The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-18
COUNCIL RUSHING BUSINESS,
Notwithstanding the Advice of
a Local Paper,

Which was Strongly Denounced by Many
Councilmen-Cnpt. DAWN Gets the
Stone Work for the Jail-The Fire
mems building and Market House.
Bids Opened for Asphalt Pavement.
The Council to Meet Again Friday.
An adjourned meeting of the City
Council was held last night, present:
Messrs. Buckncr, Graves, Huff, Nc
Connell, McCahan, Skinker, Trout, Wood
ward, President HAWTHORN, presiding
Before any business was taken up
Mr.. Woodward called for the reading of
an editorial in the Evening World of
yesterday. The article was read by the
clerk, and Mr.. Woodward took the floor
in defense of the retiring council, and
said there were but few men if any in
the whole body who would give two
straws to he councilman. Neverthe-
less they had been elected by the people
to fill these positions. The people who
were their constituents had never ac-
cused them of malfeasancc in office.
He considered that the World had
done the Council gross injustice. No
one had ever promised newspaper any
guarantee showing how this money for
public improvements would be eX-
pended. The paper comes out and saws
we have obligated ourselves not to ex-
pend any money unless the people know
how it was TO be done. This was false
hn f,,1
capable to discharge the duties of tho
office, fully satisfactory to the people,
and he would remain till midnight to
award any contrac that might come up.
Mr. Woodward's plain talk was greeted
with applause.
MIR. Trout then followed lie said it
was not often that he noticed articles
that cmanated from such sources ~
have lived" said he, "for forty-nine
years in Roanoke. | have served the
city for several terms to the best Of my
ability, and 1T is the first time have
been accused of stealing l would like
to ask the World how much taxes it
pays into the city treasury for us to
spuander?" (Applause.)
There is no man who has labored
harder than have to place the bonds
of the city to the best advantage.
have succeeded whenever | had the en-
enlargement of the people, but such
articles as emanato from that sheet are
damaging to Roanoke, and tend to
thwart any effort we might make in this
liuc. AS long as l have been Council
man, | have never seen the Sigh test
suspicion of fraud among its members
Mr.. McCahan said, so far as he was
personally concerned as TO the insinua-
tions of the article, he felt that his
skirts were clear and would treat it with
the utmost contempt.
Mr.. Woodward then paid com pill
ment to Mr. Trout, who, he said,
became member OF the Council six
years ago, when the city bonds sold for
80 cents on the dollar. Through Mr..
Trout's able financiering they were
raised to 100 and are now selling for 105.
Nlr Euckncr had listened to the talks
with even composure When he took
the floor 1t was the same. but his eye
flashed, and he spoke with an emphasis
that carried conviction. He said as q
rule he never noticed newspaper squibs
He thought if papers that published
such articles would pay more attention
to Roanoke instead OF booming way
stations i. would now be less trouble to
place the city's bonds. The finance
committee have been troubled by this
oOl vi lHliS IOO Ollcl JUST rs LDoy
got ready to sell lot of bonds soml.
penny scribbler would come along and
cast damper on the whole thing. lie
thought it high time that such things
should cease. AS an Individual he
cared naught, but for the sake Of the
city he chose TO speak his mind in refer
cncc to this matter.
Mr.. McConnell: II think we should
treat it with contempt. What news
paper was 1T imp
Nj. Hawthorne: Tho World"
"Mr. Mcconnell: "Qh, thought it
was in newspaper
Mcssrs. llanthorn. Huff and Sknkcr
ali criticized the article, and expressed
their sentiments about as the above
gentlemen quoted. Mr.. Huff expressed
his regrets that the Council had noticed
it.
On motion of Mr. Mcconnell the
street committee were instructed to
macadamize Trout street, the crushed
stones now at the quarry near the gas
works to be used.
The telephone pole on the corner of
Norfolk avenue and jefferson strect.an
another on the corner of Salem avenue
and Commerce street. were ordered TO
be moved
On motion Of Mr.. Huff seven gas
lamps were ordered to be placed on
Fourth avenue n. W.
Mr.. Buckper introduced the following
resolution which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Council extend
to our retiring president its hearty
thanks for the intelligent, courteous
and IMPARTIAL manner in which he has