The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-01-03

BEGINNING THE YEAR--THE COUNCIL
MEETING.-The members Of the) cit,
council filed in rather tardily 'ruesdayjnisht
and the holr for meeting lapsed thirty min
utes before sufficient number had deserted
the ranks of the New Year callers to sup
ply the deficiency in the quorum. At length
eight were gotten together, as follows
Mcssrs. Evans, Abby, Bedsoe, Powell. Wei
Ter, Witt, Cochran and Bagby, and afteI
| While Mr.. Burke showed up for about two
minutes, and handing his business over te
fellow councilman, Withdrew to the more
congenial occupation Of entertaining.
In the absence Of the President Mr.
Evans was called to the chair, and the reg
ular order of business was proceeded with
A number Of accounts, including sG27 inter
est on registered bonds, were allowed.
An appropriation OF $l75.G4 was allowed
Cinthy Kurtz for expenses of the poor for
the month OF December.
The special committee on Water, through
its chairman, Mr.. Evans, asked to be dis
charged, as the water works had been re-
ceived by the city and its services were no
longer needed. At the suggestion OF MIR.
Witt, the request was withdrawn until all OF
the accounts appertaining to the new works
have been closed.
The petition of the fire department for
appropriation was referred back to the COM
mittee, and the petitions of VIM. Thurber,
Levi Shafer, Jas. Orchard and E. f. john
son for remission OF taxes, and that of Mrs.
Bolen and others for pavement along Irish
Alley, were properly referred.
Messrs. Jas. Wehn and Pemberton pre-
sented q petition signed by eight BARRIERS
asking that the shops be closed on Sunday.
Both gentlemen appeared on the ground to
champion the cause of morality and impress
upon the council their religious duty, but
the document went to the committee all the
same, aud there it will repose for many
days to come.
ter Works was referred for approval to the
water committee.
The report OF the Engineer shove the
actual cost of laying The water line to the
c. & 0. r. r. Round-House to be 81, 059. 40.
The Company agree to pay an annual rent
of 5000, and to use the supply not less than
three years. The report was received and
filed.
The petition OF Donald Allen for reim-
bursement of amount paid by him on the ex-
ira work at the Reservoir. was laid on the
table.
The resignation of j. Addison Cochran,
as Justice OF the Peace, was received and
accepted, and VIM. B. Kayser. Esq, unani-
mously elected to fill the vacancy.
The report of the city Treasurer was re-
ceived and filed.
just before adjournment Mr.. Evans Great
ed stir by offering the following preamble
and resolution, which were unanimously
adopted
Whereas, on the nights Of the oath and
25th of December, the Police force. of the
city permitted laws of the State and 0rdi-
nances of the city to be wantonly violated !;
gross and premeditated intimidation and
insult offered to members Of the council at
their private residences. because Of their of
fetal acts; with no efforts on the part Of
the Police to check the same; no arrests
made; no one reported to the proper au-
Notwithstanding a want of disposition to
meet the high and responsible duties en-
trusted to them as policemen of the city,
therefore be it
Resozced, That Messrs. Cochran, Witt
and Weller. be and are hereby appoint
ed a special committee to investigate the
conduct OF the Police, with power to send
for persons and papers, and, after a
thorough and rigid examination, to report to
the city council whether their dnty--sworn
duty-has been neglected; laws, ordinances
and order violated; what means, if any,
were taken to discover and bring to punish
ment the organized violaters Of the law.
And further, to make strict inquiry into
the general efficiency of the Police force.
And further. whether any official or en-
ployee of the city was engaged in giving aid
to the lawlessness on the 24th and 25th,
with suggestions for the remedial action of
the council.