The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-02-25

A reporter of THE TIMES has inter.
viewed the members Of the City Council
on the question nov pending as to tho
adoption of the bond ordinances. Tho
object of the interviews was to bring
out the views of the councilmen in re-
gard to giving n guarantee for tho
proper expenditure of tho money.
Councilman Trout declined to talk,
saying that he would state his views in
Council. Councilman Buckncr also de-
clined to talk, ami Councilman McCon-
nell is out of the city. Councilman
Sklnker is confined to his room with
rheumatism, and was not seen. The fol-
lowing are the views expressed by the
other members of the Council:
Mr.. Huff: sin view of the fact that
so many Taxpayers arc kicking about
the way in which the city's money has
previously been expended, so many are
Directing to the coming bond question,
and no doubt some have just cause to
KICK, | feel the proposition will not be
carried unless ssthc people know how
the money will be expended.
"As a councilman myself, / will saw
that | hope the Council will not have
control of n dollar of the appropria-
ton if it is carried, for they have bcen
targets for the wads of every pop-gun
that has nothing else to shoot at, no
matter how conscicntiously they ad-
minister the laws. AS to the advisory
board, i am of chc Same opinion Still
If the city's money is not safe in the
hands of twelve men, it is not safe in
the hands Of three.
81 am in favor of paving the streets
at the expense of the abutting prop
crty owners, which would in a great
measure reduce the amount of money
the Council would nave to handle"
Mr.. McCahal: ~ can't say how the
bond ordinances will go when put to n
vote of the people, but can see no reason
why any n should vote against them.
/ am Of the opinion hat the present
Council is competent enough to cxpcnd
the appropriations should the ordi-
nances carry, and hat for the best in
tercst of the city.
$50 far as an advisory board is con-
cerned, we all know the Council cannot
delegate any discretionary power
charter is adopted, the people will have
to be satisfied with the discretion of the
Council in such matters.
$50 far as the colored people are con-
cerned, they have a perfect right to
know how this money will be expended,
and are entitled to receive this informa-
ton"
Mr.. Shcchan: "The present CITY
Council was elected by the people under
Il system of laws adopted as a charter.
The Council feels bound to carry out
the instructions of this charter. 1t pro-
vides that all money shall be expended,
and the affairs in general OF tho city,
directed under their jurisdiction.
The Council has not the power TO change
the law by which it is governed, and
consequently cannot delegate the power
thus vested in it. s
ut seems to me that it would be a
better guarantee TO the people to have
an expert engineer to direct the work
rather than n board of three citizens to
direct and supervise, who have nothing
more than their honesty to offer in tho
matter.
The Council realizes the great ncces-
sity of having the improvements made
they are asking for, and feel that they
are only doing their duty in presenting
the matter to the people"
Mr.. Scott: Sin the first place the
carrying of the appropriations for in
ternal improvements is of vital i'm
portance to the city. l do not sec any
good reasons why they should not be
voted, and / think the f%rccholders
Will stand very much in their w light
II they refuse to do so. / have every
confidence that the money will be spent
in a proper manner, and where most
needed. AS to the advisory board, or
any outside guarantee, l don't consider
that it would be any safeguard, as
fQnI satisfied no 1ann1 o,tlo.
powers could be granted to such any
more than to any committee of the
Council. | feel hat if the people
should fail to have the proper confidence
in the Council that any or all members
will give way to others whom the public
could more readily endorse"
MIR. Ruggles: II am not in a position
to say whether or not the bond ordin-
ances will be carried as n whole, but
am inclined to think they will not; and
if they are voted on as were the ordin-
ances making appropriations for the
Roanoke and Southern, overhead bridges
and the hospital, each separate, | am
some of the ordinances will be
defeated.
AS to what guarantee the Council
will give the people that this money
will be expended properly, that matter
IS now under consideration and will soon
be in such a shape as will satisfy the
public.
''As to the advisory board, l don't
think 1T is necessary in matters of pub
Tic improvements, because as on the pres
committee (thc overhead bridges)
ward has a representative, and il
the people have not confidence enough
In them to entrust the work to them,
selected az thaU IN hu +LA rao,1o e,