Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-03
DEMOCRATS IN.
THE CHASgE or MUHIcrpAL GOVERN
INERT IN PETERSBURG
Meeting Of the Council-A Clean Sweep
City Finances--The Fire
Department.
rspec,sl ,eleeram % tho plspa.ch.l

PETERSBURG, VA, July 2.-Petersburg
changed it, entire municipal government TO-
day from mayor down to the humblest off,
cial--the first time 10 many years that the
Democratic party has had entire control OF
affairs. The new Democratic Common Coun-
Gil met this afternoon at 4 o'clock, The Re
publicuns heretofore being In majority now
being IN q oue-third minority. The council
was organized by the election Of William X.
Mckenney by scclsmation as president, and
j. Finley MclIwsine az auditor and clerk.
Mr.. Mckinney in taking the chair said
that this was the only honor In the gilt OF The
people that he coveted, and he would so
guard II. He declared that bis administra-
ton OF the Office should be conservative and
impartial. The Council, he said. Is divided
on political questions, put he believes every
member to be honestly and faithfully de-
voted 10 the interests OF the city.
Joseph T.. Rockwell was elected member
OF the Council for the Third ward in place
Of Robert Gillian, resigned, TO assume the
duties Of clerk Of courts.
James II. Quarles was elected member
from Fifth Ward IN place OF Daniel Dyson,
elected city treasurer.
The following officers OF the city govern
ment were then elected Chief OF Police,
W. RI. Eanes; Lieutenant Of Police, George
erection. and tweDty-iour Democratic pri-
Yates; Chief OF the Fire Department,
George w. Eanes, and a full list Of Demo-
cratic privates; City Attorney. Francis X.
Lassiter: Keeper Of Blandford Cemetery,
James Muirhead; Keeper OF the Hay Scales,
( b. +. Porter; Clerk OF the Centre Market,
| c. G.. Brister; Clerk OF The Old Market, T.
V. Farley: superintendent OF the Water
Works, John s. Cooke; Register Of the
Water Works. Myer ssal; Health Officer,
DR.. &. V. Robinson; Keeper Of Powder
Magazine, William +. Ellis; Inspector OF
Gas, James T.. Ashby; Collector OF Deln-
Qlient Taxes, W. |. Smith; Port Warden,
w. Il. Morrison; City Engineer. Thomas
! r. Dunn.
The Finance Committee reported the est
mated revenues OF the city from all sources
! for this year at S21S,445. at tax Of $50 on
/ the 800 OF taxable property aud other in
comes. IL is recommended that . per cent.
| bonds be issued 10 retire at once the floating
debt Of the city TO the amount OF So, 200 aud
| $4,000 due the Virginia and Carolina rail-
road. An ordinance was adopted fixing the
rate OF tax at $3.50, and an ordinance making
appropriations for all expenses was passed.
The annual message OF the Mayor was sub
mitted. The bonded debt Of the city, rs
shown by the Auditors books, is 81, 2j2, 200.
u
bonds exchanged with and donated TO the
| Virginia and Carolina Railroad Company,
being portion OF $4,000 OF bonds auho.
rized by the ordinance Of October IA, 1884.
The floating debt, accommodating since 1882,
/ now amounts to 81 ,07j, against which, with
| s24, 705 interest on the Virginia and Carolina
railroad bonds, the sum OF SG2, 26S is charge
able to the several departments. The as
sessed value OF taxable real estate
for this year Is S5,6l0,4l0, an increase
OF over $4,000. The increase in
taxable personal property is about 100000.
with this increase in taxable property the
/ Mayor suggests that the Council can retire
the floating debt wIthou any appprecable in
crease OF taxation.
The sixth annual report OF the Chief En-
| gineer OF the Fire Department shows that
| during The year the losses by fire were only
| s1l,9l5, on which there was an insurance OF
| SlG,G5g. The alarms Of fire were less than
for many years past. The expenses OF the
department for the year were less than SlO,-
900.
Mr.. A. L. Archer, for many years prOmi-
nent citizen Of Petersburg, died last night
at the residence Of his son-in-lsw, Mr.. X. ID,
Grigg, in Dinwiddie, aged nearly eighty
years. lie was q man OF sterling character,
aud was formerly member OF the Virginia
Conference.