Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-09
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
TIE HOUSE OF CORRECTION


war About the TeIephsne- The Board si
Hesah-fsremsn Of the Lower Gas. .wsshs-
Current Natter.
The regular monthly meeting Of the
Hoard OF Aldermen was held in the Coun.
cii chamber yesterday evening at 7 O'Clock.
Ibe following members were present
Mr. l.. l.. Pass, president, and MesSrs,
Barksdale. Burwell, Chafin. Crenshaw,
trump, DickersoD, Glasgow, Gum. Page.
lams.
The minutes OF the previous meeting
were read, approved, and signed by the
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Streets.-Resolution rejecting the pe,i-
ton OF John Enders for the opening OF an
alley on Franklin and Fifth streets.
Mr.. Cabell being absent. Mr.. Crump. In
behalf OF Mr.. Cabell, asked that the report
be laid on the table.
Mr.. Crenshaw. said, while willing 10
oblige Mr.. Cabell, he could not see that
anything could he gained by laying the
question on the table. II was question
OF Law that was very pointed.
Mr. Dickerson called for the reading Of
the opinion OF the City Attorney upon this
question, the Attorney being opposed, and
citing strong reasons for ,be same.
Mr.. Page asked for the reading of an
opinion furnished by Judge Z. II. Fitz.
hugh, also adverse 10 the petition.
: Mr. Glasgow snsi that the csse was so
plain that be thought Mr.. Crump ought TO
take the liberty OF acting for his colleague.
Mr.. Crump said II was question upon
which he did not know how TO vote. There
was WIDE difference OF opinion iu the
Street Committee. and he thougbt II a
courtesy to Mr.. Enders to postpone action.
Mr.. Powers could not see that delay was
necessary. II was plain question.
The motion TO postpone was lost, and the
resolution was adopted.
HOUSE OF CORRECTION.
On motion Of Mr.. Williams the rules
were suspended and the Board listened to
Judge George L. Christian. who, as chair
man OF o committee from meeting Of
citizens held recently, presented a memo
rial asking for the establishment Of house
OF correction.
Judge Christian explained the difference
In this petition from others, pointing out
its disinterestedness as a special feature.
and citing the high character OF the peti.
TONERS and the noble object aimed at TO
prove the claims OF Its merit.
In forceful, brief, and pointed terms
judge Christian talked about the city jiiI:
its three departments-on for white and
one for black males, and one for white and
black females indiscriminately. The des-
peration and utter recklessness Of the de-
prayliy OF those who become stepped In
crime was alluded to by the Judge, and the
dreadful influence such people exercise
upon those with whom they come in con.
tact. He said he believed the institution
would be public beneiaciioD, and he be-
Jieyed the petition reflected the unanimous
sentiment OF the community.
In reply to a question from Mr.. Glls
Cow, Judge Christian said he believed the
present city jail, with itspresent surround
ings,w entirely unfit for luman beings to
occupy. lie believed that the City Ser.
geant did everything that the law PIT
within his reach in order 10 make prisoners
comfortable. No ventilation and crowd.
ed condition Of inmate', and u necessary
creation Of filth, were cited as an inevitable
adjunct Of the present jail.
Some members wanted 10 know II the
house Of correction and the Jail could be
worked conjunctly. and other questions
equally irrelevant were propounded and
answered with sound sense by Judge
Christian.
The following resolution was adopted:
"Tbat a committee be appointed-to be
as follows: the chairman OF the
Finance Committee, OF the Committee on
Relief Of the Poor. OF the Committee on
Retrenchment and Reform. Of Grounds
and Buildings, with three Of the Common
Council aud two Of the BOard OF Alder
duty IL shall be to report to
the City Council the following iDforma-
tion:
"1st. What would be the cost Of the
ground upon which TO erect such an insti-
tuition, and the cost Of the building!
"2d. What would likely be the number
OF inmates in the establishment the first
year after its completion, and what would
be the annual cost OF its maintenance, aud
TO submit plan upon which the money
should be raised for the erection OF said
house OF correction and reform. and plan
Tor ITS annual support, and such other in
as they may deem pertinent to
The subject"
W
Mr.. ADANs's SALARY.
Mr.. Barksdale, from the Committee on
Light, submitted the following report
rom the committee, and an ordinance TO
larry out the views Of the committee:
RICHMOND, December @. 1884.
To the Council Of the city Of Richmond:
Gentlemen,-The Committee on Light
recommend for your adoption
he following ordinance, fixing the salary
If the foreman OF the lower gas-works at
81 500 Per anEum. This recommendation
s made in simple recognition OF the pre-
'ent occupant OF the office. whose faithful.
and intelligent discharge OF
he very responsible duties OF the position
eminently entitle him TO be suitably
by the city whose
interests he has served so well.
The present compensation is not ade-
Iuate for the labor performed, let alone
he responsibility. and IL ii was IN the
power Of your committee, they would not
hesitate to make the increase which we
lssure Your honorable body is certainly
deserved. The present salary is $3.50.
md we ask that the ordinance proposing
he increase be referred to the Committee
IN Finance, with the request that they
make o thorough examination OF the ques-
ion with view 10 ascertainine the efll-
,iency Of the present Incumbent and the
work performed by him from
between the hours OF and g In the morn
ng until late at night.
VeIy respectfully, W. r. BOWIE,
Chairman Committee on Light.
The report vas referred TO the Finance
Committee.
NEW ORLEANS EXPOSITION.
The Board coneurred in the action Of the
Council, which appropriated fifty dollars Tor
be purpose OF sending photograph OF
,ur school buildings, the city OF Richmond,
md drawings and works OF proficiency OF
scholars, TO the New Orleans
Exposition.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
The Council concu rred in the resolution
Ippropriatiug $50 to pay the expenses OF
Dr.. Cabell, president OF the Board OF
Health Of the city, while attending the
Conference OF the National Board o.
Health. and the resolution authorizing the
destruction Of the bedding, &C., at the
smallpox hospital.
THE CLAY TELEPHONE.
The ordinance passed by the Common
Council without dissent. allowing the Clay
Telephone Company TO operate lines In the
,ity, was reported.
Mr.. Glasgow opposed the ordinance, and
laid that some OF the citizens who advo-
.at.b tba fneaeuro did NOT understand fhp