The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-29


Out.
An adjourned meeting of the City
Council was held last night, at which
all tho members OF that body wore pres
ent. The first business taken up was
a report from the board Of public works
in regard to the purchase of q street
sweeper, recommended by the commit
tee on streets at u meeting held in Octo.
Der. Council gavo the committee au-
thority to purchase the street sweeper
and to pass upon the merits of the ma.
chine. The board of public works
claimed that under the charter the only
purchasing power OF the city was vested
in the board, and to this end came into
Council with the solicitors opinion on
the subject. Tho opinion of the solic-
itor was that under the charter the
board must approve all bills for public
Improvements, but that Council could
delegate the power to a committee to
make purchases of supplies. On motion
of Mr.. Dupuy the matter was finally re-
forred to the board OF public works, to-
HSohSi "ASh HAi papClo DGdIlHR OH Inc
purchase of the sweeper with lnstruc.
tions to approve tho bill.
The board Of public works also sub
mitted statement OF tho cost OF gas
fixtures Tor tho new courtroom and vari-
GUS Offices in the new building, amount.
ing to $3.50, and on motion OF MIR. Pat
tic the board of public works were in
structed to have The gas fixtures put in
al once.
The board of public works also sub.
mitted a letter from A. l.. Fuqua, who
has tho contract for putting in the water
closet fixtures at the Second ward school
house, asking that Council approve tho
bill for the material in advances, so that
they could carry on the worE. On mo-
ton of MIR. Eclklof this matter was re-
ferred back to tho board of public works
Tor its recommendation.
The board OF public works also sub.
mitted letter from w. II. Turner,
police justice, asking that directory of
the city be purchased for the police de-
partment Tho board recommended
that three directories be purch ased.
This recommendation was agreed to.
The city solicitor submitted report
on matters referred to him as follows:
First Several ordinances on different
subjects previously proposed. which he
approved with some Slight alterations
Second. 1t was not his opinion that the
fire limit law was abrogated by tho grant.
Of permits by Council to parties to
erect buildings within the fire limits,
but that Council should carefully look
into such matters before acting, as it
frequently involved dissatisfaction and
litigation.
Following is the solicitors opinion in
full in regard to the franchise of the
Roanoke Gas and Water Company,
which matter was referred to him for
his opinion in regard to furnishing
lights and water:
in my opinion the Roanoke Gas and
Water Company enjoys no exclusive
would Shut out competition from other
companies of a similar character. The
question as to whether said Gas and
Water Company has performed it's con-
tract with the city of Roanoke is one Of
fact rather than law. If said com pany
has violated the terms of it's said con-
tract 1t is liable for such violations to
the extent thereof, but the burden OF
proof is upon the city of Roanoke TO
provo afilrmatively such violation
The city solicitor also reports that
in his opinion the city was not liable
to property owners for loss incurred by
liro Oh ACCOUNT Oh lick OF water, caused
by accident to tho water company's
pumps.
MIR. McClelland, chairman of the ii.
nance committee, tn whom had teeu re-
ferred the matter of making appropri-
alton to aid the board of trade in mak-
ing exhibit at tho Worlds Fair, sub.
mitted a report and resolution agreeing
that the city would contribute an
amount equal to any amount raised by
the citizens, not exceeding 50, 200.
Mr.. Boswell, when che report was sub
mitted, moved that it be not adopted. A
recorded vote was taken, and his motion
prevailed by vote of ~ to 8 Messrs.
Boehm, Crabill, Dupuy, Fackenthal,
Hough, Loughery. Mccarthy and Nc
Clelland voted against the motion, and
were in favor Of adopting the recon-
mendation OF the committee, but before
Council realized the outcome the Worlds
Fair appropriation was knocked out in
jilfy.
The committee on streets submitted a
resolution determining to pave the side
walks on Jefferson street from Campbell
avenue to Tazewell avenue on both
sides with vitrified brick and instruct
ing the board OF public works to begin
the work at once, " hich was adopted.
The committee also submitted the bond