Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-22
CHANGES IN OUR CITY CHARTER.
Want Special Committee TO Pass on
Granting Building Permits.

The Committee on Charter Changes
held a short session last night and de-
cided to-recommend several minor amend
ments to the present charter. In the alb
sence from the city of City-Attorney
Meredith, the consideration of the bill
10 create a board of finance was deferred
until another meeting.
on motion of Major Allen, the recon-
mendation of President Caskie concern
ing the appointment of presidents pro
tenn, for the Common Council and Board
Of Aldermen was taken UP. Mr.. Harrel-
son thought IL essential that the TWO
legislative bodies should have presidents
pro tenn, and offered a motion mat the
City Attorney be instructed to so draft
his amendments TO the present charter
as to provide for the election of such
officers.
TOO MANY FRAME HOUSES.
This motion prevailed without dis
senting vote, and suggestion providing
for authorizing the Chief of the Fire
Department to vgrant permits for the
erection of frame buildings was con-
sidered. The authority for granting
these permits is now vested exclusively
I'm the Council, and the IDEA OF the
amendment was to rid this body OF the
laborious duties thereby incurred. This
recommendation was informally as
cussed at considerable length. Mr.. Allen
thought that the Fire Committee did not
act as carefully in considering requests
for permits to erect frame houses as IL
should, and expressed himself in vigorous
terms.
Mr. Carter, a member OF this committee,
took exceptions thereto, and defended his
tuhf r.
pass an ordinance prohibiting the eree-
ton of frame buildings in the city. He
suggested that the committee recommend
10 the Council that an ordinance be
passed restricting the granting OF per-
mits for frame buildings until all pro-
perty-owners on the block with the pro-
posed structure shall have been notified
of the application for such permit. ana
fixing a penalty Of from $50 to $500 for q
violation thereof.
Mr.. Carter thought this would be class
legislation, as unsafe brick buildings
could be built without interference, While
permits had to be secured for frame
structures. He said, to his knowledge,
there were being erected in Richmond
now brick buildings that will not stand
alone. depending for support on the al
Joining structures. He offered as an
posed improvements be given by adver-
Using in a newspaper for every other
day for three times.
Mr. Aliens resolution together with the
amendment. was ruled out of order. ana
Mr. Noble moved that the charter be so
amended as to empower the Council 10
delegate the power OF granting permits
for frame buildings TO the Committee @
Fire Department or a special committee
of that body. This was adopted, Mr.
Allen alone voting nay.
WANT HIS ENTIRE TIME.
At this tuncture Mr.. Noble referred TO
the absence of the City Attorney, and
said. TO his mind, 1t was essential that
the City Attorney should be one whose
entire time was given TO the city's inte-
rests. Mr.. Allen spoke in defence OF MI
Meredith, and Mr.. Noble disclaimed any
intention of rejecting upon that gentle
man.
The committee. at 1890 o'clock, ad-
fourned until next Thursday night at
o'clock at which time the Board OF Pub
lie Interests will be requested to be
present TO say whether their powers
shall be enlarged or their organization
abolished.
City Ground and Buildings.
The Committee on Grounds and Build
ings met In regular session last night.
Chairman Gunst presided. and the com
mittee recommended TO the Council q
modification OF the ordinance recently
adopted concerning City-Hail employees,
providing that the measure should go
into effect on January /, 1855
The report OF the subcommittee, which
had Investigated the charge OF drunken
ness recently preferred against Mr..
James Eubank. an employee at Monroe
Park. was considered, and referred to
the City Engineer and the Park-Keeper,
who were empowered 20 act in the mat
ter. Bills were approved and other rou-
tine business was transacted.