The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-02-21
CITY CGnucsI.

The regular semi.monthly meeting was
held in the Council Chamber Tuesday
night last. Present, President Berkeley.
Weller, Butts, Craig, Armentrout. Tams,
McQuaide. Crimmens, Crowle, Summer
son, and Bell
Mr.. Tams, from Finance Committee,
reported favorabIy on petition of }. y.
Hall to have Sl5 lost coupon paid, upon
given indemnifying bond for $50.
Same = Adversely on petition of DR..
Atkinson to be relieved of sewer tax.
Same Favorably on petition Of Stack
& Splitter, as to tax on wagon and mules.
Same-That account of Mrs. Lott!e
Schetfer for rent of lot adjoining school
lot be not allowed.
Capt. McQuai]e read a letter from
Chief Engineer Braxton. Of the @. y y.
Railroad, concerning foot bridge over the
G. Il o. trackway. Mr.. Brexton promises
that the matter shall receive prompt at
tention.
Mr.. Butts from Water Committee. re-
ported fayorably on the following petit
lions: w. G.. Paxton. Mrs. Chesley Kim
ney. c. D. Nimmo. Sam'l Hutchins, and
Mrs. DIR. Harnsberger, all for remission of
water tax.
City Attorney A. G. Draxton submitted
full and detailed opinion as to the.prop-
erty rights of the city. and the several fire
companies the houses. lots. bells. towers
and all apparatus belonging to the city:
uniforms, libraries. room furniture and
cash belong to The several companies. The
city had contributed 1926 for the bell at
the engine house. and the fire company
$l75 The city built the tower. but it was
distinctly understood that the bell and
tower should belong to the city. The con
tribution of the n. II. Co. towards the
purchase Of the bell on the Newtown Fire
Company house, was with the agreement
that the bell and tower should be the
property of the city. The house, lot and
bell of the H. s. L. Company belonged en-
tirely to the city. The cash appropria-
tions from the city to the several compa-
MES. were "out and ont gifts to them,'
they therefore belonged to the companies,
and to the members join ly. These COM
p;.nies not having any corporate existence.
could neither sue nor be sued. They could
be disbanded by the city. but the property
acquired by them through the gifts of the
city. belonged to the companies and not to
the city. MIR. Bptts moeed that the report
he received and filed. Mr.. CrimmeDs
moved that it be adopted. Mr.. Crimmens
motion prevailed.
MIR. Bell, from the special committee to con-
slider and report as to the paid fire department,
made the following report:
THE committee recommend the repeal of so
much of the former report required the men
to sleep at the engine house, SO as to allow
on the former estimate of cost
The committee had received four bids for
the electric alarm system, one from the Union
Company of New York. for $1,000. One from
the Campbell Company, New York, SLIPS;
and two from the Gaynor Company, of Louis
vile, Ky. one for single circuit system for
S1,100, and one for three circuit system for
$1,000. The committee recommended the three
circuit system at $1,000 for its many and mani
fest advantages.
1t provides for central station, two stations
at the livery stables, each supplied with large
gongs, which are sounded whenever an alarm is
turned on. Ten signal boxes Is keys to each)
to be placed in different parts of the city. Wire
to be of copper, and completely insulated. When
exposed where accidents may happen the wires
to be placed in iron pipes. There will be
miles of wire, which may be fastened to houses
or poles now in the streets mo new poles). The
committee also recommend the purchase of two
2~horse reel carriages to be built by ]. M.
Hardy & Son, at cost of $500 each, also
contract with the livery stables, for horses for
the service, and that the Committee on Ordi-
mances prepare an ordinance for the govern.
ment of the department.
On motion of Mr. Craig it was ordered that
the report be considered seriatim, and that the
End recommendation, relating to the fire alarm
be considered first.
Mr.. Craig said he was opposed to this meas
ure. If we are to have paid system, he would
favor the report of the committee in its entirety.
But he saw nothing to justify this expenditure
of the peoples money. No complaint had ever
been made against our fire companies. We had
very few fires compared to other places, and our
volunteer companies had always responded
promptly to every call, and done efficient work.
Their services had been highly acceptable, al d
he doubted if any paid department would ever
render any better service. This Council has
done great deal for the city. 1t has built two
new school houses, an almshouse, and established
the electric light system. These monuments to
the energy, sagacty and wisdom Of this Council
in providing for the wants of our people, were
sufficient to attest its loyalty to the interests of
the city. 1t is now proposed to increase the
debt of the city $1,000, and so far as he could
see without any corresponding benefit, and GER
tainly without any demand from the people for
the paid department. He was opposed TO this
useless expenditure of the peoples money.
The motion to adopt this section of the report
of the committee was lost.
Mr.. Tams moved to reconsider which was
adopted, and on his motion the report was laid
on the table until the next meeting of the
Council.
Mr. Butts, from the Finance Committee, subs
mitted the delinquent list for the year 1885,
real estate, S245.72; personal property and cap
itation tax, S595,97 ordered to be turned over
to the City Treasurer for advertising and sale.
Sundry petitions were referred.
Maj. T. c. Elder as special attorney in the
case of Rob't Knghtly VS.. the City of Stauntcn,
submitted opinion stating that the plaintiff
had rights, of which he could not be deprived.
except by law, and advised that steps be taken
looking to the condemnation of the land in
question, as solution at the matter.
On motion of Mr.. Bell, the Water Committee,
and the attorney were authorized to carry out
the suggestions of the report Adjourned,
Dir. r. W. shelton.