The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-08
THE SPEED OF THE CARS.
THE COUNCIL LLLOws rHKN TO
RUN EIGHT NILES IN HOUR.
Grading Leo District--Bonds for the City
HaIl-To Reduce tho seeming High
Death Rate Of Richmond.

Boykin. Brauer, Carneal. Carter, Davis.
SIith. Stratton, Thomas. Vaughan. Poyal
White. w. l.. White. Mcdowell, CARRIER,
Gibson and Guigon.
The report Of the Street Committee
was the first business before the L, dy.
resolution from that committee pro-
viding for the fixing If the rate of speed
or the Richmond street cars provoked
the same kind OF discussion that IL did
when it first came up before the ccm-
mittee, which was then fully reported.
The recommendation provides that the
street cars shall run at a speed not ex-
ceeding four miles an hour on curves,
ana eight miles an hour at other places.
Mr. Thomas opposed the recommends
ton, and moved to amend II by chang
ing tho maximum Of speed from eight TO
six miles an hour. He said he would
never agree to allow a corporation the
privilege OF going over six miles an hour,
when. II any citizen Of Richmond were
10 drive his vehicle over that speed he
would be reported and fined. He prophe-
sled that II the recommendation became
an ordinance, that the Council would
find cause to regret II inside Of three
weeks
MIR. Stratton, chairman OF the commit
tee, made n strong appeal for TIE pas
soge of the resolution as II stood; thar
II had been carefully considered and dis
cussed before a number Of business men,
who gave 1t their approval.
lie stated that eight miles an hour was
the present schedule Of the electric cars
and the resolution submitted was only
Intended 20 save them from continually
violating the ordinance as II now eHlstss
Mr.. Boykin favored the resolution as
submitted. and spoke for its adoption
as being a necessity for the growth OF
the city, and move that was In the line
of modern progress.
Mr.. Epps opposed II, and criticised Sc
yerely the carelessness OF the motormeh'
and thought II would give them greater
privilege in too rapid running where II
was dangerous TO life.
The amendment was lost and the origi-
nal resolution was adopted by recorded
vote of fourteen 10 eight.
Another resolution from the same
committee, pertaining TO street cars was
adopted after some opposition. The reso-
ton in question provides that the motor
men OF street cars shall keep careful watch
OF the track, and distinctly strike their
bells 10 warn all persons on foot or driV-
ing vehicles Of their approach. Also that
when n vehicle is upon the track III
front of a car the driver shall on near
ing the bell, take immediate steps 10 get
his vehicle out Of the way. ana tnat We
bicles going in the same direction as the
cars should turn out Of the way 10 tne
right, and keep that position uhtii t"e
car has passed. that all vehicles IN
positIon impeding the movements OF .ne
street cars shall at once move OUT Oh t"o
H. ha 0R N
unloading. in which case the work OF
loading or unloading shall be promptly
done and the vehicle then moved
An Overhead Bridge.
An ordinance was passed granting per
mission TO Kingan & Co. 10 buhd an
overhead bridge across Fifteenth street
between buildings occupied by them at
Fifteenth and Cary streets.
A recommendation by the street Com
nittee for paving around the Ihlrd Pres
byterian church without cost 10 the
church was agreed TO-
Resolutions providing for appropria-
,ions for street improvements were
adopted as follows: Three hundred ana
fifty dollars TO grade and reset the
curbing on the west side OF Third street
from Main to Cary streets; $500 TO I'M
prove and curb Linden street between
The resolutions providing for the i'm
proveinent and changing OF the grades
Of Seventeenth street from Main TO Cary
Eleventh street from Canal to Byrd. here
tofore published, were acted on favora-
bly,.
The resolution OF the Street Commit
tee providing for the grading Of the Lee
district was next taken up. and Colonel
Cutshaw, at the request OF the com
rnittee. explained TO the members OF the
Council. by the use Of map, the pro-
posed plan of Improvement. The plan,
as described in The Times a few days
ago. was adopted.
Another resolution. authorizing the Is
suance Of allegations for the opening
and grading Of the streets in the district,
except Park avenue, vas adopted.
Still another resolution agreed upon,
provided that the last-named street be
not opened until the further order Of the
Council.
Bonds for tho CITY Hall.
A resolution providing for the issuance
of 100000 in four per cent bonds on ac-
count OF the construction Of the new
City Hall and one for an appropriation
for the Improvement of the city parks.
were adopted.
A resolution from the Committee on
Finance pIoNluiIS ioi an apr
OF 5000 for the improvement OF parks
was adopted.
A detailed statement from the Com
mittee on Grounds and Buildings show
ing the expenditures on the City Hall
was received and filed. The balance 10
the credit OF the account as shown was
81. 1854.
The Committee on Health presented a
report prepared by Captain Reeve, its
chairman. which was received and filed.
The paper deals with comparative stalls
tics from a large number OF cities, and
goes to show that the high death rate
attributed 10 Richmond does not really
exist. In closing this able report. Cap
tain Reeve says:
"Should we admit into our health re-
norris deaths by accident and by Violence
| 11nquestionably they have a place in our
| death rate. but / think they have not
the same bearing on the healthfulness
Of a community which deaths from dis
ease and old age have
"Should we admit deaths OF transents,
who are visiting our city either
on business or pleasure. who
are not reckoned In our census
persons who die in hospitals. non-resi-
dents. who are attracted here when In
extreme danger, hoping for relief from the
superior skill OF our physicians and sur
eeons? II seems TO me that these DO
not come property In the death reports
~ our city. for not only have they not
heen counted In our census but each
individual dying thus represents one In
our ayerage-that Is, III our death rate
,s twenty in a thousand, each twenty
so diving should add at least thousand