Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-02

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fcegssspondence q the rsiehmond D'spatch.I
PETERSBURG, VA. July l, 1885.
The city fiscal year ended yesterday,
and this afternoon, 1t tho regular
monthly meeting Of the Common Ccun-
Gil. the annual reports Of municipal Of
Gcers were submitted. The report Of
ths city treasurer shows that the ex-
penditarss for the past year amounted
70 t23S, 204.06. The estimated receipts
az The city for the year commencing to-
day are placed At t2l3,472. The esti-
mated expenditure will amountt to s2oo,-
0CC. The estimate Of receipts, however,
is based upon an increase OF taxation.
The present rate is el.60, but, in order
that the city may realize the income
which is necessary, the rate will have
to be raised to el.90 or more, and the
Finance Committee of the Council is
not 1t oil assured that even with a tax
Of el.90 the city will be able 10 meet
is obligations. There is considerable
dissatisfaction here over the manner in
which the city's finances have been
conducted. The people are grumbling
over the increase Of taxes, and our tax
collector says that never before In the
course Of a long experience has no had
20 much trouble in collecting taxes.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The report Of Chief Curtis is full OF
interest. The department was called
to respond during the twelve months
ended yesterday to As regular alarms
occssioncd by fires, which caused aloss
Of A246, 2o5, upon which thpre was in
surance Of about 1894, $50, and amount
Of losses paid about el4S,45s. The
most destructive fire which occurred
during that period was the burning Of
the tobacco-factory Of @. A. jackson a
Co. As large portion Of the city Is
practically unprotected by water, Chiei
Curtis recommends that the water area
be extended, and that l2-inch mains be
used In the place Of the finch mains
with which we are now supplied. Du-
ring the past year the Gamewell
Rre-alarm system has been intro
duced here, and the equipment
consists Of IL signal-boxes, miles Of
wire, 16G poles, 2 gongs, indicator,
"a battery-cups, and l striker in the
residence Of the chief engineer. The
city has also purchased recently 1000
feet Of new hose, and is now well sup
piled.
THE ALLEGED wIFE-MURDERER.
Puryear, since his removal TO this
city from Dinwiddie county, has de-
clined to see any one except his father
and counsel. His father has been in
the city for the past day or two, and
has paid several visits TO his erring
son. n gentleman from Dinwiddie
county, who holds a high official
position. and who has had the best OPP
portunities for getting hold Of every
development in the case. says that there
are good many facts to come out yet,
and that, from recent disclosures, there
is reason to believe that Puryear was
not the only person involved in the
murder Of his wife. According to this
gentleman, evidence will be adduccd at
Puryear's trial which will prove that
other persons were implicated. The
case is being qsietly worked up by the
county authorities, and the Common
wealth has, il is said, recently obtained
some new and valuable testimony, the
character of which the official did not
indicate except as to the completely of
other persons.
THE GREENsvILLE MURDERER.
AS TO Henry Moore, the negro muir
derer, although the Governor has Of
fered a reward for his capture, the
chances Of handing him over to justice
seem to be very unfavorable. Reports
from Greensville county allege that no
great effort is being made TO recapture
Moore that it is not believed that he
is anywhere in the vicinity, and that
the general opinion is that he has taken
fight to North Carolina. This is the
news from Belfeld this afternoon, and
il is generally credited here.
STEAM ON THE UPPER APPoMATToX.
Yesterday the president Of the Up
Per Appomattox Company, Aug.
Wright, Esq, with a company of in
vited guests, made tour of inspection
over q portion of the line Of that pro-
perty as far as far as " Exeter Mills "
in q canal-boat propelled by steam.
The practicability Of using steam as a
motiye-power in the navigation Of this
improvement seems Of easy accomplish
ment to the management, and when
effected as is proposed will add greatly
TO the advantages already enjoyed by
this company. The water-power for
manufacturing purposes owned by the
company, so easy to be utilized by an
outlay Of q reasonable amount of CAPT
tai, makes this one of the valuable inn
prcyements of this section Of the State,
and in the near future will develop into
source Of large benefit to our city
and section.
NOTES.
Mr.. W. T. Hubbard, Republican
member Of the Common Council, and
chairman OF the Finance Committee,
resigned his seat in the Council this
afternoon.
II is expected that Mr.. George S.
Somervillc. who was recently ordained
TO the desconate at the Episcopal Sem
mary, and assigned as assistant to
Grace church, in this city, will enter
upon his duties next Sunday. Mr.. j.
q. Jones, who has been assigned to st,
Paul's church, In this city, viii also
enter upon his duties at once.
The large brick building on the cor.
ner OF Sycamore street and Courthouse
avenue, for so many years owned and
occupied by the broken Merchants Ma.
tional and Planters and Mechanics
Banks, but which was recently pur.
chased by syndicate Of lawyers Of
this city, Is now undergoing alteration
and improvement with a view Of con.
verting it into lawyers offices.
The exports Of manufactured tobacco
from this city from the 18th to the 30th
Of June, inclusive, amounted to up
wards Of 265.000 pounds.
Dvsenfevv ;c nrA ~ linz IA . cons;So-