Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-01
BUDGET HUNG UP YET
THE BOARD LACKS ONE VOTE OF
ADOPTING CONFERENCE REPORT.
The BODY TO MEET AGAIN TONIGHT.
Appropriation for schools the Bone
of ContentiOn-A Lively, and mt
Times Heated. Debate-Question OF
Taking from sinking Fund.

meeting Of the Board Of Aldermen held in
the Council Chamber last night, but 1t
failed to receive the two-thirds vote ne
cessary TO its passage. Just one more
vote was needed.
The reasons for this are not far to seek.
There is a small but effective minority in
the Board uualterably opposed to the
reduction Of the appropriation for the
schools of the city. The most patent ar
ruments-based on motives of retrench-
ment and reform. on the fact that the
schools are receiving nearly three times
as much as the city is under obligation
TO give. and that in view of the fact that
appropriations Tor other city departments
have been reduced, there is no reason why
that for the School Board should be allow
ed TO remain the same-proved Of no avail.
skilful tactics were employed on both
sides and when these failed there were
several attempts at compromise, and at
one time Il looked as though the compro-
mise had been effected, but when it came
TO the crucial test, and a vote on the
adoption Of the report was taken. there
was the same hopeless breach.
The minority have attacked the appro.
nrlation for gas-meters with great vigor
and determination, and a fresh DugDear
has been introduced into the argument
nv the action OF the Conference Committee
i'm taking $1,000 from the sinking fund for
the appropriatlons for streets. The budget
originally provided for the reduction OF
the floating debt Of the city by $1,000 this
amount to come out Of the revenues TINS
year. ~, .... ob-
sent last night Had he been present ana
voted as he said he would have done the
budget would have passed, as II only
lacked one vote 10 make the necessary
| two thirds.
THE PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL
m poord was called to order shortly
after S o'clock. with the ioilo"lhs hneIl-
- nreseut: Messrs. Turpin chairman
paben Brock. Burton. Cutchins, Car
tor Hardwicke. King, Montgomery
NToore Tawder. Noble. Smith, Snead'
Starl,e Zimmerman, and Allen. COM
| rnunication from Mr.. James 7. Vaughan
member from Madison Ward, was re3d'
ovrlaiuing that it was impossible for hln
a. no nresent. and expressins the hope
that the budget would pass the Board.
Tbe Chairman read the rule under
which the Board would have TO work
namely. that the report OF a conference
committee is not subject TO amendment
! or to be laid on the table. -.
/ Mr. Carter moved that this rule NO. ZS'
,rhich roads. "That ordinances or reso-
Irtions rerorted by committee of con-
ference shall not be subject TO amend
mont or laid on the table. but must be
either adopted. rejected. or recommitted'
! A committee OF conference shall not have
the mower to change or omit any section
] of an ordinance or portion OF resolution
that has been agreed on by both
branches. but oEiy those constituting the
disagreement" should be suspended Tor
the night. He said that IT placed the
members Of the Board at a great dis
| advantage.
The Chair held that the rule could not
he suspended without consent Of the lower
| branch Mr.. Carter argued that the rule
was made for the Board and could by
| them be rescinded on such an important
| occasion as that which occupied the at
tcntion of the Board. The motion was
then put and lost by a vote of 10 Z.
Mr.. Starke said he hoped the vote would
| be reconsidered. as he felt certain that
! If IL prevailed II would ieopardize the
| whole budget, as some members would
vote against II rather than pass certain
| features 10 which they were unalterably
| opp0sed. Mr.. Montgomery seconded the
motion. He said ne felt sure that the
| budget would not pass unless the con-
! cesson was made.
| The motion TO reconsider was adopted
| nv "a vote of II 10 o. The original motion
| of Mr.. Carter was then put and carried.
TAKE Up THE ORDINANCE
The revised ordinance. as it was re-
! norted bv the Conference Committee. was
/ then read. Letters were read from the
A w. Gllnn Council. No. T. Jr. O. L. A.
! NJ. and from Star and Crescent Counch.
! No. g. Daughters Of Liberty, commend
| ing the action of the Board in resembling
/ the appropriations for sectarian institu-
tions. The letters were ordered TO be
placed IN the archives of the city
Mr.. Noble asked how the committee
nroposed TO tike $4,000 from the sinking
| fund.
Mr.. Turpin explained that the sinking
! fund debt was not 10 be paid entirely out
/ of the current revenues OF 1891 An
amendment had been made that OF the
debt of S70O only 10000 would be PAID.
MIR. Noble said he could not vote for
the budget under those circumstances.
| Mr.. Hardwicke explained that the city
owned the Sinking-Fund Commissioners
!
/ money from the revenues Of the year
and so reduce the floating debt The
| bonds which the commissioners represent
do not mature until 1904. He said this
nroposition 10 reduce the floating debt Of
! the citv was q reason why the member
from Marshall Ward should vote for the
| budget.
! The matter was then dropped
METERS AND SCHOOL FUNDS.
Mr. Turpin then moved that the sum
of s12 600 should be taken from the apprO-
nriation for water-meters and applied 20
| The pav-roll Of public schools. He said
| he presumed every member had made up
his mind how 10 vote, and he was only
anxious hat the Board should not vote
ON this question IN the dark. lie said
I Colonel Jones had been reported as say
inc al the meeting Of the conference COM
rittee that two members Of the School
BOARD had informed him that $4,000
| would be ample on which TO run the
/ schooI system Of the city. 1t was abso
lutelv impossibe TO do this. BY cutting
| of some OF the studies, the cooking
! school chemistry. and one or two others
| the expenses might be reduced about S4
| o0o a wear but that 10 do this the currlcu-
| luro would bear unfavorable comparison
with that Of other cities. The appropria-
ton made by the city was $4,000 and by
the State S32. 100. OF the total sum SSl 100
has already been expended leaving only
about $4,000 Tor the balance Of the ses-
sion.
Nr Noble asked the member from JEFF
ferson Ward several questions as to the
| foreign languages taught and the duties
| ~ certain teachers and suggested that
| the nrincipal might teach the senior grade
| as well as exercise a general supervision.