless real eState was
preached and met with favor. The bal
ance in the city Treasury was reported by
the Treasurer at 81. l36.
THE WATER RIGHTS PURCHASE ON
MAIN STREET.
A report was read showing that the title
to Witt and Hollis property on Main ST.,
proposed to be purchased by the city was
not m ade clear. but the city could save it.
self from loss by retaining 3d. 90 of the
$50, 900 agreed to be paid for it.
Mr.. Abby said that since the last meet
Ing he had ascertained that Messrs. w. &
H., paid separately for the machinery when
they bought the lot.
Mr.. Burke thought it was not proper to
pay the original cost for the property when
real estate had declined so. He was OPP
posed to the purchase aud thought a Com
mission ought to be appointed and the
damage ascertained as in all other cases.
The city didn't need the property and he
rad never heard the water rights valued at
over $1,000.
Mr.. J. B. Evans said Messrs. Witt 4
Holt did not wish to sell the property
The water power there had an advantage OF
81, 500 or $4,000 a year when compared
with the expense Of steam power.
Mr.. Burke insisted that Commission
was the proper way to settle the question
Mr.. Witt (of the firm of WITT q Holt
assured the Council that the firm didn't
wish to sell the property to the city and il
the CITY would only Say it didn't want il
they would 60 on TO improve it next week
They were in state of uncertainty about
it.
Mr.. Kayser thought Commission
ought to be appointed.
Mr.. Evans said the question of purchase
was not before the Council. the city hae
already purchased the property. Mr.. Wit;
comes here and says the city may retain
sS3 1000 to save itself from loss.
Mr.. Burke-The city has not purchased
the property. No clear title was presented
and the attempted purchase fell through
This offer to retain the $4,000 is new ant
independent proposition before the Coun
ell to be acted on.
Mr.. Funkhouser-That is the correc
statement of the matter.
Mr.. Hoge offered resolution accepting
the propOsition to retain the $3,O0h ant