Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-02
GAS-HOUSE SHORTAGE
The Light Committee Ask that Another
Investigation Be Made.
THE REVISED CITY ORDINANCES.
They Are Passed Upon As Ear As
IL Practicable Before the Cfty-At-
torney's Return The Changes
Made.

Grimes chairman, Caskie, DAVIS, NoDie'
and Wallerstein.
Mr.. Davis offered a resolution providing
for a special committee TO investigate the
defalcation In the Gas Department In
speaking to the resolution, Mr.. DAVIS salu
he felt fully convinced that the Com
mittee on Light had done its full duty;
but the impression seemed to have been
created abroad that some attempt had
been made to cover up something.
The resolution read as follows:
Whereas the report of the Committee
on Light on the investigation Of the gas
works shortage, having been tabled by
the Board of Aldermen, and, regarding II
highly important that prompt action be
taken; therefore. be it
Resolved, That we. the Committee on
Light, recommend 10 the Common Coun-
ell Qhe Board OF Aldermen concurring)
that q special committee OF seven be APP
pointed-four from the Common Council
and three from the Board OF Aldermen
TO investigate the gas-works' shortage;
that said committee be empowered 10 send
for persons and papers and TO employ a
stenographer; that the sum OF $50 be, and
is hereby. appropriated for said stepogra-
pher, or so much thereof as will be ne
cessary that the City Attorney be re-
quested TO assist said committee on in
vestlgation. and that the session Of said
committee be open TO the public. and that
no member Of the Committee on Light
shall be appointed on said committee.
After some little discussion the resolu-
ton was adopted.
WANTED SUBCOMMITTEE
Mr Wallerstein then submitted the reso-
luton. notice of which had been given at
the last meeting, which provides for the
appointment by the chairman Of three
subcommittee, which are to have the
following functions:
First-On buildings and property to
have fun supervision Of all the property.
Second-On receiving and delivering Of
supplies and on sale and delivery Of pro-
ducts, except gas.
Third-On payroll, books, and accounts,
and settlement with the Auditor
The resolution was lost by the follow
ing vote: Ayes-Messrs. Caskle, Davis
and Walierstein--3. Noes-Messrs Branch.
Noble. and Grimes--3. Afessrs. Noble and
Branch explained that they had voted
against the measure because they did
not know whether the resolution would
interfere with the city ordinances.
on motion Of Mr.. Caskie. the vote was
reconsidered. and the resolution laid on
the table for further Investigation In that
direction.
KEPT Us OUT OF DARKNESS.
The following was received from Mayor
Taylor: II herewith submit a bill of the
Richmond Railway and Electric Company
for lights furnished by my request du-
ring the delay incident 10 renewal Of con-
tract with the company. ! hope my action
may meet with the approval Of your
honored body and the bill will be
promptly audited and settled. in return
for the kindness extended by the company
TO the city.
The bill, which covers the time from
May 10 to June 26th is for 2703.36, and
it was referred to a subcommittee, con-
sisting OF Messrs. Wallcrstein. Branch,
and Davis.
Mr.. Branch offered a resolution provid-
ing that the service pipe-men be allowed
to quit work between now and October LIST
on Saturdays at =. NJ The matter was
finally left with the discretion OF the
Superintendent.
The payroll Of the department was APP
proved. and a good deal of routine BUSH
ness OF minor Importance was disposed Of.
Considering the Revised Ordinances
The two branches OF the City Council
again met last evening at o'clock in the
Council Chamber as committee OF the
whole TO continue the consideration OF
the revised city ordinances. President
Turpin, of the Board OF Aldermen, was IN
the chair Captain Alexander Coke, the
codiner. and revlser. recorded, and Ser
"a
The following members were present:
From the Board OF Aldermen: Messrs.
Reeve, King, Turpin. and Allen; from
the Common Council: Messrs. BlOomberg.
Briggs. Brock, Branch. Caskie, Don
leavy. Hobson Lawder. Mcdowell, Wal
lerstein. Woody Ferrter. Gunst, Jackson.
Upon motion OF Mr. Wallersteln, section
9 was added to chapter H., concerning
the duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms,w which
IL TO read as follows:
He shall also keep upon his desk a
book. which he shall provide for the
purpose at the expense Of the city in
which the Clerk of the city will insert
an entry notifying him. the name OF the
special committee or committee TO be
called. and the hour OF its meeting, and
the time said Clerk made said entry, and
the sergeant-at-Arms shall be required TO
sign his name and indicate the day and
hour at which he received notice to call
said meeting or meetings.
MAKE QUARTERLY REPORTS.
on motion of Mr. Branch. section l6
was added TO chapter IL, concerning the
City Auditor. 1t contains the provisions
of an ordinance recently enacted, and
reads as follows: 1.-THE Auditor IL required
70 make quarterly written reports OF the
condition OF the books of each department
of the city TO the committee OF said de-
oartment."
During the consideration OF chapter XIV,
concerning the assessment or taxes, sec
ton 1 was so amended that the Com
missioner Of the Revenue shall give pond
with security in the sum OF WV to De
approved by the City Council upon the
recommendation OF the Mayor ana Clty
Attorney. In section an amendment
was agreed upon provlaing that tne
entries OF the parcels OF real estate In
the land-books shall, as far as practicable.
also give the house numbers.
During the reading OF this chapter
only a few slight amendments were sug-
pested until section % was reached. when,
on motion OF Mr.. Wallerstein, the fol-
lowing addition was made:
.,rbe Commissioner shall require the
nroper officers OF all corporations which
are assessed for taxation upon the amount
OF their gross or net revenues, when re-
porung such earnings, to accompany said
returns with an affidavit before notary
public. attesting the correctness OF such
returns"
THE MATTER OF LICENSE-TAXES.
Mr. Caskie stated, when the considera-
zion Of license taxes WAS about 10 be
reached. that the present system, where
the authority had to guess what would
be fair tax, was very undesirable, ana