The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-04
THE COMMON COUNCIL.
MANY MEASURES OF IMPOR'
LANCE DISCUSSED.

The regular monthly meeting OF the Nom- |
mon Council held last night, saw the fol-
lowing members present; Anderson, BOW
den. Brauer. Burke. Christian, Courtney
curtis. Ferriier, Glover, Crimes "unn'
Hayes. Higgins, Mann, Philips, Peasants
steel stratton. J. W. White, Royal White
Wingdeld. Winston, Campbell
RESOLUTION or SYMPATHY.
I'm motion of Mr.. Gum, the rules were
suspended and the following resolution was
adopted
xvhareas. the citizens Of Richmond have
learned with profound sorrow OF 'ne4Sii,,isV ~.
tion fhet has this day been visited upon me
honorable Secretary Of the Navy nhu hlA
Family therefore be u resolved by tho 'oun.
I'M oil the city Of Richmond INC boaIu VI
Alderman concurfing, mat DIS nvhVi .h0
MAYOR be requested to convey 10 the seer.
fsrS of the rsyy the sincere sympathy leii
for him bv our people I'm this hour Of his SAD
bcrcay emcnt.
HELPING THE FIREMEN.
On motion of Mr.. StrattoD. s., 1852 were
ntacod ~ the credit of the fire department
In addition TO the regular appropriation IN
fine annual budget. in order TO pay eight ad-
ditional men from the regular force TO take
the place Of station men on regular duty the
year around, ..-.-.,
The Committee on streets presenter
lengthy report involving mu9h nlat,ei VI
purely personal character, and certain ap-
propriations for improvement Of streets
TALK ABOUT THE TUNNEL.
The Committee ON Streets also presented
AN ordinance in regard to the construction
of the Eighth street tunnel, and n1ing tne
time for rs completion al the 10th OF FED
rparv. 1891. subject 10 such restrictions as
MIGHT be laid down by the Council and the
/ Citv Attorney; and providing further that
/ i'm the event the streefwas not restored 10
/ its former condition, that then the bonds OF
the Richmond and Chesapeake road ON the
further event that the work had not been
completed) should revert 10 the city OF klch-
/ mond The ordidance was very lengthy
and well guarded in all Of its provisions;
and thoroughly protects the city from an
| invasiOns of its rights, and it is evident that
the company would never have entered
! inforhe obligations implied in the terms OF
the ordinance, unless il intended 10 make
the work "a success.
Mr.. Rowden characterized the ordinance
as one Of the most ir0n-clad thai ne nau
ever heard read, but he said that WINE me
civ was named on one side he had not heard
anybody named on the other; Dut ms conn,
dence i'm the City Attorney, who was posted
10 vote for the ordinance.
Mr.. Courtney said the city had given the
| Richmond and Chesapeake Company iran
chise and they had failed 10 do the work.
he was opposed 20 giving the company FUR
thor time, and would vote against the ordi-
nance.
Mr.. Higgins was In favor Of the ordi,,
nance II had been thoroughly considered
i'm the Committee on Streets, and the City
tightly as could be, and he would vote for u.
Mr.. BOwden earnestly advocated the 0rdl-
nance. He said the city had nothing 10 lose,
and the road would bring Richmond into
close connection with beautiful part Of
the state that was now drawn on largely 10y
Baltimore.
Mr.. StrattOn was requested TO explain
the question Of bonds Of the road ana then
security. lie said the bonds given by I'D,
road were Richmond city bonds, ana would
be forfeited at once If the terms OF the orqi-
nance were not complied with. lie sald iht
contractor had stated that he had worked
Tor ino .santlomen owning the road, and was
perfectly whining 10 work for them again
The Street committee had done all thai
could be done 10 protect the city. The ordi
nance was adopted.
sOUTHsIDE IMPROVEMENT.
The street Committee presented Al
amendment 10 the SOuthside Land and I'm
4 prOyement. said improvement 20 be com
menced and have cars at work by the Sd O
July next: that upon notification from The
city that work was not being pushed 20 tho
satisfaction Of the city, then all rights Of The
company should cease. The amendmcn
was adopted,
Another street railway matter was res
OutiOn referred 20 the Street Committee 4
sell street railway franchises, and the re
commentator Of the committee that The
same be rejected was adopted.
TIE FINANCE COMMITTEE CLERK.
The following was read from the Finance
n Committee;
AT the last regular meeting Of your body
the Committee ON Finance submitted resO
: luton authorizing the committee 20 employ
a clerk NJ $500 per Snnum. The resolu
ton was recommitted. We nave agali
considered the resolution, and herewith re-
turn 10 with the recommendation that 10 b'
adopted. The committee now employ clerl
at $50 per year under resolution rom th'
: city Council, which Is entirely inadequate
compensation for the responsible anC
labOIieus duties performed. This resolution
IS the only law which contains any provision
for the employment OF a clerk Dy the coIn
mittee. The law does not require the auditor
as has been stated, TO perform the duty. AZ
has been stated, the duties OF the clerk OF the
Finance Committee are iabOriOus, r6spOnsi
BILE. and, I'm addition 10 the routine work
/ there IA a great deal 20 do which Ia Incl
dental 10 the position, and there Is greai
deal OF work performed by the clerk which
necessarily deVOlveS. upon the committee, II
they did not have the services OF compe
. | tent clerk. They beg leave 10 assure the
Council that The clerk Of the Finance Com
ieittee requires q man acquainted with The
question Of finances. and he must be com
petent mathematician. We do not believe
that a suitable man can be procured for Ices
I than $500 per annum. aud 10 IL the unani-
nous opinion Of the Committee on inanct
that the interests Of the department and city
viii be best subserYed by the adoption OF the
resolution"
The resolution reads: BE it resolved by
the Council of the city of Richmond, the
Board Of Aldermen c0ncuuing, that the
Committee ON Finance be and are hereby
authorized 20 employ clerk at a salary moi
exceeding $500 per annum."
Mr.. Burke opposed the increase. and said
that the present clerk received emOuments
from other committees. He thought the
Jump from SO 10 $500 too big. especially
when it was considered that the old in.
cumbent received so much from other
sources
Mr.. Bowden also opposed the increase
and he declared it in bad taste for the old
clerk 20 resign now, after he had willingly
served so long for SO.
Mr.. higgins also declared he could not
with self respect vote for the increase.
Mr.. Anderson said as far as he was indi
ydually concerned be did not care whether
the city had a clerk or not, but officially he
did. The Finance Committee thought they
were doing the best they could for the city.
and he thought any member could safely
vote for the increase. He thought $500 little
| enough for the clerk.
Mr.. Burke moved that the resolution be
amended so as 10 provide that the special
assessment clerk, Mr.. William IL. Will
liams, be required 20 act as clerk for the
Finance Committee.
Mr.. Higgins made a speech highly CON-
plimentary % Mr.. Williams, and advocating
Mr.. Burke's amendment.
Mr.. Glover said it was always the Gus
tom for committees 10 elect their own clerk.
He was not speaking Of any particular
man. but he did not think any so well
qualified 20 Judge Of the efficiency OF a clerk
Of the Finance Committee as that commit
tee. The vote on Mr.. Burke's amendment
resulted as follows:
Ayes: Messrs. Anderson, Brauer Car
ter. Christian. Glover. Hayes, Mann,
| Peasants, Steel, White. j. W., White,
/ Royal: Winston, Campbell-13.
Noes: Messrs. Bowden, Burke. COurtney,
I Curtis lprriftQr. Grimes Eunu Hf0rius