Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-04
NEWSOF THE COUNCIL
INAUGURATION takes MANY MEM-
BEERS TO WASHINGTON.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS POSTPONED.
"Details OF the New York Trip Pro-
grcssing-Tbc Mayor May GOETHE
Proposed Test of the Water-Meters.
other Matters.

The inauguration Of Presidentrelect
Mckinley, which takes place in Wash
ington to-day. has had its effect upon
even the councilmanic circles Of this city
Two OF the Council committees were 10
hold meetings this evening-the Commit
tee on Retrenchment and Reform. and
the Committee on Grounds and Build
ings-but both have been postponed-the
former until next Thursday night. and
the latter until next Monday afternoon
at o'clock. Several members of the
two branches Of the Council are in
Washington to-day. and II would be next
to impossible TO get a quorum of any of
the committees this evening.
When the Committee on Retrench.
ment and Reform meets again the work
OF inquiring into the affairs Of the Com
mittee on James-River improvement and
OF the Health Department will be begun.
careful investigation Of each Of these
departments will, It is understood, be
made.
THE APPROACHING NEW YORK
TRIP.
Details for the trip TO New York and
Philadelphia. 10 be rendered to the mem
bers of the Committee on Streets and
certain city officers by the American
Telephone and Telegraph Company. Of
Virginia, are being arranged Six or
seven members OF the committee have sig
nifed their intention Of going. When
Mayor Taylor was asked yesterday by
a Dispatch reporter If he intended TO
accept the invitation of the company 10
accompany the committee. he replied that
he had been thinking over the matter.
but had not fully made up his mind as
yet.
Colonel Cutshaw, the City Engineer.
said that he would not go on the New
York trip. He said il would be all right
for him to go along, IL the city were to
pay his expenses. but ne did not think
he, as a city officer should go at the
expense Of the company.
Mr. William II. Thompson, the Super
intendent OF the Fire-Alarm. said he
could not accept the invitation Of the
company. even If he had received one,
which he had not.
THE WATER-METER TALK.
Much interest is being manifested in
the proposed installation here % $4,000
worth of water-meters, for which the
Common Council on Monday night last
appropriated the money. This sum is
provided 10 purchase about 900 meters
simply 10 test their efficacy in the line
Of improving the water-supply of the
city at the high points. where residents
have heretofore suffered for lack of suf-
ficient water. In the past, meters have
been put in by the property-owner or
tenant al his own expense. and com
paratively few are in use in the city
From what could be learned regarding
them yesterday, there is great differ
ence of opinion among those who have
been using meters as TO their economy
and usefulness. A citizen at present
has a right TO attach a meter to his
water-pipes and pay for his water at
meter-rates If he desires, or TO pay the
regular water-rents. The meters 10 be
purchased with the $1,000 appropriated
I'm the budget for 1897 are TO be put in
where II is deemed they will serve the
best purpose, and the tenant or property
owner is not to pay for them-no ordi-
nance TO that effect having been offered
in the Council. Should these work en-
tirely satisfactorily in all respects, a
larger appropriation will probably be
made next year, and a meter ordinance
will, in all likelihood. be passed.
There was 10 have been a meeting OF
the Committee on James-Riyer Improve
nent yesterday, but no quorum attended.
Those present were: Chairman Vaughan,
and Messrs. Allison. Christian, Fergus
son, Guy, and Blanks.
HALL-COURT-NEWS.
In the Hastings Court yesterday !
James T. Matthews a white man. was
tried on the charge of house-breakng. |
The evidence was that the man had |
stolen some lead-pipe. He was given |
thirty days in jail.
William Coleman, a negro boy, was
sent 10 the penitentiary for two years !
for breaking into a vacant house
Eli Brown. who was charged with as |
saulting John White. was acquitted.
The case of r. c. Traylor against the |
Richmond Railway and Electric Com |
pany. which has been on trial in the |
Law and Equity Court for two days, !
was CONCLUDED yesterday evening. The |
Jury rendered a verdict OF $3.50 in favor Of |
the plaintiff.