The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-02

chair. Present at rollcall: Messrs. Camp
bell. Cole, Curtis. Davis Of Madison, Davis
OF Marshall, Edwards, Elicit, Ellyson, Fer
gnsson, Forester. Foster, Gum, Hayes,
Higgins, Hooper. King, Lubbock, Mellow
ell, Phillips, Pizzini, Robinson. Straus,
Taylor, Tinsley, Warren, and Weisiger.
ALMsHousE.
Mfr. Pizzini, from the Committee on Re-
lief OF the Poor, presented report asking
for an additional appropriation OF $4,000 to
carry on the almshouse, &C., until February
I, 1880. Referred to the Finance Commit
tee.
FINANCE MATTERS.
Mr.. Ellysop, from the Committee on FL
nance, presented Joint resolution for the
abatement Of certain tax-bills and refund OF
taxes enormously assessed; rejecting the
petition OF Mrs. y. Hiilyard asking to be
relieved from payment OF taxes; transfer
ring $500 from contingent fund TO grounds
and buildings TO pay for fuel for fire and
police departments; appropriating $4,000
TO pay for running the steam-pump; con-
solidating he several accounts to the credit
Of the water department; appropriating
as. 900 to the credit OF the gas-works.
The resolutions were agreed to.
THE WATER DEPARTMENT.
Mir. Charles L. Davis. from the Commit
tee on Water, presented report to the ef-
feet that thev have appointed /. w. Tom
linson Superintendent Of the Pump. House
I'm place Of j. W. Mah0ney, removed.
Mr.. Davis also presented an ordinance
looking to reduction in expenses OF the
water department. Also, the following:
RICHMOND. October 20, 1880.
AT a meeting OF the Committee on Water,
held this day the following was adopted:
The unprecedented short supply OF water
furnished TO the citizens of Richmond by
The water department calls for some report
from the Committee on Water. The pre-
sent Dump-works are located below the
dams that supply the Belle Isle works, as
well as the canal at the Three-mile locks,
which dams supply power for the Belle Isle
works. the Tredegar Company, Galleg0,
and Paper mills, which at low stage OF the
river (as is now the easel diverts nearly all
OF the water from the eight water-power
pumps, thereby preventing four OF the
Dumrs from running at all, and furnishing
power for the other four at about half speed,
thereby leSsening the supply about one half
OF the usual quantity. The new pumps,
when completed, will be free from these
draw backs Their pumping power will be
taken from BOsher's dam, nine miles above
the city by way OF the canal. These, under
a head and fall OF twenty feet at the Three
mile locks. furnish power for the new
pumps OF 100000 gallons per day. The
water will then be discharged in the lower
level Of the canal. TO be used by the Trede-
gar and other mills now furnished by the
canal and basin. The quantity OF water so
q .NHhn AN FI
pump-wOrks will be about one third less
than is now brought in the canal at the
Three.mie locks. The new pump-works,
as located will not be affected by either
high or low water IN the river, and when
the necessity arises for additional works
provision is made for such additions in the
construction OF the new pumps. The pre-
sent very limited supply Of water has been so
arranged as 10 furnish as many water-takers
| as it was possible, looking to the safety OF
the elevated parts Of the city in case Of fire.
The reservoirs are now exceedingly low,
and furnishing every drop OF water with
the amount OF power that can be worked.
Respectfully,
CHARLES T. DAVIS, Chairman.
MIR. Higgins moved TO refer the ordinance
| to the Committee on Ordinances.
| Mr.. Curtis spoke OF the sclnt supply oil
water, and declared that somebody is 10
blame for the suffering Of the people in this
regard. He was tired Of drinking dock
water, in which dead men float, aud other
filthy stuff. He hoped the ordinance would
| be rejected.
Mr.. Tavlor also spoke Of the suffering oi
the people for the want OF water, and OF the
necessity for something being done. He
referred TO the aid that had been rendered
| by the fire engines in pumping water from
| the basin into the street mains, and declared
that it was right and proper. He thought
there was something rotten in Denmark,
and hoped it would be corrected; but as tc
passing this ordinance, which is intended
| to dispense with the services OF one en-
ploye and saving $500 to the city when the
| people were suffering, it was too small 9
matter.
Mr.. Ellyson came to the defence OF the
| Committee on Water, and said that they
we're no more responsible for the present
scant supply of water than the Finance
Committee is responsible for the present
bonded debt OF the city. He referred to the
scarcity of water in the great cities OF the
Union, and assured the Council that it could
not be avoided. As to the complaints OF
our citizens, we must expect TO have then
|
change in the ordinance has nothing 10 dc
| with the scarcity OF water. He hoped the
ordinance would be adopted.
| Mr. FergussOn took the part OF the Water
Committee, told two or three anecdotes
and reverently declared that the Committee
on Water could not prevent the scarcity 0I
| water, aud that il was prOyidential act.
Mr.. HAYES, q member OF the committee
spoke in advocacy Of the proposed change
in the ordinance, and assured the Council
that they cannot prevent it..
Mr.. Taylor said that he did not intend tC
reflect personally upon the Water Commit.
tee, or upon this committee officially, but
| he thought there bad been mistakes in the
management OF the department along down
the line from the start. He didn't believe
that there was anything corrupt in the com.
mittee.
Mr.. Curtis spoke Of the danger to the
gas-w0rks Of short supply OF water; that
recently the water Yves stopped short at the
gas-works without the slightest notice.
| Up came Mr. Adams. the foreman, in a
dilemma. He did not know what TO do, and
asked the speaker where be could get a
donkey pump" Mr.. Curtis told him be
could get one from a tag-boat which be
had; but Mr.. Adams found he could dam
the creek, aad 50 the danger was obgIated.
! Mr.. Charles T. Davis explained to the
Council that he started foar years ago to
get a larger supply of water, but the fact
that the steam pump was put into the canal
bss delayed the introductics OF additional
power. He explsiaed to the Council that
the present scant supply coule not be cor.
Taeted until we have rain. When the new
pnpp.works are completed, the 9gater-sup'
ply will be increased 10000, ,00S. and the