Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-16
Of resinous pine, material OF the mos
infammable nature.
HE COUNCIL ALARMED.

infiammable nature.
THE COUNCIL ALARMED.
Iypon further inquiry / found that the
Council gave evidence OF their appre-
henaion OF danger In this court by ap-
nointlu1 "A speclal COMMITTEES, consisting
Of Messrs. Meredith. Cannon. and Gray TO
investigate the condition OF the vaults
I'm which these valuable records were
depozi.ed. md 10 report thereon. IN tnat
report we find words TO this erect: Ana
sbouid those records be destroyed the
question then would simply be as TO the
amount that the city would have to pay
because OF the destruction OF records so
valuable. which had been committed to
the city for safe-keeping. Seeing such
evidences OF risk daily before my eyes,
and being warned by gentlemen Swhose
legal attachments were such as to- secure
10 them the greatest confidence on the
part OF our people. my interest was IN
creased. and I felt that as i was one OF
the custodiaus OF the city'S interest IL
was my duty to make an effort even
though I should fail TO secure the ENDS
desired.
My friend. Charles +. Taylor. had
offered n resolution in the Council in thar
direction, and was speaking OF Its death
ct the hands OF the Finance Committee
when he declared very emphaucally that
We would never get a City Hall If 1t had
to go through on the recommendation OF
the Finance Committee.
The conclusion was then formed that
II II could not go through the Finance
Committee II must go over H. To do this
/ prepared a preamble stating directly
that the provisions made by the city for
its municipal and judicial departments
were insecure. insufficient. and uncertain.
THE TWO RESOLUTIONS.
I believe no one could question these
facts, and the preamble was followed by
two simple resolutions, one directing the
Grounds and Buildings Committee 10 pre-
pare outlines of a building for a City Hall,
and another directing the Committee on
Finance to prepare n scheme of finance
TO meet the expense incidental to the
erection Of a City Hall. This paper was
presented 10 the Board Of Aldermen. and
advocated by the author TO the best OF
his ability. It was adopted by the Board
on the evening it was offered. and at the
next regular meeting Of the Common
Council 1t was concurred in, and in due
time approved by the Mayor. This was
the first substantial step made for the
new City Hall. Other steps were to be
taken before the matter was completed.
III All OF WHICH the CHILL liistll VI int
mittcc met with a cheerful cooperation
from the members OF the committee.
HAD ITS DRAWBACKS.
Like all great movements this had its
drawbacks. but we continued to co-ope-
rate In pushing the matter until a new
party came into existence | was not
prepared to go with the members OF that
party as to the manner of employing the
labor IN the execution OF building. 1 had
been elected by my constituents three
consecutive terms. II was my pleasure
to do all that j could for them without
doing injury to others. | held to my con-
victions OF duty, preferring to retire from
the Board OF Aldermen sooner than 10
do violence to my judgment deliberately
formed.
The work went on, and I am greatly
pleased to congratulate you, Mr.. Presi-
dent. and the joint bodies over which you
preside, with the committee, and also the
City Engineer. upon the completion OF
the work. Your Engineer has discharged
faithfully his duties IN performing the
task assigned him. lie deserves the lauda-
tions Of the good people OF our city at
large upon having constructed for them a
hall so substantial and safe, so beautl-
full and so convenient into which the
young and the aged, the maid and the
matron, without fear Of being madly jos
tied and crowded by the rude and rough
Of both races may come and discharge
their obligations to the city with comfort
derived from gentlemanly officials located
In well-ordered departments. i congratu-
late our citizens upon having a city Hall
which we believe will compare fayorably
with any other i'm the land, upon having
a safe repository for papers affecting the
IT, - .f,stNF lnl.N -
condition in our city-one that is not only
for US and for our children, but for I'M
born generations.
Captain Charles f. Taylor and L. d.
Crenshaw, Jr., also ex-members OF the
Committee on Grounds and Buildings, were
called upon for remarks. but declined,
after expressing their appreciation Of the
distinction conferred upon them.
OTHER ADDRESSES.
Mr. Evan Snead. an ex-member. was
espied by the Chair and requested 10
speak. Mr.. Snead. in his characteristic
modesty. replied TO the behest OF the
President by saying that he did not come
10 make an address. He realized that he
beheld a beautiful sight as he was walk
ing up the street and approached the
building while II was Illuminated from
top to bottom. No one could feel moro
crater III Tor Nit IdHhsDlilt lily nan AudH
himself
John VI. Higgins. an ok" who was
caught on the fly by President Dickerson.
was brought before the assembage, ard
he expressed his qualification IN terms Of
feeling and eloquence. The occasion. he
declared. was one OF great interest TO him.
1t was specially interesting when he con-
trasted Richmond of to-day with the Rich
mond OF twenty-fOur years ago. In that
time her population had nearly doubled:
she had increased her nnmber of wards
from three to six. her water and gas
plants had greatly improved; she has
built a magnificent armory and two large
and commOdious marllet-houses; she had.
by the efforts Of her efficient City Engi-
neer inauguratcd n system Of general i'm
provements which would be beneficial TO
her throughout all time. Applause)
Mr.. Higgins referred with manifest pride
to Richmond's streets and school-houses.
and took occasion to compliment both
teachers and pupils in the schools lie
thought re providential that the site chosen
for the new City Hall had been selected.
1t stood there majestically grand. with
out a flaw. every part Of il perfect, COM
pletc. lie desired to tender his con-
gratulations to the committee and 10 Col
onel Cutshaw for the faithfulness with
which they had performed the trust as
signed them. Every transaction in con-
nection with the work upon that struc-
ture had been pure Richmond's City
Engineer was a man thoroughly incor-
ruptible. ard in the discharge OF his duty
he was the man 10 give justice TO the
humblest laborer as well as TO the most
skilled mechanic.
JUDGE WEXFORD SPEAKS.
Here member moved that Judge Well
ford' who assisted in laying the corner
stone Of the hall. be called upon, and
without putting the proposition to the
house, the Chair requested the Judge TO
favor the assemblage In this respect.
Judge Wexford assured the body that
he came to look on. to hear. and TO par
hcipate In the feeling OF qualification
which should fill the heart OF every citi-
zen OF Richmond. lie congratulated the
Council upon the completion or the build
g.,