The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-07-16


How DIR. Scott Proposes 10 Stop the Waste Of
| Water-The Yorktown Centennial, &C., &c.
The Board of Aldermen met yesterday
evening-President Meredith IN the chair.
Present: Messrs. Bass, Cabell, Crensbaw,
Gasser, Gray, Kelly, Rankin, Saunders,
Scott. Smith. Todd, Wexford, Williams,
and Meredith.
MIR. Williams announced that Mr.. Dick
erson was detained at his home by sick0ess.
THE MAYOR on THE WATER SUPPLY.
Sergeant-at- Arms August presented 10
the Board the following communication
from the Mayor, which was read:
10 the Honorable Members Of the City
Council?
Gentlemen,-I deem It my duty once
more to en'reat your attention TO protecting
our citizens against the calamity OF failure
In our water supply, which now seems to
threaten us so terribly.
Year after year this evil has been threat.
ening, and you have been called on in vain
to provide against IL.
It's proportions have continued to grow
more alarming until now, almost at the be-
ginning Of The dry season, we are about to
realize IFS worst results.
II seems to me that the lives, the health,
and the property OF the city are all in very
great peril, and that no excuse can avail to
modify the public outcry and indignation
unless immediate steps are taken for pro-.
lection and relief.
Hopes and theories have been INDUCED
in, which have doubtless made you delay IN
this matter, but all these have proven de.
ceptive, and now nothing but prompt and
decisive action will avail. 1t is said
that steam-pump can be placed
in working position near the new water
works, and in q very short time, winch
will certainly avail TO give full supply OF
water in spite OF dry weather and low
water in the river.
II 80. il will not do to trust to any
chances or theories, but it is our duty 10
make whatever expenditure 1t may re-
qulre.
Dnring the month OF October our city
will be crowded with people from all over
the civilized world, and an increased
supply OF water will be needed, while
the supply in the river will probably
be no greater than now. II the pro-
lection Of our. own lives and property
were not at stake, such an occasion as
will then be upon us demands that our
deficiencies shall not be shown to our visit
ors on that occasion. The perils are too
great, the issues too sacred, TO admit OF de-
lay, and in the name Of ii threatened and
long-suiering people call on you for deci-
sive, prompt, and proper action.
In the past your hopes and expectations
nav serve as an excuse but, when all these
have so signalIy failed, feel that the future
can tind no excuse for longer failure to give
protection from d ease, death, and destruc-
ton. which must inevitably come from flil-
ure TO provide water for the people. learn
that YOU have already had before you plans
for such steam-pumps as will meet the pre-
sent demands, and hence you need now
ONLY order their erection and provide mo-
nev TO pay for them.
Your interest in the prosperity OF the city
is earnest and strong as my own, aOd your
action, whatever it may be, VIII doubtless
be founded in convictions OF right but my
convictions are such that l would feel that
had been recreant TO my official duty II |
failed to make this most urgent call for re-
lief from what verify believe is an impend-
Ing calamity.
Respectfully yours,
w. &. CARRINGTON, Mayor.
Mr.. Scott, member OF the Committee on
Water, explained that the committee had
four years ago called the attention OF the
Council 10 the necessity for an increased
water supply, and that steps bad been taken
to carry out the recommendation OF The
committee that everybody knew that the
committee and Superintendent had done
all in their power to hasten the time for
this increase. Recently the question OF
erecting an additional steam-pump had been
brought up, but it had been deemed by the
Engineer ineXpedient under the circum-
stances. Mr. Scott moved 10 refer the pa.
per TO the City Engineer, or at least so
much OF it as relates to the erection OF sn.
other steam-pump.
Mr.. Bass, as a substitute, moved that the
paper be referred TO The Committee on
Water.
Mr.. Bass's motion was agreed to.
FINANCE.
Mr.. Scott, from the Committee on FL
nance, presented a report rejecting the ap-
plicatOn OF the Western Union Telegraph
Company for reduction Of tax. Agreed to.
VETO VETOED.
The Sergeant-at-A presented to the
Board the following additional veto from
the Mayor
MAYOR'sEOFFICE, July 10, 1881.
10 the Honorable Members Of The city
Council:
Gentlemeh,-I return without my ap-
proVal your resolution for an adjournment
Of your respective bodies until your regu-
lar meetings IN October next. | do so be-
cause this is the year Of the Yorktown Cen
tennial, and it seems to me that the reputation
and interests OF this city are very gravely
involved in it, and so far no provision has
been made for proper representation and
protection Of those interests.
As this is peculiar period, differing so
widely from other years, and many ques-
tOnS may arise OF great importance, 1t
seems TO me impOlitic and unwise for an
official sanction TO temporary breaking-up
Of your meetings at this time.
Then, too, our city IS alarmingly threat
ened with water-iamine and its most dire
full results, which, think, calls for the
presence OF your members to take some
steps to avert II possible the terrible cOnse-
ouepces which must come from failure OF
our water supply.
As these issues have presented themselves
since your action, deem it due TO the city
and 10 yourselves that you may have
chance to reconsider the resolution referred
TO. Yours respectfully,
w. T.. CARRINGT0N, Mayor.
Mr.. Scott moved that the resolution for
recess pass, Notwithstanding the Mayors
veto, and the Board sustained the motion
by the following unanimous vote:
AYEs.-Messrg. Bass, Cabell, Crensbaw, Gasser,
Kelly, Rankin. Saunders, scott, smith, T0dd' Weu-
ford, Williams. and Meredith-l3.
NOES.-NOne.
PROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The Chair laid before the Board a CON-
munication and resolution from the Cham
ber Of Commerce asking the Council to
make an appropriation for the Yorktown