The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-17
POLITICAL MIDDLE OVER
MEN on THE CITY HiLL WORK NOT
TO BE QUESTIONED.

Admirable Action Of the Grounds and Build
ings Committce-Talk About Finishing
the City Hall by Contract Instead of Day
Labor.
The Council Committee on Grounds AID
Buildings met yesterday afternoon and pro-
oeedings were Opened by the committee au-
thorizing the City Engineer 70 advertise for
bids for copper crossings to be used ON tine
new CITY Hail. Bids viii be opened next
Monday night
Mr.. Turpin asked Colonel Cutshaw if he
could tell how much the City Hall VIII now
cost before il is completed, as the Council
wishes TO know 50 AS 10 appropriate and make
provision for sufficient funds.
Colonel Cutshaw stated that to complete the
hall by contract labor he could not estimate
the cost; that any figures he would give WotIu
be entirely guesswork. o..-r..-
, Mr.. FERGUSON moved that the CITY Engineer
ask for bids 10 complete the work, and that
the work be finished 10y contract labor
Colonel Cutshaw stated that 10y summer
the stone. glass and copper work would be
finished, and that then other work could DE
given out by contract If the committee u'-
sired IL. that some time during the summer
work would be- commenced on the steam
pipes, gas, plumbing, plastenng, pAh'liS'
and. lastly. finishing Of the halls, and that me-
could not notify the committee when theWork
was needed.
BIG POINT RAISED.
Mr.. Phillips raised the point that II the
work was given To contract labor the Nolh-
mittee would have TO rc~flnd the resolution
ms to the employing Of Democrats: thA' no
contractor would employ men for l30 oaN
when he could employ negroes TO DO the same
Mr. Turpn stated that he did not like 10
see the committee place itself IN position
that would make newspaper dlscls,l'h7 ch-
sue when II was not intended 10 DO ahNthih@
but what was right and proper u all cone
cerned.
Nlr. Phillips said that if the work was com
Melted bV contract labor. he thought there
would be a difference of $4,000. and instead
Of that difference going into IN" pockets 81
the wOrkmen. II would swell the pockcl-bpoh
of the contractor.
motion was made that the matter be laid
on the table for one week.
The vote carried the motion rs follows
Ayes-Brandcr, Curtis, Ferguson. Houston,
Taylor.
Noes Philips. Turpin-2 2.
Mr.. FERGUSON moved that the reporters he
only given what the chairman of the commit
the in his opinion thinks proper.
Mr. Phillips stated that the former commit
the adopted resolution that reporters DE tN-
Cluded from the meetings.
Mr.. Turpn said that the executive sessions
of tee United States Senate could not bc kept
quiet. and be could not see how the Grounds
and Buildings Committee could keep their
meetings secret.
Mr.. Houston said that he thought the re-
porters ought TO be allowed TO report anything
they wanted to-
II was finally agreed that no action would
be takcn-it being the mental conclusion that
the pencil Is mighticr and more dangerous
when troubled, and that the less SAID the bet
ter.
THE sTONECUTTERs.
Colonel Cuishaw read a report from Mr.. j.
c. Lamb. chairman of the City Democratic
Committee. which stated that of the stone
cutters n work on the City Hall one was a
Republican and twcnty-four are doubtful.
Mr. Houston asked how did Nh. Lamb
know that the man referred to was "A Rcpuhh-
can. and whether the doubtful ones We're
Democrats or Republicans.
Mr.. Turpin sand that the committee ought
20 pass "A resolution TO cease from being rldcu-
lous in the ewes Of the citizens.
Mr.. Houston moved that the City Hall po-
litical matter be dispensed with.
vote was taken asfollows: Ayes Bandcr,
Ferguson, Philips, Houston; 4. Noes-Cm-
lis and Taylor.
The committee then adjourned