Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-24
THEY TALK INDEX.
MEETING OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
on THIS SUBJECT.
Mr.. Guy Addresses the Committee, and
After Some Discussion They Ad-
journ for Three Weeks.

The special committee appointed by
the Common Council to inquire into
and report the expediency and cost OF
printing a general index to the deeds
and wills recorded in the Chancery Court
Clerks Office, which have accumulated
during the period from 1895 to the 1st
Of July, 1885, when tho Schlicht & Field
system was introduced, met in the court
room yesterday evening at 4:f5. Messrs.
Belvin, Hill. Anderson, and Hayes were
present absent, Mr. Glover.
The committee was called 10 order by
the clerk. Mr.. Peter j. Burton. and Mr..
Eli nominated Mr. Anderson for chair
man, and he was duly elected.
On motion Of Mr.. Hill the committee
adjourned 10 visit the Clerks office and
inspect the deed and will-books which
were found in good condition, and the
indexes were also found to be we'll pre-
served With the exception of one, which
was very much dllapidated.
MI. GUY EXPLAINS.
After this hurried examination the
committee returned TO the courtroom
and Mr. Jackson Guy, who was chair.
man OF the Index Committee appointed
by the old Council, was present, the
committee. desiring to hear from him.
Mr.. Guy said that he had taken great
interest in the matter OF the proposed in
dex when he was in the Council, bat That
ii failed to get through, inasmuch as the
Council and committee went ont Of Office
before the arrangements had been COM
pletcd. He said that there were z33
decd-books and seven volumes Of the
general index that the old commit
tee held five or six meetings
and had before them representatives,
OF four or five systems, and that after
careful consideration the committee re-
commended the Schlicht Il Field system
for the whole index, but the Council only
made an appropriation for indexing sub
segment to July, 1886. Later, he said,
Mr.. Chataigne appeared before the com
mittee and recommended that the index
be printed after the ST ,lo Of a directory,
and after due pOnder1ng over the matter
it was the conclusion Of the committee
that this was the only system approach
ing perfection for the volumes that have
been completed.
THE COST.
He said that Mr.. Chataigne had esti-
mated the cost Of copying the index at
about $4,000, and said that it would cost
about $11, 600 TO print five hundred
copies of both grantor and grantee, and
that he thought the city could sell great
many to lawyers and real estate agents,
and thereby realize more than half the
expense of printing.
Mr.. Guy said that the printed system
would reduce the time about one twen-
tieth, and that the labor at present was to
find the desired deeds or papers, and
he thought that for the benefit OF the
citizens, visitors, and lawyers the com
mittee should recommend this scheme.
OFwHAT BENEFIT?
Mr.. Belvin wanted to know of what
advantage this would be to the citizens
and real estate agents.
Mr.. Guy said his advice to the com
mittoe would be to have the index copied
and advertise for proposals for the
printing.
Mr.. Hill said that the first question
was whether or not these books were in
such a condition as to necesSitate their
being recopied and if not the next ques-
ton is, VIII the proposed system be of
sufficient advantage 10 the citizens to
justify its being made at the proposed
expenditure
THEIR CONDITION.
Mr.. Belvin said that all the volumes
were in good condition except one that
as at present advised he would certainly
vote against the proposition, but that he
would like TO have the matter postponed
that he might have an opportunity to
confer with real estate agents and the
public. and would like for this commit
tee TO adjourn to meet next Monday.
Mr.. Anderson said that the present
clerk had found the Schlicht & Field
system more costly than WAS originally
estimated, and that the Council would
be petitioned for the deficient amount
He also said that he had received COM
municaton from Mr.. Chataigne esti-
mating the whole cost at $l2, 100 for five
hundred copies of both grantor and
grantee, containing about 81, ,0O0 names,
and that if there were more or less a
,Dr0-rafd deduction or addition would be
made.
POSTPONED.
Mr. Belvln said that he had been sum
moned to attend the committee yester-
day, and that be did not know before
that time that he was on the committee ;
that he would like to have time to in
vestigate the matter, and moved to ad-
iourn until next Saturday evening.
Mr. Anderson said that he expected to
leave the city Friday, and consequently
could not attend on Saturday.
Mr.. Belvin said that he would leave in
few days himself
Mr. Hill thought the next meeting
should be deferred for about three weeks.
Mr. Anderson offered a substitute for
Mr.. BelvIn's motion that the committee
adjourn TO meet on Saturday the 10Th Of
September at o'clock. Carried.
On motion of Mr.. Hill adjourned at 6
o'clock.
THE Csc OF wArER-GAa
The Committee of Inspection Ne.
t..sn. ~ Hnek