The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-01
THE TRIAL.
MORE ILLUMINATION.
Electric Light Committee Reconsiders Its
Action.

actlOn
The Electric Light Committee of the Coun-
Gil met yesterday afternoon in the cham
ber The monthly bill Of the Electric Light
Company was presented, it amounting to
81 sos. A discussion arose as 10 whether
tue bill was correct. The bill charged for
one hundred and eighteen lights, and the
committee was under the impression that
they were only paying for one hundred.
they having ordered thirty-fOur put out "A
few nights since.
Mr.. X. W. Carter said that he thought
il wrong to have the thirty-f0ur lights put
out, but he saw from the records that
eighteen of them could he lighted again
until the Sth of next February. "They
should all be lighted" he said, "and it is a
farce to say that we will be held personally
responsible. We are the representatives, OF
the people. and if we are so unfortunate as
to make an error. the people | am sure, Will
back us up. Then, too, when these thirty
four lights were ordered down by the COM
mittee a full meeting CT the committee
should have been held. The whole Jefer-
son and Marshall wards are now without
electric lights, and the working people, and
especially the young ladies employed in the
various factories, are placed at great dis
advantage and inconvenience"
NO RISK.
Mr.. Mann stated that he had offered the
resolution cutting of the thirty-four lights.
II did it," he said. "because did not want
to run any risk. The City Attorney told us
that we would be held personally re-
spOnsible Ii there is a contract for one
hundred and eighteen lights, let them burn.
All know anything about is contract for
one hundred lights"
Mr.. Courtney, speaking TO Mr.. Carter,
stated that the latter had plenty OF time to
come TO the meeting OF the committee that
ordered the lights down; that the notice OF
the meeting had been served in ample time.
Mr.. Courtney then read from the records,
which stated that at meeting OF the COun-
ell, February -, 1887, eighteen additional
lights were recommended by the Electric
Light Committee and ordered 10 be put up
by the Council. "When these electric lights
were ordered TO be put up" he continued,
1.-THE Council ordered that an all-night
schedule be adopted, and not 'mOonshine
schedule, as was in practice before that
time"
TALK OF COUNSEL.
Mr.. Wyndham II. Meredith, who is coun-
sci for the Electric Light Company, stated
that no formal contract had been signed as
to the eighteen lights, but that the order for
the erection was a matter of record with the
Council, and that his company had car
ried out the instructions of our city
fathers. "Mr. Conner" he continued,
was authorized by the Council to sign a
contract for the additional eighteen lights,
but never did so. On last Wednesday Mr..
rressert Of the company, came to
my Office and showed me the
resolution ordering all lights Except the
original hundred) down. He stated that he
had ceased TO use any but the hundred, and
that Church-llill avenue was unlighted at
night. lie asked my advice and told him
that would let him know later.
A few moments after Mr.. Joseph c. Dick
ersOn, president of the Board OF Aldermen,
came into my office and asked why Church
Hill avenue was not being lighted at night.
He stated that many of the young ladies en-
plsyed in the city had TO traverse that ave-
nue. going home. and that il was embarrass-
ing to them with no light. Mr.. Dickerson
and myself came up 10 the Council, exam
ined the records, and found that the COun-
ell had ordered in 1897 the additional eigh-
teen lights. We then went 10 the City At
torney for his opinion, but Mr.. Meredith
stated he would only give his opinion to Mr..
Dickersos-if asked for by that gentleman
in his capacity as president Of the Board Of
Aldermen. This was not asked for by Mr..
Dickerson.
then advised Mr.. Tessert to light eigh-
teen additional lights, the same TO be light
ed where he thought would be most add
Vantageous TO the city. This he did, but if
the committee sees proper they can order
the lights TO be lighted on any Of the poles
now standing.
MOVE To RECONsIDER.
Mr.. Mann moved to reconsider the action
OF the committee at the last meeting in Or
dering down the thirty-four lights. Carried.
lie then moved TO take down sixteen lights,
thus leaving eighteen ordered by the Coun-
Gil. lighted. Carried.
The bill was then ordered TO be paid.
The eighteen lights referred TO above are
At the following points: Twenty-ffth and |
NJ, Twenty-fourth and NJ, Twenty-fourth |
and Avenue, Twenty-third and Avenue. |
twenty first and Avenue. Seventeenth and |
trace, seventeenth and Franklin, Sixth |
md Marsh all, almshouse, shockoe Slip, |