The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-01-06


Sewer Bonds -Routine business.
AT the first regular meeting of the
City Council last night for the year
1892 the following members answered
at roll call: Engleby, WEIGH, Sheehan,
Huff, McClelland, Watts, Graves and
King.
Clerk Bennett was incapacitated for
duty by sickness, and James w. Green
acted for him.
President Buckner being absent, Mr..
Huff, on motion Of Mr.. Sheehan, was
selected to preside.
Tho fire and water committee re-
ported that three new fire plugs had
been placed, making 80 now in use; in
favor of completing the Vigilant fire
engine house at cost of $500; the
adoption of rules for the government of
the fire department as submitted by the
city solicitor. and recommending that
said rules be printed for the use of fire.
men. The committee also asked per-
mission to inquire into prices, styles,
etc., of hook and ladder trucks, as sug-
gested by the chief engineer in his re-
port. Report received and the recon-
mendations adopted.
The mayor reported the amount of
fines assessed to be $3.50. "a; amount col
lected, s402.74, and balance on hand of
S389.S9 after necessary disbursements
He also asked that tho public property
committee make the following impro yc-
ments at his office:
Carpet the floor with same material
used in courthouse, repair steps leading
to office, have cell bars lined with strap
iron, so they cannot be sawed or cut,
and that the water pipes be covered
with asbestos or some other material
that will prevent freezing. The reports
were received and recommendations re-
ierred to the public property committee
for report.
The health committee reported in
favor of the expenditure of $500 or S4OO
to secure better ventilation at the aims
house. The report was drawn by Chair
man HUFF in his characteristic style,
and declared that polecat smelled like
q sweet'smelling rose compared with
the doors that pergade tho alms-house
In all Other respects the management
and condition of the place were com-
mended. The recommendation wa re-
ferred to the public property committee
for investigation. The clerk OF tn e
market reported receipts at S34l.55 for
the month of December.
The financial committee reported to-
tai receipts for December at So7, SSs SO:
total amount charged to treasurer. S32n,
26l.36; warrants drawn, SlO9, 900, 90; bal
ance, S2l0, SG7.74. The receipts include
sale OF street improvement bonds to the
amount of S25, 29l c.
Tho building inspector reported that
twenty seven applications for building
permits had been filed during Decem Der.
The finance committee submitted n
report recommending the appropriation
or Sl0,6lO. This amount includes $500
per month for streets and the restora-
tion OF Sl,e50 to the fire apparatus fund
on account of Third ward market and
fire house. The committee also recom-
mended the employment of e clerk and
purchasing agent for the city engineer.
The report was received and adopted,
except as to the city engineer. This
recommendation was referred back to
the com mittee for further Investigation.
The committee also asked that the CITY
treasurer pay $1,000 to the sinking fund,
which was ordered.
MIR. Watts, of the street committee,
submitted the following elaborate re.
port:
hoANOkE, a., January 5th, 1892.
To the City Council OF Roanoke:
The street committee would respect
fully report that since tho last meeting
they have been endeavoring to push the
work On the streets in every way in
their power, and believe that the work
is being done with reasonable satisfac-
ton considering the many obstacles in
the way. The WORK or jefferson street
has been delayed on account of the fact
that the Crystal Spring Land Company
only com menced the laying of their
railway after the macadam had been
put in by Mr.. Patterson. His work had
to be stopped, therefore, on jefferson
street until they could get out of his
way. and the committee has directed
him to push the work on Campbell
street.
Letters are herewith filed from Mr..
Houston, the assistant engineer, two
dated December %. 1891, one December
90, 1891, and one on January to Mr..
Dunlap in regard to the work being
done, which are su omitted as a part Of
this report. 1t also submits a letter
from MIR. Houston of December 22 in
regard to the, interruption caused by the
Water and Gas Company's mains to the
matchmaking of tho streets and an
answer thereto of Mr.. j. C. Rawn, man
ager Of the Roanoke Gas and Water
Company. Your committee is endeavor-
ing to have the work of the street car
line laid as we'll as possible, although
they are hampered in this by the indis-
tinct and uncertain language of the
specifications under which tho work is
being done.
Your committee has been endeavor-
ing to get some statement in regard to
the financial condition Of the city in re-