Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-11

claiming that no one had right to en-
ploy Wren; that il was q claim against
the Commonwealth, and the State
should pay 1t.
Mr. Chafiin hoped the motion to
table would be withdrawn. He thought
nothing could be gained by delay.
Mr.. Williams said the placing Of the
body Of Lillian Madison in the reser-
voir was an offence against the city,
and that in view of the fact that John
Wren had done so much to faste1 guilt
upon the perpetrator Of the deed that
he would give notice that in case the
other claim failed he would offer reso-
luton authorizing the City Treasurer
TO pay John Wren the sum Of 81 500
for services rendered the city in pro-
tecting its property.
Mr.. Pages motion to lay on the ia
blr was adopted.
NEW CITY HALL.
The resolution offered by Mr.. EllysOn
and adopted by the Common Council
was reported.
Mr.. Page said that when Mr.. Ely
sons former resolution came to the
Board he had, in common with many
others, voted against it. Mr.. Ellyson,
he thought, wanted to build the hall.
lie did not know that Mr.. Ellyson's
resolution covered the ground complete
ly, but it was the beginning Of what all
wanted--a City Hall built Of Richmond
granite and by Richmond people. If
not exactly practicable, it would work
out its own details, but all this would
follow. The resolutions contained what
he thought was wanted, and when the
work commenced, with the city as its
own contractor, as in the case Of the
New reservoir, the work would 60 on.
lie believed that this was as cheap
way to 60 to work as any other, be-
cause contractors always leave
margin for profit, and this margin
would leave funds to purchase
apparatus, derricks, tools of various
sorts, &c. Whether we take the Ely
son OF any other plan, a supervisor
would have to be appointed. The City
Engineer, no matter who built the hall.
would have to give the construction Of
the building much of his time. Many
of our mechanics were ont Of work,
and there was a grave apprehension on
their minds that Richmond mechanics
would be cut odt of this. An
other thing, Mr.. Ellyson's reso-
lutions provided that the Hall
should be built Of Richmond
material. This would be big adver-
tisement for our city, and it would be a
pity for it to 60 out to the world that
Richmond, built upon her own granite
hills, rad to send to States to which
she ships granite, there to purchase
granite to build her City Hall. If the
work was done here Richmond me-
charles would take pleasure in giving
the Board or commission or whatever
body had control OF the construction of
the hall, their earnest effort. Pride in
the fact that the work was being done
here would prevent strikes and things
Of this sort. Again, the money paid
out here to mechanics would put new
life and blood into many channels Of
trade. We would show the world that
we have within oar gates wood, iron,
and skilled mechanics.
Mr.. Chaifin said that he was the
friend Of the mechanics. If Mr.. Ely
sons resolution prevailed. tho biggest
set of rings would be organized that
was ever heard of in Richmond. The
hall would cost million of dollars in
stead Of 100000. There would be a
swarm of mechanics come around that
hall that had never handled a trowel--
all politicians. lie favored giving the
mechanics of Richmond the benefit Of
10 per cent. on their bids, and this
would be basiness-like, for if our
mechanics couldn't get along with this
advantage, they ought to step down
and out. If Richmond were to have a
Chinese wall built around it, pass this
measure. Why, if such state of
things had have prevailed in the past
against lawyers Mr.. Page would have
been at a country courthouse and the
Council would have been deprived of
his valuable services. lie said, stop
trucking to politicians and stick to
business. He would vote for the Ely
son bill if he (ChafIin) intended to run
for the Legislature. Mr.. Page was a
pretty good lawyer, but very poor
mechanic.
Mr.. Williams said he believed every
one wanted TO do what was best. He
was the author Of the resolution for the
building of the City Hall, and from
that time down he had favored every
thing that to his judgment was for the
city's interest. He had been always
favorable TO Richmond mechanics,
but the resolution Of Mr.. Ely
son was impracticable, because the
ordinance said that the hall should
be built for $500, coo by the Committee
on Grounds and Buildings and the City
Engineer. He opposed the Ellyson
resolutions, and cited the New reservoir
to prove that this was no new expert
ment. Colonel Cutshaw stopped
crooked work there, and he would do
it again if the city's interest were in
trusted to him. There had never been
any doubt but that Richmond
granite would be used, but the city tax
payers must be looked after. All the
taxpayers were not millionaires. Many
of them bad leaking roofs overhead,
and had poverty tugging at their heart
strings. Were these people not to be
taken into consideration
If let alone, Mr.. Williams declared
that his committee would do everything
to protect Richmond material, Rich
mond mechanics, and Richmond tax
payers. Mr.. Williams moved an in
definite postponement Of the whole mat
ter, and this was agreed to.
RESPECT TO GRANT.
Mr.. Williams offered suitable resolu-
tions of respect to the memory ol
General Grant, and they were adopted.
Mr.. Williams also stated that Mr..
Dickerson was absent on account Of the
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