Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-28
CONNECTION TRACK.
BOTH BRAHcEEs OF THE COUNCIL PASS
THIS ORDINANCE.
The Condition Of wsshington Hall to bs
Investigated-The Acts Of Several
Committees.

The Common Council met in special
session last night at half-past z o'clock.
Present: Messfs. Campbell (president).
Bodeker, Brauer, E. r. Barter, Isaac w.
Carter, Christian, Courtney, Curtis, Fer
ritter, Glover. Grimes, Gum, Hayes,
Higgins, Hunt, Mann, Mitchell, Moore,
Philips, Steel, Stratton, J. w. White,
Royal White, W. l.. White, and Wing
field. The clerk read the call for this
meeting, which was for the purpose OF
considering the ordinance allowing the
Richmond and Allegheny Railroad Com
pany certain privileges.
The franchises prayed for have already
been published, as well as the action OF
the Joint Committee on Streets and
Lights, to which the petition was re-
ferred.
THE ORDINANCE.
The ordinance prepared by the City
Attorney and City Engineer in accord
ance with the joint committee au-
thorizes the Richmond and Allegheny
Railroad Company to construct their
track on certain streets, and to condemn
certain property for the purpose of con-.
Meeting said companys tracks with the
Chesapeake and Ohio road, and in 80 do
ing to use a part Of the city gas-works
property at two corners in order to make
q proper curve, and portion on one side
of the Williamsburg avenue, the railroad
company to pay all expenses incurred.
The company is also to give such com
pensation to the city as may be reasona-
bly, demanded, and TO widen and
straighten the said avenue on the north
ern side SO as to restore its regular
width.
The proposed ordinance, which was
read by the clerk, and which gives the
authority expressed above, after the
usual precautions and requirements, pro-
vides that the work shall be commenced
within sixty days from the passage of the
ordinance and completed within SIX
months.
A COMMISSION.
Mr.. Bodeker offered as an addition to
the ordinance that commission, con-
sisting Of one person appointed by the
Mayor and one by the railroad company,
to ascertain or assess the damage and
cost OF the change to the gas-works. Ii
these two arbitrItors fail to agree, after
due deliberatlon. then they shall have
power to call in third person.
Mr.. Higgins wanted to know If the
city had TO give any property.
Mr.. Bodeker said that all The railroad
company wanted to know was what they
were to pay for the citys property.
The additional provision offered by
Mr.. Bodeker was adopted.
Mr.. Ferriter thought the plan called
for seventeen feet encroachment on the
gas-works.
Mr.. Glover said he was present at the
meeting OF the committees to which the
matter was referred, and that seventeen
feet was then mentioned.
Mr.. Bodeker said the map was marked
seventeen feet.
All three Of these gentlemen were I'M
able to understand how the ordinance,
as reported, called for twenty-seyen feet.
EXPLANATION.
Mr.. Crenshaw, chairman of the Street
Committee, was requested to explain the
matter TO the body. He said that no
figures we're expressed before the com
mittee, but that after conversing with
Mr.. Axtell (who was now present. he re-
marked that the road ran twenty.seyen
feet across, but only seventeen feet from
the corner of the gas-works ground.
Mr.. Glover repeated that he could not
understand the change OF the seventeen
feet to twenty-seven feet after again ex-
amining the plot, and be was supported
by Mr.. Curtis, who remembered like
himself.
MIR. Axtell was asked TO explain. He
said that all the company wanted was to
have what was laid down on the map.
He had been with the City Engineer,
and the figures IN the ordinance were
suggested by Colonel Cutshaw or placed
therein with his consent.
Mr.. Glover moved to amend by insert
ing seventeen feet in lieu Of twenty
seven foet.
Mr.. Starke moved that recess be
taken for ten minutes, so that Colonel
Cutshaw might be sent for. Agreed to.
ADOPTED.
Mr.. Cutshaw said the change was made
at his suggestion to allow the roadbed q
sufficient width.
On motion of Mr.. Wingfeld the vote
was taken on the ordinance as it stood,
which resulted-ayes, Il noes. 4.
DANGEROUS WALLS.
The following was introduced by Mr..
w. L. White and adopted:
ResolUed 6y the Council Of the city Of
Richmond (the Board OF Aldermen con-
curring). That the City Engineer be,
and he is hereby, instructed to report to
the next meeting of the Common Coun-
oil if the building known as Washington
Hall is secure and safe, and If, IN his
opinion, it is not safe what steps are
necessary to make it so.
Resolced further, That the City Engl-
neer give this matter his immediate aud
personal attention.
The cause OF this resolution is crack
in the eastern wall Of the building from
turrcL 10 lOuuuhllOu. LILO ptCoh, "hSA
has been visible for several years, was
somewhat opened during the heavy wind
storm a few days ago, but experts have
examined the building and say that it
will stand secure until the new City Hall
is completed. This insures the Council
against danger for some years to come.
THE ALDERMEN ACT.
The Board of Aldermen met at 7:45.
Present Messrs. Crenshaw fin the chair,
Bohen, Brown, Capers, Carter, Chap
pell, Davis, Dickerson, Hargrove, Otlcy,
Snead, aud Taylor.
The clerk read thecall for the meeting,
which designated as the matter for con-
sideration the above railroad connection.
Mr.. Carter moved the adoption OF the
ordinance, and his motion was carried
without dissenting vote.
WASHINGTON HALL.
The resolution concerning the inyesti-
CATION OF the condition of Washing
ton Hall, brought up in the Common
Council and adopted by that body, was
concurred in by the Board.
On motion of Mr.. Chappell adjourned
at s o'clock.
ApoTrT THAT gTARIF