Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-14
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
DEBATE ON THE MArrga OF LISTING
BIRTHS AND DEATHS.
A Vote on the west-End Barket, and the
Appropriation Not Carried-Condi-
tlon Of the Almshouse, &C.


of illness.
MIR. BATEs's SALARY.
The Committee on Streets submitted a
report recommending that the salary of
| S. T.. Bates, First Assistant Engineer, be
restored 10 81 800, the amount paid be-
fore the general reduction OF 10 per
cent The report was accompanied by
an amended ordinance to effect the
proper change.
On the question being put the ordi-
nance was defeated by vote OF IL to
! 2-Messrs. Snead and Powers voting in
/ the negative.
It requires Il votes to make an ap-
preparation.
Mr.. Noble said that at tho last meet
ing of the Finance Committee, of which
he is a member it had been deemed in-
expedient to increase the salary OF any
officer or employee. and for that reason
he voted against the increase.
Subsequently Mr.. Powers moved a re-
consideration, which WAS carried, and
the ordinance was then adopted by a vote
| of II aves to noes, Messrs. Noble and
/ Chappell (who bad in the mean time en-
tered voting No.
RECEIVED AND FILED.
The regular monthly report OF the
Committee on Relief of the Poor was re-
ceived and filed.
LISTING BIRTHS AND DEATHS.
The Committee on Health submitted
two ordinances in regard to the listingo OF
deaths and births.
The first ordinance re-enacts the pres
ent law, which requires the Mayor to
provide from the police force men TO do
this work if the sanitary inspectors are
too busy to do SO. The committee re-
commended that the ordinance should
not pass, as Major Poe had stated at a
previous meeting that the men could not
be spared from the police force.
The second ordinance repeas the ex-
isting ordinance, and was framed by the
/ committee.
Mr.. Snead said that in his opinion the
listing of deaths and births was a need
less and useless expense, and one from
which the city derived no benefit. The
State, ne said, paid Mr.. Muntord, Com
missioner of the Revenue, ten cents per
head for doing this work, and as he in
variably came up and copied the Stats
ties gathered by the city, 1t would seem
that be was the only person benefited
by it.
Mr.. Hill coincided in the views ex-
pressed by Mr.. Sncad.
Mr.. O;ley wished to know if Mr..
NIunford paid for the information OBJ
tained by him.
Mr.. Hill replied that he did not.
Mr.. Otley then inquired by what
right he could demand to copy the sta
tlstics, and was the city compelled to
furnish him with the information.
Mr.. Hill said that as they were public
records they could not be withheld.
Mr.. Bass (Air. Crenshaw in the chair
WAS of the opinion that inasmuch as the
State paid Mr. Munford to obtain this
information it was evidently intended
for the city Of Richmond just rs the
Henrico statistics were intended for the
use Of the citizens Of that county. lie
could see no reason why the city should
paw for information which the state
paid Mr.. Munford to gather for its use.
At the request of Mr.. Williams the
Clerk read from the Code Of 1873 the act
requiring the Commissioner of the Reye-
nue. 10 gather these statistics whenever
personal property is assessed. When
ever possible the information must be
obtained from the heads Of families.
The recommendations of the commit
tee were adopted.
wRsT-END MARKET.
Tho resolution from the Common
Council authorizing the Auditor, under
the direction of the Finance Committee,
to issue S42, 600 III - per cent. bonds for
the establishment of a market at the
corner of Cary and Linden streets, was
received from that branch
Mr.. Otley said that he favored a new
market. but he did not think it advisable
to spend this amount Of money when an
appropriation of several hundred dollars
had been refused for the necessary re-
pairing of property already owned by
the city.
Mr. Hill thought it desirable that the
market should be built ut this time.
There would be a areassessment Ofproperty
in 1890, and as the property the vicinity
of the proposed market would be much
enhanced, the additional revenue ac-
cruing to the city would be very great
There had also been a great deal Of
complaint from that portion of the city
as to the lack Of market accommoda-
tions.
Bv request of the Board Mr. Starke,
chairman OF the special market commit
tee, who was present, explained the adj
yantages to be derived from the execu-
ton of the scheme.
Mr. Bland inquired OF Mr.. Obey,
when he referred to city property being
in bad condition, did he aliude to any
of the markets
Mr.. Otley in reply said he did not
When he spoke he had in mind the roof
of the white aimshouse. which is in an
exceedingly bad if nOta dangerous state.
Had the necessary repairs been made a
year ago, as recommended, it would have
cost about $1,000 now the work could
not be properly done for less than
$1,000. Ii it were deferred much longer
he could not say what the result would
be. The rain and snow blew in under
the slate roof, running the joists aud
causing the roof to sink. Several
months ago if patient had not died
when he did be would have been killed
about four hours later by falling plaster.
Mr.. Hill called Mr.. Otley's attention
to the fact that the building Of the mar
ket would not involve direct outlay of
money. All the city had TO 90 was TO
issue the bonds, and tue revenue to be
derived from the market would be large
lv in excess of the interest to be paid
upon the money borrowed. Indeed, the
whole matter was simply question as to
whether or no the city should improve
the property IN that vicinity.
Mr.. Bland, also, was of opinion that
in addition to advancing the value of
property in its neighborhood the market
would prove a source OF much profit to
the city.
The vote was then called, with the fol-
lowing result:
AYEs-Messrs. bland, Chappell, Davis, Hsr-
grove, Hin, Noble, Powers, snead, Williams and
Bass-l0.
NoEs-Messrs. Adams. CrenshAw. Obey, and
Robinson-4
4