The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-03-12

THE CUsT0M-RoUsE GAS QUESTION SET.
TLED-DMINQUENT TAxEs--UsE OF AN
4 ENGINE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES FRoA,
THE OTHER BRANCH-THE PROPOSITION
TO MOVE THE, COUNCIL CHAMBER TO THE
PRESENT HUsTiNGs COURTROOM DE.
FEATED-ANEWPL PLAN-oTHER BUSINESS
&C.. &c.
The regular semi-monthly meeting Of the
Board OF Aldermen was held yesterday af-
ternoon in the Council chamber. Presi-
dent Meredith occupied the chair. Present
at roll-call I: Messrs. Bass, Beall, Crump,
Gasser, Gray, Lipscomb, Pickrell, Pitt,
Scott, Smith. Wagner, and Williams.
STREETS GENERALLY.
Mr.. Todd, from the Committee on Streets,
presented resolutions rejecting various pc
tions; also, resolution giving permission
to Isaac Davenport, Jr., to extend branch
track from the Richmond and Danville rail-
road and York River and Chesapeake rail-
road connection truck, from near the upper
gas-works, on Dock street, and extending
on Dock street to Davenport & Morris's
warehouse, under certain restrictions.
The first resolution was agreed to. land
the last laid on the table, on motion Of Mr.
Cannon.
CLAIMS AND SALARIES.
Mr.. Pitt, from the Committee on Claims
and Salaries, presented report In refer
ence to the claimrof Dr.. Cunningham and a
resolution to pay him 800 for damages sus-
tanned by accident on Fourth street; also,
resolution paying S. G. Tinsley 800 for
his services in the Treasurer's office in Jan
uary and February, and to DR.. Mills s2G.10
for gas penalty, DC. Agreed to.
THE CUsToM-HoUSE GAS.
The Chair laid before the Board commu-
nication from the City Attorney in response
to resolution OF the two bodies, stating
that arrangements had been made and the
custom-house would continue to use city
gas.
Mr.. Scott, in this connection, presented
resolution for the payment OF $70.15 ex-
penses incurred by the City Attorney in ef-
fecling the arrangement. Agreed to.
MATTERS OF FINANCE.
MIR. Scott, from the Committee on FL
nance, presented a resolution crediting the
City Collector with S15,331 10, the amount
OF delinquent personal taxes OF 1877, and
S4,90O.25, the amount of delinquent license
taxes OF 1877. as per his return to the Audi
tor under section 90 Of the ordinance con-
cerning collection OF taxes, and that the
bills therefor be retained by the collector,
who shall be entitled to commission OF five
per cent. on all such delinquent bills COL
lected by him, &c. Agreed to.
RooNEY's ENGINE.
Mr.. Todd, from the Committee on Fire
Department, presented the following:
Resolved (the Common Council concur
ring), That the petition ofaEljah Baker and
others praying that Arthur Rooney may be
forbidden to place steam-engine on his lot,
on Franklin street between Twelfth and
Governor streets, be granted, and the said
Rooney is hereby prohibited from using
any steam-engine at the location proposed.
Agreedto.
BUSINESS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Common Council joint resolution appro-
priating 81 ,2S0 for curb and gutter on Lau-
rel and Graham streets was taken up and
concurred in.
Joint resolution for extension OF gas-main
on Twelfth street from Normal School to
Ford's stables was taken up and concurred
in.
Joint resolutions granting building per-
mits to Charles Spencer and to j. w. Wood
ward and others were taken up and con-
Cured in.
Joint resolutions allowing claims OF Cor
oner Taylor, and providing for the pay
ment OF incidental expenses OF the School
Board were taken up, and the resolution to
pay DR.. Taylor's claim agreed to; but the
latter resolution was declared out OF order,
Mr.. Todd raising the point.
Joint resolution concerning the DISPOSE
tion to be made of real estate improbable
to the city was taken up and concurred in.
o CHANGE IN COUNCIL CHAMBER.
Common Council Joint resolution chang
ing place OF meeting Of the Council to the
Hastings Court and removing Hastings
Court to the present Council chamber was
taken up.
Mr.. Plckrell said he favored the change
because he thought it would be an econom-
cal move on the part OF the city, and will
settle the question, for some time at least,
OF providing a new courtroom for the Hus-
tings Court.
Mr.. Forester opposed any change. He
thought the present Hastings Courtroom
would be good enough for many years TO
come.
Mr.. Scott agreed with Mr.. Forester. He
thought the comfort Of the Council and
Board ought to be considered, and he
thought it would be detrimental to the
water department to move the water office.
He thought the courtroom might be en-
larged and skylIght put in, and made very
comfortable for the court.
Mr.. Bass spoke in favor OF the resolution.
He thought the Board ought not to consider
its own comfort so much as the advantage
and economy in the change.
Mr.. Williams said this was the representa-
tive hall Of the city, and ought not to be
abandoned for a courtroom. He spoke at
some length in opposition to the change.
Judge Meredith said he would vote for
the measure because he thought it would
quiet for some time the talk about new
courthouse, and for the additional reason
that he thought courts ought to be made as
comfortable as possible.
Mr.. Cannon spoke in favor OF the change.
He didn't want to agitate the question OF a
new city hail at this time. He thought it
would be eXpedient 10 make the change.
Mr.. Crump said that some OF the men,
bers OF the other body had told him that
tbev voted for the resolution out OF compll-
ment to Judge Christian.
Mr.. Smith said that he bad spoken to
several members of the other body, and
while they voted for it they did so because
thew did not think it would pass this body.
Mr.. Todd said that ne did not think that
the H Hustings Courtroom could be arranged
for the meetings OF the Council. He hoped
that the change would not be made.
The question being taken, the resolution
was defeated by the following vote:
AyEs.-Messrs. Bass, Beall, Cannon, Gray, Pick
rell. Wagner, and Meredith-7.
NoEs.-Messrs. Crump, Gasser, Ltpscomb, PIT,
Scott, Smith, Spangersurg, TODD, and Williams-1O.
THE cHAIN-GANG.
Common Council ordinance to amend the