The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-14
THIRD WARD FOR The BONDS.
Large Meeting of the Citizens
Last Night.
Promin%t Men Discuss the situation
Resolutions In Favor of the Bonds and
Commencing the City Press Adopted
The Norfolk and Western Promises
Extensive Improvements If the Bond
Ordinances Garry.

school building on Gilmer street. About
seventyrfve were present.
Mr.. g. w. Ramsey called the meeting
to order, and j. w. Camper was elected
chairman. w. E. Thomas, of THE
TIMES, was made secretary.
Mr.. Camper, on taking the chair,
asked that some one volunteer to state
the objects of the meeting, as he was
not posted thoroughly as to why it had
been called.
Mr.. Ramsey said he understood the
sole object of the meeting was for the
purpose of discussing the bond ordi-
nances.
Mr.. Kelly said in order to bring the
matter TO point. he would suggest that
the question of whether OF not the
Third ward would be benefited by the
ordinances if carried.
Mr.. Ramsey then took tho floor. 1t
was understood that he would make
some very interesting presenta tions,
and all were eager to hear his remarks.
Mr.. Ramsey said the agitation of the
city press occassioned this meeting. An
important question had been brought
about, and one in which the citizens of
the Third ward were interested more
than had been imagined. t
"The city stands in great need of i'm
provements. Roanoke has been for two
years great point for State organiza-
t1onS to meet. 1t is fearful to have them
come among us and see the present con-
dition of our Streets
Mr.. Ramsey detailed the several or
dinances, and said Roanoke needed
them all. 1t was a small appropriation
for city of this size. While voting
for this amount ($421 ,O0O) the people
were really getting about 100000
MI. Ramsey spoke of tho extensive
improvements to be made in the near
future by the Norfolk and Western.
These improvements would be made
providing the city would vote these APP
preparations. They propose to put
$4,000 in the overhead bridges, $50, 900
for the paving of streets, putting in
sewers and an arch over Lick Run on
Holiday street.
The paving would extend entirely
around Hotel Roanoke, east on Shenan-
doah avenue to Holiday street, and
west on the same to the freight station.
Besides this $4,000 would be put in
new passenger depot, to be located cast
of Hotel Roanoke. Also $4,000 for
belt line around the city for the purpose
of carrying through freight without com
ing through the business center The
company were also preparing to erect
magnificent office building, the specif-
cations of which mako it tho costliest
building in the city.
''This great amount for direct CITY
improvements" said Mr.. Ramsey, "wiil
certainly effect this development of Roa-
noke. Mr.. Kimball had addressed a
letter 20 the City Council in which he
urged that they take action to secure
the passage of these ordinances by the
people. This was his reason. The
Norfolk and Western has great inter-
est in Roanoke and its people are now
waiting to see if we will not meet them
half way"
MIR. Sheehan spoke Of the appropria-
tions and explained them in thorough
manner. He demonstrated the proposed
sewer plan, but said he did not know
whether this would be adopted or not.
He favored the fire appropriation in full.
Alex. O'Conner is great Irishman
and talks right along. He said the Of
fer of the Norfolk and Western was
consolation, and advised everybody to
vote for the ordinances. "Some think"
said the speaker, "these appropriations
will bring big debt on the city. That
don't matter. We will never live to
see it paid. Let the last man pay the
last man." [Applause.I
Mr.. O'Brien opposed tho ordinances
in present form. He insisted that the
Council should give some guarantee
that the money would be properly ex.
pended. He said, however, he would
vote for all except the street and sewer
ordinances. There was only one way
to do, and that was to Judge the future
by the past A little sewer system had
been started in East Roanoke. He
knew where it started, but learned that
it had stopped at q councilman's house.
Laughter.
Mr.. Ramsey spoke OF the school appro-
priations and urged the Adoption of the
ordinance. He said the councilman, who
ever he was, that allowed tho sewer to
stop at his house was settled. He ought
to be spotted.
Mr.. Graves explained why the sewer
stopped near his residence. 1t was be-
cause the city failed to get deed to go
through the adjoining property. When
such was secured the appropriations
had run out.
Mr.. O'Brien demurred to having cast
any reflections on Mr.. Graves.
The following resolutions were read
and adopted:
Whereas it is expedient to secure in
ternal improvements by means Of the
bond ordinances proposed by the City
Council, and
sary as whole to the future welfare of
the city, and particularly to the Third
ward; therefore be it
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