The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-20
Over The RetrenChment Measures That
Have Been RtCOmm nded.
MAYOR TAYLOR WAS MISREPRESENTED
He Has Never said a W. ord About the Ap'
preparation for "A stenographer-The
Commonwealth Attorney Talks.
Justice Crutchficld - Mute.


day, various opinions being expressed
concerning them. In view OF the fact
that the Mayor will be summoned tc
appear before the committee Tuesday
night and explain the duties OF hts OF
fee. Times reporter yesterday calico
upon Mr.. Taylor. and asked him II there
was any ordinance on the subject
Here is the charter" said the Mayor
picking up a neatly-bound book from the
pile on the desk before him. you can
read shat ana see what they are
Tho sections defining the Mayors du-
ties. which are brief. were found and read
by the reporter. They provide. among
other things that this official shall from
time 90 time recommend such measures
as ho may deem TO be- for the good of tho
city.
Section of the passage relating TO tho
Mayor. provides that 30 shall be his duty
TO communicate annually 10 tho Council
a general statement OF the financial con-
dltion Of the city. accompanied by such
recommendations as he may think pro-
per.
ANNrH Nff lIf NlllN rItIlNl uAlle1 re
qulrlng amy considerable labor which are
imposed upon the Mayor by the charter.
DID HIM INJUSTICE.
"rhe Retrenchment Committee" said
the Mayor "can ascertain what my du-
tics are by simply reading the charter"
The reporter suggested to the Mayor
that the committee had been aware OF
that fact but had requested him to ap-
pear before them AS "A matter of courtesy
10 the Cty's Chief Executive.
IL appreciate their courtesy" said the
Mayor after moments reflection.
The friends Of tho Mayor. as well "a
that gentleman himself think that an
injustice has been done him by a lengthy
statement Ina an afternoon paper tho
headlines OF which declared that the
Mayor would veto the resolution proyid,
ing 500 TO pay for the services OF
stenographer 10 the Retrenchment Com
mittce. when that measure came 10 him
for consideration.
AS matter Of fact the Mayor has
never opened his mouth on the subject.
and DE feels that he has been misropre-
sentod.
Il have no unpleasant feelings toward
the committee at all." said Mr. TAYLOR
'and no desire 10 get even
with them. No reporter has ap.
preached me on the subject of what
1 was going to do about the appropriation
for a stenOgrapher. III he had / would
have told him that would act on the
matter when the proper time came. 10
was not Just 10 me 10 print such thing
and may give some OF the COuncilmon
false ideas about my position in the mat
ter"
ENDORSED by THE CITIZENS.
As far as could be learned
the changes recommended by the Ro-
trenchment and Reform Committee are
endorsed by the citizens generally but
some Of the city Hall officials seem 10
think that the work they propose TO put
upon certain officials is more than they
can perform.
In the case Of Mr.. George G. Ruskell.
Sergeant-at-Arms 10 the Council where
10 is proposed that he shall perform tho
duties now devolying upon Mr.. Sandy
Calder. engineer and machinist I'm addi-
ton 10 his own, there seems 20 be room
for grave DOUBT as 10 whether Mr.. Ruskell
can possibly attend 10 30 much work
The present sergeant-at-arms Is one Of
the most conscientious. painstaking. and
trustworthy Of the city officials He AL
ways attends strictly TO his work. which
keeps him on the 90 night and dav. He AT.
tends the sessions of the Council Board OF
Aldermen and all committee meetings. -
sides which. he has 20 Ondlly visit ia
place Il business Of each committeeman
and serve notice upon him OF the time and
place Of meeting Of each committee
This. by itself, requires a. numh.r OF
hours each day, and 10 VIII be- next 10
impossible for him 10 properly porfcrm
these duties and Mr. Calder's 90 addition.
The Auditors Office. TOO. will have 4
great deal Of additional work thrown
upou 10 n the committees recommenIl-
tions are carried out, but 70
D. thought that bis force Will be able by
diligence TO accomplish the extra work
entailod by the abolishmcnt of the trans
The Recommendation that Mr. Alfred
Mcdowell be assistant % the city clerk
IN addition 10 his present duties which
arc numerous. has excited some surprise.
as Mr. Ben. r. August the city Clerk.
has never given amy intmhti0n That be
desired any assistance.
THE CITY CLERK.
Mr.. August compares ftvorlDiv with
any City Clerk IN the country and his
work is always accurate and prompt His
duties are exceedingly arduous. but he
has always accomplished them. although
he has always accomplished them by be-
ing at his place CT business from twelve
TO fifteen hours every day. lie Is clerk
Board Of Aldermen. and. although tho
law does not require 10 OF him. has al
ways recorded the proceedings OF All joint
sessions OF the Council. lie fully earns
his salary.
The Retrenchmcnt Committee. however.
is not acting In this matter In any un-
friendly spirit as far as the oiiice-hold-
ers are concerned The members realize
fully that reductions are imperatively ne
cessary. and they hone 10 have the cheer
ful cooperation Of all city officials.
THE COMMONWEALTH 5 ATTORNEY.
Mr.. d. c. Richardson. Commonwealth
Attorney when asked what he thought
OF the adjustment OF his salary. sa.o
that while he felt that he earned his sal
ary. yet he was not going 20 beg Tor Il.
If the affairs OF the city" continued
Mr.. Richardson. are in such condition
as to render the reduction OF expenses
imperative 20 the extent Of cutting OF
my compensation ] shall have 10 de-
vote a portion OF my time 10 outside
practice Al present I give my undi-
vlded attention 10 tho business OF rle
Commonwealth"
Mr. Sandy Calder. Engineer ana Ma
chinist. whose office the committee
proposse 70 abolish. transferring
his duties to tho Sergeant-at-Arms.
said he cid not see now any
ono hut a practical machinist could
MI his place. and was sure that tie
Serseant-at-Arms would not have the
time 20 attend 10 the duties OF both po-
sitions. Mr.. Calder is fine machinist
and a very valuable man.
Justice Crutchneld declined 70 discuss
Tho matter as being an interested party.
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An Oxford Professor Killed.
LONDON Eeh lQ.-Professor w. Wall