Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-11
LAWS OF THE CITY.
ORDINANCE COMMITTEE MAKES A
pEroRr TO THE COUNCIL.
PROPOSITIONS OF TIE CODIPIER.
n. In. +. Bis Dill for work Already
None. and says He VIII Complete
... nook Of Ordinances for $1,000
xo Recommendation Made.

,rhe Committee on Ordinances held
most important session in Room NO IL
., The city Hall last evening. Those
nyeseut were Chairman S. L. Bioomberg
and Messrs Carter. Cu,chns. Mosby'
and pollock. Of the committee, and
captain Alexander Coke. the reviser
ana codincr Of the city ordinances. The
6rst matter considered was a commu-
n,cation from the Chief OF the Fire
Department relative to the Importance
Of having system for chimney and
fuo cleaning throughout the city. On
motion Of Mr.. Carter. this and all other
papers in regard TO this matter were
referred to the City Attorney, with d.
rectfons that he report an ordinance
providing for q system OF compulsory
chimney cleaning at least once year,
buildings covered with tin. thing, or
other material Of metal TO be exempted.
Mr.. Brooks long talked-of ordinance
providing for the employment OF pri-
soners at the city jail upon the public
works OF the city was considered at
iergtn. Inc s''N
establishment and maintenance OF
workhouse, and in connection with these
prisoners reads: "Such persons shall
be employed IN cleaning the parks and
alleys Of the city. but in such a man
ner as will not conflict with the regular
.orce Of the city"
Mr.. Carter moved 20 refer 10 the City
Attorney this whole question. and in
struct him to prepare an ordinance pro-
vIding for utilizing the services OF pro-
fessionai tramps and Migrants on the
public works OF the city. This was
adopted.
THE CITY ATTORNEYS ADVICE.
The committee then took UP the mat
ter OF getting the city ordinances into
proper shape to be presented TO the
Council for adoption as whole. In
connection with the resolution from the
Council asking the City Attorney for
some suggestion as to how the mat
ter Of the recodihcation OF the ordi-
nances could be closed, Captain Coke.
the codifer and reviser. having refused
O certain offer made by the committee,
communication was read from City
Attorney Meredith, in which he recon-
mended that the committee take the
draft Of the ordinances. as prepared by
Captain Coke. and modified by the two
branches OF the last Council, and amend
such draft as far as necessary by or
dinances also passed by the present
Council. The Attorney adds: after
such amendment submit the same to
the separate branches OF the Council,
and have the same read and passed.
either with or without modification.
While such course will entail consider
hn
think 1T should be done, as 1 know no |
work more necessary for the under
standing and enforcement Of the city |
laws"
REPORT FROM CAPTAIN COKE.
At this Juncture Captain Coke read a
most exhaustive report of what labor
had been done upon the revision and /
codification OF the ordinances. He ex-
planned the condition of the ordinances
and gave In detail exactly what re-
mains 10 be done to them, the substance
OF which was given in yesterdays Dis
patch. Captain Coke claimed that the
city owed him for work already done, to
be charged at a moderate figure, the sum |
OF 1884, while II would cost about $625 |
to complete the ordinances and have |
them ready for the Council The proof
reading and indexing, he continued, the
Incorporation of all amendments already
made. and the putting into proper form
the new laws. the getting of all this into
good shape and then properly codfying
the various franchises granted by the
city would entail vast amount of !
labor. He thought the work could be
finished in about three months.
Mr.. Carter raised the point that Cap
tain Coke had already been paid for the
work OF codifying and revising the city
ordinances up to date, under ,he terms
OF his contract with the city in 1891
when he agreed 10 complete the task for
the sum OF $500. Captain Coke. how
ever. contended that there had been de-
lays in the prosecution and completion
Of the work for which he was in
no wise responsible and that his original
agreement with the city was 10 codify
and revise the ordinances up 10 April
|. 1892. Since then, said he. the Commit
Tee on Ordinances had directed him from
time to time to carry the work up to
July /. 1885.
ONLY REPORT HIS PROPOSITION.
He was asked what he would complete
the work for and turn IL over to the
city, and replied that he would be
and only charge 100 He
would deliver the manuscripts and re-
inqulsh his claim upon the city for
work already done for $500. A report
embracing these propositions was for
Sarded 10 the Council. on motion of Mr..
Pollock, and "a resolution was passed
asking the City Attorney for his opinion
rs to whether or not the city is legally
entitled to have possession of all the
work already done BY Captain Coke, in
'lnding all manuscripts and papers. with
but further compensation 10 him.
The committees action in no way binds
my Of its members, nor does 1t make
my recommendation 10 the Council.