The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-18

tls, Davis, Elicit, Guy, Hargroye, HaXall
Hayes, johnson, Lauer, Metzger, Starke,
Skinker, Straus, Talbot, Taylor, Timber.
lake, Vandervall, and Wood.
/ On motion OF Mr.. Elicit, the reading oi
the proceedings. OF the last meeting was
dispensed with. sa,, ss5. ,3-s
dss OFFICERS SALARIES.
Mr.. Guy, from the Committee on Ordi-
nances, reported back an ordinance to re-
peal section OF the City Ordinances, con-
corning the salaries OF officers (already
passed by the Board OF Aldermen) The
section proposed to be repealed prohibits
the Council from reducing or increasing
the salaries OF city officers except in July.
Mr.. Taylor moved to lay on the table, and
| called the ayes and noes.
The Council refused to lay on the table
ayes, @; noes, II.
The ordinance was then adopted by re-
corded vote-ayes, II; noes, 6.
| A motion to reconsider was subsequently
made and rejected.
| REPAIRS TO THE CANAL.
Mr.. Haxall moved to take up the report
| of the Board OF Public Interests recon-
mending the construction of railroad from
Richmond to Clifton Forge, laid on the table
at the last meeting Of the Council. Agreed
to-.
The report was then read by the clerk.
The Chair in this connection laid before
the Council concurrent memorial adopted
by the Board of Supervisors Of the county
OF Rock bridge and the Mayor and Council
| of Lexington in reference to the preserva-
ton of the canal and the construction OF d
railroad from Richmond to Clifton Forge !;
which was read.
The Chair also laid before the body n
resolution adopted by the Board of Dj-
rectors OF the James River and Kanawba
Company asking an appropriation from
Richmond of $50,000-$25, 900 of which
shall be appropriated to repair the canal
east of Lynchburg, and s25,000 to aid in
| repairing the canal west of Ltnchburg.
Mr. HaHall moved that Major Johnston,
president Of the James River and Kanawha
Company, be invited to address the Council
| in explanation Of the application. Agreed to-.
| Major Johnston addressed the body, and
said the company. in the hope, belief, and
faith that the $4,000 asked for by tue COM
pany some time ago would be forthcoming,
had gone to work vigorously to repair the
canal, and it had been ascertained that the
amount asked for would repair the damages
east Of Lynchburg. Upon this faith they
had contracted debts and borrowed money,
|
desired that the city should come to the aid
of the canal company. In regard to the
other $25,00O Major Johnston said that the
canal company did not ask that it be appro-
priated until the city OF Lynchburg had
acted in the matter
Mr.. Christian (Mr. Taylor being in the
chair addressed the body. He thought the
way out Of the difficulty would be for the
canal company to issue rcpair-bonds for the
necessary amount, which should be guaran-
teed by the city Of Richmond. The COM
pany could then give notice that the inter-
EST on these bonds should be paid out of the
revenues Of the company after the payment
of its running expenses. He thought II
such scheme should be carried out the city
Of Richmond would be protected and the
end so much desired accomplished.
Mr.. Christian then presented a lengthy
preamble and series Of resolutions to carry
out the views he had expressed, and to pro.
vide that so soon rs the canal company has
issued these bonds then the Council shall
guarantee said bonds to an amount equal to
$4,000 for repairs east OF Lynchburg, and
S25,000 for repairs west OF LynchDurg.
Mr.. Curtis said 1t was plain to him that
the resolutions would not receive the re-
uuisite two-thirds vote, and, as friend to
l
body adjourn. Lost.
Mr.. Higgins spoke against the resolu-
tions because the payroll OF the Gas W orks
was short more than $4,000, and that ought
to be provided for first.
Mr.. Curtis moved to lay the resolutions
on the table. AS a friend OF the canal, he
would be compelled to vote 8. No." because
the notice he had received calling the meet.
ing only specified the consideration OF q
subscription to the canal, and the Council
had seen fit to act on very important ordi-
nance, which If specified in the notices for
the meeting would have filled every seat;
whereas several members interested in the
ordinance We're absent, and he thought il
!. would be unjust to the canal company to
press the resolutions, as they must be de.
feated.
Mr.. Curtis's motion was lost.
THE CITY ATTORNEYS OPINION.
Mr.. Guy raised the question whether the
canal company could secure the city in the
manner specified.
| Mr.. Straus said the City Attorney, at his
request, had considered the question in
some of its phases, and sent up to the clerks
desk the following opinion from the City
Attorney, which was read:
NJ. L. Straus, ESQ.,:
Dear Sir,-I have examined the mort
cages OF the James River and Kanawha
Company, and find them as follows: !,
| /. May /, 1867, to Peachy r. Grattan
trustee, to secure $3.50, 600 OF bonds autho.
rized by act OF Assembly Of March, l, 1867
All OF these bonds have been sold.
/ 2. November 8, 1870, to Meredith, Ould,
1 and Dunlop to secure $500,0O0. or these
5000, 900 are due the city Of Richmond, and
| respectfully suggest that they should bt
demanded and filed in some secure place
About S129,600 OF these are still undlsposeG
OF, so that only some $I71, 900 have beer
sold by the company. zs,s t.y,s 80
8. September l, 1877, to Meredith, anG
Darlington to secure 100000 subscription
to the Buchanan and Clifton Forge Railroad
Company. @ 2 sitt ~ S-ls sa
Ali these deeds convey all the property ol
the company Of every sort. with minuts
description, ercept debts due the company
Nothing else is uncovered. The lien!
aggregate S1,65O.0 It seems that theri
is nothing less, unless it be the. stock tn.
canal holds in the Buchanan and Clifton
Forge Railway Company just subscribed
for, as to the value of whichI have no opin
ion. Yours, very truly, A.. M. KELLEY.
Mr.. Christian. in view Of ail the circum
stances, moved to refer the resolutions Il
the City Attorney for his opinion as to th,
validity and sutHciency Of the security con
i templated by theresolutions, and whethe
any other satisfactory security can be giyei
by the company. Agreed TO. u
ADDRESS FROM GENERAL SMITH. Ss,
4 On motion OF Mr.. Christian, General f
H. Smith, OF Lexington, addressed tn
Il Council upSn the great tmpo tance to hr