The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-16
NOCONTRACTSA WARDED
tTHE COMMfTTEE VIII nor LN1ICI-
PaTE THE APPROPRIATTON.
chase supplies for the Aimshouse from
Time to Time Under Old Contract.


OF the meeting was that the committee
| in view OF the fact that the budget has
not yet been made up, and no money has
as yet been appropriated for the main
tcnance Of the institution during the pres
ent year. declined TO enter into any coh-
tracts for the next three months for the
| furnishing OF supplies and provisions dur
! ing the next three months. Inc Superih-
| terdent, however, was authorized TO pur-
! Chase from time 10 time articles needed
for the support OF the Institution under
| the old contracts. provided the merchants
| are willing TO wait for the money until
| the budget has been made up.
| The committee met at $50 O'CLOCK with
| the following members present. MGssrs.
| Cottren (chaJrman), Gunst, Brock. Hob
son, Miller. Smith. Noble and Wake.
| SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.
The report Of Superintendent Davis for
the month of January was received and
placed on file. 1t sets forth that on De-
| cembor 81, 1896, there were 2G0 inmates
| IN the Institution. The following num-
| Der was received during the month OF
January: White men. y. women, 10. chill
dren, 2, total. Al. COlOred men. IS. wO-
men. H.. children. = total. g. During the
same period the following were dis
charged: White men. q; women. S; chill
dren, 6; total. IS. Coiored men, 70. wO-
men. o. children, 2; total. 80.
The number of deaths during the month
of January was as follows: White adults.
3: children. none: total. 3. Colored adults.
-; children, ]: total. il. The number Of
inmates remaining in the institution on
January 81. 1891, was PSI.
A resolution, adopted by the two
branches Of the Council. and approved
by the Mayor was read. which authorizes
the committee to exchange certain par
GELS OF land in front Of the present CoiOred
Poor House with Mcssrs Juniug r. Mos
by and +. VI. Conner.
Superintendent Davis submitted the fol-
lowing report:
"To the Committee on Relief Of the
Poor
"Gentlemon-i have submitted my an
nual report OF 1896 TO the Mayor. which
embraced collectively the no LILLY re-
ports submitted to and approve. ~ your
committee.
Il shall endeavor TO conform TO the du-
ties OF my Office. and only ask for q
continuance of your hearty support which
you have given me In the pest. II is "A
source Of pleasure TO mc tkTe-ort that
the officers and employees under my
charge are arduous in their r.. pectve du-
ties. and are in perfect harmony with
me in my efforts TO care for the inmates
properly. preserve order and 10 practice
economy wherever found practicable. /
would especially mention my arst as
sistant Mr.. 1. Lovensteln, and the stew
ard. Mr.. r. Il. Hughes. as being cmi-
nently qualified for their positions. ana
in giving me valuable aid in furthering
the interests Of the department.
THE office OF steward is an intricate
and responsible one. and necessarily re-
quires n great deal of work and close
confinement and | am frank 10 say that
his salary is not commensurate for the
position.
Il find the system for the delivery or
wood is good one, and ! am sure VII
protect not only the city from imposition,
but will prove beneficial to the poor
DID NOT SAW WOOD.
The rules We're then suspended and the
case of an inmate was taken up who
had been refused by the superintendent
to remain longer i'm the institution be-
cause he had declined TO saw some
wood. The man appeared before the
committee and claimed that III health
had caused him TO refuse TO do - work.
Some of the officers of the institution,
however. gave evidence which did not
bear out his statement. and the committee
sustained the action Of the superintendent.
Superintendent Davis also stated that
he had no right to admit the complain
ant 10 the Almshouse because he was not
a resident of this city. The application
for his re .oCmissian was therefore re-
jected.
The payroll of The DEPARTMENT for the
month OF January amounting to ydLoo,
for the institution proper, and $40 Tor
the Outdoor poor was approved.
Bills for me fUras'IIi OF coal TO the
poor of the city were approved. and order
ed paid when funds are available, amount
ing TO 81. 600 for coal supplied 10 the white
poor upon tn. recommendation OF tne
Ladies City Mission. AID TO $500 for coal
supplied TO the colore1 poor upon the
recommendation o. the Woman's City
Mission.
BIDS NOT AWARDED.
4 good deal OF discussion arose when
Mr. Miller moved that hereafter the SUI
perintendent remove from the samples
and bids presented all marks and names
and remark then by numbers according
to which the contracts should be award
ed The motion was finally rejected by
the following vote.
Ayes Messrs. Miller. Cottren and
Smith,
Noes-Messrs. Brock, Gunst Noble and
Walke-4
Before the bids were opened It was
decided 10 refer the various articles TO
different subcommittee and the Chair
appointed the following subcommittee.
Mr. Wake and Or. Trovillian on mcdi-
cine
Messrs Noble and Miller on groceries.
Messrs. Hobson and Gunst on dry
goods
Messrs Smith and Wake on clothing.
Messrs Noble and Brock on shoes.
The question Of approving the bills con-
tracted for the month of January. came
up. another lengthy debate ensued. IL
was finally agreed that the bills amount
ing to 81. O37 SC for the Almshouse and to
81 i7l31 for the outdoor poor be approved
and paid when funds are available.
The bids for the furnishing OF supplies
and provisions were about to be opened.
when Mr. Noble desired 10 know wheth-
cr the committee had the right 10 award
the contracts for the next three months
before funds were available The ques-
ton was then asked by what time the
availability OF tho funds could be expect
ed.
The Chair stated that recently a member
OF the Board of Aldermen had taken the
ground that under the existing city ord-
nances the Finance Committee did not
have the right of making up the budget.
but only the CITY Council. The city At
torney had In his opinion conceded with
this view and this was therefore no tell
ing when the budget would be completed.
Mr.. Miller moved that the bids be OPEN
ed and the contracts for the next three
months be awarded. but the bills 10 be