Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-22
HAVE TO CUT DOWN.
The Board Refuses an Extra Sum to
The Health Department.
NO DIVISION OF STREET FUNDS.
A Straight Appropriation of $4,000
Made-Sainry of superintendent of
Public Business Transacted.

An adjourned session OF the Board OF
Aldermen was held last night, and much
unfinished business was transacted Those
In attendance were President Turplnsand
Messrs. Allen. Bahen, Boykin, Burton,
Blake. Hardwicke. King, Mitchell. Moore.
Mountcastie. Noble. Reeve. Snead, Starke,
Turner. and Vaughan.
The action OF the Common Council in
appropriating $500 to the Virginia State
Agricultural and Mechanical Society as
a loan to pay of the semi-annual interest
OF that organization was concurred In, as
was the resolution donating 1900 10 that
society as a gift to assist in paying its
debt.
The Board also took concurrent action
upon the resolution authorizing the Com
mittee on Grounds and Buildings to sell
the lot on the east side Of First street be-
tween Canal and Cary to c. III. Read for
$40 per front foot, the city being permit
ted to have the gravel on the adjoining
lot.
THE HEALTH FORCE.
A great deal of discussion was INDUCED
In over the resolution appropriating s5.-
12l.5O to the payroll account of the Health
Department.
Mr.. Reeve. chairman OF the committee,
spoke at some length. stating that In
making up the annual budget the Com
mttee on Finance had not allowed the
usual amount TO this account, and that (;
the additional sum was not granted IL
would be necessary 10 cut down the street
cleaning force at least % per cent He
argued that the cleanliness OF the city was
a matter OF great Importance and should
not be disregarded. Mr.. Reeves explained
that the Finance Committee had made
up the budget with the payroll of the
Health Department before IL, and that
the Health Committee was unwilling TO
proceed In such manner as to exceed
the appropriation.
Mr.. Hardwicke, as chairman of the
Committee on Finance, asked for a refer
ence Of the matter to that body. He spoke
Of the great need for economy, and Of
the danger of passing large appropriations
without the approval of the Committee
on Finance.
An earnest and vigorous speech in favor
OF the reference was made by Mr.. Blake,
who In the course OF his remarks stated
that the Health Committee was running
men upon its pay-rolls at $50 a day
who did not earn % cents day. He
asked IL the gentlemen OF the Health
Committee were afraid to put off these
worthless employees because OF their in
fuence at the polls on election-day.
THE RESOLUTION LOST.
Mr.. Snead. a member OF the Health
Committee asked Mr.. Blake to name the
members OF that body who knew men
on the STRENGTHENING force who did not
earn what they were being paid. The
Monroe-Ward member replied that IL was
not necessary for him TO do this, but
that the Committee on Health had APP
pointed a subcommittee to look into
this very question, this subcommittee
had made it's report, but no action had
as yet been taken upon 1t.
Alderman Mitchell made a speech for
reference, but Mr.. Hardwicke soon with
drew his motion to refer. and the reso-
luton came up on its passage. IL was
voted down. the resu.e being ayes and
noes. A two-thirds vote was necessary.
BOARD STILL DISAGREES.
The next matter TO arise was the report
Of the Committee of Conference as to the
apportionment of the $4,000 to the streets
and 1t evoked a long and te-
dious discussion. Mr.. Boykin made quite
a strong appeal in behalf of the report and
the adoption of the resolution. 1t was
finally voted down, as follows:
Ayes-Messrs. Allen. Boykin, Burton,
Hardwicke, Snead. Starke, Tanner, and
Vaughan-8.
Noes-Messrs. Bahen. Blake. King,
Mann, Mitchell Moore. Mountcastle,
Reeves, and President Turpin-9
Concurrent action was taken on the pre-
amble and resolution inviting the United
Veterans TO hold its annual
reunion in this city in 1896.
The ordinance providing for the election
Of a clerk TO the Council committees was
amended so as not to prescribe that such
official should be at the City Hall from
A. NJ. to p. NJ. and reducing the salary
rom $500 to $40 a year.
The Board concurred in the resolution
the use OF 400 from this
years appropriation to schools TO pay the
balance due on the payroll account Of the
public schools for the year 1894.
LAID ON THE TABLE.
After some discussion the body laid
upon the table the resolution calling for
the appointment of a special committee 10
secure estimates for a statue of General |
J. Z. b. Stuart, get up design, recon-
nenu suitable site &C.
There was much argument over the /!
resolution from the Common Council APP
pointing a committee to look into the |
ldvsability of redistrictng the wards OF |
he city. The matter was finally rejected. |
CUT DOWN THE SALARY.
Mr.. Turpin submitted an amendment |
to the ordinance concerning the salaries |
Of city officials, whereby the pay Of the |
Of the City Gas-Works |
Is 20 be reduced from S,t00 TO $3.50 per |
annum. The President stated that II |
could hardly be expected that a new |
the late superintendent and be as valua-
Bile to the city. The reduction at this /
time would work no hardship upon any |
1ne, and, Mr. Turpln believed, would |
result in no candidate or aspirant for the.
office retiring from the race. The amend |
ment was unanimously agreed TO.
Mr. Blake, recognizing the condition In |
which the Street Department was placed |
By the failure OF the Board to concur
n the report Of the Conference Commit
zee, offered resolution appropriating
$1,000 to ST. IS generally. without re-
gard to apport.o ment. This was adopted
Nessrs Boykin and Snead only voting
against II.
THE SYSTEM ALL RIGHT.
Mr.. Boykin arose TO a question Of per
'onal privilege, and stated that he had
ust returned from Washington, where he
Jaw In operation the underground cleo
ric-cars, which. IL is contemplated. will
,e placed on Broad street. Mr.. Boykin
declared that he found this system en-
irely satisfactory. the lines being well
quipped, and the service being first class.
Je thought the whole Council and the
lily Engineer should go TO the national
.apital and look at the lines operated
~ the underground electric system, that
hey might know what they were about
o get here.
The Board then adjourned.