Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-25
NO ELECTRIC PLANT.
The COMMITTEES on Light Falls to Ask
for the $4,000 appropriation.
THE VOTE RESULTS A TIE.
Superintendent Adams Says Our 0as II
Now Pure-Nesro Convicted Of Robbing
Mr.. Dawes-City Hall News

The Committee on Light held q very
important session last night, and dis
cussed the electric-light-piant proposition.
and the question came squarely before
the body and was defeated by a vote Of
A. At the meeting there were pres
ent Chairman Grimes and Messrs. Davis,
starke, Vaughan, Caskie. Noble, Waller
stein, and Hardwicke.
AS soon as the body convened Mr..
George b. Davis moved to take from the
table the report OF the subcommittee
as to the city owning its electric-light
plant. This was agreed to, and lengthy
discussion followed. Mr.. Davis then
moved the adoption Of the paper. which
crowded for the appropriation OF $4,000
in 4 per cent. bonds OF the city for the
purchase OF the plant Mr.. Davis said
that the city was paying twice as much
| for its lights as 1t ought to. and asserted
| that what these lights cost the city Tor
three years would pay for the plant
| fully equipped to furnish 500 arc lights
| and 600 incandescent lights.
A NEW PROPOSITION.
II.
argument upon the matter, saying that
While he was opposed to large appropria-
| tons of any kind at this time, he was
satisfied. after full investigation OF the
| facts in the case, that the city could
| well afford to make this investment he
| calculated that II the city could do the
| same amount OF business with the pub
| lie that the present company Is doing.
| IL would bring the cost OF her lights
| down to $1,000 a year, instead or $SoVo.
| He said that he knew OF company
which would, he believed, be prepared In
| a few days to make q proposition to
| furnish the city with a plant at cost
| of $4,000, to be paid for In five years
| at the rate of $4,000 per year. and a
cost Of $4,000 a year for running the
same: this latter amount also to be paid
| to the company.
| Mr.. Noble spoke at some length on the
subject. referring especially to the impor-
| lance Of the city owning its electric plant,
| in order to fully protect its gas-works
| and keep that enterprise from ianguish-
| ing.
THE MOTION LOST.
Mr.. Davis's motion was finally put
| and voted down. as follows:
Ayes-Messrs. Grimes. Davis, Noble,
and NallerSteul-f
Noes-Messrs. Starke. Vaughan. Caskie,
| and Hardwcke4.
Mr. Davis then offered resolution pro-
yiding that the city should no longer
use electricity for lighting the streets
| This was lost also.
THE GAS NOW PURE.
Superintendent Adams. OF the City Cas-
Works. was approached last night by a
| Dispatch man and asked as to the cause
| of so much complaint about the odof
| arising from the gas. He said that there
was no reason for complaint OF this KIND
now II the fixtures were in good condi-
ton. The new purifiers had been put In,
| he added, and all the improvements re-
Gently contemplated at the gas-works
had been completed, and the gas was
now absolutely pure. He added that
water-gas produced much stronger and
| much more unpleasant odor than coal
gas and that n very small leak from
fixture caused very disagreeable effects
| He thought 1t we'll for every one to see
that their gas-pipes and fixtures were In
| good condition.
There was a meeting last night OF the
! Committee on Police. and the CONTRACT
| for wagon-tins was awarded to II. Huber
while that for dog-tags was let to j
| II. Aston. these gentlemen being the
lowest bidders. The Committee on Health
| and Elections met also last evening, and
| transacted business of routine charac'
| re