The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-01-08

THE CITY COUNCIL. held its regular meet
ing on Tuesday night, all OF the members
being present except Mr.. Fultz. Mr.. Burke
was called to the chair, and dispatched the
business as rapidly as possible, notwith--
standing which, the session was lon! one,
although not great deal OF business was
transacted.
Wdter.-One OF the most prolific sources
of debate was a petition of citizens OF West
end, protesting against the increase OF wa
ter tax. These parties live outside OF the
corporation, and az their own expense have
made connection with the pipe from Butter
milk spring, upon condition that water
should be supplied them at same rates as
paid by citizens Of the town. At recent
meeting of the council their water rent was
increased 100 per cent, and against this
Increase they protested. The water COM
mittee reported in favor of granting the
prayer OF the petition, and when the report
came up for action by the council, Mr.. Evans
objected to it.
Mr.. Byers stated that the revenue derived
from that source was clear gain to the
city, and that il the water was not used in
that way it would flow into the creek and
be wasted.
Mr.. Evans protested that 1t was not
clear gain to the city, as the citizens OF the
town were paying s per cent. interest on
$50. 900 of the Buttermilk spring bonds.
Mr.. Cochran considered it mere matter
of expedency. The city was now obtaining
revenue Of 5000 from this source, and il the
proposed increase was insisted upon, the
petitioners would discontinue the use of the
water, as under the new process of we'll
sinking they could get their supply cheaper.
Mr.. Evans raised the question as to the
city's right to furnish water outside of its
limits. and Mr.. Burke made the point OF
order that as it was an amendment to an
ordinance, it would have to lie on the table
A motion was then made to suspend the
rules, and was lost for want of two-thirds
vote. Later in the evening a resolution was
offered by Mr.. Todd and adopted, Mr..
Evans alone voting against it, suspending
the operation of the ordinance until definite
aCul0n was nau Ill IRE matter.
Mr.. Cochran offered resolution requiring
persons using wa;sr closets, through which
the water run> continuously, to supply
themselves wis. metres. The sum of $50
was granted th.. water comm ittee to defrsy
expenses of f.eight, &c.
Poor.-The Report of the overseer OF the
poor, stated tnat there we're 81 paupers on
his list, of whom y were whites and 30 col
oled. During the year 80 whites and Al
colered paupers l'at been buried.
amendments DO chdrter.-Mr. Ransom. from
the committee. appointed for that purpose,
reported the draft of a bill TO be presented to
the Legislature: for ? ssage, amending the
charter ofihe cry So as to confer upon the
mayor the exclusive powers of policej ustice /;
providing for the sale of property for taxes,
and making several other changes.
! Mr.. Evans wanted an amendment added
empowering the city to fix the salary OF its
Judge, but afterwards declined to prese Mt it,,
for the reason that he desired the whole mat
ter embraced 10 the report to lie over for con-
sideration. This last, however, was not
agreed to, and the feport,as originally made,
was adopted by a vote of 10 to l, Mr.. E. voting
| no.
Lights.-Mr. Burke called attention to the
fact that the lamp at Stuart's stable was not
| lighted regularly.
Streets.-Considerab discussion was had
upon the recomm endation Of street comm it.
tee to have costs of repairing hay scales paid
from contingent fund, and the council finally
decided to charge it to streets. Some little
debate was also had over the bill for repairs
| to p,vements. whereupoa Capt. Bumgardner
eSpllined that the property holders would be
charged with the entire expense of such re-
p:.Irs.
Sch0ok---Mr. Ransom stated that the term
of Mr. &. l.. Cooke. as School Trustee, had
| expired, and through inadvertcnce, the time
had passed within which the council could
re-elect, Mr.. Cooke was recommended for
reelection to the Board of Education, and
Messrs. Todd aud Nelson, whose terms had
but recently expired. were unanimously
chosen as their own successors. Report was
made of the sale Of the Madison Street school
| house.
| Miscellaneous.-A number of resolu-
lions, petitions, reports, &C., OF no spe-
cial Importance were properly disposed Of.
The report of the Treasurer showed cash
balance on hand OF IS, 45S.74.