The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-23
That $50 for an Ambulance Outfit vii
Not Down.
COMMITTEE ON RELIEF OF The POOR,
a Lengthy Session of That Eody Last
Night-To Use Electricity at tho Aims
house-Carc of fLunatics-Other
Committee work.

hours last llrul, anu " ''''N'F
1ccts were touched upon. The so ap-
proprlation 10 purchase an ambulance
ouint" which attained such notorieiy
short while ago was again brought TO
the front in a personal explanation by
Air. sueai. who stated empharcaiiy that
he had never voted for the appropriation.
and did not approve OF 1t.
a good deal OF other bushes Of more
on less interesting nature was disposed ot
ana the committee did not adjourn uh'h
IL o'clock
The members present when the com
,nittee mot were Messrs. Cottren CHAIR
man. Gunst. Smith Miller, sncad and
IlObson.
Mr.. T. W. Erander VINO had appeared
before the committee on former occd-
sion ia behalf OF a disintcctant' wnlcA
he had Invented. was again present iast
night, Mr.. Davis stated 10 the commit
tee that ne had tested a sample iuinlsheu
him by Mr Brandcr, and had iouhd IL
very good thing. Dr. IreNiilan anu
MIR. Lovcnstein cOrroborated the super
iutendent. Mr.. Brander stated 10 tho
committee that the advantage Of MS
disinfcctant was that il is odorloss. ana
much cheaper ;han that now used IN the
hospital Mr. Davis said that ne had
now enough disinfcctant on hand 10 last
six months on motion Of Mr.. Snead.
the matter was temporarily PASSED by.
STPERINTENpENTS kl%foisI'
The report of Superintendent Davis was
received and filed. II shows the number
Of inmates January "a. 1N1 to have been
2I. number of white inmates received
during February 2c colorcd a.. discharged
during February: white. A., colored. 49,
died-white .. c0lored. l3. remaining IN
Almshouse. February 2S. 1897 2l9' decrease
over last year. y.
The bills for the month were then taken
ND for approval and Mr.. Gunst called at
tention TO the inordinate gas bills for the
month that for the cOlOred almsnouse
hoing S2i co. and for the white almshouse
SIisO Mr. Gunst said that these bills
we're out of all reason. The appropria-
tion made to pay for gas. ne said, was
only 500. which would not come anywhere
near covering the cost.
Superintendent Davis said that he made
cverv onort I'm the interest OF
economy in the expenditure Tor
gas. but he could not see how
the cox could be kept within the APP
FRO, riaiion. lie would be glad. he said.
II the committee could suggest any plan
D.. which hc could save gas. and ne would
ch,crfully follow it.
Mr.. Hohson said that as u seemed from
what Mr. Davis had said that II would
Io irnroes.bIo for the cost of gas 10 he
Ispt within the appropriation, ne would
move that the superintendent be =
ouestod 10 look into the cost Of lighting
the white and Colored almshOuse with
electricity. Mr. Gunst heartily seconded
the motion and il was carried Messrs.
IIobson and Snead being appointed 10
assist the Superintendent In his lnNrstiga-
ton.
I'm further discussion OF the gas bills.
Mr. Davis stated that they had already
been paid 10y Mr Warren. the Auditor.
making transfer OF money from the
appropriation for tho Committee on Relief
OF the Poor.
Mr. Hobson took the ground that Mr..
Warren had no more right 10 pay the
bin for gas than he had any other sum
due by the Committee on Relief Of the
Poor.
1T Is the duty Of the inspector 10
turn off the gas at the almshouse when
the bin is overdue just as much so as
at any private residence. move that
the chairman ce before the Light Com
mittee and ask that this bill be redated.'
Mr.. HObson did not press his notion
however. and Mr.. Snead moved that the
bills, amounting TO >l,o'3.Dl, be pald Wheh
the money is available.
Mr. Van Kramer appeared before the
committee. and asked permission TO run
a private wire from the Almshouse 10
his house. on Chestnut Hill. in order that
nrc alarms sent in from the city might he
repeated on the big bell in his house lie
explaincd that this was for the benent OF
parties living on Chestnut Hill who own
ed stores in the city. and desired to know
the location of fires occurring al night
lie further explained that the wire would
have no connection with the Richmond
dre-alarm system. but the signals would
simply be repeated by the people in charge
OF the Almshouse.
ON motion Of Mr.. Gunst. the matter
was referred to the Committee on Fire
Alarm and Police Telegraph.
Mr.. Davis called the attention OF the
committee TO the trouble that he was
experiencing with colOred lunatics, ana
told how three. after commissions OF lu-
macy had been held, had been sent TO Tie
city iail for consignment to the Peters
burg asylum. All three of them, said Mr..
Davis. had been discharged by order OF
Judge witt. and two OF them had been
brought back to the Almshouse. and were
now in strait jackets.
DR.. Treyillian also made statement 10
the same effect. after which Mr.. Davis
asked the committee 10 take somej action
In the matter.
Mr. Cottrel said that he regarded the
matter as very important one, and
some action should be taken TO prevent
the Almshouse from becoming nlled up
with lunatics.
Mr. Hobson moved that the Superin-
tendent, in conjunction with a sub-com-
mittee OF three. he instructed 10 see the
City Attorney. TO obtain his opinion in
regard 10 the matter, and, if necessary.
10 further investigate the question, the
subcommittee TO be empowered TO act.
The motion was carried. and the Chair
appointed Messrs. Smith, Miller, and
Gunst on the subcommittee.
Mr.. Cottrel presented an ordinance for
the consideration of the committee. trans
ferring the control OF the physicians to
the poor from the Board Of Health 10
the Committee or Relief OF the Poor. AZ
ter discussion. the matter was laid on the
table until the next regular meeting.
BANQUO'S GHOST.
Dir Snead, rising 10 personal explana.
tion. again revived the subject of the IA |
nous $50 appropriation. to purchase an
"Almshouso outfit" Mr. Snead said that |
while he had not voted against the an |
preparation he had not voted for II. and |
had never voted for a similar appropria-
tion in his life. He thought II wrong TO |
expcnd money in that way.
Mr.. Davis also explained that I'm the !
letter which be had given out for publi- !
cation he had unwillingly done Mr.. Snead !
an Injustice by stating that he had voted !
a. Let l.. f.o1