Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-19
THEY WELD THE AXE
RETRENCHMENT COMMITTEE RE-
CoMMENDs MANY REDUCTIONS.
SOME OFFICES CONSOLIDATED.
The Body, mt Last Nights Meeting,
Weat One-Fffth Through the List
The Mayor Invited to Explain His
Duties-Other Features.

night considered one fifth Of the salaries
referred to in the list recently prepared
for and presented to that body by Spe-
cial Accountant Carlton Mccarthy.
While no sweeping reductions were urged
recommendation Of small cuts were made
In a number Of instances. and many con-
solidations were proposed. The commit
tee proposes to hold frequent meetings
and complete as speedily as possible the
work of retrenchment it has undertaken.
None OF the officials were before the
body last night, but the committee dealt
to the offices of City Attorney and Spe-
cial Accountant there was talk about in
creases in compensation.
There were In attendance Sub-Chairman
Rountree and Messrs. Ebel, Harrelson'
Jones, Noble, and zimmerman. Clerk
Mcdowell read the minutes OF the 'ast
session, which were very lengthy, ana
Special-Accountant Mccarthy explained a
few changes i'm his report upon the finan-
cial prospect of the city for 1897, submit
ted at the last meeting of the committee,
but the total figures were not materially
altered.
The body next took up the resolution
regulating the reporting for duty by the
employees of the Health and Street de-
partments. This measure provides that
the employees Of these departments shall
report for duty upon inclement days,
shall be dismissed for the day, and be
paid for one-fourth of a days work, in
stead of a full days work. On motion
of Mr.. Jones, the resolution was Ie-
turned to the Council with the recon-
mendation that it be referred TO the COM
mittees on Health and Streets Jointly.
In regard to the resolutions as to the
sums of money paid by the city 10 the
Clerk of the Hastings Court and the Com
monwealths Attorney. and the services
rendered by these officers for the city,
the committee returned to the Council the
information elected from the City Attor-
ney i'm this connection at the last meet
ing, which was that the Legislature mad
fixed the compensation of the Clerk to be
paid by the city at not exceeding $l,SO,
i'm the discretion of the Judge of the Hust-
ings Court. and that the Commemorative
Attorney was paid $3.50 per annum under
ordinance, &c.
SALARY AND WAGE LIST.
of discussion as to how it should pro-
ceed i'm the matter of going over the
salary and wage list of the city and ad-
justing and retrenching where deemed
necessary. Mr.. Noble suggested that the
body should take up the list, make such
adjustments. reductions, etc, as were
right and proper, and recommend the
thing complete 10 a joint session of the
City Council, when such testimony as
might be desired could be heard. He
thought nothing would be accomplished
by going into a great lot Of examinations
of officers and employees, and then
making recommendations 10 the Council
in the old way.
Mr.. Rouhdtree was opposed to any
plan which would make it appear that
the committee had not fully performed
its duty as to every man in the employ
Of the city government.
MIR. Zimmerman agreed in some re-
spects with Mr.. Noble, saying that IL
would avoid going over the same work
twice or three times.
The question of whether the Council
could act upon matters of this sort In
Joint session was raised by Mr.. Ebel.
Mr.. Harrelson said he was willing TO
begin the work of adjusting and reducing
salaries and wages. He felt confident
that something had to be done and should
be done promptly, and the citi-
zens in these stringent times would not
stand an increase in taxation. He
rather favored a full inquiry into the
several departments, even If the com
mittee had TO meet every night Tor seVe-
raj nights in order to accomplish this.
Mr.. zimmerman then suggested that
the body take up and adjust and reduce
G.lt iah a
pass upon. This was put in the form OF
a motion by Mr. Ebel, and was adopted.
START AT THE HEAD.
The first office reached on the list was
that of the Mayor of the city, and Mr..
Noble asked as to the duties OF that
officer. and how they were performed.
Mr.. Jones offered a motion, which was
adopted, requesting the Mayor TO appear
before the body at its next meeting and
explain these points.
on motion of Mr.. Harrelson, the con-
sideration of the office of City Clerk. etc.
was passed by. and the same was done
i'm the case of the Police Justice. who
was requested to be present at the next
meeting of the committee TO give in
formation relative TO the officers OF the
Police Court, their duties, etc.
When the City Auditor was reached,
Mr.. Noble explained that this officer was
also Clerk TO the Finance Committee
and secretary of the Board of Sinking
Fund Conmis sioners. He said the law
required the Auditor to be secretary OF
the Sinking Fund, his compensation for
which was 5000 per annum. and stipu-
lated that he might be Clerk to the
Finance Committee. which place pays
$500.
on motion OF Mr.. Harrelson, the COM
mittee recommended thar the compensa-
ton of the secretary of the Board of
Sinking Fund Commissioners be reduced
from 5000 to $780,
Mr. Noble thought the duties of the
Assistant TO the Auditor were no greater
than those of the Clerk to the Treasurer,
who received $3.50 per annum Mr.. Noble
said the Treasurer's clerk had 10
give bond and the Auditors assistant
ala not. He moved that the pay of the
Assistant TO the Auditor be reduced from
81 .525 to 81 800, and that he be required
IA perform the duties OF Transfer
clerk I'm the Auditors office, which here
tofore have cost the city S225. IL was
finally agreed not 10 change the original
salary of the Assistant but TO require
him 10 perform the offices of the Trans
fer Clerk.
In the case of the Assistant Clerk in
the Auditors office who receives $500.
Mr.. Noble said that he thought the COM
pensation SHOULD be reduced 10 $1,000,
inasmuch as the Clerk in the water office
only received $500. This was recon-
mended.
ABOLISH THE ENGINEER.
AS 10 the Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr.. Jones
moved that an ordinance be framed so
as TO impose upon the Sergeant the duties
of Engineer. or superintendent of the
civ Hall. and abolish the office OF Engi-
ncer This was agreed To. The last
named Office is at present filled by Mr..
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