The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-12-15
LOTS OF WIND.
But Very Little Business Trans
acted by Council Last Night.

Council was called to order last night
prnmpty at s o'clock by President Terry
with the following s-members present:
Buckner, Coleman, Coulbourn, Evans,
Hodgson. Minnehan, Mullen, Newton.
Page, Witt and Woods. Messrs. Fox and
Strickland sauntered in later
The fire and water committee. Mr.
Buckner chairman, recommended the
pu, chase of 1880 feet OF hose at a cost OF
81, lU1, and also that all the other appa-
ratus asked for by the fire department. be
purchased. except "A new fire alarm box,
Mt a COS not exceeding S41370 and that
the city engineer be instructed to our-
chase the same in accordance with the
contracts accompanying the report of the
committee. The report was unanimously
adopted.
The committee on ordinances recon-
mended that AN ordinance he passed an
th"rlzing the mayor to deduct 90 per
cent of the sentence on persons incar.
cerated in the city Jail and working on
the chain gang for good behavior, which
was adopted.
There being no further reports frc.n
committees. miscellaneous business was
next in order.
DIR. Hodeson introduced resolution
that the Old Opera House be put in con
dition, which was referred to the public
property committee for Investigation and
report.
Several communications were read
from citizens in regard to sidewalks and
repairs to certain streets all Of which
were referred to the street committee.
communication was received from
the Chas. Lyle Drug Company Offering
to compromise their suit for $50 now
pending against the city which was re-
ferred to the finance committee.
Dr. Hodgson offered u resolution that
all Counclmen should receive $50 d wear
salary AMI that $50 should he deducted
for every failure to attend Council
meeting. This resolution was also re-
ferred to the finance committee.
Several other communications were re d
but were Of MINOR Importance and were
all referred to the proper committees.
The finance committee made report
recommending the city solicitor lie in
strncted to present to the legislature a
bill authorizing the City ouncil of Roa-
noke to redeem the present outstanding
per cent. bonds amounting TO Slj, 900
by issuing other bonds at per cent
This recommendations, together with n
resolution by Mr.. Page, TO present IL hill
amending section 23 of the city laws,
were, on motion of Mr. Buckner, re-
ferred to the ordinance committee which
was instructed to report ut some future
meeting bill embracing all the proposed
amendments to the city charter.
Mr.. Coleman's motion to reconsider
the vote taken in regard to engaging
man to copy the delinquent tax lists in IA
book purchased for that purpose was
carried and then the fun commenced
Mr.. Coleman then moved that the au-
ditor he instructed to do the work Ina
second MIR. Page was on his feet and
offered as an amendment that the finance
committee be instructed to engage man
to do the work at n cost Of $25.
Mr.. l5hckner opposed this amendment
and after several speeches had been made
in favor of and against it, DR.. Hodgsn
moved that the matter he thrown open
for full discussion. Right there the ball
started rolling and before it stopped and
the dust had cleared away there was DOT
person in the hall who was convinced
that some of the Couucilmen at least car
ried air pumps and had learned only too
we'll bow to use them time after time.
Question was called bv Il weary mem
Der and just as often it vas voted down
until at last the air pumps gave out and
when things settled down again and the
vote was taken both the motion and
amendment were lost and precious
"wind" and time had for the most part
been wasted.
AS the weary" member of Council
said, when he called for question" the
last time. cit Is utterly impossible to tell
how many speeches I have heard on this
subject. but conservative estimate
wouldplacejt at $50. Still know no more
than did before
On motion of DR.. Strickland Council
adjourned to meet next Saturday night
at which time the report of the school
committee will come up.