The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-02-16
VOL. XLVII.
COMMON COUNCIL,

Foster, Gilman, Higgins, jenkins, johnson
Klein. Lauer, Melzger, Manson, Newell
Slraus, Talbot, and Tower-23.
THE BLUE OR THE GRAY.
The President laid before the Council q
communication from the Board of Police
Commissioners in response 10 a resolution OF
inquiry as to the expediency of changing the
police uniform from blue to gray, &c.
The Police Commissioners are OF opinion
that such change would be inexpedient. Ir
the first place 1t would Involve an immediate
addition of nearly, If not quite, fifty dollars
to the expenses of each policeman. II
would render the uniform clothing now In
bis possession valueless. The gray cloth, by
reason Of its color, soils and stains much
more readily than the blue. The more fire..
1ucnt renewals thus made necessary would
be Il burden on the force. And, finally, the
Board are of opinion that the fact that the
State volunteers, the United States letter.
carriers, and the Capitol police, now wear
gray furnishes reason why the city police
should retain their present color. One Q!
the great values Of u policeman Is that he
should be easily and promptly recognized as
such; and this is the chitf reason for requir-
Jog him TO wear Z uniform ut all. TO insure
this ease OF recognition he should, if posi-
Bile, wear dress so distinctive rs to prevent
mistakes.
The difference in the cost Of the uniform
made from the respective cloths of like
quality would be flee dollars in favor of the
gray.
The report was read and received.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Mr.. StrauS, from the Committee on Fl.
nance. submitted the annual financial report,
Together with accompanying resolutions, rs
follows. which were adopted by i vote of
ayes, -; noes. none. .. --..
kIcaxosp. VA, February i. 1876.
To the Council of the Cttu Of Richmond:
Gentlemen, In presenting The accompany.
iny estimates for the fiscal year upon which
we have Just entered desire 10 congratulate
the Council on the very satisfactory exhibit
they make OF the iinarcial condition OF the
CITY. The balance of Sj9,206, due to SUI.
dry appropriations, would have been COM
plctclv covered had the taxes due by the
banks been paid. These deferred taxes
amount to S20.17O. The balance in the
treasury February 1st, 1873, vas FL ,02l,
making an aggregate of S6l.l9l. or nearly
~ 900 in excess of the appropriations. The
committee IN providing for the cXpendl-
lures Of the current year. have, as viii be
seen, adop'cd new claS>ihcation: Scpa.
rating the pay-rolls and salaries from the
general appropriations. The object OF this
j. to secure the wages OF the city emptole'
AGAINST tue danger Of bCirg absorbed BE-
other accounts. and continug the general ap.
preparations to their proper limits. This
will not only guarantee the puuctual pay
mcnt of the emplo,GS, but will define with
greater certainty the amount 10 be expended
in the general work of each dcpartment-an
object always desirable.
The encouraging result Of our financial
operations for the year just closed is due
mainly TO the firm stand the Council has
taken against increasing appropriations in
the midst Of the year. With the same dis
position in the future, it is apparent that
nothing but some unforeseen calamity will
prevent our record for 1915 from being as
satisfactory, in a financial way, as the one we
are closing.
In the distribution Of funds for the
various expenditures OF the year 1878 as
proposed by the committee it will be
found that while several appropriations
have bees enlarged none have been
made Smaller than those Of 1874; and
the committee feel the fullest confidence that
all will be found sufficient for all proper de-
mands upon them. But as these appropria-
tons are based upon the same rate Of taxa
ton a. that OF 1874, it follows that any ill.,
crease Of these appropriations must necessl-
tate CORES p0nding increase in taxation,
which, under the present depressed condi-
ton of all pccunisry interests throughout the
country, your committee would most earn
| cstly dcplccae.
The great Inconvenience Of carrying a Loaf
| ing debt-that Of the city now amounting to
| ahou, Si2 ,000--haS induced the committee
| unanimously TO recommend the passage OF
| the resolution herewith submitted, to fund
! this debt by the issue of S.j 900 OF per
| cent. city bonds at thirtv-iour years and
! this can now be done without affecting the
| market value OF our bonds. ~ the commits.
| >ioner> of the sinking fund are Row prepared
10 take Of the proposed amount at leas,
$40 900.
There being no moneys incoming from tax
alton to any considerable amount earlier thar
| the middle of June next, it is recommended
| that the Committee on Finance be authorized
| from time 10 time 10 negotiate such tempo
| rary loans rs may be necessary to carry OF
| the administration Of the city governmental
| its various departments, such loans TO be II
quida;ed out of the taxes as received. Fo
| tins purpose the committee submit for you
consideration and action an appropriate re
solution.
Resoiued uhe Board Of Aldermen concur
rinel, That for tue purpose Of liquidatint
| the floating debt OF the city ION the 1st da.
| of February, 1875. amounting to S62.251.9 .94
| the sum of $4,000 in six per cent. bonds o
the city, having thirty.four years to run iron
| the 1st of January, 1875, is hereby appro
prated and ordered to be issued, the sam
to be negotiated by the Finance Committed
| as and when necessity shall require.
Res0lced (the Board OF Aldermen concur
ring), That the Committee on Finance b
and are hereby authorized and instructed t
negotiate and receive temporary loans from
time 10 time, rs the demands of the city ma.
require, not exceeding in.amouDt 100000
such loans to be liquidated out of the taXr:
Of 1870 Us received.
AUDITORS REPORT TO FINANCE COMMITTEE.
MIR. J. B. Royster, city auditor, estimates
the EXPENDITURES and receipts of the city
for the current fiscal year as follows:
ExPESDlTURES-1S75.
Interest on bonded deUt, payable ia -,
Ini~r;s: on bonded debt, payable in
january, e76....................... l37'f4f o.
s275.495 IS
Deduct Interest on S36,645 pass-due
bonds. Observation-Disclosures. G'iSo ~
s273.2oC 9s
'',f'iS of is74. "a sshI per cent. 1880 lf
Interest required tor temporary loans "a ooo y,
ana ciIiills. Ao'ooo W
For Interest. ......... S22s,277 II