The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-21
THE FINANCIAL BOARD.
THE COMMON COUNCIL MEETS TO.
NIGHT TO CONSIDER ~.
A Lively Fight Expected--some Of the
Provisions OF the Proposed I'm
portant Measure.

A meeting OF the Common. Council Will
be held tonight to consider the ordinance
prepared by the Charter Change Commit
| tee looking to the formation OF a Board
OF Finance.
This matter came up at the last meet
| ing Of the Council, but on account OF
| is importance. and because it was APP
| parent that there would be a hot night
| against It. a proposition TO postpone the
| question TO a special meeting was carried
DUTIES or THE BOARD.
As heretofore printed in Til Leader,
tho ordinance establishing a boaiu OF
Finance Is Intended 10 entrely ulNofce
the legislative and executive luhc''onS'
The Board is to be composed OF one rep
resentative from each ward. 10 ne erect
ed by the voters of the entire city' ana
three persons to be appointed by the
Mayor. one from each Of the present
schOol districts.
The Board shall, annually. by the lst
OF December beginning with December
l.. lSgS. make q budget Of what sums u
has appropriated for the citys eHpehdl-
lures during the next calendar year Such
budgets shall be forwarded by the oecre-
tary OF the Board to that branch Oh the
City Council which shall have the Htst
regular meeting in the said month. ana
shall be forwarded by that tranch ot the
Council to the other branch.
APPORTION THE MONEY.
In their annual budgets the said Board
shall appropriate TO each Of the inherent
departments of the city government a
lump sum for its respective expenses
said departments being as lono"S'
Charities. cemeteries. fire. ponce gas.
water. health. streets: and for each OF
The following special purposes. interest
and redemption, schools, sewers assess
ment. collection and %refundins OF all
axes. pay Of judges, fixed salaries Of
city officials. stationery and printing.
courts and jurics. coroner lnqGests, city
Jail. discount and interest, eiecllOns, cicc-
trio lights, secret service iund. IL may
also set aside a sum out OF the revenues
Of each year 10 meet and pay uneNpect-
ed and contingent claims or sums arising
during that year, n only so much OF
said sum shall be used by the Council as
the sad Board nay from time to time
appropriate. and the Board shall only
eXpend as much as may be necessary 10
pay claims arising out Of negligence or
breach Of contract. And whenever asked
by the CITY Council to appropriate any
money for any other special purpose, or
10 any new department, or to enlarge any
appropriation fer the purposes above
mentioned. the said Board may appro-
pirate such a sum as 1t may deem pro-
per. or nay refuse 10 make any such APP
preparation. Appropriations to public
schools shall not exceed. with or without
% special tax. the limit provided by the
Code Of Virginia.
As indicated. there viii be the strong
est possible opposition to the proposed
Board. both in the Council and Board
Of Aldermen. but the advocates Of it
hope that they have enough votes 20
secure its passage.
GREAT OPPOSITION.
An effort will be made tomorrow night
To- get the Council to suspend the rules.
and take up the ordinances granting
charters TO the Home and the Southern
Electric companies. which were amend
ID by the Board OF Aldermen so as TO
allow their franchises 10 run only fifteen.
instead Of thirty years. II Is thought
hat the Council can be induced 10 refuse
to concur in these amendments. and to
enlarge the time again To thirty years.
Unless his is dorc. it IS hardly probable
hat either company will accept a fran
chise for such q short period.