The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-20
GAS CONTRACT Up AGAIN.
THE APPROPRIATION PROPERLY PASS.
Ed By THE COMMON COUNCIL
YESTERDAY,
But the Board to Meet Tomorrow
Evening with View to Recon.
sidcratiOn.


ell was held al 1880 yesterday afternoon
j. Il. .Ellyson, ESQ.,, in the chair. Mr..
Higgins, chairman OF the Committee on
Light, moved TO concur in the resolution OF
the Board OF Aldermen appropriating S25..
600 for the remodelling Of the gas-works.
A resolution OF similar purport passed both
branches some weeks ago, and was ap-
proved by the Mayor; but was afterwards
ascertained no: TO have passed the Board
at meeting Of requisite numbers-that is
to say, 1t was passed (reconsidered) in a
meeting OF fifteen members, whereas it had
been previously rejected in a meeting
where seventeen members were present.
COMPLAINT ABOUT THE CONTRACT.
Mr.. Curtis said that he for one should
vote against the resolution, and was rather
surprised that it should be pushed at this
time, when there is so much complaint
heard about the awarding of the contract
which had not been given to the lowest
responsible bidder, but TO one who was
$1,000 or $1,000 higher.
Mr.. Bowie made the point OF order on
Mr.. Curtis that il was not proper now TO
discuss the question upon its merits. The
President did not sustain him in this view.
THE CONTROVERSY.
Mr.. Curtis declared il TO be the duty of
all committees OF the Council "to trade
fair" and he proposed TO withhold his
vote in this instance till proper resolution
could be framed dealing with the subject
in controversy. lie denied the truth OF
Mr.. AnderSOn's statement, heretofore made,
that under his (Mr. Curtis's) craftsmanship
Ia u NJ haI 10,
make plans. Mr.. Curtis expressed his sur
prise that one OF the gentlemen (Mr. Bowie)
who protested and voted against the
awarding Of the contract should be found
here to-day opposed TO discussion OF this
question: question not only OF impor-
lance in itself, but OF great moment as reg
ulating the duty OF committees in award
ing contracts.
THE OTHER VIEW.
Mr.. Higgins defended the action of the
committee, claiming that Mr.. Anderson
had valid claim against the city for SER
vices; that he was the most acceptable
bidder; that the bulk OF the iron-work was
to be done here, and that for these and other
reasons the committee were justified in
awarding the contract TO Anderson 4 Tay-
lOr.
Mr.. Anderson drew the plans for re-
modelling the works, and claims TO have
been the committees consulting engineer.
On this account the city was indebted to
him for services, which fact was taken into
consideration in awarding the bid.l
At the conclusion OF his speech, Mr..
Higgins demanded the pending question.
Mr.. ctraUs made the good point that
member could not call the pending ques-
tiOn at the close OF speech.
Mr.. Higgins withdrew the call.
Mr.. Clarke thought that the introduction
OF this question ut this time was out OF
order, and that no contract could DE
awarded till The appropriation was legally
made. He held that the appropriation was
now up dc moro. After that is disposed
Of, the matter OF the contract would come
up de nOUO.
The resolution was adopted
AYEs.-Messrs. Allen. Archer. Bahen, Bowie.
Campbell. Clarke, trischhorn. Gum, Hargroyc,
Hayes. Higgins. Hughes, Mezger, Miller, Phillips,
PIZZni. Randolph, Rose, straus, Turpin, Eiiyson-
NoEs.-Mr. Curlis-I.
LAST wATER-wORKs APPROPRIATION.
The watcr-works appropriation Of $4,000
came up from the Board.
Mr.. Turpin asked ii this was to be the
last appropriation, or was il merely step
in that direction.
Mr.. Hargrove chairman OF the Commit
tee Oh Watcr) said that the $4,000 would
nav all bills for work done and also beauti-
~ the grounds.
The appropriation was yoted-ayes, -;
noes, 0.
TIE BOARD.
A called meeting OF the Board OF Alder
men will be held Tomorrow evening for the
purpose OF considering the gas, ontract
question. To reconsider the appropriation
will be almost impossible. There was afull
Board eighteen members) present when It
uassed A less number cannot reconsider.
The absence Of any one alderman VIII pre-
vent reconsideration.
A LEGAL POINT.
The Gentlemen who lre fighting the con-
tract hold that masmuch as it was made in
advance Of legal appropriation IL is void
and OF no effect. What they want = that
Mr.. Anderson shall be settled with rs con-
sulting engineer and PAID fer his pians Qf
the city owes him anything), aud that item
obliterated from consideration. and then
that the bids shall be received and cons.d-
cred upon their merits solely.
On the other hand, the majority OF the
committee are quite sure that they have
acted wisely, and under what was sufficient
warrant Of law. Independent OF any con-
sideration Of the personal service Of Mr.
L. a =.