Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-02-26
CITY COUNCIL.

CITY COUNCIL.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON THE APPROPRIA-
TON OF 100000 FOR MANUFACTURING EN-
TERPRIsEs-MAYoR CocHRAN's MESSAGE,
&C.
AT the regular meeting OF the City Council
on last Tuesday night. the following commit
tee report was read and adopted
The Special Committee. to whom the Petit
ton OF b. M. Atkinson, j. e. Booker, Jos. b.
woodward. and others was referred, by IesOlu-
tion OF the Council on the 9Th day of February,
1854 Tor consideration, beg leave to submit the
The petitioners ask that we submit to the vo.
tiers OF the city at the next general election.
whether or not the bonds of this city shall he
issued to the amount Of one hundred thousand
collars (xlOOCOOl the proceeds OF the sale o,
which Shall be devoted to the establishment OF
two manufactures in this city,'-and II the
to DO, that 8 cps be at once taken to have the
necessary legislation enacted to give such au-
We do not think it would be wise or prudent
for the city to attempt to embark in manufac-
turing enterprises. Such business is wholly
foreign to the purposes and objects OF munich
pal charters. 1t would be an unfair and unjust
interference with individual or private enter
prises OF Ike kind-as no private individuals
could attempt to compete with the ctty-and II
we invade the field of private individual ffDrt
there is no reason why we should not occupy
The whole ground. and drive out private enter
start in this direction, we apprehend
would deprive us of all hope of our building up
in our community anything like manufactur-
ing enterprises by individuals.
1t is well Fnown that such enterprises are
very hazard us, and never succeed, except
when that uLremttting care and attention is
given to the business that alone is inspired by
private pecuniary interest in the venture
we would have to expect losses and, with reck
less or dishonest agents. might not only lose
the $l00,M0 of capital that we start with, but
have on top of this several hundred thousand
dollars of debts for which the City would be
bound.
In the suggestions set forth, we have consid-
cred this Matter upon its merits, witht ut ref
erence to the authority vested in the Council
to grant the prayer OF the petitioners. Upon
the question OF authority, we think it perfect
ly clear that the Council has no such right un-
der its charter and the laws, and we think the
State would have no right to grant such au.
thority by an act of the Legislature: nor do we
believe the Legislature would pretend to exer-
else such authority. 1t is without precedent
Ia Virginia, and. We believe, was ever done
in any State of the Union. :
We recognize the necessity of encouraging
manufacturing enterprises in our city. and
think the city should extend all proper aid
sons who may wish to start such business, by
rem1ttlng taxes, giving use of water. &c &C.,
ano nope ana trust tnat our business men vii!
turn their attention in this direction. But 1t
would be worse than folly for the City to enter
the field Of trade and commerce in compe tition
With our own citizens.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. NJ. COCHRAN, JR.,
ISAAC WITT,
VI. ". 0oocH'
MAYOR CocHRAN's MESSAGE
The following message from the Mayor was
rooa
e~"
To the Honorable City Council:
9ent,emen In comnt,ance with a nrov,siop
in our CITY Charter. which makes it INV dutv
TO communicate 81 vonr honorable bndy Vat At
| Of the cry In relation To its government, hnan-
ces; sc beg leave 10 tuomit the following,
and will endeavOr to be as brief as possible:
F1NANcEs
-, :.
LIST. 1881 il as follows 'A'e'"'n A' VI 'SnuarS
Ro RI, , ID t,snt NJ ''''' e,oa ON M
Floating debt 6l3 81
Balance due the city...........-, 4.N4 ~
Amount held b. king fund. 4i,0,4 So
| The interest upon our debt has been prom pt
| ly paid, and all classes OF our bonds command
| a premium AS the Civ Treasu rer sends 10
your body monthiy REPORTS as to- T. e anano,si
| condition of our city, deem It unnecessary to
| say anything further upon this subject.
| SCHOOLS.
Our Public schools under the management
of Mr. VIM A. BoWles Supe. futendent are
admirably conducted and show an enrol,ment
OF January list 1884, Of SOL white pupils and 42S
\ CONGREGATIONAL hQa
ever been enrolled in any preceding year. and
lie about 81 per cent. OF our entire school popu-
ation, (alI those between the ages of S and q
| years The cost of tuition per CAPITA is about
| "a cents per month. The health of the pupils
and the general condition of the schools are
excellent.
g. sides our public schools we have ouiter a
| number of most excellent private schools and
citizens of Staunton NAV Justly feel proud OF
our many excellent female seminaries These
schools have some 400 pupils Representing Is or
20 different STATES, and are nrst.class in all of
their appointments, having few equals any
| where, and unexcelled by any In the UniLed
STATES. ,,~.as -7--r,-----, ~
| WATER
since Inc purchase OF tne supply or water
| from the Baldwin Augusta Fair Company, the
city mas purchased n 81 acres OF land from Miss
spring is located, and this purchase not only
materially increases ourssupply Of pure water,
| tut also gives the city control OF the drainage
| boiler for the engine AT the Pnmn. Honse niac.s
| the Water Works In an absolutely safe cOndi-
| ton, and think the citizens of StauntOn
should he gratifed to know that they not only
have an abundant supply of pure water for all
| need ul purposes, but are az well protected
against fire as any city in The Union.
! POLICE.
| The Police have been efficient and the citv Ia
| very orderly and quiet. Our very eficient
| Chief-of Police, Capt James q. Waters has
| furnished me with the following data The
total number Of arrests from January It, 1888
To ISL. 1881, Is 40t, ana are as fOllOWS:
| Drunkenness and breach of the peace 37S lar
| ceny, %; eet-walking, 20; other causes, 49,
Amount of fines paid into the city treasury
1 during the year of 1883, 81, 096.
| Daring the past year the citizens Of our city
have been much annoyed by abandoned wo-
men. generally colOred, who would par ade our
streets from night-fall until a late hour fire..
| quently jostling ladies and their escorts upon
Inc sdeeis, anu IN some instances. rclng I'M
| Rv Inc VIGILANCE Of the PnI;oe cd ~. ,r;
tion ri severe mana Itias thesa nnoni 80 my,
thenae,vaS unon III b.rpnah far.s ~ % sso
| - - Va W" "'1'
| FIRE DEPARTMENT.
| The Fire Department Is very effective. and 1
think will compare favorably with any toIun-
| eeeI nro conPauies III inc StaLe. WOulQ re-
ting fsu add;tionsi wStsrl n,ng. a.c ~, pus
| untii we can hv raason Of o,,r shnnont Sc
| DIV of water niace The rjsk to nron.rW 49,
IRE At the minimum w p'opo''' non
|
| POOR.
! Tbn bao