Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-15
THE BILL REJECTED.
THE GLOVER COMMITTEE RECON-
MENps THIS ACTION.
Generous Discussion Upon Major Deoisv's
Paper--Ths City Attorneys Views"
Mr.. Whites Document Referred.

NJ y
Paper--Ths City Attorneys Views
Mr.. Whites Document Referred.
The special Joint committee appointed
by the Council TO consider proposed
changes OF the city charter held us nrss
meeting last night. There were present
Messrs. Glover (chairman). Dickerson.
Campbell Bahen, Christian, Guigon' ana
Turpin. Among others on hand were the
City Attorney. Messrs. G. Z. Wingo' JACK
son Guy. Alexander Coke. b. NJ Quaries'
John A. Coke, and number OF other citi-
zens of the CITY and of Lee district.
The frat matter taken up was the paper
presented by Mr.. Crenshaw to the board
of Aldermen last Monday night, recon-
mending the passage of bill by the 10
cislature amending certain sections Oh the
city charter. ...,o, ~
all matters with reference 10 tue ci.y
charter be postponed until SATURDAY eye
ming, except the bill presented oy MI.
Crenshaw and that all Interested ci'iAen,
be invited to attend this session. Aite'
some discussion the motion was lost.
DISCUSSION ON THE BILL.
The Clerk then took up the hrst papers
referred which was the report OF the Lee
District Committee presenting tns Doo,es
bill for street improvements. Win the re-
recommendation that some similar plan De
devised. :.:
Mr. Guipon said he thought the citizens
were entitled to be present 10 give tneit
views upon these questions, ana ai.er otle.
speech moved that consideration ol sno DvV ~
bin be postponed until the next meeting Oh tne
body. Lost. ruh
Mr.. Turpn claimed that the meeting was pup
lie ana no IN vitation was requisite 70 eVo gu
mission TO residents OF the CITY, anu no ~ el
MAJOR Dooley could have been present. ~ re 1,,
NJ those other gentlemen. He thought tne pnI
in question was one OF the most ihequl'aolss
measures he had ever read, snd was prepaieu
to vote against II. 80, e.. .n air.
man explained that the question was upon 's
recommendation or rejection.
MOVED TO REJECT 1T.
Mr.. Dickerson moved that 1t be recommended
10 the Council that the bill be relecteu. AR.
(;uigon offered as substitute that the Dill De
recommended to the Council with certain
amendments The Chair ruled that MI Gul-
eon's motion was direct negative OF that oner-
ed by Sir. Dickerson. A.. c,,,-
and insisted that the Chair put his motion. lie
said that while rapid progress had been inhoo
during the past twenty-1y years, yet tnere were
miles OF streets in Richmond Just IKE tncy Mete
when they were In Hcnrico county ne a71 MI,
that hundreds Of people In jackson, Clay, Maui
son and Jefferson Wards we're sun totceu 70
walk in the mud while they we're helping 20 pay
for the pavements for those persons living on
Franklin and Grace streets.
MR.. GUIGos ON THE WARDS.
Mr.. Guigon was sorry that the question OF
wards had been raised. To him the question is
wnatber the city of Richmond IL 10 come 10 a stop
because some people nave not gotten what they
ask cd for How long will II be before the streets
now In the city can he Improved! rnty year.
sixty thousand dollars was given the street o0m-
mtttees when 100000 was asked Tor. Inc
massage OF the measure would bring new ire ana
Vitality 10 the city. The plan does not necesss-
riIy provide that new territory shall De taken in'
hut that the committee and the Councii contcn-
plate such thing at some time. Inc money
raised will enable old pavements In al the wards
to be repaired, and IN time II may give INC oi''
the means TO have its own electric-piant-
Mr.. Guigon said what should be done was 70
lend its credit. Strange 10 say, IA ienuius rs
credit the city strengthens its credit, which OF
late was deteriQrating. This was shown by the
fact that bonds which formerly sold Tor 9o, w,
and 100 had recently been disposed OF az less
than 80. lie was not present AZ VI" meeting a.
which the trade was made, IL having been held
on an hours notice upon Telegram
receiyed from New YORK. Tho nrt nc
heard Of Il was hearing the minutes reau a. .no
next meeting when upon hearing the MINUTES
road he protested. There IL no DOUBT put what
the bonds would be absolutely safe and that the
city would derive great benefit lie had consult.
ed with many Of his constituents, ana ne hau
heard no objection except the slight ainenu-
ment of detail mentioned by Mr.. CHRISTIAN as 10
the Issuing of the bonds by commission. which
certainly should be under the supervision Oh the
Finance Committee.
DEfECTIvELY DRAWN.
Mr. Turpln thought the bill was drawn very
defectively For one thing, II did away with las
~ ner cent limit OF the issuing OF bonds pre-
vided in inc charter. lie believed that less irss
movements would be made under the Dooiey
plan than under the one now IN vogue, hf.
Turpin claimed that the alleys were now being
paved under the Dooley plan and there was no
clamoring for them. He predicted that the
streets OF Richmond would never Dc payed any
better than they are now unless taxes we're In
creased or under the present rate the taAapie
values are Increased.
THE CITY ATTORNEYS VIEWS.
Tho CITY Attorney being asked for his opinion,
stated that he did not think the craftsman OF the
hin or some OF its advocates fully understood
ia purport lie asserted that II would, instead
OF extending the power, OF the city, he ciicuh-
scripton of the power mat she nov mas. ne ea,
plained what he meant by that by saying that
nnder the charter the city could pave her streets
and alleys In three ways. "she can pay ior u
ALL pay for part OF II, or make the citi-
zen pay for H. lie sara .no pnssass
the city ought not 10 sustain. Mr.. Meredith gave
numerous illustrations wherein the Dooiey Dill
would impose unjust hardships upon tno poorer
classes Of citizens. lie said that IL ala moi give
a single feature that the city did not now pos
sess. except the power TO increase her bonded
debt beyond & per cent. 49,
There was also one feature OF tho bill which
he did not think would hold before court OF
law.
TorcuIyG THE cITY's FINANCIAL CONDITION.
MIR. Glover said the last clause OF the bill APP
neared 10 him 10 be somewhat adroitly drawn.
lie read the passage referred TO and then said
he desired 20 challenge Mr.. Guigon with regard
10 something that no had previously eaid about
the financial condition OF the city. He wanted 10
saw 10 the world that this city was in az good
financial condition as any oil It's size IN the uni
verse. A.,
Gloyers remarks.
CONSIDERED IT GROSS BLUsDER.
Like Mr. Turpin. ne WAS not at the meeting OF
the Finance Committee when the ff1o,oOO OF
City 4 q were sold 20 net the city less than 10,
and though effort was made TO md him ne Knew
nothing OF the sale until informed OF II by Inc
reading OF the minutes at subsequent meeting.
He said he made the statement soleiy 10 iree
himself from responsibility for what he con-
sidered grave blunGer on the part OF the COM
mittee, and he disclaimed any intention Oh re-
fiecting on the committee.
WOULD MOVE TO INCREASE TAXES.
Mr. Dicserson said he proposed to make mo-
ton 70 recommend 70 the Council 10 ask the peo-
Die II they were not willing TO pay ten cents
more ON the 900 and have II set aside for street
purposes alone.
Mr.. Christian assured the committee that he
became cognizant three years ago OF the grea'
necessity for an increase IN taxation IN order 70
meet the demands OF our people.
THE BILL REJECTED.
The Chair explained that the question before
the COMMITTEES was the resolution OF Mr. Dicker-
son recomme ending that the Council reject the
Dooey bill II was adopted by fun vote, only
Mr.. Gugon voting against IT,
The Clerk then read the other bill drawn by
Mr.. W. l.. White, referred for consideration, and
Captain John A. Coke, a supporter OF this mea-
sure, made long speech In its advocacy
Mr.. Cassie stated that he had looked care
fully into the question Of the city having two
systems OF taxation and had learned from Nigh
est authority that 1t could be done.
Mr. Dickerson moved that the bill be referred
to the City Attorney and the City Engineer Tor
their Investigation, and that they be requested
TO offer such amendments and suggestions as
they may deem proper. Agreed to.
The committee adjourned 10 meet again Tues
40 I'M nj o'clrrk.