Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-18
HARNESS THE JAMES.
FRANCHISE GRANTING RIGHT TO
VIRGINIA co. CONQUERED IN.
ALDERMEN DEBATE THE QUESTION.
strong Opposition from the Minority.
bright and Breezy speeches-Privi-
Ieges Asked for by The Home and
Southern Companies CurteiIcd.

granting to the Virginia Electric Com
pany the privilege of Harvesting the
James river and supplying light and
power to merchants, manufacturers, and
others within the city limits.
This valuable franchise was not con-
ceded without opposition or without de-
bate. and the question was considered
from every point of view throughout
three hours OF lively and interesting dis
cussion. Mr.. Joseph Bryan, Mr.. IA. H.
Cabell, and the representatives OF the
petitioning company were also heard.
The ordinances granting to the Home
Electric Company and the Southern Elec-
trio Company rights to supply power and
light were amended as to the time FOR
which the franchise should be in force
curtailing it from thirty to fifteen years
THE DISCHARGED HEALTH HANDS.
The first breeze of the evening was
raised when Major Cutchins moved that
the resolution touching the hands dis
charged from the Health Department and
subsequently reinstated, should be taken
from the table. The resolution provides
for the payment OF the men for the Tune
during their suspension that they were
not employed. as follows: j. +. Johnson
sG2.95; c. Kennedy $3.50: r. II. Ford. SS1;
]. b. Branch, $56, and w. III. Cole, SoI.
Mr.. Snead moved as an amendment
that the men should be paid for the
whole time OF their suspension, and con-
tended that II would be manifestly un-
fair to dock men for trying TO get work
to support their families.
MIR. Cutchins argued that to adopt such
q course would be TO offer a premium on
idleness The men were given as much
as the law allowed them under the pro-
visions of the ordinance. and he ola not
think the Board had any right TO go
beyond that point The amendment was
lost and the original resolution was car
ried. with only three dlssentients.
FAVOR VESTIBULED CARS.
Mr.. Noble introduced the following:
"Be II resolved, That the Council OF
Richmond fully endorse the effort OF our
representative I'm the Legislature, MT.
Folkes, in securing vestibuled cars, so as
10 secure better facilities for our travel
ling public. and protect the motorfheh
from winter blasts"
Mr. Allen asked the member from Mar
shall Ward whether he had ever tried to
get the opinion of the motormen on this
subject.
Mr.. Noble replied that he had done so
in several instances.
Mr.. Cutchins opposed the resolution
He said he thought the Council should
not endorse individuals. but measures,
II they were mertorious. He did not
| think the motormen were all in favor OF
the change and in this southern climate
II was certainly quite unnecessary. he
objected strongly TO the measure, because
he believed IT jeopardized the safety OF
the public. in that II would tend to OBJ
struct the clear vision of the motormen,
especially I'm the colder weather. when
the moisture would CONCEAL on the glass
and dim It. The front glass of the
yestibuled cars in use at this time was
often left open.
Mr.. Carter was in favor of amending
the resolution to extol the measure and
not the individual.
Mr. Noble said he had no object In
introducing Mr.. Folkess name
MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
Mr.. Snead said the proposed Vestlbule
would only have the effect of creating a
nerfect gale of wind through the sides
| of the shelter, and Ii would certainly
| tend to obstruct the clear view OF the
motormen, a thing which would be dan-
gerous I'm the extremef to the lives OF
of the motormen should be taken on the
subject in the first place, and then these
| other considerations would have to be
| sifted.
Mr.. Allen moved that the resolution
| should be laid on the table, and the mo-
| ton prevailed, Mr.. Noble alone voting IN
| the negative.
COULD NOT BE REVIVED.
The recommendation of the committee
| of conference that the Board should re-
| cede from its position of non-concurrence
| in the ordinance providing for penalties
o. delinquent city taxes next came up
| for discussion.
| Mr.. Cutchins said a conference COM
mittee certainly exceeded its preroga-
| tives in making such a recommendation
| The object of such body was not to re-
| vive measures that had been killed by
| either body.
Mr.. Hardwicke moved to reconsider the
vote by which the ordinance was lost
| but II was shown that the time limit OF
| two months had elapsed, the Board
| having voted 1t down October 18th.
THE ELECTRIC FRANCHISES.
| Mr.. Allen moved that the ordinance
| granting electrical rights to the Southern
| Electric Company. which was laid on the
| table at the last meeting, should be taker
| I'D. The reading of this measure was
| dispensed with, and the action OF th'
| Common Council in granting the fran
| chise was concurred in, mem con, with
| out discussion.
| President Turpin stated that If the rol
| were called he would vote against eacf
of the ordinances. He was unalterably
opposed. he said, to the granting of elec
trical rights for thirty years TO any cor
| poration.
The ordinance granting similar privi
| leges TO the Home Electric Company was
next taken up. This paper was read fol
| the purpose OF comparison. Mr.. Turpir
| said he would not vote for the measure
| IL was granting a franchise which would
| kill the gas-works and destroy valuable
| asset of the city. The gas-works, N
| maintained, is an asset on which the
value of the city bonds is based. Th'
| neople who were behind these enter
prses had said that they could not sup
! ply electric light at less cost than gas
| but AT the present rate OF progress II
| electrical development he thought I'M
| chances were that in five years the con
| ditions would be much changed. TIL
| citv might enter the field on its own ac
count al some future time. He favored
| the granting of a franchise for fifteei
wears. but could not, he said vote fo
| so long n term as thirty years, and h
| made n motion to this effect. Befor'
| this was put, however, the suggestion
| that the same change should be made II
| tho ordinance OF the Southern Electri,
| COMPANY, granting similar privileges
was acted upon, and the Board resolved
| IN reconsider their action by a two-third
vote.
This ordinance was then taken up. an'