The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-09
the ordinance was rejected by the following

vote:
AYEs.-Messrs. Cannon, Crump, Manly, and Pick
NoEs-Mcssrs. Bass Beaii, Forester, Gray, Lips
cemb, Scott, Smith, Spangenburg, Todn, wagner
| Williams, aud Iiminer-l2.'
Mr.. Todd moved to adjourn. Lost.
Mr.. Scott moved TO indefinitely postpone
the further consideration OF the report and
! ordinances.
Mr. Manly said 1t was the solemn duty OF
the Board to consider this report and carry
out the rctrenchmeut and reform recon-
mended; that the city employees could afford
il, and the cry came up TO the Boardt in the
strongest terms to reduce expenditures.
There had been retrenchment in national
affairs. In the post-office there had been a
reduction here in the city. The city is pay
ing more than the market price for the SER
vices rendered. In the warehouses and va
rious places of business in the city the sales
men and others are receiving far smaller
wages than those paid to city employees. He
! thought it but just that the reduction
should be made; that the Members ought
to be brave enough to go through with the
duty.
Mr. Pickrell said that it would be far bet
ter to make this. reduction now than TO
Inake greater one hereafter. The matter
had been seriously considered, and it
seemed like child's play to throw away all
the labor Of the committee that had so Ia
| boriousy considered the matter for many
weeks.
Mr.. Williams said that the reduction was
not uniform; that in some instances the re-
duction had been very heavy and unjust
IIe believed that the pay OF some men
ought to be increased instead OF reduced.
| He did not believe we were half as poor as
some persons would make us out. lie did
not think we ought to be guided by what
other cities pay their officers and employees.
Mr.. Todd said he voted "No" because
he desired, at the proper time, to move
reconsideration Of the subject in order that
the first ordinance might come before the
Board for its consideration.
Mr.. Todd said be was an earnest advocate
OF the report; that he did not desire to see
the pay of the officers or employees CUT
| down-if the times were better he would
gladly pay them more-but the times Would
not Justify it. He then proceeded to pay
the officers and employees Of the city a
very high compliment, and to say that
a more competent or better set OF OF
ticers could not be found anywhere. There
were three subjects considered by the
conference committee: First, reassess-
mcnt of the real estate OF the city, which
was deemed ineXpedient; second, to adopt
the State assesSment-this would not an
swer, because it would reduce the revenue
Of the city $40, 900; and third, reduction
in the rate of taxation. He believed II THIS
reform was carried out that not only di-
rect saving Of $4,000 had been made, but
that $4,000 would ultimately be saved.
Mr.. Todd agreed with Mr.. Manly in his
statement that rents and supplies OF all
kinds were lower than they were few
years ago. He also gave in detail his rea-
sons for favoring this great reduction IN
the city's expenses and making this great
saving to the citizens.
Mr.. Cannon, after reviewing the prellmI-
nary proceedings that gave rise to the re-
port, proceeded to advocate the report in
the interest Of the welfare Of our citizens.
He referred to the throng Of citizens who
passed into Judge Guigon's court clamorlng
for reduction Of their assessments, to the
reforms that are being proposed IN the
Legislature, to the appeals that many cltl'
zens had made to the General ASSEMBLY Tor
relief, and to the recommendations OF the
Governor for reform in State affairs. The
exirencies of the times demanded that the
matter should be considered calmly and Sc
riously, II it was merely to reduce the sal
aries of the officers OF the city he WouiC
vote "No." But such was not the case.
He regarded it as an initial step on the part
Of the Council to give us an economical gov
ernment. and compel US to live within our
means. He knew that the officers were
faithful and jealous servants. He Knew,
too, that the offices did not seek them, but
that they sought the offices; that they must
stand or fall with the city. These are times
which demand retrenchment and reform IN
every department in life, and he thought an
honest effort ought to be made to reduce
our expenditures and keepour bonds where
they now are-A1.in the market.
Mr.. Wagner said he wished ne had inc
ability to express his views as clearly ana rs
eloquently as the gentlemen who had pre-,
ceded him. He had opposed the genera
and sweeping reduction in the commlttee,s S
report, and thought it was their duty TO
look at reforms elsewhere and not take the
bread out of the mouths of the city's OH
GERS and employees. -.
Mr.. Scott now withdrew his motion to ill.,
definitely postpone the remainder OF the re-
port. and moved to lay the report on the
table.
sIr. Todd said that if it was the will Of
the opposition to lay this matter on the table
and hereafter give it full consideration he
would gladly move to reconsider the vote
BY which the first ordinance had been
adopted, hut if it was rejected 1t would be
as dead as Hector's pup.
The motion to table was agreed to.
| Adjourned