The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-01-27

Pursuant to adjournment, q meeting of the
BOARD of Aldermen was held In the Council
chamber Yesterday evening, commencing at
G O'Clock. to consider the proposed ordi-
nance concerning the Fire Department and
other matters. Mr.. John A. Meredith (presi.
denO occupied the chair. Present at roll
call: Messrs. Bass, BealI, Forester. Kellam,
iipscomb, Manly, Scott, Smith, Spapgen.
burg. Tanner, Todd, Wagner, Williams, and
Z'mmer.
The Chair announced that the first busi.
mass in order would be the consideration of
the proposed ordinance concerning
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
When the Beard adjourned on Monday
| evening It had under consideration the sc.
| cond section and an amendment proposed te
! il BY Mr. Todd, which provides that the
number OF fire companies shall not be in
creased or diminished during the year.
Mr.. Darlington stated that there was au-
thoritv for the equipment OF the Tenth
Street hose company, notwithstanding what
had been said 10 the contrary by the gentle
man from Clay Ward (Mr. Todd) at the last
meeting Of the Board, and reaG from the re-
cord the dates to show that recommends.
ton from the Committee on Fire Depart
ment for the temporary organization OF that
copaany had been received in the Common
Council.
Nr. Todd explained that he meant no re.
frcti0n on the committee or the Counc!l
when he made the statement that there was
not full authority for the establishment Oh
this company, but he could not understand
how il could be construed otherwise when
the ordinance provides that there shall be
six captains pad, and we know that seven
commanders were paid after the Tenth
Street company was put into service.
Mir. Todd next addressed himself to the
amendment under consideration.
The Chair inquired whether there was an
ordinance fixing the number of captains.
Mr. Todd replied that the fire ordinance
and tie ordinance fixing the pay Of the cap.
tains of companies settled that matter.
Mr.. Darlington argued that under the ordI-
nance it would be impossible for the Fire
Committee to equip and put into service any
additional companies than those now in SER
vice, because it would require an eNpendi-
ture OF money and building Of engine
houses, which would have to be furnished
by the Council. He thought that the Chief
of the Fire Department ought to be unre.
stricted, and that the committee ought 10
have the necessary power 10 sustain the
Chief.
Mr.. Kelam said he was in favor of the or.
dinance as it came from the Common Coun-
Gil, with some few exceptions. He favored
the proposed amendment, and argued that
already there was too much power in the
hands of the committees. He thought they
ought merely to disburse the funds that are
appropriated annually. Already one fire COM
pany had been established without the con-
sent OF the Council.
Mr.. Williams inquired whether the gen.
tlemau could point to an instance in which
any company had been appointed or equip
ped without the consent Of the Council.
Mr.. kellam replied that the two branches
of the Council had never passed The order for
the Tenth-Street hose-compsny.
Dir. Todd asked whether at any meeting
of the joint Committee on the Fire Depart
ment Captain Fuqu1, of the Tenth-Street
COMPANY, had been elected captain.
The Chair said that il he had not been so
elected there was no authority for paying
him his salary.
Mr.. Todd: Well, sir, the Auditor must
have paid him without authority.
Mr.. Williams defended the committee and
| the department, and sad that be thought
! there was no danger OF any new companies
| being organized except with the consent Of
the two bodies ofthe Council.
Mr.. keilam Insisted that it was important
| to limit the power Of the committee. One
company has already been established with
out the consent Of the two branches Of the
| Council, and be wanted such thing pre-.
vented in The future. 1t has been very
clearly shown that only one branch had ap-
| proved the establishment of the company.
On agreeing TO the amendment Mr.. Car
rington demanded the ayes and noes; and
| being taken, the amendment was agreed to
by the following vote:
| AyEs.-Messrs. Beall, Forester, Kellam, Manly
Spangcnburg, Todd. Vandervall, Wagner, Zlm
| mer. and Mtredith--lO.
NoEs-Messrs. Bass, Darlington, LlpscomD
Scott, smith, Tanner, and Wiiliams-7.
Mr. Manly moved further to amend the
section by the addition of the following:
"The city shall be divided into three fire
districts. All that part OF the city east o.
Twentieth street to be the first district that
between Twentieth street and Ninth street
to be the second district; and all that part oil
! the city westward from Ninth street to the
CITY limits to be the third district, and either
the chief engineer or one of the assistant
/ chief engineers shall reside within the beund
aries of each fire district"
Agreed to-ayes, 10; noes, I.
| MIR. Ke!lam moved further to amend the
second section so as to provide that the chief
engineer, two assistant chief engineers, and
commanders shall be elected by the Counci
| in July.
Mr.. Darlington opposed the amendment
| on the ground that the committee was more
| comoelent TO select good men than the
Council.
| MIR. kellan didn't agree with him. He
thought that the Council was sIl!y eaGal tc
| the task of selecting the officers.
| Mfr. Manly agreed with the gentleman
from Monroe Ward in all that be had said a:
| to the importance Of rigid discipline in
! the department., but he thought the appoint
ment of the officers ought to be klsde by the
| Council.
| Mr.. Williams alluded to the mean, Shiny
tricks OF politicians. Already ne hau been
| approsehed, but be desired 1t to De dislinct
| ly understood that he was opposed to the
Council az pointing the officers. de hoFeo
| the reporters would so record hin-
Mr.. kellam addressed the reporters, anc
| wanted TO be recorded as being opposed 70
| the commt.ee appointing these officers.
The Chair: The gentleman Hlust address
the chair. [Lalghter.1
Mr.. Eellam then proceeded to addrss;
himself very earnestly in faver Of his amend.
ment. lie aeaio urged the importance ol
re,renchiug the power of the comalttees,
and remarked that the Gas Committee, OF
which he was member, fixed salary at
81 800, aud could, if they saw tit, reduce
salaries. He believed the people we've op.
posed TO any such thing.
On the question of agreeing to Mr. kel-