The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-23

The Two Branches of the city Council
Again GonsIderIng the Omc.tinn.

Another session was held last night by
the Two branches OF the city Council
as committee of the whole, 10 continue
The consideration of the revised city
ordnance, ana especially the chapter
relating 10 license taxes. President Iur-
pin, o. The Board OF Aldermen, was In
the chair. and Captain Alexander Coke.
the codlhef recorded, Whue Sergeant
alarms, Il. X. kalston acted as reaaing
clerk. The attendance OF the members
was unusually large.
The hrst business taken up was the
section of the ordinances liking the
licenses upon the hotels. II was agreed
to impose a tax OF 500 upon the hotels
doing the greater amount of business,
and list the others at So per annum.
This tax, however. is 10 be increased by
the usual per centum tax.
The committee, after brief discussion.
adopted the recommendation of the
Finance Committee nNing the license tax
upon restaurants, eating etc,
into three classes-$5O SO, ana $40.
There was a vide range of argument
over the question of the extent 10 which
lawyers, doctors, veterinary surgeons ar
chltects, civil engineers and other pro-
iessional men should pe taxed.
The Committee on Finance pre-
scented plan classifying them INTO
six classes-Sl50. 500. So, so. So. and SO.
tax upon these professional men be made
$50. lie said that there We're some
physicians ana lawyers I'm Richmond who
made as much as $1,000 year, ana
charged most eXOrbitant prices. MI.
Briggs remarked that even with the tax
that he offered was no more onerOus
than that placed upon commission mer-
chants.
MIR. Bahen agreed with Mr.. Briggs.
He argued that the high-priced doctors
should be made TO pay big license. lie
said that those PROFESSIONALISM did not
hesitate TO charge one man for services
ne had rendered IOr another lie gave as
an Illustration "a narrative about couple
OF bills from "a prominent Richmond
mad been called to his nome TO attend
member of his family and had charged
So for exactly the same services tnat
the same physician had rendered one OIL
his neghDOrs for SO.
Mr.. Glover was opposed TO placing so
burdcnsOmc tax upon a mans brain.
lie said that he did not believe that
there was a lawyer OF doctor IN the
city OF Richmond who was worth 100000.
Nobody looked upon DR.. Hunter Nc
Quire as a man OF great means, yet nc
"a physician were very heavy, and there
was no use TO make them any more bur-
densome by excessive taxation.
The Wow held by Mr. Bloomberg was
that the difference made between the
50 and $50 classes was 100 great II
would operate hardship upon the young
professional men just at the time when
they were beginning TO get foothold
After great deal Of discussion upon
this matter Mr.. Briggs amendment was
adopted, but recinslded with view TO
getting a seventh class added. and was
lost. The plan presented by the Com
mittee on Finance was then agreed 10.
ON motion OF Mr. Hobson, the license
upon paWn-brOkefs was originated into
two classes-$i00 and S2OO-which IS
heavy increase over the present tax.
This subject was argued at considerable
length. Mr.. Turpin taking the ground
that the pawn-brokers establishments
were bcnencicnt institutions. lie said
that many Of the poor people OF TINS
city would suffer but for these places OF
business. where they can so win some
small articles, and get upon them suiil-
Client money 10 keep them from suffer-
ing for want OF food or shelter
Messrs Briggs and Hobson thought inc
tax upon these men should be made as
higha 5 possible as they did not weld
M Rahen was decidedly pronounced i'm
his ideas upon this question, saying that
the pawn-b brokers encouraged theiVlng,
and that they drove many children TO
WrOng-doinS. -
men, and Mr. Briggs motion TO amend
The licenses Of the junk-dealers We're
uiaced al $50 500 and so. while those
81 boarding-house keepers were nxed IN
Two classes at S25 and Slo.
After agreeing to hear the insurance
solicitors. reai-estato agents. and ware
housemen tonight. and appointing a spe-
ciaI committee, consisting OF city Att0r-
nSv Meredith. President 1urpn, OF the
BOARD OF Aldermen and captain tohe'
The codifer, TO prepare the h'H VI ~. ~
nanccs on licenses and present them 10
ne Council in time TO have them pass ,he
Two branches and he approved ny the
Mayor The committee of the whole au-
ioC.ned until this evening at '.SO oeloVA'