Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-14
MANCHESTER NEWS.
REGULAR MEETING Last NIGHT OF TIE
CITY COUNCIL.
Committee Directed to Contract for Water
works-Ko Bicycles on Side
waiks-other Matters.

The report of Chief-of-P Police James
A. Lipscomb for the year ending De
cember Both, which was forwarded by the
Mayor, was read and filed. 1t showed
that during the year there were y
arrests for felonies, 226 for mlsde-
meanors, 209 for ordinance violations,
3 for lunacy. Total, 397.
The Finance Committee recommended
the payment of bills for regular ex-
penses aggregating over S40O. The COM
mittee recommended the remission OF
S33. 80 to Mrs. Stein, that amount having
been improperly paid by her as license
tax also. 1880 to Mr.. Reins, tax er-
roneously assessed upon his property.
Adopted.
COST OF sTREET-DAsfPS.
City-Engineer Lipscomb sent TO the
/ Council a tabular statement showing the
quantity OF oil used in the streetlamps
during the year. The report said that
during the year the lamps burned 2lO
nights, and that the total cost OF the
system was 972335. During the year
1920 gallons Of oil were used in the
fifty-eight lamps. Six globes were
broken and three baskets. Cost per
lamp per night, 6 1-10 cents.
OTHER REPORTS.
Mr.. O'Brien stated that the Cemetery
Committee had prepared report, but
that Mr.. Bradley, who WAS not present,
had it with him. He was anxious that
the report should be made, but was
compelled under the circumstances to
ask the indulgence of the body.
Mr.. Weisigcr from the Committee on
Grounds and Buildings, to whom was
referred The question of building new
city Jail, said that the committee had the
subject under consideration and hoped
to be able to make report at the next
meeting as TO the propriety OF erecting
the building, its cost, &c.
NO BICYCLES on SIDEWALKS
The Committee on Ordinances pre-
sented an ordinance framed by City-At-
torney Clofton prohibiting the use of the
sidewalks of the streets of the city by
persons riding on bicycles. The ordi-
nance provides that persons riding on
bicycles shall confne themselves to the
roadways of the streets in conformity to
the provision Of the Code regulating the
passing of vehicles on roads and bridges.
| The BICYCLES shall have attached to them
q gong or bell, which shall be kept con-
stantly sounding, so that it may be dis
tinctly heard at the distance of fifty
yards, and at night there shall be used II
lamp or lantern that may be seen 100
yards. The penalty imposed is not less
than 50. 80 nor more than IS, one half Of
which shall go to the informant.
THE CoLoRED ARMORY.
Mr.. Perdue (NIr. Weisiger in the
chair called attention to the petition of
the Union Guard, a colored military
company, which had been before the
Council for several months, asking for
an armory in which to drill. He said
that at the last meeting of the Finance
Committee this subject was informally
discussed, but the paper not being
then present no report was formulated.
He also read letter from Captain Ed
wards stating that at the instance of the
Council he had ascertained that the use
of the colored Masonic Hall, on Twelfth
street between Hull and Bainbridge,
could be had for 500 per annum.
Mr.. Perdue expressed himself as very
kindly disposed towards such organiza-
tions, but he felt constrained to against
the appropriation needed. He believed
in fostering military organizations,
and liked to see the soldiers parade
and to hear them shoot, but
he did not feel that in the
city's present financial condition and
with such pressing demands upon her
treasury it would be expedient to vote
the money. The streets, he very truly
said, are in n wretched condition and
need immediate attention the school
houses are soon to he erected at cost
of S25, 600 or $4,000. Several thousand
dollars are soon to be spent 10 obtain
better water facilities, and there are
other pressing demands for the expendi-
ture of money.
Mr.. Hewlett advocated making the ap-
preparation, which lie considered very
insignificant Here was a company that
had been organized for ten years, and it
stood ever ready to protect the citizens.
L
NEW BUILDINGS.
Mr.. Walsh urged upon the Council the
importance of adopting the resolution
proposed by himself some months ago,
making it obligatory upon contractors
to report to the Commissioner of the
Revenue every house completed by
them. This subject had been referred
to a committee aud the resolution
would have been considered but
for its being misplaced. All concurred
in the opinion that there ought to be
such an ordinance as this, and the City
Attorney was requested to prepare one
by the next meeting of the Council. The
Commissioner OF the Revenue has adyo-
Gated this scheme.
wATER-woRKs.
Mr. Perdue, chairman of the Commit
tee on Water and Finance, introduced
the following:
Whereas the joint committee to
whom was referred all propositions and
other papers in reference to the construc-
ton OF water system for the city have
had them under careful consideration,
but as yet have not been able to submit
to the Council any definite recommends
ton in regard to the same and whereas
there are many complications and details
concerning the same f; and whereas it is
important that we should expedite mat
ters therefore be 1t
RcsOiOed, That the said committee he.
and are hereby, authorized to contract
with such party or parties with whom
the best terms can be made for the
erection of water system for the city,
and that they be allowed, il in their
judgment necessary, to employ the aid
OF an expertin such matters to aid aud
advise them.
Mr. Perdue, in offering the resolution,
said that the joint committee had held r
number of meetings and given TO the
several propositions submitted to it care.
full consideration that he had CORE
sponded with the officials Of several
cities where contracts similar to
the one 10 be made here are
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