The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-06-13

CI TY T. o n G Ian adjourned meet
Ing of the City Council was held on
Tuesday night. Present, All. Fultz, Pres
ident, John B. Evans, J. W. Ably, VIM. H.
Weller, T. A. Bledsoe, Isaac Witt, and J. A
Cochran.
Mr.. Witt from the Finance Committee. re-
ported on the accounts of Registrars Hyde
and Goode, with recommendation that the
accounts be allowed less 50 so. Referred
back to the committee.
Also report upon settlement recently
concluded with Levi Shafer, late City Ser
geant, by which it was ascertained that said
Shafer, was due to the city $500, but in
consideration of statements made, the COM
mittee recommended, and the council adop-
ted, proposition that 81 200 be received in
full of the amouut-to be paid in a, s, and
- months, equal instruments. III is proper
to state that no monies came into the hands
of Mr.. Shafer that were not promptly paid
over the City Treasurer. In fact he states
that he paid over 500 more than he recely-
ed. Mr.. S. had receipted for numerous tax
tickets, and in consequence OF the sickness
and death of his wife, and also OF his brother
in distant Sta tie, where his presence was
indispensable, some of the tickets entrusted
to deputies were losS,:and others not collect
ed. but it was assumed by the committee
might have been if due diligence had been
observed. There was no reflection upon Mr..
Shafer in the settlement or report, other
than that here noted. 1t was also under
stood that he was to have credit for any OF
the returned tickets not collected which may
hereafter be collected. paper was read
from Mr.. Shafer on this subject.l
Mr.. Weller from the committee on ordi-
nances reported an amendment to the wa
ter ordinance providing for % per cent. in
crease of water rent, as follows: There
shall be a tax paid on each store, shop, office,
stable or other building exempted from pay
ing water rent for the reason that water is
not used on such premises, of fifty per cent.
of the rates prescribed in the ordinance on
such buildings where city water is used.
This tax is imposed for general construction
purposes and for fire protection, provided
such building is located within six hundred
feet of city fre-plug, and the tax shall
be paid at the same time and collected in
the same manner as the general water tax. ]
In all cases where the tax for water impose i
on dwelling cannot be collected from a
tenant occupying such dwelling the own
er thereof will be held responsible for such
rent.''
Mr.. Evans suggested that as the taxes
were levied for the year, it was not compe-
tent for the council to change the levy until
the expiration of the time for which it was
made. Upon this view Of the case the mat
ter was referred back to the ordinance COM
mittee.
TThe following clause of the ordinance
seems to have escaped the attention OF the
council -s'And in cases that are hereinbe-
fore provided for, it shall be lawful for the
city council at any time hereafter to add to,
or increase the rates for water to be thereaf-
ter supplied.'']
The recommendation Of the Committee on
Police, chat whistles and nippers be supplied
to the policemen, at a cost not exceeding
sl2, 90, was rejected by the council.
Mr.. Witt from the Finance Committee,
offered resolution reciting that the Com
mittee had purchased the Grange Hall, at
1901, and asking that its action be ap-
proved, and the committee discharged from
further responsibility. Adopted.
A paper was presented from VIM. Wholey,
declining to qualify as Justice of the Peace,
to which position he had been elected on the
9Th. Laid over for action of new council
after July LIST.
C. Hale and others petition for the privi-
lege of tapping water pipe from Buttermilk
Spring. Referred.
Tinslev & Morton, of the Vandicator, pc
tition for use of water to run their printing
presses. Referred.
| Capt. Jas Bumgardner, Commonwealth s
| Attorney for the county, made statement
as to settlement between the city and coun-
ty, as to purchase of city's interest ill Clerks
Office and Court House, and said warrant
had been issued for the first payment o.
81, lS9, which he held and would pay ovel
on the presentation of proper deed.
Mr. Witt offered resolution instructine
the attorney for the city to prepare thu
deed and the finance committee to receive
| the warrant.
| Capt. Buingardner also made statemen
| in reference to the adjustment agreed upor
between tn representatives of the city coun
Gil and Bo ard Of Supervisors, as to the jail
and signifiied that there be further confer
ence to avoid airy Misrepresentation or mis-
understan ding, as it was the desire OF TIL
| Supervisors that there should be none,whlcl
was favora.bly rec eived.