Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-11
NO POWER T0DECIDE
ONLY THE PEOPLE CAN SAY WHICH
ARE THE loNc-TERM MEMBERS.
The City Not Liable for Damages from
Ovcrfiowing Cuiverts-The Assessors'
Money-Other Board Business.

Overlooking Cuiverts-The Assessors'
Money-Other Board Business.
City-Attorney G. V. Meredith submit
ted 10 the Board OF Aldermen at its
November meeting last night an opinion
bearing upon the matter Of the long and
shortterm members from Jackson Ward.
In this paper he stated that the Board
had no power to determine this ques-
tion, but that it was matter that the
charter especially provides shall be set
tied by the people. The people having
failed TO designate the long and short
term aldermen the election was void.
The opinion was received and filed.
FIVE SEATS AFFECTED.
Mr.. Turpin thought the matter a very
grave one, and moved that it lie on the
table until the next meeting.
Mr.. Taylor wanted the question taken
up ct once.
The Chair maintained that rs the City
Attorney bad given an opinion the ques-
ton could not be touched III any way,
and ruled Mr.. Turpin out Of order. MIR.
Turpin appealed from this decision and
insisted that il his appeal was voted down
the two members from Monroe and those
from jackson Ward would be voted out
Of office. The aldermen who would be
affected by this are Messrs. Wilkinson
and Gray OF Monroe. and Bahen, Jeter,
and Mitchell of jackson, who were
elected this spring.
The Chair was sustained.
PAVING SIDEWALKS.
The Finance Committee recommended
the rejection of the resolution appropri-
ating $3.50 for tho paving of side
walks. Their report was adopted.
PAYING ASSESSORS.
The same committee reported favora-
bly, upon the resolution appropriating
So, 600 for the payment OF the State as
SCISSORS.
Mr.. Hughes offered n substitute pro
viding that $1,000 shall be divided
among the assessors and $1,000 among
the assistants.
1t was explained that the assessors
IdNOItu INC OIlkibhl iOoO4ulAoA oAiNA WIZ W
sistants the substitute.
On motion of Mr.. Dickerson, the mat
ter was referred to the Finance Commit
tee TO say how the amount shall be
divided with authority to report to
either branch.
The same committee presented batch
Of resolutions referred TO them by the
former Council, which tho President
ruled out Of order.
FROI THE COMMON COUNCIL.
The Board concurred in the forty
resolutions providing for the construction
of sewers which were reported 10y the
Street Committee at the last meeting OF
the Common Council and adopted by
that body.
The ordinance allowing the Northside
Railway Company to build and operate
a street-car line from its viaduct at tho
head of Fifth street to Baker, where 1t
will connect with the Union Passenger
railway, was concurred III.
ELECTRTC-LIGHT MONEY.
The Board also concurred in the reso-
luton passed at the last meeting of the
Common Council placing 80, 700 to the
credit of the Electric-Light Committee.
The ordinance fixing the price OF lots
in River-Yiew cemetery was also con-
CURED In.
HARBoR-,IAsTER.
The Board also agreed to the resolu-
ton for Joint session OF the two
branches of the Council tomorrow night
for the election of harbor-master to fill
the vacancy caused by tho death Of Il.
ii. Styll.
NO LIABILITY.
An opinion of the City Attorney stated
that the city was not legally bound to
nav Mrs. A. s. Barnes for damages sus-
tanned by her house and property from
an overiiowed culvert at Madison and
Main streets.
The Committee on Claims recon-
mended that $500 be paid Mrs. Barnes,
which at the last meeting OF the Com
mon Council was referred to the City
Attorney for an opinion.
Colonel W. p. Smith, a son-in-law of
Mrs. Barnes, addressed the Council IN
support of her claim.
The resolution appropriating the $500
was defeated.
no OUTSIDE GATES.
The Board refused to agree to the ordi-
nance allowing certain persons to swing
gates outward over the sidewalks at their
own risk. The same disposition was
made OF the ordinance IN regard to signs
over the street.
MECHANICS INSTITUTE.
A communication was submitted by
Mr.. Capers from the President of the
Mechanics Institute, asking an appro-
priation of 81 900 TO meet the expenses
of the school for the balance Of the
year. Referred to the Finance Commit
tee.
The President stated that the institu-
ton had begun its seventh session with
3l6 students, and that the appropriation
is now no larger than when the attend
ance was much smaller than now.
sINKING-FUND COMMISSIONERS.
Mr.. Dickerson offered resolution in
structing the Auditor to place annually
TO the credit of the Board of Sinking
Fund Commissioners the sum of $500
to be used in defraying the current ex-
penses of the Board. The rules were
suspended and the resolution adopted.
DECLARE THE SEAT VACANT.
Mr.. Crenshaw introduced resolution
declaring the seat of Alderman Wilkln-
son vacant, no having removed from
the city, which at bis request was re-
ferred to the City Attorney.
The same gentleman offered resolu-
ton requesting the City Attorney to
ascertain who were the short and long
term aldermen from Monroe and Jack
son wards. Lost.
Adjourned at $40 z. M.
Council Committee Matters.
The Grounds and Buildings Commit
tee could not hold its weekly meeting
Yesterday evening, as only two Of its