The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-05

Mr.. Davis, chairniaIn cf the committee,
said in defence of Mr.. Davis that u he; had
been alone at the works he would not have:
been willing, to assume the responsibility of
putting all five pumps to work; and SO he
could hardly blame Mr. Davis for; his cau-
ton. He (the chairman) would not. have
taken the responsibility even If there had
been only one expert there at the time. :t.t
Mr.. Manson inquired whether the Super
is competent to discharge the duties OF his
Office. %.,F} ss.3 ~ ~. Il. =. ..s. .
Mr.. Davis replied that he thought he
was thoroughly competent, and If he was
not SO the committee would nave so re-
ported to the Council. sis.
Mr.. Curtis could not understand how
such statement could emanate from the
Committee on Water in view OF their re-
port. =
Mr.. English (Mr. Taylor being in the
chair) said that he had no confidence in the
committee as skilled experts. He waxed
very warm in his defence Of Mr.. Davis, the
Superintendent, and insisted that he should
be allowed to come on the floor OF the Coun-
ell and answer the questions desired. de
was not willing that Dir. Davis, who was his
lifelong friend, should be stabbed in the
back. He was the only man in the city who
knew the location OF every inch OF iron wa
fer-pipe in the city. He knew where every
stop-cock was fixed, and it was q shame that
the Committee on Water should reflect on
him and say that he was ignorant and had
mismanaged the works. /.
Mr.. Hayes moved to lay the subject on
the table, but afterwards withdrew it.
Mr.. Straus defended both the committee
and Mr. Davis, the Superintendent.
Mr.. Whitlock: I should like to catechlze
the chairman Of the committee for further
information. lLanghter.]
The Chair (Ir. English: That is not in
order. T@:
Mr. Whitlock then proceeded to say that
he wanted more information; that the SUD-
iect ought to be recommitted for that pur-
bose: that the Council did not have from
the report an intelligent idea OF the condl-
ton OF the works. ,-
At the suggestion OF Mr.. Whitlock the re-
solution was amended so as to include the
words competent experts" !,
Mr.. Straus claimed that as Mr.. Davis had
been elected by Joint vote of both branches
the resolution should be a joint resolution.
Mr.. Curtis denied the position.
Mr.. Taylor, who had favored the adoption
OF Mr.. Curtis's resolution, now presented
preamble and resolution expressing the
confidence OF the body in Mr.. Davis, the Su-
perntendent OF the Water " orks, as an effl-
cient officer OF the city, and considering
him fully competent to discharge the duties
incumbent upon him. :,
Mr. Straus opposed this proposed amend
ment; and after further discussion the reso-
luton was withdrawn.
Mr.. Talbot moved to lay the whole mat
ter on the table. Lost.
On motion Of Mr.. Straus the words
"without pay" were added to the resolu-
ton OF Mr.. Curtis; and it was then adopted
by the following vote, Mr.. Braselman de-
manding the ayes and and noes:
AYEs.-Messrs. Braselman, Curtis, English; Gre
TSrl, Tayl,or. Vandcrvaii, Whitiock and Wood-l3.
NoES.-Messrs. Babcock, Davis, Elicit, Har0groye;
Haxall, Hayes, johnson, King Manson, straus' ana
The Chair appointed Messrs. Curtis,
Straus, and Taylor on the committee.
Mr.. Braselman said he thought there
ought to be new deal. he was opposed
to Mr.. Straus serving on the committee.
Mr.. Straus said the Chair had informed
him that he had been appointed on the COM
mittee, but that he did not desire to serve.
AS the gentleman from Jackson Ward OBJ
iected to the action of the Chair, he desired
to say that he would consent to serve.
EXTENSION OF GAs-MAISs.
On motion of Mr.. Curtis, the resolution
oT tbe Committee on Light for the eNten-
sion OF sas-mains along Nicholson street to
the Methodist church was taken up.
Mr.. Curtis moved to amend so as to cX-
tend the pipe us far as the corporation line,
in accordance with the resolution OF the
Council approved April 26, 1876.
Mr.. HAYES claimed that a sufficient num-
Der of persons had agreed to take gas to
make the investment pay.
Mr.. Higgins said that the statement die
not agree with the certificates which he
held.
Mr.. Davis moved to recommit the resolu
ton to the committee. Lost.
On the question of agreeing to Mr.. Cur
tis's amendment providing for carrying ou'
the original order of the Council and the
extension OF the pipes to the corporate
limits of the city, Mr.. Straus demanded the
aves and noes, and being taken, Mr.. Cur
tis's resolution was adopted by the follow
ing vote: .-.f
AYEs.-Messrs. Braselman, Curtis Elicit, Eng dg
| lisb Gregory, Hayes johnson, Lauer, MetZger, Ou
YER, YER, Talbot, Taylor, Whltlock, Woo1-14.
NoEs.-MessrS. Davis, HargroTe, HaSall' Higgins
King, Manson, Pulliam, Strauss.
ANOTHER MEETING PROPOSED. -
Mr.. Taylor moved that the Council ad:
iourn to "Wednesday afternoon, as q good
deal Of business had been transacted and
more remained unfinished. Lost. 4:'s
FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN. q
Board joint resolutions from the Commit.
tee Oh Streets fourteen, published last
Tuesday, were taken up. -
The Chair decided that the resolutions
should 90 to the Finance Committee.
Mr.. Taylor moved to suspend the 3Stn
rule and consider the resolutions at once.
Lost-ayes, 8; noes, II.
SubsequentlyIthe resolutions for the street
improvements were taken up and concurred
! in, except the appropriations OF 1856 for
the Improvement Of Belyidere street from
Franklin to Grace street, 81 ,467 Tor the
imp1 oye1nent of Madison street from Broad
| to Cary street, and the resolution approprl-
ating q sum OF money from the contingent
fund for the paving of an alley, &C.; when
were tabled. So ~ ,.si.;,
Board Joint resolutions from the Com
mittees on Fire Department granting per-
mits for wooden buildings) and Fire-AlaFm
and Police Telegraph (bilis for supplies,
&c.) were taken up and concurred IN.
NEW BUSINESS. e. s~. ..3.a'.
Mr.. Metzger presented resolution OF in-
ouiry as to what action has been taken IN
regard to the running of the street-cars to
oillie's creek, Rockets. Rejected.
Ry Mr.. English: A resolution allowing
the Little Sisters of the Poor to use the
city gas at 81 per thousand feet. Agreed
to. n-, .....
By Mr.. Elicit: A resolutiona as to expe-
iiency of paving Tenth street from Lelgn