Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-02

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stand and questioned as 10 the duties
OF the Second Assistant Superintcndent
or that institution. which the commit
zee appeared 10 have been under the
Impression could be abolished Mr. Davis
| 9.d'eu that the Second Assistant bad
'h"ise OF the cOlored almshousc and
was on duty day and night. never be-
ing absent from there more than a few
hours AT time. He regarded It as very
necessary TO have some one over the
inmates or that house. which was some
Instance from the white amshouse, at
All times, and the present Assistant Su-
perlhtendent Mr. Herman Paul, had
mace very efficient and capable man
for the place lie had been there for
Tour years. and managed the colored
men ana women admirably The com
pcNation attached to the office was
Nuv year with residence. gas, and fuel
MT. Jones asked Mr. Davis if the Su
perintendent and the First Assistant
could not conduct the two almshouses.
TO which Mr.. Davis replied that the
duties Of the First Assistant was TO
keep the books of the institution. and
TO have control OF the white almshouse
In the absence Of the Superintendent.
MI Davis said that between the hours
Of 4. NJ. and =. VI. he was engaged in
the public charities office in the City
HAL building and he did not see how
IL was possible for the almshOuses to be
well conducted without a second assist
ant.
Mr.. Jones further asked Mr.. Davis II
he could not conduct the public chart
ties from the almshouse. 10 which the
Superintendent replied i'm the affirmative.
There then followed some informal talk
as to the distances from various parts
ID ba pf Ia ha l1 1rgtlh ha f1t a va
ter OF people who receive aid Of this
sort from the city. &c Mr. Davis said
people I'm almost all walks Of life ap-
piled TO him for fuel and meal either
for themselves or for some friends, and
that IL would be very embarrassing TO
these people TO require them TO 80 to
the almshouse for II.
BURYING-GROUND KEEPER.
Mr.. A. Grahigna, the Superintendent of
ST. Johns Burying-Ground, was heard by
the committee He said that he had
much work 10 do at this cemetery keep
Ing the grounds I'm order. looking after
the flowers. plants. attending 10 visitors.
etc. He said he was paid $3.50
year By the city and $l2j from the
church, out of which he had TO
pay a man to take care of the
church Mr.. Grafigna ada that
worth Of plants. There had been no
interments in the battle-ground since
1894 Being questioned by Mr. Rountree,
the witness said that be occasionally
was allowed a man for the purpose Of
assisting him i'm cutting the grass.
There are "a great many visitors to
ST. Johns continued Mr. Grafigna.
"and have TO explain all the points Of in
terest about the grounds and church.
There have been as many as POO visitors
day 10 those grounds. | often have TO
show these strangers where Patrick
Henry made his great speech and at
times am called upon TO repeat part Of
his speech show them the baptismal
font. decipher the lettering on the tomb
stOnes,' etc. He never sold any Of the
flowers, but kept them all for the beauti-
ncation OF the premises. In concluding
his explanation of his duties, Mr. Graf
ngna said that if the committee desired
him 10 DO so. he would repeat that long
inscription over the door OF the church.
which be was so often called upon 10
repeat TO strangers. Chairman Allen told
the witness that he need not do this. and
there was ripple of laughter through
out the committee room.
THE DUTIES AT OAKWOOD.
Captain William a. Dicherson. Superin-
tendent Of OakwoOd Cemetery, being pre-
sent was. on motion of Mr.. thinner
mann, requested TO make a statement re-
garding his duties At the session of the
committee held on Tuesday evening the
body recommended a reduction i'm Cap
tain DickersOn's salary from $3.50 to $500
per annum in addition TO his residence.
The superintendent said he had entire
charge Of the cemetery. had TO keep two
sets of books. look after the work of
cleaning the grounds ond keeping them
IN good condition, preserving order, etc
lie added that he had the care of the
graves of 1900 Confederate soldiers
along with the preservation Of the re-
cords Of these graves. which are very
valuable and important. He opened on
an average go new graves a year at
OakWood
When Captain Dickerson concluded his
statement. Mr. Zimmerman moved to
adjourn. and Mr.. Jones said he would.
at the next session of the committee
offer a motion recommending the placing
of the engaging of all employees of de-
partments and the wages paid them
under the heads of the respective depart
ments, subject TO the approval of the
committee governing the same NJ
Jones threw out this idea because he
wanted the members TO think over il
until the next meeting This system
would place all the departments upon the
same footing with the Gas Department
The committee adjourned just before IL
o'clock without having taken action upon
any Of the cases before il.
Light Committee In Session.
A regular session of the Light Commit
tee was held last night Present were
Messrs. Starke chairman. Hardwicke,
Wallerstein, Tanner, Stokes. and Witte.
fAlessrs. III. w. FlournOy and r.. G. Mar
snail, reresenung a syndicate who wish
10 buy or lease the City Gas-Works. ap-
peared before the committee and asked
for joint meeting of the Finance Com
mittee and the Light Committee when
their proposition would be made to the
joint committee.
The cOmittee decided TO have a joint
meeting, if agreeable to the Finance Com
mlttee. on Thursday evening next
Colonel John 5. HarwoOd, Of HarwOOd
Brothers who Rave the contract for fur
nishing oil TO the gas-works. appeared
before the committee and submitted a
written agreement. in accordance with the
directions Of the committee at its previous
meeting, stating at length what the con-
tractors desire. They will erect a tank
for the storing Of oil near the gas-works,
and give the city the benefit Of reduc-
ton in the price of oil for a term of three
wears.
Mr. Tanner moved that-the contract be
recommended 10 the Council for approval
Mr. Wallerstein opposed the proposition,
and demanded a recorded vote on the pro
position This was agreed to- and by the
following vote:
Ayes-Messrs. Hardwcke, Stokes. Tan
ner. and Starke.