Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-05
THE VETO SET ASIDE.
THE MAYORS OBJECTIONS TO THE
CREMATORY SITE OvERRULED.
Tho Board Of Aldcrme n Reafnrms It's Posi-
fion with Reference TO This Mat
ter-An Animated Discussion.

The Board of Aldermen met in special |
session last evening at o'clock to receive |
and act upon the message of the Mayor
setting forth the reasons why he could not
approve the resolution. which originated
IN this branch. locating the cremstory on
the lot in rear of the almshouse.
The meeting consumed about three
quarters of an hour and was interesting
and favored with animated discussion
throughout.
Many property.owners from the vicinity
of the proposed site we're present to re-
present their interests.
Perhaps no local measure. unless 1t was
the Richmond and Chesapeake railway for
building the Eighth-street tunnel, has Gre
ated so much opposition IN any locality IN
Richmond as has this.
President J. q. Dickerson was in the
chair. and the following other members
OF the Board were present: Bahen, Bow
den, Brander, Garter. Cary; Chrenshaw,
Davis, Gray. Hargrove, Hughes, Jeter,
Mitchell Taylor and Turpin.
THE MAYORS MESSAGE READ.
Clerk August, after reading the call for
the meeting, laid before the body the fol-
lowing communication from the Mayor.
marked interest:
RICHMOND, Va. July 30. 1891. (
To TIC Honorable the Members Of the city Council:
Gentlemen,- have carefully considered your
Joint resolution In reference to the location OF the
crematory on the land owned by the city on Sc
cond street, and In tho rear OF the city amshouse.
and feel constrained TO return IL without my
signature
Tho expansion Of our city IL largely depend
ont tha Ier nj auburban n
perty, and in no direction have we seen 30 many
evidences Of thrift and enterprise as on our
northern border. So courageous and 80 full OF
energy have been the promoters Of enterprises
In that section, that we have witnessed within
the space Of two years tho most marvellous
growth.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TWO YEARS.
Within tina. brief time we have seen the
founding aud almost magical development OF
the thriving village OF Barton Heights; we have
the construction Of the Flith-street yiaduct.
which is recognized a. the most daring business
enterprise that has been undertaken In Rich
mond for many years the Chestnut Hill, High
land Park, and other companies have united IN
the construction Of an electric street railway to
connect their properties with the city. and where
n short while ago there were only barren fields
to-day we ind laid the foundations Of what will
in a few years become prosperous and popuous
suburban villages, which in the not very distant
inture will be merged into and become part OF
our own corporation. Already more than half
million dollars have been invested In these va
rious enterprises, and for the most part by our
own people, but whether by our own citizens or
by strangers, we have as a city reaped the beue-
fii- Of all the work that has been done In any OF
these undertakings.
SHOULD NOT By IGNORED.
II Is worth while for US 10 remember that
almost without exception the heads OF families
residing in these suburbs are members OF our
business community. ! feel. therefore, that in
selecting site for the crematory the interests OF
crr friends on the suburbs, though they may De
residents Of the county, should not be Ignored,
| for 30 close IL their identity with cur own that
what hurtfnlly affects them must inIure Us. The
residents OF all this section haye presented an
earnest protest against the location on the cre-
inatory near their homes. Tho gentlemen
who have most largely Invested IN these enter
prl-es and who have given us examples Of busi-
ness energy and enterprise 20 worthy OF imita-
| iion have said with much force that the city
should not, In the face Of all the obstacles which
| they have 80 bravcly overcome, hinder their tur-
ther progress by the location Of cremntory 80
near their properties, which. even though 1t may
| not emit disagrecable odors OF noxioIs yapors,
yet viii nevertheless be looked upon by pro-pcc-
| tive settlers as something to be avoided, ana
though IL may be only a sentiment. yet IL - "a
sentiment 50 deeply rooted that II must operate
| disastrOusly 70 Their interests.
OTHER SOURCES oP OPPOSITION.
| Our Hebrew fellOw-citiZens, whose beautiful
| cemetery lies on the hill overlooking the valley
\ Ia which IL Is proposed 10 place the crematory.
have earnestly petitioned against its location 80
| rcar the spot hallowcd and made sacred TO them
| by 50 many tender associations
Other petitions protesting against its proposed
| location have been received from tho owners aud
employees Of the Richmond Locomotive ana
| MGchine-Works: from many of our largest TAX
payers and most prominent ousiness-Incn; from
owners of properly and residents ia the vicinity
| OF the proposed site setting forth in the strong
est terms the opposition OF several thousand OF
our own people to the placing Of the crenatory
| on the site indicated in your resolution. am
in fb, face all this ODDOlitlou
| you wiA be glad TO have the opportunity TO re-
| cOnsldeAyour action, and at the same tiine 10
accord 20 those most Interested the prNiiese vi
| presenting their views 70 your honorable Dody.
In view OF the facts above recited feel Obliged
| % return the joint resolution without my APP
| prevail >. TAYLOR biLiSoS' s'ayor'
WANTED IT LAID on THE TABLE.
Mr.. Cary moved that the original resolu-
| ,ion be laid on the table until the matter
could be properly looked into. This
| brought up much discussion.
Mr.. Gray said if the city was ever 10
| have n crematory now was the time. He
| stated that he understood there was much
sickness on account OF the hlthy, condi-
ton of the streets. He was opposed to any
| further delay.
MIR. TAYLOR moved TO refer the matter
! back 10 the Mayor and that he be asked To
designate q suitable spot for the furnace.
Ruled out of order by the Chair amid
| laughter.
Mr.. Gray moved that DR.. Oppenhimer
be heard ON the question. The motion OF
the gentleman from Madison Ward was
carried, and the President OF the Board OF
Health took the floor.
DIR. oPPENHI,fEB's VIEWS.
DIR. Oppenheimer said he was surprised
| that he was called upon at this late hour 10
| sneak on tbe matter afterthe free discus
sion which had already been gwen both
! through the newspapers and IN the Coun-
| Gil chamber.
/ lin the first place." continued the Doc
tor. "the crematory will not be a nui;
sance. The burning of the material Will
| not be offensive. because of the intense
| heat which will so destroy the gases as to
obyiate this. The only objection can see
will be the passing Of the carts along the
streets. If the crematory were ca,
tablished at the. place we selected
would not estimate that more than three
carts would pass any door day. We ero
not absolutely compelled % burn all the
| nipht-soil for the next twelve months, and
when we give the thing trial If It is found
Objectionable we can stop it. Jacksonville
! has furnace and now wants another.
You represent the city OF Richmond;
| This Is matter needed by the city. ana
| this is the only known means as far a. L
/ can see. Dy Wu4tu VIC
who live in the region of those dumps. l
assure these people of Barton's Heights
| that it would not damage property one
cent"
The pending question was called anu
the president stated his doubt If the BODY
had a right to table the resolution.
| CONTROVERSY BETWEEN MEMBERS.
Mr.. Bahen moved that Mr.. Minor. who
lives inst ont of the corporate limits on
| the Henrlco turnpike, be heard in connec-
tion with the subject under consideration.
Mr. GRAY asked If Mr.. Minor was citi-
zen of Richmond.
| Mr. Turpin answered that the gentleman
was at the head of one of the largest firmstof
Richmond and had right to speak
Mr.. Bahen said man from New YORK
was heard by the Common Council the
night before and he would like to know II
a Virginian was going to be barred.
The Chair ruled that,the motion to hear
| A. h;Oor bod kaan carried and the gen.