Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-30
THE PROPOSED NEW JAIL.
A subcommittee to Ascertain the
Value of the CIark-Spring Lot.

The Council Committees on Grounds
and Buildings and Finance met in joint
session yesterday afternoon at O'Clock
In Room No. Of the City Hall. or the
Committee on Grounds and Buildings
there were present Messrs. Epps CHAIR
man. King Grimes. Gnnst, Snead, and
Mountcastle. while the Finance Commits
tee was represented by Messrs. Hard
wicke chairman. Murphy, Allen, Cot
trell, and Caskie.
The question before the meeting was an
ordinance introduced in the Common
Council last July by Mr.. Epps, which
provides for the sale Of the Clark-Sprins
property. the proceeds of which to be
used. together with the proceeds which
may be derived from the sale OF the pres
ent jail for the purpose Of constructing
new and modern Jail building.
Mr.. Caskie moved that the ordinance
be not adopted, saying that this was no
time for the sale Of real estate. He
added that the city ordinances provided
that the proceeds from sales of city pro-
perry should be applied TO the sinking
fund.
Mr.. Gunst pointed to the heavy ex>
penses for repairs to the present build
ing, which he thought would within
on $4,000. He advocated the sale Of the
property I'm question. which, he was In
formed would bring about $4,000.
OPPOSED TO THE SALE NOW.
Mr.. Allen was opposed TO the selling
OF the city's real estate at time when
all commodities were very low in price.
He said he would be perfectly willing TO
unite with the Committee on Grounds
and Buildings at proper time In the
matter of securing new Jail building.
Colonel Cutshaw stated that properly
secured jail would cost at least $1,000,
even If Il was built on the site of the
present Seabrooke Warehouse, which is
owned by the city. He stated that the
.sve.r i-nh
acres. which might be exchanged to al
vantage against the AZ acres near tins
New Reservoir, which some years ago
had been offered by Messrs Dooley. Poi
lard. and others. He spoke Of the neces-
sity and Importance 10 the poorer classes
Of large public parks.
Mr.. Grimes moved to lay the whole
matter on the table. while Mr.. King Of
fered as substitute That joint SUD
committee Of FIVE be appointed TO ascer-
tain the market value of the Clark Spring
property.
Nj snead briefly. opposed the idea Of
selling the property, and shared the
views Of Colonel Cutshaw as to the
maintenance Of large public parks.
COULD BE CONDEMNED.
Mr. Epps explained that he prepared
the ordinance subsequent TO converse
ton which he had held with Judge wit,
of the Hastings Court, who then stated
that he could condemn the present jail
building at any time and force the city
TO erect a new structure. He did not
feel, however inclined to press the sale
OF the property at this time. but wouln
like TO see some final disposition made
Of his ordinance
Mr. Murphy advocated the proposition
10 have subcommittee look into the
value OF the property, and Mr.. Kings
substitute was finally adopted by vote
Of to 3 Messrs. Snead and Hardwicke
voting against 1t.
The Chair appointed Messrs. King.
Snead and Gunst OF the Committee on
Grounds and Buildings, and Messrs. Muir
ply and Caskie. of the Finance Commit
tee. to constitute this special sub-com-
mittee.