The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-08

as to; transfer of certain funds for sewer
purposes; which was agreed to. !. "a rs
Board joint resolution from the Commit.
tee on Finance was taken up and concurred
in. .s 80. tss ,.s5.,$s
Board joint resolution concerning the
Richmond, jFredericks ksburg and Potomac
railroad reception-room, corner OF Broad
and BelYidere streets, was taken up and
coneurred in. II ,t...IE.,&S
Board ordinance repealipg section of
chapter6 6, concerning salaries OF officers, was
taken up. The section proposed to be re-
pealed provides that the Council shall not
increase or reduce salaries OF officers ex-
cept in July.
Mr.. Higgins moved to lay on tbe table.
r.. Mr.. Straus hoped the ordinance would
be passed. he said last year; when an ei-
fort was made to reduce the pay OF the la
borers at the gas-Works, he was confronted
| by an opinion Of the City Attorney that it
could not be done until the section was re-
pealed. These employees receive $3.50 per
day, and while .-he was in favor Of giving
them fair compensation for their work he
was opposed to paying much larger
amount than they can get outside OF the
city government.
Mr.. Taylor favored the motion to table.
The ordinance was referred to the Com
mittee on Ordinances.
/ JAMEs-aIvEK VALLEY RAILROAD.
The Chair laid before the. Council n COM
munication from the Board OF Public In
terests in reference to James-River Valley
railroad heretofore published), which was
laid on the table.
The resolution from the Board OF Alder
men proposing an appropriation Of S2,000,-
600 to build the James-River Valley road was
read, and on motion OF Mr.. Curtis laid on
the table. -.
NEW BUSINESS.
BY Mr.. Adams: a Joint resolution to 60
back to the old plan OF meeting twice in
each month.
Mr.. Davis moved to lay on the table.
Lost-ayes, II; noes, II.
The Chair voted ''No."
The resolution was rejected ayes, 8;
noes, 13. .,i'"
BY Mr.. Higgins: A joint resolution in
structing the Auditor to pay salaries and
wages OF the regular officers and employees
as fixed by the ordinances OF the city, and
the pay-rolls Of the several departments as
usual, until an appropriation bill is passed,
and charge such salaries and wages to the
proper heads in the appropriation ordi-
nance when the same shall have been ap-
proved by the Mayor.
Mr.. Straus opposed the resolution on the
ground that it would be manifestly wrong
to take such step as this until it has been
ascertained what the probable expenses OF
the city for next year will be.
Mr.. Whitlock also opposed the resolution.
Mr.. Christian (Mr. Taylor being in the
chair moved to lay the resolution on the
table. Agreed to. -
By Mr.. Higgins: A joint resolution di-
recting the City Engineer to prepare and
report proper plans and estimates for inn
provement along Shockoe creek as shall be
most advantageous and best calculated to
abate all nuisances between Broad and
Franklin streets. Referred.
BY Mr.. Straus: A joint resolution for
committee of three from the Common Coun-
Gil, and two from the Board OF Aldermen,
to confer with the city representatives in
the Legislature as to necessary amendments
to the city charter, and that the said COM
mittee report to the Council the amend
ments that ought to be made to q joint meet
ing Of the two bodies. Agreed to. =;
The Chair appointed Messrs. Straus, Guy,
and Haxall.
By Mr. Curtis: A resolution to fix the
hours for the Tteasurer's oficefrom s A.
nj. to4P. M. from April to October, and
from A. NJ. to P. II. during the rest of the
year. The change proposes to keep open
the Office one hour longer.
Mr.. Elicit moved to lay on the table. Lost.
The ordinance was referred to the Com
mittee on Ordinances.
By Mr.. Straus: A resolution to pay the
keeper OF st. Johns cemetery his salary OF
$50: Agreed to.
By Mr.. Whitlock A resolution for cross
ing Grace street at intersection with Twen-
ty.third; also, for improvement between
Franklin and Grace; so as to prevent fur
ther washes, &c. Referred.
By Mr.. johnson: A resolution in refer
ence to abatement OF the tax on the estate OF
the late Samuel Anderson. Referred.
Mr.. Talbot presented communication
from DR.. T. D. Cunningham in reference to
his late accident on Fourth street, and bill
for damages to his property amousting to
800.
The subject was referred to the Joint
Committees on Water and Claims and Sala-
ries.
..eisl THE CUsIOM-H0UsE GAS.
Mr.. Christian (Mr. Taylor being in the
chair presented a lengthy preamble aud
resolution in reference to the erection by
the Government OF gas-works at the Gus
:tom-holse, &C., declaring that said gas
works will be public nuisance, which will
endanger lives and damage the property OF
the citizens, and that the same should be
abated that the City Attorney be in
structed to proceed at once to Washington
and represent to the Secretary OF the Treas
ury the true status of this matter and the
wishes and action of Ibis Council in the
premises, and ask that he give such dl-
rections as will cause said nuisance to be
at once abated. i. .-C.-
That in the event the City Attorney fails
to obtain the relief desired, that he is di-
rectcd ut once to institute such proceedings
as will cause said nuisance TO be abated.
That it is the intention and desire OF the
Council to give the Government every IA
cility that it can for the proper use OF the
gas and water OF the city in the custom
house consistent with regulations OF the
Treasury Department and the interest OF
the public, and that the ordinances OF the
city shall be so amended as to effect this end
as soon as the regulations Of the said De
partment are known to the Council.
He next presented petition OF citizens
protesting against the nuisance Of building
gas-works by the Government; and also
| explained the facts connected with the cut.
ting off Of the gas from the custom-house,
and showed very clearly that the .Councl
and Committee on Light were entirely ex'
onerated from any blame in the matter. In
1.-THE course OF his remarks Mr.. Christian
said that in an interview with DR.. Mills be
asked him to telegraph to Washington ask
| ing a suspension Of the work on the new
gas-works,. as he was satisfied that there
was misunderstanding between the city
and the Government. DR.. Mills did no
telegraph, but sent a written conmunica
| ton to Washington. ~
! DIR. Mills, being present, stated that il
reply to the communication sent to Wash