The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-05

A motion by Mr.. Ellysou 10 reconsider
the vote confirming Mr.. Smith as clerk was
adopted, and motion to confirm him as
clerk was laid on the table.
MIR. Campbell moved TO amend the re-
port OF the committee by reducing Mr..
Smiths salary to s7j per month.
Mr.. Ellyson opposed this. and II was de-
feated. Mr.. Elyson's motion 10 pay all
salaries and claims was adopted, and Mr..
Smith gets his money, so far as the Com
mon Council Is concerned, including back
pay, the necessary two-thirds vote having
been secured.
ELECTRIC LIGHT.
On motion OF Mr.. Frischkorn the reso-
luton in regard TO the electric light was
taken from the table.
Mr.. Higgins opposed this. saying that
the electric light was dangerous and
frightfuI thing. He had read Of numerous
deaths caused by parties coming in contact
with electric wire. Further, be wanted a
chance to show what he could do with gas.
With large burners and big lamps he would
! give larger and better light than the elec-
tric, and a cheaper one. He expected this
would be done at the end OF the fiscal year.
Mr.. Frischkorn ridiculed the idea OF the
danger OF electric lights, comparing ii TO
the danger OF gas when people put their
mouths over the burners and inhaIe gas.
As far rs the gas is concerned, the electric
! light would cause an increase OF consump-
tion Of gas. II was private enterprise,
and he was in favor of allowing the people
to have what they wanted.
Mr.. Turpin agreed with Mr.. Higgins
about the danger. He had read in some
strange paper that a wire upon being cut
/ had fallen TO the ground, and a horse, step
ping upon it, was instantly killed. He also
| stated that electricity had been known 10
kill turkeys and chickens.
! Mr.. Clarke also gave some statements
| showing the danger OF electricity, and
dared men under certain circumstances to
catch hold Of an electricaly-charged wire.
He also showed how, if these wires touch
ed the fire-alarm or telephone wires, they
would certainly impair their efficiency.
Mr.. FrischkOrn wanted the matter press
cd to an end. He did not intend to catch
/ hold Of IL wire, especially since he had
| been warned, and if the electric light did
Kill a chicken, a turkey, and horse occa-
sionalIy. he was willing to risk it.
Mr.. Higgins, ever ready when gas Is
needed, replied at some length, holding
| fast TO his former belief in the danger Of
electricity and the superiority OF gas.
Mr. Turpin moved TO lay on the table
Lost by the following vote:
| AYEs.-Me, srs. Allen. Bahen. Clarke. Gum.
Hayes. Higgins, Hughes, King Meizger. Turpin,
NoEs.-Messrs. Archer, Campbell. Elicit. Frisch-
korn. Hargrove. Hooper, Miller, Phillips, Rose.
Straus, and Ellyson-1l.
The motion to adopt the resolution in
regard to the electric light passed by a
vote Of 10 noes to Il ayes.
BELL TELEPHONE.
On motion Of Mr.. Straus the proposition
OF the Bell Telephone Company as amended
| by the Board OF Aldermen was laid upon
the table.
RESOLUTIONS AND PETITIONS.
BY Mr.. Metzger: Resolution appointing
a committee to consider the subject Of the
establishment Of q wOrk-house in Rich
mond. Adopted. Also, resolution author
| izing the Committee on Streets to grade
| Twentv-siXth street from Grace to Main.
Referred. Petition Of citizens asking the
extension OF gas along Orleans street. Re-
ierrcd. Petition to extend gas main from
corner OF Twenty. seventh to point on
Twenty-eighth street. Referred.
SITE FOR THE NEW CITY HALL.
Mr.. Elicit offered resolution requesting
the Ordinance Committee 10 draft an Ordi-
nance submitting to the people the question
Of site for the new City Hall-whether
the Swan-Tavern lot be most suitable or the
old City-TIal lot. Lost.
Mr.. Ellyson-Mr. Clarke in the chair
offered the following:
Whereas much dissatisfaction exists
among citizens and Taxpayers in reference
TO the selection OF the old City-Ilall lot rs
the site for the proposed new City Hall; {;
and whereas many objections are now
urged to that site which were not present
ed at the time when it was first chosen, and
believing that the public interests would be
best subserved by a reconsideration OF the
vote then taken, and that an opportunity
should be afforded our citizens for present.
ing more fully their views on question Of
so much importance to the whole people ;
therefore
ReSOired, l. (the Board OF Aldermen con-
curringl That the Committee on Grounds
and Buildings be and are hereby instructed.
until otherwise ordered. TO suspend all
operations looking to the construction OF a
new City Hall.
ReSOlUed, =, That the said committee be
| further instructed to ascertain tbe cost OF
| the purchase OF Wil0l j. hHONl ~ lilt oN an
Tavern lot, with the property adjacent,
fronting on Broad between Eighth and
Ninth streets, and report the same to the
next meeting OF this body.
MIR. Ellyson advocated the Swan-Tayern
lot warmly.
Mr.. Higgins and Mr.. Hayes opposed the
change OF the site and Mr.. Elicit favored it.
The Chair decided the discussion was
out of order, the selection OF site having
been settled more than two months ago.
Mr.. Ellyson contended that the rule
could be suspended and the matter could
be reached.
Mr.. Frischkorn said that his people would
annihiate him ii he were to allow the site
to be changed.
RESIGNATION AND ELECTION.
The resignation OF Mr.. John A. Curtis
was received and accepted. The Marshall
Ward delegation retired, and agreed "a
nominate Mr.. w. ;. Catlett TO succeed Mr..
! Curtis as member OF the Council from
Marshall Ward, aud the Council concurred
i'm the nomination.
Adjourned.
CIay.Ward Actiyes.
This, the oldes, OF the Democratic clubs
of the city, met last night at the WeStham
u > -. ll~