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

The Old City-Hail Lot stili Retained.
The regular monthly meeting OF the
Common Council was held yesterday eve
ming. Present, Mr.. Ellyson (president)
and the following members: Messrs Allen,
Archer, Bahen, Bowie, Brauer, Campbell,
Clarke, Elicit, Frischkorn, Gum, IIargroyc,
HAYES, Higgins, Hooper. Hughes, King,
Metzger, Miller, Phillips, Rose, Straus,
Turpin. and Weisiger.
Mr.. Patton was reported absent from the
city, and Mr.. Mcdowell III.
The reading OF the minutes, on motion
Of Mr.. Bowie, was dispensed with.
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR.
The Mayor sent in message returning
without his approval resolution apprO-
priating S2S4 10 pay Mr.. Georve f. Smith
for services as clerk for the School Board
because the resolution did Lot receive the
necessary two-third vote required by law.
He also vetoed two resolutions appro-
priating Sll2 for the same purpose for the
same reasons. The Mayor was backed by
the City Attorney in this action.
Mr.. Campbell moved that the veto be
sustained, and the Council consented.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
!StreetS.-By Mr.. Elicit: Report asking
an appropriation of $40 to construct q
sewer on Pierce from Jackson TO Leigh
street, and other appropriations OF same
sort; also, resolution simplifying the man
ner Of keeping the accounts OF the Street
Committee. The report was adopted.
Finance Report recommending the re-
hitting OF $50 licenSe-taX improperly col
lected for 1888 from G. II. Duflleld & Co..
ordering the payment Of cost IN the suit Of
III. A. Ramsey d Co. against the city. and
providing for the payment Of the claim OF
Netherwood Il Barry; appropriating $40
per month to pay salary of additional clerk
in Auditors office; approving the Elba-
Market petition, provided the site selected
for market is agreeable to the proper
Council committees; approving the sale OF
the Clarke-Spring property and the estab-
lishment Of pauper cemetery with the
proceeds of sale; and recommending an
appropriation OF $500 for gas eXpendi-
lures.
Mr.. Higgins moved to amend the report
by making the amount for gas eXpendi-
lures S1,S00 for expense account and $4,000
for construction purpose.
Mr.. Straus called attention to the bad
gas IN me West End and the big gas-bills.
lie said WeSt-End people were paving for
gas pressure, and not gas. Mr.. Straus en-
dorsed the statement so frequently made
in the newspapers about bad gas.
Mr.. Higgins wanted the clerk TO read a
printed statement OF outdoor operations
of the upper gas-works.
This was opposed, every member having
a copy OF the statement in hand, and the
clerk did not read the document; but MIR.
Higgins's fertility OF resource did not fail
him. and getting the floor he added TO the
partial reading OF the pamphlet the SUI
preme pleasure of characteristic speech
on the never-ceasing subject Of gas.
Mr.. Higgins's amendment was adopted,
and so was the amended report Of the
committee.
Liqht.-Mr. Higgins presented the first
monthly statement OF Superintendent
Knowles, giving the cost Of gas made in the
holder under the new process. The net
cost per 1000 cubic feet was 5St cents.
Received and filed.
Wdter.-M Mr.. Hargroye presented report
showing the formal receipt by the Water
Committee OF the new pump-hOuSe. The
report was accompanied by the reports OF
the City Engineer turning over the new
pump-wOrks, and the reports Of the Su-
pcrintendent OF Water-W orks and the SUI
perintendent OF the Pump-WOrks. Re-
ceived and filed.
lSChoOiS.-Report providing for the pay
ment of current school expenses.
1t was moved that so much OF the report
as referred to the salary OF Mr.. George +.
Smith be struck out.
Dir. Hayes favored the payment OF Mr..
Smith. as did Mr.. Metzger, Mr.. Rose, and
Mr.. Hmgrove
MIR. Campbell stated that Mr.. Smiths
election had never been confirmed by the
Council. lie could not see how the Coun-
ell could vote him a salary before his cleo
ton had been confirmed. Many men were
doing more work for the city than Mr..
smith and were paid less.
MIR. Turpin endorsed Mr.. CampbelPs re-
marks.
The motion to strike out was lost.
The rules were suspended and resolu-
ton was offered by Mr.. Bowie confirming
Mr.. Smiths election rs clerk and super
visor of the School Board.
Mr.. Higgins moved to amend by insert
ing "at the pleasure of the Council"
As amended the resolution was adopted.
MIR. Bowie then offered q resolution pro-
viding for the payment OF Mr.. smiths
salary in full, and spoke I'D iaVor OF MS
motion.
Mr.. Campbell said ii was strange that the
Council should 90 on making biunders and
not see them. BY blunder we lost the
control of the School Board, and now Mr..
Bowie wanted to pay an officer not named
in the ordinance. The ordinance said a
secretary of the School Board" and Mr..
Smith was elected as =" clerk"
The vote on Mr.. Bowie's resolution stood
as follows:
AYEs.-Mcssrs. Allen. Archer. Bahen. Bowie,
Clarke, FTischkOrn, Ilargrove, Hayes. Higgins.
Hughes, King. MciZger, Miller, Phillips Rose,
Styaus. Turpln, and WeiSiger-lS.
<OEs.-Messrs. Campbell, Elicit, Gum, Hooper,
aud EllysOn-5.
The resolution was lost by the failure to
receive two-thirds vote.
Mr.. Bowie moved reconsideration.
This was done, and Mr.. Bowie's resolu-
ton to lay on the table was adopted.
Mr.. Elicit renewed his motion to strike
-. .,I Iox. o,, tho fable So much nf the