The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-05
THE MAYORS VETO IGNORED.
The Board Of Alderman Adopted the
CrematOry Resolution.
THE COMMON COUNCIL STILL TO act.
Unless 1t Falls to Pass the Lower Body tho
Almshouso Lot VIII BE the Spot se-
1octed-In Monroe Park.

City Clerk b. r. August read the call for
the meeting, which stated that the Board was
asked to hold session to receive the veto
message of Mayor Ellyson, who disapproved
the joint resolution providing that the crema-
tory be erected on a site on north Second
street in the rear Of the City Almshouse.
THE VETO.
The following communication from His
Honor. the Mayor. dated July 30th, was re-
celyed and read;
To the Honorable. the Members Of the City
Council:
Gentlemen. / have carefully considered
! your joint resolution in reference to the loca-
| ton of the crematOry on the land owned by
the city Oh Second street. and in rear Of the
city almshouse and ! feel constrained to re-
| turn ii without my signature.
The expansion OF our city is largely depend
ent upon the development Of our suburban
property. and in no direction have We seen so
many evidences Of thrift and enterprise rs on
| our northern border. So courageous and so
full of energy have been the promoters OF en-
| terprises in that section that we have witness
| ed within the space of two Yeas the most
| marvellous growth. Within that brief time
we have seen the founding and almost magical
development Of the thriving village Of Barton
| Heights we have seen the construction OF the
Fifth-street viaduct, which is recognized as the
most daring business enterprise that has
been undertaken in Richmond for many
years the Chestnut Hill, Highland Park and
other companies have united In the cOnstruc-
ton of an electric street railway 10 connect
their properties with the city, and where
| short while ago there were only barren fields
| TO-DAY We find laid the foundations Of what
will in few years become prosperous and
pOpulous suburban villages. which III the not
very distant future will be merged into and
| become a part Of our own corporation.
Already more than half million dollars
have been invested in these various enter
prses and for the most part by our own peo-
Pile, but whether byE our own citizens or by
strangers we have as city reaped the BEN
efts Of all the work that has been done in
any Of these undertakings.
1t is worth while for us to remember that.
almost without exception. the heads OF faml-
lies residing in these suburbs are members Of
our business community. ] feel therefore,
that in selecting a site for the crematory the
interests of our friends on the suburbs,
though they may be residents Of the county,
should not be ignored, for so close is their
identity with our own that what hurtfully
affects them must inlure u.s. The residents
Of all this section have presented to me an
earnest protest against the location of the
cTematOry so near their homes.
HINDER THEIR PROGRESS.
The gentlemen who have most largely in
vested in these enterprises, and who have
given US examples Of business energy and en-
terprise so worthy of imitation, have said TO
me with much force that the city should not,
in the face Of all the obstacles which they have
so bravely overcome. hinder their further pro-
gress by the location OF 3 crematOry so near 70
their properties. which even though it may
not emit dlSagreeable OdOrs or nOXOus
vapOrs, yet will nevertheless be looked upon
by prospective settlers as something 20 be
avoided, and though II may be only g sentl-
ment vet is a sentiment so deeply rooted that
it must operate disastrOusly 10 their interests.
Our Hebrew fellOw-citiZens whose beauti-
full cemetery lies on the hill overlooking the
valley in which 1t is proposed 60 place the
crematory, have earnestly pettioned against
its location 80 near the spot hall0wed and
made sacred 10 them by so many tender ties.
] feel that such considerations as these should
not he ignored.
Other petitions protesting against It's pro-
uosed location have been received from the
owners and employees of the Richmond Loco
motive and Machine Works; from many Of our
largest taxpayers and most prominent Dusl-
ness men: from owners of property and resi-
dents in the vicinity Of the proposed site, set
ting forth IN the strongest terms the oppOsl-
ton Of several thousand of our own people to
the placing Of the crenatory on the site indl-
Gated in your resolution
am quite sure that in tho face Of all this
opposition you VIII be glad % have the Oppor-
tunity TO reconsider your action, and at the
same time 10 accord 10 those most Interested
an opportunity Of presenting their views TO
your honorable body.
In view of the facts above recited feel
obliged most respectfully 10 return the JOINT
resolution without my approval.
j. TAYLOR ELLYsON, Mayor.
RESOLUTION READ.
The resolution disapproved by Mayor Ely
son was next read.
President Dickerson stated that the ques-
ton before the body was now whether the
resolution should he adopted notwithstanding
the veto of His Honor the Mayor
Colonel Cary arose fora point OF informa-
ton. He stated he did not know very much
about the subject before the Board, but he
would say one thing, that the reasons assigned
bv the Mayor in his message were not salts
factory to his mind However, he would like
TO rive all parties interested an opportunity
TO be heard. and If il could be done IN con-
formity with the provisions OF the charter.
he would like 20 have the matter laid over Tor
further consideration and future action.
After consulting the city charter President
Dickerson stated that the matter could be laid
over.
Colonel Cary therefore moved to lay the
message on the table.
MIR Gray spoke against further delay. and
stated that all the facts could be given during
the session, and that the president of the
Board If Health was in attendance to give all
the explanation and information desired.
Mr. Taylor moved that the message De re-
ferred back TO His Honor the Mayor, and
that he be requested.to designate spot where
he thought the crematory should be erected.
The motion was declared % 10 out Of order.
Mr. Gray moved as a substitute 10 Colonel
Cary's motion that Dr. Oppenhimer, the presl-
dent of the Board of Health. be heard on the
subject The motion was carried.
Dr. Oppenhmer stated that he was some
what surprised TO be called upon at this late
day 70 enlighten the Council upon the subject.
which had been So thoroughly ventilated not
only by the public press. but also during
number of public meetings lie did not
think that he could bring out any new points.
but he would say a few words III order that all
doubts might be taken from the minds of
those who feared that the location Of the ere
matory would cause detriment 10 the health
or finances OF the residents Of that section Of
the city.
NOT A NUISANCE.
The crematory was not nuisance from its
appearance. for il would DO enclosed in
building Of corrugated iron. IN which the
carts would be enclosed Immediately at their
arrival. The burning of the collected garbage
and other material would give no cause for
any objection. for the reason that the intense
heat of the furnace would not only consume
the material IN the most thorough manner.
but also the emanating gas. There was abso-
lutely no necessity TO run up the stack as high