Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-13


| Nos. ard3. No accommodation was made
| as to the character OF the buildings.
The matter was recommitted and the com.
mittee was requested TO prepare fuller one
| giving estimated cost Of the buildings de-
sired; TO secure options on lots, and give al
other information needed.
| THE ALMsHoUsE.
Mr.. Weisiger, from the Committee on
Public Lands and Buildings, to whom wa:
| referred the matter OF repairing The old small
pox hospila! and erecting a new building OF
| six rooms 10 he used as an almshOuse, re-
| ported that from an approximate bid re-
| coved the work could be done for about
| $1,000.
Action was postponed as to this matter.
THE QUESTION OF WATER.
The Fire ommittec forwarded commu.
nicatton received by them from Dir. a. j.
Gallagher, Chief OF the Fire Department, in
which he said | deem II my duty to csll
your attention to the fact that the Manche,-
ice Water Company haye failed TO furnish
| water for fire purposes at the three last
fires Of importance. on April 10th the
alarm came in at G:5j A. ~. and the first
water reached the fire at 1852. therefore
suggest that the committee should cause this
important matter to be Investigated.
Sir. Perdue stated that the JOINT Commit
tee on Finance and Water already had this
matter under consideration. The paper was
referred TO this Joint committee.
BUILDING PERMITS.
A number Of permits were granted TO
persons TO erect frame buildings 10 various
sections Of the city.
FIRE-PLUC.
A petition was read from 4 number OF per-
son. residing and owning property on
Twelfth street east Of Stockton, asking that
fire. plug be placed at the corner OF Twelfth
aud Stockton streets. Referred.
THE TELEGRAPH oFFiCE.
The following letter from Dlr joseph W.
Hates, general superintendent OF the Postal
Telegraph Cable Company, southern dlvi-
sion, was read
Gentlemen Referring TO your resolution
authorizing this company 10 build its line
through the city OF Manchester. il is pro.
yded that the POstsl-Tecgraph Cable Conn
pany shall establish and keep open al Office
In your city. 1t being prODiematical whether
an Office IN Manchester would secure a SUI
ficient scount OF business TO pay its neces-
sary operating expenses, we feel that the
requirement would prove TO be great bard
knlD 10 US hiil NNll~C a iO-e VI NituN1 ~ AuN
maintenance OF the Office. We are per-
iectly willing to oDen and maintain an office
at Manchester II 1t will pay its running eX-
pensos, aud would be glad to be able to fur
pish direct wire communication for the con-
venience OF the cliZens OF both your city
and Richmond. We would, therefore, re-
spectiully request that the requirement be
limited TO one year. We will try The Office
for that length OF time 10 ascertain what
amount OF business il will secure.
Mr.. Beattie moved that the resolution be
adhered TO as originally adopted. He said
that il at the end OF one year the Office is not
self-supportInz the company can then pre-
sent "A petition asking to be relieved from
keeping the Office open longer. This idea
met with the approval OF the Council and the
Secretary was directed TO inform Nj. Hates
that the Council declined 10 rescind its reso.
luton, but that such proposition might be
entertained at the close Of the first year.
WATER BILLS.
A letter was read from Captain William
Henry White, OF New York, president OF
the Manchester Water Company, asking that
the city g rental for the tire-plugs be psid
quarterly 10 the Mercantile Trust Company
Of Baltimore, which has assumed a morglg
and been made trustee.
TAX BXENPTI0N.
Mr. O'Brlen presented a resolution pro-
yiding that the stock Of all building-fund
associations dong business in this city be
EXEMPTED from city and school taxes. He
briefly advocated the adoption of the ordi-
nance and Cily-Attorney ClOpton also en-
dorsed the proposition. He said under the
present law the Commissioner OF the Reye.
nue. considered il his duty 10 assess such
stock, and he (Judgc CloptoD) thought II
should be exempted as In RichmOnd; "fOr,"
said he, "ihe associations resly have no
stock, and as soon as a member pays up a
share or builds a house be is taxed and the
civ really receives all OF the revenue TO
which she is entitled"
BUSINESS LICENSES.
The city ordinance relating to the grant,
ing Of business licenses was so amended as
10 make the city tax on all business licenses
800, excepi for the sale OF liquor, which is
$40. The tax on private boardiug-houses is
IS. There is really no change made except
that for many wears the Commissioner OF the
Revenue has, under misconstruction OF the
ordinance, sonly charged liquor.men $40,
whereas there is a supplemental clause in
the old ordinance imposing special tax OF
$40 on this class OF merchants.
OPENING sENNTs STREET.
MIR. Bradley, from the Committee on
Streets, who were directed 10 make an esti-
mate and report upon the value OF the pro-
nsrty living on the proposed line OF Semmes
street between Twelfth street and the cor
porate line and the cost OF opening said
street, submitted report saying that TO open
the street would not cost more than s., $40.
This sum, the committee thought, could be
reduced 81, ,000if satisfactory arrangement
can be made with Sir. Douglas Baird regard
ing AZ feet owned by him fronting on
Twelfth and Thirteenth streets He offers
10 donate 1t to the city provided the city
will fill his lots on NcDonough street
between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets; /;
also with parties owning houses In line OF
said street. " In view Of the fact" con-
times the report, "that the opening OF said
street will greatly increase the taxable value
~ the property in that section OF the city,
and that it can never be done for less than
at pressnt. we respectfully recommend that
tue CIty Attorney be directed TO proceed at
once 10 take the necessary steps to condemn
the right OF way 60 feet wide along said
extension OF semmes street. Your
committee win further report tnat hessrs.
George and Edwsrdine Abell, OF the city OF
Baltimore, Md, owners OF the spflpg-hih
property, propose, In consideration OF The
city,s opening said semmes street, to con.
struct at their own expense good aud sub
sIautiai iron bridge on brick piers across the
Petersburg Railroad track In the line OF
the street. We think this proposition should
be accepted"
THE MATTER DISCUSSED.
MIR. j. G. Robertson, OF Baltimore, ap-
pesred before the Counct. By invitation. in