Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-03
THE COMMON COUNCIL.
x0RETNcREAsE OF SALARIES.
The usysr sna she KsIlrsss-rhe Psy sf La
ss,sss ss the Gss.wssks- The asechanies'
Isssssuse--- schssi Trustees 80 The chsin-
Gang.

The Moyof ans toe hafsr0ee- ~ "
ssreSs ss the Gas.wssks- The meehanies'
Iususase.-- schssi Trustees - The chsin-
Gang.
The regular monthly meeting OF
the Common Council was held yes
terday evening. Present Mr.. j. Tay-
lor Ellyson tpresident) and the fol-
lowing members Messrs. Ammons.
Archer, Bahen, Bowie, Bryan, Cabell,
Campbell. Curtis, Cutchins, Frischkorn,
Griffith. Gum, Guy, Hargroye, Hughes,
King, Lewis, Mcdowell. Parater. Pear
man, Phillips, Pizzini, Rankin, Riddell,
Straus, and Turpin.
The minutes Of the previous meeting
were read and approved.
MAYOR CARRINGToN COMMUNE
GATES.
The following message from the
Mayor was read:
"In response to your inquiry of jan
uary s, 1885, as to what authority the
Mayor had for authorizing the Rich
mond and Allegheny Railroad Com
pany to close Eighth street at corner Of
Basin bank about 2Sth December. 1884,
I beg leave to reply that it was repre-
sented to me. and I believe correctly
represented, that the piles and plank
covering placed by the railroad across
Eighth street were decayed and needed
speedy repair, and that transportation
and travel might be endangered by de-
Law. and would be endangered by
crossing the canal at that point if
permitted to attempt it while re-
pairs were going on and the planks
torn up. ! thought it case Of such
emergency, public necessity. and con-
venience as to justify my action. |
was the more ready to grant the re-
quest because only on one square on each
side Of Eighth street the crossings were
completed, and very little delay would
occur from going to these streets while
the repairs were going on, and because
great danger might have resulted to
citizens and damages accrued against
the city for failure to protect those
crossings at that point by warning of
danger in the distractions allowed.
The work occupied only a short time;
was necessary to be done, and that
speedily; and therefore | deemed it
unwise, impolitic. and unnecessary to
DELAY for the Council to act in the
premises.
IL answer. then, that acted by au-
thority of the power vested of necessity
in the chief executives of all cities, and
especially in this city, by the charter
and ordinances. to do what the best in
terest of the city demands in such cases
of emergency.
In my action am sustained by the
opinion of the City Attorney, herewith
forwarded"
Major Kelley said in his letter that
he thought - it was clearly the duty of
the Mayor to appropriate barriers. to
warn the public of any danger. and
prevent them from encountering the
risk of it," and that he entertained no
doubt of Mayor Carrington's authority
in either of the two grounds.
The only limitation in case like this
was the suspension of the public use of
a thoroughfare beyond a reasonable
time and without good cause.
Mr.. Campbell said no such cause as
the Mayor assigned was correct. His
excuse was groundless. No such i'm
proyements as the Mayor alluded to had
been made.
Mr.. Rankin corroborated this state
ment.
"No action is necessary" said Mr..
Straus.
proceed with the call Of commit
tees said the President.
Afterwards the communication was
referred to the Committee on Streets.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
!Streets.--Usual report Of committee,
and recommending the increase Of Mr..
S. Edward Bates's salary to 81 800
for services as assistant engineer.
Portion of report relating to Mr..
Bates's salary was referred to the
Finance Committee. The balance was
adopted.
Relief Of the Po0r.-Mr. Gum,
chairman of the Committee on Ordi-
nances, submitted report from the
Committee on Relief of the Poor, re-
commencing that the ordinance be not
passed which provides that the physi-
clan to the almshouse shall be elected
by the Council.
Mr.. Frischkon opposed a resolution
to adopt the report of the committee.
and had read a communication from
Mr.. Redford disclaiming opposition to
either DR.. Brock or DR.. Cullen. but adj
vocating the election of both by the
Council. Mr.. Redford declared he was
steadfaSt friend of both DR.. Brock
and DR.. Cullen.
DR.. Riddell said he had the kindcst
feeling towards all members of the
medical profession, but he opposed the
report.
The vote on the adoption of the ordi-
nance putting the election of physi-
clan of the almshouse in the hands of
the Council resulted: Ayes, 9; noes.
10; and was lost.
Financially Mr.. Pizzini Resolu-
ton to pay c. NJ. Ragland s25 for one
weeks salary as clerk in the Trea-
surer's office, and the usual routine
matters. Adopted.
Ligkt.-By Mr.. Bowie Report en-
bracing operations of the department
for the past year ending February lst.
The committee expressed great salts
faction at the economical administration
of the affairs of the department and its
present efficiency. Every expense con-
sidered, Mr.. Bowie explained that the
cost of gas to the city was sl.2S 9-lOO.
The report was adopted.
A resolution to pay the men employ
ed at the fires in the retort-house at the
gas-works $3.50 per day and the fore
man s2.75 per day after the lst of Feb
ruary was read.
Mr.. Cutchins wanted to know what
the men were getting before.