Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-26
MUNICIPAL REFORM.
A MEETING OF TIE COUNCIL COMMIT
TEE THAT LOOKS AFTER THIS.
II Promises to scrutinixs the Operations
Of the Various City Depart
ments. A

The Council Committee on Retrenchment
and r sform met In the Council chamber yes
terday evening at O'Clock. Present.
Messrs. Belvin (chairmanl Chappeil, Ferri-
ter, and Carter.
Mr.. n. ID. Hargrove, chairman OF the FL
nance Committee, and by virtue OF his Office a
member OF all standing committees OF the
Council (witbout power to yote) was also
present.
HIGHER PAY ASKED.
The clerk Of the committee read commu-
nIcatiou from Mr.. Williams, the extra or
"additional" clerk TO the Auditor, ssking
that his salary be increased from $50 per
month to Sit2.50.
Mr.. ChappclI said he thought IL very bad
precedent aud objected to the increase.
Mr.. Belvin was in favor OF increasing the
pay ana requested Sergesntat-Arms lsslston
10 summon Auditor Turpin so that The COM
mittee might ascertain the duties OF this
clerk.
COMPARISONS.
Mr.. Chappell said he was not one 20 advo-
cate small pay, but the amount asked for was
a very heavy increase and was In excess
OF the salary OF several officers f the head OF
city departments. mentioning the president
OF the Board OF Health for an instance. He
wss informed that MFR. Williams, who is at
present acting clerk in this position, is a very
delicate man and he did not think bim capa-
bic Of hard work.
Mr.. Belvin had investigated the matter
aud found Mr.. Williams one of the most
capable and rapid clerks in the City Hall,
and furthermore found that there was vast
amount OF work in the Office that must be
doue correctly, requiring an accurate and
good clerk.
MR. TURPIS.
Upon Mr. Turpin's arrival Mr.. Belvin re-
quested him to state the special duties OF this
additional clerk.
Mr., Turpin said the duties were to work
on the transfer books and be general clerk
in the Office, and that all the pecuniary ac-
counts were required to be balanced every
day and the returns from the Treasurer adj
justed. He also stated that Mr.. Langhorn,
who held this cerkship up TO bis death, Ie-
ceiyed $50 per month, aud that the work had
greatly increased since then, and ne thought
the additional clerk was worth all that he
asked for.
THE WORK TO BE DONE.
Mr.. Hargroye stated that Mr.. Warren. the
other clerk to the Auditor, was also clerk OF
the Gas Committee and clerk OF the Finance
Committee, upon a total salary of about
e. 800.
Dir. Belvln declared thst the work 70 be
done in this Office was Of a high grade, and
a good clerk should be employed aud fairly
paid for his services.
ONE THOUSAND PER ANNUM.
Mr.. Chappell moved that the salary OF this
4 al hnk
he be given the privilege Of acting as clerk
Of any committee OF doing any other work
which does not interfere With his duties as
clerk to the Auditor.
The Chair put the question and 1t was
carried.
IMPORTANT MATTER.
Mr.. Belyin said this Retrenchment and
Reform Committee is an important one, but
II cannot do all the work required. The city
ought 10 have an acluary to examine the ac-
counts OF the different public officers For
instance, while the accounts OF the late City
Collector are, a. far ~ is known, correct,
they are about six years behind. He thought
II well TO recommend the employment OF an
expert clerk 70 20 through all the public
offices at intervals and examine and report
their condition.
Mr.. Belym did not propose TO call another
meeting to he held In the Council chamber,
but would notify the committee by mail and
designate the place OF meeting. They would
hold their next meeting at the city aims
house, and hereafter: would meet In dif-
ferent offices Of the municipal government.
Here the reporters winked at one another,
and Mr. Belyin observing 1t said that the
committee would notify the press and be
glad 10 have them accompany the committee {;
that the committee did not propose to do
anything they world not willingly make
public.
on motion Of Mr.. Chappell the commit
fee adjourned to meet at the call Of the chalr-
man.