Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-02
BUT SLOW PROGRESS.
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
MAKES vEAY LITTLE HEADWAy.
Mr. Beivia Being Absent No witnesses
Arc Exsmined-work on Streets In
Loe Distrsct-Light Matters.

tcnalrman), Alien. BOykin, Gunn. GuigOn,
Reeve. Murphy, Vaughan. and White. of
the committee. several members of the
Committee on Grounds and Buildings. the
City Attorney and Engineer. some of the
bidders, and Others interested in the ex-
animation, including Messrs. Clarence
Werner. A. Y. Stokes, and William Sey-
mour, who had been summoned as wit
nesses.
As soon as the body was called to order
DTsPArcH that on the night of the last
meeting OF the committee conference
was held by nearly all the members of the
Grounds and Buildings Committee. at
which il was indicated that they were not
exactly satisfied with the attitude of the
committee on investigation. He there
fore offered resolution that the invitation
be extended to each member of the CON-
rnittee to take such part as he might deem
fit in the proceedings.
Mr.. Allen and others disclaimed anv in
tention TO restrict the privileges OF the
Grounds and Buildings Committee in any
way. Mr.. Turpin. by request, explained
the position of that committee, and MIR.
GuIgon's resolution was then adopted.
THE CITY ATTORNEYS PART.
There was some discussion as to what
part the City Attorney should take IN the
investigation. Mr.. Turpin thought Mr..
Meredith should represent both commit
tees, as they were councilmanic bodies.
On motion of Mr.. Allen the Attorney was
requested to conduct the investigation for
the special committee.
The stenographer not having had time 10
write out the minutes of the previous
meeting on account OF sickness, Colonel
Cutshaw was asked to make brief state
ment of the awards touching the salient
points explained by him at the former ses-
sion. This was done in order to familiariZe
those present with the status of affairs
who could not be present at the meeting
held last week. This explanation con-
sumed about two hours time. In which
questions were asked the Engineer by
members OF the committees. the bidders,
and the City Attorney.
THE METALLIC CASES.
The investigators passed over the wood
furniture contract entirely and took up
the bids for the metallic book-files. Mr..
Turpin stated that he hoped it would be
made matter of record that the Commit
tee on Grounds and Buildings saved the
city 5000 by awarding the furniture con-
tract to the lowest bidder.
The clerk of the Committee on Grounds
and Buildings was asked to furnish the
vote upon the contract for the Dook-fles.
It was as follows:
For Waddey-Messrs. Carter. Epps.
Mountcastle. Seay. Noble. and Turpln-6.
For Starke Messrs. Curtis, Tanner. and
TAYLOR g.
He was also asked for the names of the
committee who went North to look into the
merits of the wooden and metallic book
files, and stated that 1t consisted OF Messrs.
Curtis. Mountcastle and Epps. Mr. Tay-
lor. chairman Of the committee, desired
the clerk to state who appointed that
committee, and the clerk replied that tho
Committee on Grounds and Buildings
did 1t.
THE DISCREPANCY OF NO MATTER.
Colonel Cutshaw made statement as
TO the discrepancy in Mr.. Starke's bid be-
tween the lump total and the aggregate of
the several items, which was over $1,000.
This sum would have made Mr.. Starke's
modified bid about $500 above that of MIR.
Waddey. but the City Attorney had already
expressed il as his opinion that Mr.. Starke
would have had to furnish the cases for
the sum total Of his bid, and this Mr..
Starke stated he intended TO have done.
The Engineer then went into discus
sion of the relative value of the samples
su omitted by Messrs. Starke and Waddey,
committee to accept Mr. Starke's bid. H5
thought if there was any difference it was
In favor of Mr.. Starke, but the committee
disagreed with him.
This sort OF talk and questioning kept
up until the time for adjournment, when
Mr.. Murphy asked why the witnesses
could not be allowed to give
their testimony. Some one replied that
MIR. Preston Belvin was out of the city,
and that as no would probably be inte-
rested in what evidence might be gwen it
would be well 10 adjourn for the night.
The next meeting will be held tonight at
o'clock.
Streets In Lee District.
A called meeting OF the Street Committee was
held last evening for the purpose OF considering
the question OF opening and grading the streets
Ia the annexed portion OF Lee District.
A delegation from the StoDecuttcrs' Union was
present and requested the committee to rescind
thoir action by which the contract for the set
ting OF granite curbing was awarded 10 A. B.
Cook, ot Petersburg Ibey were OF the opinion
that this work should DO given 10 Richmond
nrm. They were informed that no change could
be made, because the with travail OF the con-
tract from Mr.. Cook would render the city liable.
The petition OF DIR. j. n. Upshur for 500
damages TO his horse and buggy by the animal
having stepped In ditch on Fifth street some
time ago was brought. The excavation was
made by q force OF the gas department VINO had
done the disgiDg 10 md leak IN the gas pipe.
MIR. Turpin moved 10 recommend 10 the Coun-
I'll the payment Of tho claim, and requested that
body to ASK the Committee ON Light 10 state VINO
was to blame for the accident
THE REPOKTED RESOLUTION.
Tue committee then wont into the Lee Dis
trict matter. The resolution presented at the
asst meeting by the subcommittee ana the Cily
itorney was taken from the taDle. III was as
ollows:
Rssoired. That the Committee on Streets are
hereby authorized to expend for the grading OF
he several streets m Lee District. the sum OF
30, 900 appropriated for the improvement OF
laid district by tho appropriation ordinance and
% contract for such Iurther sums as may De
necessary 70 inish the grading OF each and al
II said streets, no. TO exceed $4,000, TO be paid
yhen funds are available.
The City Attorney submitted an opinion IN re-
yard 20 the matter, in which he stated that no
lad examined the proceedings as 10 the grading
u streets In the district and failed TO discover
my wrong step that had been taken by the COM
nittee Neither could no see any reason why
he city should not recover tho money 10 DO
pent on those streets If the law In regard 10 tho
assessment OF abutting property-owners shouid
lot be declared unconstitutional
TO GRADE CERTAIN STREETS.
A great deal Of discussion was INDUCED In
,yer the resolution, but IL was fnally lost, and
ir. Boykin made the following motion, which
7as carried:
That streets in the district be opened and
raded as follows: Franklin. Hanover, ParK and
iroyo avenue from Lombardy street 10 the Bou-
syard; Allen avenue. Walnut aud Allison
treets from Grove avenue 10 Broad stree'.
GA molten OF Mr.. Boykin resolution was re-
10 the Council, proylding that tue
treet Committee no authorized TO expend the
20, 600 Appropriated for the Improvement OF
tIects in the district
Mr. Boykin also moved that sup-comnittee
4 three be appointed TO Investigate the Claims
Z William II. Cousins, on China street between
'lne and Laurel. whose house had been injured
" the filling up OF tnat thoroughfare- lne mo
ION prevailed, and the chair appointed Mcssrs.
,oykin, Thomas, and Turpin meGoers oi tnat
Qmuifiee.
Mr.. Grlnin appeared before the com mittee
nd asked for the grading OF Darlington street
rom Buchanan TO Seventeenth. Aiter souio
upon the request the body decided 10
isit the grounds at O'Clock this evening.
Some other unimportant business was tranS-
ciod ana the committee adjourned.
The Committee op Light.
Ths Committee on Light held regular month
? session a, the Upper s-Works yesterday
yening. The first matter considered was an
pplicatlou for a gas main on Grove avenue De-
ween Vino and Walnut Lee Dis.rict. Granted.
Gas-main extensions were ordered as ioi-
)ws:
on Grace street from Twentieth TO Twenty
rst, oa clay street from Twenty-nrst 10 Nen-
Us econd. :.
Electric lights we're ordered 70 DO placed at
he corner OF Graham aud Clay streets anu
pat Of Park avenue and Harvey streets
The committee recommended 10 tnc Vouneii
) cancel the gas bill against the ladies' OF tno
Memorial Bazaar for gas USED Dy
hem at sanger Hall
The contract for furnishing the wnter-gas
lapt with oil was awarded TO Mr.. Charics IL
,icola OF Baltimore, al e. % psr 100 gallons
Afrcr approving the usual bills and pey-rolis