The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-07-12
THE MAYORS MESSAGE.
HE STlRS 'SHOOKOE CREEK COMMIT.
TEE Up.
The committee weeis and Taises Action
I'm Consonancc win the Mayors
views-CoioneI Cutshaw's
Views Given.

as the Committee on ShOckOc Greek. -
The committee had two meetings and
then sank into quies cence.
The recent flood in ShOckoe creek
came providentially 10 the rescue Of the
committee. The creek got on the ram
page. cut high inks. and startled the
inhabitants along its border by "A watery
wantonness that attracted the attention
of the city law makers.
Mayor i. Taylor Ellyson saw that
remedial agencies were imperativcly
demanded. and at the last meeting Of
the Board Of Aldermen ne sent 10 that
body a Characteristic message, in which
no portrayed the need of attention TO
some work Of improvement. by which
loss Of property could be protected and
the health Of people taken care Of.
t." The Mayer also recommended that a
commission Of engineers be organized .
and under the guidance OF our City
Engineer. Colonel w. T.. Cutshaw. pre-
pare some plan, to put into practice
the suggestions contained in his mes
sage.
At the sans meeting Of the Board
following upon the heels Of what the
Mayor had said. Messrs. Capers ana
Murphy also offered resolutions looking
to the same end.
The Mayor 5 message was referred TO
the Committee on ShOckoe Creek. and
last night the committee met in the
office OF City Engineer w. +. Cutshaw.
There were present Mr. John NJ. IIig-
gins. chairman. and Messrs. StterdIng.
Murphy, Courtney and Carter.
Mr.. higgins announced that the OBJ
ject Of the meeting was to consider GER
tain resolutions referred to the com
mittee by the Council. which resolu-
tions had for their object the protection
OF property bordering on ShOckOe
creek 'nnd the improvement Of the
creek. lie spoke Of the necessity Of
tins work. and went over the disastrous
results left behind by the late freshets.
He referred to the Mayor = message and
spoke Of It's recommendations.
The resolution appropriating $4,000
for the improvement Of Sh0ckOe creek
was then read. This appropriation
was made i'm the budget for 1889
Mr.. Murphy said that he also had Of
fercd a resolution in the Board Of Al
dermen looking 10 the same object that
liit AnNOl Iuu III 'lENs iAt was III
formed that his resolution bad been re-
ferred by the Board to "a Joint commit
tee composed Of the Finance Committee
and the Connnrrr, ~ Shockoe Creek.
However, upon his suggestion. while 1t
could not be considered at the meeting
then being held.
Mr.. Murphy was permitted to have
his resolution read. 1t was to the effect
that the taxes amounting to about
800, 600. accruing from properties lying
al iacent 10 the localities submerged by
be appropriated to max
ing such improvements as might place /
property owners on a secure basis from /
danger.
Mr.. Murphy stated that ne believed |
if Colonel Cutshaw was furnished the /
means, that he could do the work with
out any commissioners. Colonel Cut
shaw knew what was needed. and he
would clean out the creek bed. raise
the bridges. and he (Mr. Murphy was
satisfied that he would do just what
was wanted.
Il believe so too. said Mr.. Higgins.
Mr.. Murphy claimed for Marshall
ward that it had been doing much To
build up Clay and other wards. and
'aid that property once valuable i'm
ward would become valua-
Die again. and people would not
De found moving west if proper i'm
were made.
MIR. Courtney asked: Does not the
obstacle lie at the archway ON
he creek ~ aud lac was answered in
he affirmative.
Mr.. Sitterding complimentcd Colonel /.
,utshaw. saying he was the best engi-
leer insthis part Of the country, and he
Was willing To leave the matter To- HIM.
At the suggestion Of Mr.. Courtney,
Colonel Cutshaw addressed the commit
zee. The Colonel said when he first
anne To the city. sixteen years ago, the
.tIects of the city first gained his at
entiOn. lie believed that if the money
expended in the Church Hill tunnel
ind been used in the Improvement Of .
,hOckOe creek there would have been a ,
Consolidation of railroad traffic on the ,
lock. lie did not think II was too
ate, even now. to accomplish tins. and !
lc favored the system of raising
he walls of the creek at the cross
ngs on the streets. He did not !
lave the slightest objection 10 having =
lther engineers associated with HIM. "
n multitude Of counselOrs there
vas wisdom. Some people thought =,
hat one man had but one rut to run i'm, :
,ut he did not agree with them. But !
be pubic might feel better satisfied If y
here were others to look into the mat. :.
cr along with himself. lie fully
ndorsed all that Mayor Ellyson =
Iad said in his message. and he had =
aid as much IN conversation with Mr.. "
Higgins. lie thought IL would be well
d take such men as Major f. L. ID.
jyers. Major IL. ID. Whitcomb and Mr.
,euben ShrreiTs. and let them lend
heir counsel. lie said Major Myers %
vas ahead Of any engineer hereab0uts, >
lai0r WhilcOmb was well posted in G.
abroad and engineering matters, aud a
ir ShirrefI IS experience on the Rich /
iOud and Allegheny Railroad would s.
T. of great service in perfecling some
Ian wbich would meet the exigencies L
the occasion. u
Nr. Courtney thought 1t right to have \
leec gentlemen invited 20 act with y
olonel Cutshaw in preparing report q
} be submitted to future meeting OF W
ne committee. i'
Mr.. Sitterding moved, and his motion :
revealed. that the City Engineer be re- al
ucsted to obtain the assistance of the &c
sutlemen named, and that they report
plan to a subsequent meeting of the @
Mr.. Sitterding said lie had IL
Iisapprehended the scope of the
ayOr + views, and that he had been t'
islead by the idea that men from a al
stance would be called upon. u
Mr.. Higgins also expressed his con- P
nrence i'm Mr.. Sitterding's views. 81
Mr.. Murphy reported some part Of
,e walls of the creek. between Cary
IA Main streets. as in a dangerous
)ndition, ready TO topple in. 81
Of
NpuISQIp NINS