Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-10
DEAL WITH TRAMPS.
COUNCIL REFERS THE ORDINANCE
TO A COMMITTEE. - %
WATER METER ORDINANCE AGAIN.
Mr.. III. II. Beck Elected 60 Succeed
Mr.. Wake from Jackson ward-A
Motion 10 Fix the Term Of once
of City 0mciaIs at Four Years.

There was called meeting of the Com
mon Council last night TO finish tn
business OF the December session. In ad
dition TO the transaction OF much routin
business. several important matters wer
discussed including. the tramp ordinance
submitted by the Young Mems Bushes!
Association, which was referred to the
Ordinance Committee with instructions e
report to the Board OF Aldermen at tn,
next meeting; and the ordinance provld-
ing for the use of water-meters was
brought Up, but pigeon-holed.
The recommendation of the Board OF
Aldermen that the City Attorney be in
structed TO proceed against Mr.. Alexan-
der Coke TO recover papers belonging TO
tho city now in his possession, and
further to submit the claim Of Mr.. Coke
10 the courts. was ooncurred In.
The amendment to the ordinance pro-
viding for the erection of gates at rail-
road crossings was also concurred in.
This amendment refers TO the tracks of
the Richmond Fredericksburg and Poto-
mac and Richmond and Petersburg rail-
roads
Reports of the Police Court and the
Jail were read. and recommendations for
repairs on the latter building were re-
ferred TO the Committee on Grounds and
Buildings.
An opinion from the City Attorney
touching the action of the Southern Bell
Telephone Company in removing poles
and wires. was submitted and referred
The resignation of Mr.. w. W. Wake
as a member of the Council was received
a. nd faI t.,
was read from Mr.. Henry ]. Heeke an
nouncing his candidacy.
The resolution of Mr.. Wallerstein that
the sum OF 800 be placed TO the credit of
the Collector of Delinquent Taxes for in
terest and discount, was referred to the
Finance Committee
METER ORDINANCE REVISED.
On motion of Mr.. Tanner, the ordinance |
providing for the use of water meters |
was read, and Mr.. Briggs submitted q |
report from the Superintendent of the |
Water-Works. showing that by expert |
ments recently made an estimated saving |
OF s.464OOo feet of water per month will |
be effected.
Mr.. Rountree suggested that the mini |
mum quantity per day for families should |
be fixed at 200 gallons. instead Of 100. and |
that the charge therefor should be 500
a year, instead Of s.. He advocated a
uniform rate Of 10 cents thousand gall
Ions.
Mr.. Wallerstein said he was opposed to
the whole ordinance. because it presup-
posed large appropriation, which the
city was not prepared to meet. II the
city We're entirely metered. the revenue
OF the Water Department would admit
Iedly be reduced 80 per cent. He quoted
figures, on the basis OF last years reve-
hue and expense. to show that even if
the revenue were to be cut down 25 per |
cent. tho Water Department would be
a dead loss to the city.
After some further discussion Mr.. Roun-
trees amendments were put and lost, and
he ordinance was laid on the table.
TRAMP ORDINANCE INTRODUCED.
Mr.. Rountree introduced the tramp ordi-
nance framed by the Young Mems Bust
hess Association, the purport of which
has been given in these columns.
Mr.. Mosby moved that the paper should
De referred 10 the Committee on Ordi-
lances.
Mr.. Rountree said that several gentle =
nen were present from the association,
nd he hoped they would be given hear
ng.
Mr.. Mosby explained that his object in
loving to refer the ordinance to the Z
'uhiilltu WIS III OIuef lNt1I II might be I
with a similar ordinance re- I
FRED by the Board OF Aldermen, which I
al been introduced into that body by
II. Brock.
Mr.. Julian Bryant said the Young Mems :,
uslness Associations ordinance had 4
zen prepared by the City Attorney, and 4
lie Chief Of Police had been present at =
e meetings for some time in order to :
We his views TO the Council, and to :
amp the ordinance with his unqualified
'proval. The city was overrun with 4
amps. and Major Howard had ex- | .
essed the belief that the remedy sug- 4
sted by this paper would have the ef- =
CT OF Kidding the city of the nuisance. :
Mr.. CARRIER said the city would never :
free from the nuisance as long as the !
amps were allowed by the county au- 4
critics 10 encamp all around the city. :
ar. II. l.. Valentine said all reasonable y
liens Will agree that, so far as the y
ancial part Of this very grave and Sc =
'us subject is concerned, one Fife Y
Sc" would cost our city five times as -
ich as II would to take care of all the
'mps arrested and put in our city jail
a year. -.
dr. II. c. Christian and Mr.. f. A. Cat ii
also spoke in favor of the ordinance,
Itch was finally referred TO the Com
ttee on Ordinances.
dr. Henry p. Beck was elected a men, ~
r Of the Council from Jackson Ward pr
succeed Mr.. Wake, defeating Mr.. Ike
nry J. Heeke. Sc
MAY BUY OTHER BONDS. Of
dr.. Caskie moved to amend the charter no
as to allow the Sinking Fund Com g.
ssioners TO buy United States or State ~
1ds. Agreed to. cl'
he tramp ordinance, before being re- an
red, was amended by inserting a pro- M
ion that the employees of the Health 20
1 Streets departments should act as ma
ards of the tramps while at work sIi
is motion does away with one OF the
ections to the measure. I'M
TERMS OF OFFICE. HI,
he following resolution. introduced by .
Briggs for Mr.. Bloomberg, who was be
lvoidably absent from the meeting. wi
s adopted: ed
esolved. That the Committee on pu
Irter Changes be, and they are hereby, hel
uested 10 consider and report upon ma
expediency Of having our charter so aft
ended as to fix the term of office of val
Mayor and all city officers elected by fro
people. including the members OF the int
ird OF Aldermen and Common Council an,
four years. and providing that their saw
'tion shall take place at the fall cleo Tu
for State officers, thereby saving cor
expense OF separate elections and a n
ncing their number" str,
no Council adjourned at midnight. VIII
Want TO BE PAID OFTENER. fug
he Committee on Cemeteries met last Tn,
n and received reports from the seve- lod
m fara n stafo 1