The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-03

Il
Tho Real Estate Exchange never
demonstrated its representative CAPACITY
more thoroughly than at last nights
meeting. After the transaction of the
usual routine business President James
s. Simmons, OF the Real Estate En-
change, arose and said:
"The City Council meets tomorrow
night for the last time in regular ses-
sion before the bond ordinances are to
DO voted ON. Since the Roanoke Real
Estate Exchange has taken the lead in
other matters it ought to in this. Public
sentiment is disturbed. Matters are
far from n head. Everyone sees how
much VIC need improvements. If we do
not have them, we will have next sum-
mer moro material evidence of the con-
dition of affairs. Strangers talk abou.
us. There is no greater drawback than
the deplorablc condition of our streets.
1 am in favor of liberal appropriations,
but l am still moro pronounced rs to
now those appropriations shall be spent.
"lf the bond ordinances came up for
= WV o-iiOlION OOH u KNOW Wnethor
L would vote for them or not. We
ought to try to prevail on the Council
to mako proper provision that tho
money shall be properly expended. I
have no plan to which l IN wooded. l
hope that all will express themselves
freely. We must be united. No indi-
vldual gain must be fostered, but tho
benefit of tho whole city is to be con-
sidered. With this in view L offer. tho
following resolution:
Resolved, That the Council of tho
city Of Roanoke be requested to au.
thorize tho mayor to nominate an advi.
sorry board to consist OF ono person from
each ward, subject to tho approval of
the Council, whose duty shall DO to
carefully and fully consider what work
shall be done on streets, sewers and
such improvements, reporting to the
Council; and shall have general charge
of all such work that may be contracted
for by the Council, and Shall pass mon
all contracts of this character, but shall
not have authority to make contracts or
authorize tho expenditure ofany money.
All that said advisory board may do
shall he subject to ratification By tho
Council.
81 do not SEQ how the Council can
object to this plan. 1t will certainly
harmonize with the views of tho people.
by the Council agreeing to n board of
this kind tho matter comes under the
hands of the mayor. 1t will have no
right to spend one cent, but will have
to consider, suggest, explain, and in
dorse. Then the Council can approve
or reject. The Council has no time to
attend to this work itself, and the board
would attend to tho necessary details.
1t would, moreover, furnish IL double
check, and give confidence to the peo-
plo. Surely tho Council cannot object
to this. If it does, l do not want to
vote for the appropriation. Now, tho
members of the exchange must know
very well what tho Wishes of their
clients are, and this is tho place to
state them"
Mr.. Cutchin thought that tho papers
had unjustly attacked the Council. 81
have no objection to tho advisory
board" said he, "but we cannot ask tho
Council to divest themselves of their
authority. The town is being hurt by
this controversy. If there arc any dis
honest members of tho Council let the
charges be made against them openly
and individually. But if tho twelve
members of the Council cannot be
trusted, how can you expect TO find
three honest men."
"Mr. Cutchin loses sight Of the main
point" said NJ. II. C. Jordan. ..Tho
Council cannot delegate it's power, but
this advisory board is only expected to
act in an advisory capacity"
Mr.. Simmons replied to Mr.. Cutchin
at some length. 81 have been here"
said Mr.. Simmons, 'for q good many
years. and have not seer the improve
ments that we need. Yet there has
been no small sum of money expended
TO obtain improvements. l know very
we'll that q considerable part of that
money has not been expended as it
ought to be. | know the street commit
tee has not done it's duty. This plan,
however, is as much for tho protection
of the Council as for the protection OF
the taxpayers, These bond ordinances
will be voted down if they go to tho peo-
pie without guarantees. This is plainly
the case. All corporate bodies whose
members are not paid have somo ono to
attend to the details, and this advisory
board will have that function"
Mr.. Tucker: 'The plan suggested by
AIR. Simmons is that in force in the best
governed Northern towns. 1t is prac-
tically creating a board of public works,
subject TO the reviewing powers of tho
Council"
Several others spoke in warm com.
mendation of the resolution. Mr.. wager
offered q verbal amendment, which Mr..
Simmons accepted, and which was incor-
porated in the resolutions. Tho CUES
ton was then put and unanimously