The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-20

panies fail, before beginning the work, to
promise to put up cotton-compress on the
line within eighteen months, or fail to put
ND the cotton-compress according to pro.
mise. then the authority given shall be nun
and void. The Mayor regards it unwlse to
give such grants without future control OF
| the Council.
The resolution was passed, notwlthstand-
| ing the Mayors veto, by the following vote :
AYEs.-sIessrs. Christian, Curtis, Davis, English
Ssnscn ESs e5sEHFyL Tns Lsacr S"x Mea9e Pua
Straus, Talbot, Taylor, Whitoek, WOOD, ana An
SoEs.-Tessrs. Bsbcock, Elicit. IIaxall. Manson
Starkc and Wingtcld-6
SUSPENSION OF A CITY EMPLOYEE.
The Sergcant-at-Arms laid before the
Council communication from the Mayor
stating that, as required by section 5 OF
chapter 8 of the City Ordinances, he had on
the 18th instant suspended from his posi-
ton Jeremiah Ahern, engineer at the city
almshouse, for the reason that complaint
had been made of his m:streatmcnt to some
OF the inmates of the almsh ouse. He went
to the almshouse, Investigated the charges,
and found them fully sustained; that MIR.
Ahern had cursed and abused some OF the
inmates, choked one severely, and whipped
two or more of the others with horse
whip.
Mr.. Talbot said that some OF the COM
mittee doubted the Mayors authority to
suspend the employe in question.
Mr.. Talbot presented resolution asking
the opinion Of the City Attorney rs to
whether the Mayor has authority to sus-
pend an employe appointed by commit
tee of the Council. Agreed to-.
The communication was then laid on the
table.
THE PROPOSITION TO DISBAND COMPANY b, OF
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
4 lengthy communication from the
Mayor, returning without his approval the
Joint resolution which originated in the
Common Council proposing to disband
Company B, Of the Richmond Fire Depart
ment, was read.
The Mayor gives in detail his reasons for
declining to approve the resolution. de
believes the city rather needs more instead
OF less fire apparatus, and that the disband-
ment OF Company B to the extent proposed
would place an extra hazard on our city far
| in excess of the expenses OF that company
each year. ..,
Mr.. King said that if he was speaking
man he could convince the Council that the
mayor knew very little OF the working OF
the Fire Department, and that he King)
was right in recommending the putting out
OF service the engine, and that the Mayor
was wrong.
Mr.. King then proceeded to give very
clearly his views OF the reduction proposed,
and to say that the objection to this scheme
had come from people who meant well, but
who didn't know the needs OF the city and
the Fire Department, and who only lacked
faith in the committee as to their manage
| 80 fha Ia p
to stake all he owned, and his life on top of
that, upon the success Of the scheme If the
Council will only let him carry out what
had been charged as his plan, but which
did not originate with him.
Mr.. King also said that he believed that
the Chief Engineer Of the department was
opposed to the plan; but if so, it was only
| in keeping with the sentiment OF the head
OF every department, who seemed to be op-
posed to any reduction in his depart
ment.
MIR. John H. Claiborne, at the instance of
Mr.. Whitlock, addressed the Council. His
chief objection, rs an underwater, to so
many engines in Richmond was the del
uging of buildings in case OF fire. He
was satisfied that the engine could be put out
of service without detriment to the public
service.
Mr.. Pulliam said he disliked to disagree
with his friend from Clay Ward (Mr. king)
and Major Claiborne, but he thought 1t
would be very iniudicious to put this en-
gine company out OF service. He then re-
viewed the history Of the matter, and urged
the Council to sustain the veto Of the
Mayor.
Mr.. Talbot, who is q member OF the
Committee on the Fire Department., and
who was opposed to disbanding Company
b, said that he thought it would be very
hazardous to make the change. He had
himself been sufferer on account OF the
scarcity Of fire apparatus on the occasion
of the burning OF the foundry in which he
WAS q partner.
Mr.. Whitock wanted the Council to put
the committee on their good behavior for a
time, in order that they might see whether
their recommendation was good one. He
hoped the resolution would be passed over
the Mayors veto.
The resolution was passed over the
Mayors veto by the following vote:
AYEs.zMessrs: Braselman. Christian, Davis,
English Foster, Gregory, Guy, Hardgroyc, Ha1all
lor, Wbitioek, and Anderson-ls..
seid, Id and WoodNii.
FROM THE FINANCE coMAIrTEE.
Afr, N. L. Straus, from the Finan ce
Committee, submitted the following report:
"RIcHMoND. February 10, 1877.
"I0 the City Council:
"Gentlemen,-In presenting their esti-
mates for the current fiscal year the Finance
Committee are gratifedi in being able to state
that the transactions Of the past year were
brought to close on the 31st OF January,
1877, with balance of only S2,621.A1 Of
floating debt and bills payable unprovided
for; and this notwithstanding the unusua!
amount of delinquency in the payment OF
taxes-the bills unpaid on the 1st OF Feb
ruary, 1877, being for taxes on real estate,
$39,045.42; and on personally, $11, ,699. 10
making the considerable aggregate OF S50,-
745.1S. And In this connection is stated
the remarkable fact that Of the whole num-
ber OF polls III, 7511 assessed by the Com.
missioner OF the Revenue, the tax on I, ,591
remained unpaid.
1T must be observed, however, that
there was brought into the transactions OF
the past year balance on hand from the
year ending 3lst January, 1875, Of about
BIZ, 900, and the absence OF this amount for
the enrrent year, and the diminution Of es-
tfmated taxes, by reason OF reduction OF
rate, about S42. 900, should of course lessen
by about s55, 900 the total Of appropriations
now TO be made.
by the detailed estimates herewith ex-
hibited Il will be seen thai the receipts from
alI sources for the current ycar are set down |
at s90s, ,642, While the apport!cnment Of APP