The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-07
THE COLORED ARMORY.
COMMITTEE DECIDEN0T TO INTER.
FERE WITH THE CONTRACT.
The Question Discussed But No Opposition
to Colorsd Brick Layers shown.
Not "a Dissenting Voice.

The Committee on Grounds and Build
ings had a called meeting last evening
Ia Room No. OF the city Hall. for the
purpose Of disposii OF the questions as to
the sub-lctung Of the work on the colored
armory which is 10 be erected at the
expense OF the city. The following mem
.bers OF the committee were present:
Messrs Epps chairman, Gunst. Blake
Snead. Briggs. and King.
on motion OF Mr.. Briggs IT was decided
that Mr. Thomas j. West be heard VIM
had received from Mr. Fox the snp-coh
tract for the brickwork on the proposeu
building ON the previous evening Fo'-
Ter had been read from Mr.. West settlnE
forth that he had not sub-let ms "oiN'
Mr. West last evening reiterated tn'9
statement. and added that he had not
spokcu To any ,oue about his intention
OF sub-lcftine Tic did So even IN the lace
Of a statement 10 the contrary MADE by
Mr.. Powers. Of the white Bricklayers
Union. ne also submitted au aihdaVlt 10
suhstantlatc his assertion. while Council
man Page practically confirmed MI
Vests version.
THE CITY ATTORNEY.
Mr.. Gunst stated that after conference
with the city Attorney on the points
raised .sf the previous meeting. he had
become thoroughly convinced that after
the contract had been agreed 10 there
was nothing left for the committee TO
do than TO authorize Mr.. Fox TO 20 on
with She work, and he therefore offered
motion 20 that effect
Mr. Epps briefly explained his views
in the premises while Mr.. King occupied
tho chair He said be felt sdtished that
the white hrckaycrs had made their
complaint with the best intentions. They
claimed that Nh West employed an in
fcrior lot Of men At low wages. while Mr..
West assured the committee that he had
not done so and had not sub-let his work.
Consequently hc was convinced that the
committee had nothing TO DO in the prem
isce However he was always ready 10
uphold fair and honest labor. and would
be willing 70 down any contractor whose
habit was tho employment Of inferior
labor but he was not prepared TO make
timsclf or the city liable by his vote.
MIR. BLAKE's REMARK.
MIR Blake stated that ne about shared
the views OF Mr.. Epps, ana added in re-
ference 80 the colorcd armOry that nc
felt sorry that the work on this building
could not Doe given 20 a ColOred man. lie
would have been glad if a colored citizen
had presented a bid and subsequently re-
ccivcd the contract. for the building was
10 be built for the use Of the coIorcd pco-
pie, and If erected by cOlored artisans,
s. would have been an eloquent testimo-
NAL as 10 the merits Of the colorcd race.
In view OF the radicalism so often ex-
pressed In the North He had been raised
with Colored boys and girls and he knew
that there were honest and true people
20 be found among the colorcd race. All
he asked was that justice be done 10 all
men, AID he did not think that the COM
mittee could do anything else but author
lie Mr. Fox 10 carry out the work.
The motion OF Mr. Gunst. which was
the same one that was offered by Mr.
Briggs on the previous evening. that Mr.
Fox be given authority TO 90 on with
the work. WAS then adopted without a
dissenting voice.
on motion Of Mr.. Snead the city En-
eineer was instructed to lay out a path
way from the ccntre OF Monroe Square
10 point opposite the Church OF the
Holy Trinity.
The city Engineer was also instructed
on motion of the same gentleman, 10
plant a number Of shade trees from the
city nursery in Calvary cemetery.
The Committee adjourned after dis
posing OF some routine business Of minor
Importance.