The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-01

From tho Street and Light Committees.
Lively Discussion in Regard to Bonds
The City Council hold a special ses-
sion last night. There wero fifteen
members. The first business was to
act upon tho condition OF streets and
using brick and vitriied brick paving.
Mr.. Loughery, chairman of the street
committee, read a letter from Contrac-
tor Gillespie, in which no stated that
there had been two grades of brick used
on Jefferson street and were found un-
suitable, and would be replaced by bet
ter ones. That the very best pavements
with sanded joints will not do. Pitch
is necessary for the joints.
He expressed nimself willing to paw
half the expense OF using pitch on Camp
bell avenue. There had been free criti-
cism on the work on Jefferson street,
much Of it being just That il Council
would meet him half way in this matter
he could promise good work in the
future. The offer was received by the
Council.
A report was then read by the chair
man Of the street commit ee to the eff.
feet that, as Council saw fit to assess the
abutting property owners on Jefferson
street, these owners shall pay same, and
that tho lot on jefferson street, for
which j. M. Gambill had been assessed,
but said assessment should rightly be
made on the Home Improvement and
Conveyance Company, and that this
company be assessed for said AUDITING
lott that the contract for paving Nell
son street be awarded Contractor Giles
pie and said contractor be held in bond
to the extent of 35 per cent. of cost.
Tho recommendation was adopted.
The next business was where shall
the contractor commence paving on Sa-
lem avenue or Campbell avenue? and to
consider the bond Of Contractor Giles.
pie.
Councilman McClelland offered res
olution that the business streets of the
city be paved first. To have work com
menced on Salem avenue west of Nell
son street to Trout run. Campbell
avenue to be then paved from west of
Nelson street until completed and
other streets until completed as appro-
tions admitted.
Councilman Laughery said that in
his opinion Salon avenue was not in
fit condition to be paved. That owing
to the excavations recently finished, the
work would sink, though perhaps i'm
perceptibly. There may be soma i'm
projections in the way of paving Salem
avenue, but he could see no reason why
Salem avenue should have the prefer
ence.
City Solicitor Randolph explained that
according to the specifications O. the
contract the work must bo commenced
on Campbell avenue and Salem avenue
finished afterwards. That the contract
for Campbell avenue calls for tho work
to be completed by December l. 1902,
ami the work on Salem avenue be fin
ished by January |, 1898
A discussion followed, during which
City Solicitor Randolph told Council
that he had drawn up and forwarded a
bond to be signed by the Chilhowio (Va.)
Vitrified Brick mpany.
This bond provided that the Chilhowie
(Va.) Vitrified Brick Company should
guarantee the durability Of their bricks;
that for ten years the wear and tear
should affect them no more than the
bricks in other cities of the United
States. The city solicitor explained in
the interest of the Council he had re-
quired tho company to sign the bond as
company and also individually as
Adams Bros. tS Paynes. The company
returned the bond unsigned, refusing to
sign in any way but as company.
The question then arose as to tho date
OF the bond, and il was brought out that
bond had been drawn up for
similar purpose in the month Of July,
and that the company had refused to
sign it. The present bond was dated
September 90.
Several members OF Council desired
to know the cause of the lapse of time
hn he do A
sponsibility rested upon some one in al
lowing the work to be executed without
this bond. Discussion ensued as upon
whom rested this responsibility, with
no definite result.
Finally IL was decided to consider
Councilman McClelland's motion. 1t
was adopsed.
The city solicitor was instructed to
draw up bond to be signed by Contrac-
tor Gillispie; also that bond be signed
by the Chilhowie (Va.) Vitrifed Brick
Association within ten days The bond
of Gillespie for the contract OF the pro-
posed work on Campbell avenue was
laid on the table.
The committee on lights reported in
adequate attention being given to lights
south OF the railroad. That lights were
often found burning all day, one even
Dufnt lOr seven uays ana nights without
being extingnishcd. The committee
had endeavored to urge the contractor
TO more satisfactory results without sue.
cess. The committee recommended
that his services be dispensed with for
gross neglect OF duty, and that B. L.
Huffman oe appointed to tho place at go
cents per lamp per month, and that he
file bond for $500 in tan days. The
recommendation was adopted by vote
of fifteen to one.