The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-21
CAPT. COKE'S REASONS.
Tells WHY HE WILL NOT GIVE UP
ORDINANCE DATA.
lie Quotes Prom His Contract-Ihe Driv-
ing Of Cattle on Leigh sireet-Meet-
ines Tonight.

At the last meeting Of the Committee
on Ordinances an opinion was received
IRON City Attorney Meredith TO the erect
that papers now in the possession OF
Captain Alexander coke. who some years
aso entered into a contract with the CITY
TO revise and codify the ordif ances. were
fhe property of the city Of Richmond. ana
should be surrendered 10 The Ordinance
Committee without charge for the same.
mis- letter from Mr.. Meredith was IN
response 10 n request from the committee
Captain Coke at q previous meeting nav
ing agreed to complete the codihcauon
OF the ordinances for a certain sum or
to give up all the data he had collected
on the subject and cancel his claim
against the city for n smaller amount.
Upon receipt Of Mr.. Merodith's reply
the committee requested Sereeant-at-
Arms Ruskeli 10 communicate the pur-
port OF the same 70 Captain Coke, and
to request that gentleman to surrender
the papers. This Mr.. Ruskell did, but
Captain Coke declined 10 give them up.
CAPTAIN COKES LETTER.
The committee met last evening at
o'clock. and Captain Coke appeared be-
fore them. submitting a paper setting
forth at great lorgth his reasons for de-
clinine to give up the documents.
His main contentious were that the pa
pers were his property in common law
and that his contract with the city eX-
pressly stipulated that he was TO retain
possession Of an papers until his work
was COMPLETED and the same paid for.
In conclusion, Captain coke offered to
leave the matter to arbitration, 1t
could he settled in no other manner.
Capfain coke after his communication
had bcen read addressed the committee
explaining the same
In regard to his contention that part
of the money due him was for acting as
recorder at o number Of Joint meetings
hold To PASS upon his work, Mr.. Cutchins
asked him ii ne was working under any
epecial contract with the city at that
time
"No sir.' replied Captain Coke. 81 was
directed 10 do 50 by JOINT resolution
eft win be necessary" said Mr. Cutch-
inns go sec that resolution before we
can formulate report. ] move, there
fore. that an papers i'm connection with
this matter be referred to sub-commit-
tee. of which the chairman of this COM
mittco shall be chairman, to formulate
careful report"
This motion was adopted. and the fol-
lowing committee appointed. Messfs.
Rloombcrg. Cutchins and Pollock.
THE CATTLE NUISANCE.
Mr. Cutchine then brought up the re-
Quest of certain residents OF Leigh street
between First and Ninth, for the enaction
of au ordinance regulating the driving OF
cattle along that thOroughfare.
The matter came up at the last meeting
and was referred to Il Subcommittee con-
sisting Of Mcssrs Cutchins and Mosny.
Mr.. Cutchins reported that he and Mr..
Mosby had held a consultation with sew
cral prominent Cattle-brOkers, and ihcy
showed every Willingness TO do all IN fheir
power 10 abate the nuisance. Cattle COM
inc in by the Southern railway, he salu,
had TO be driven through the city 10 the
cattle pens. but the cattle men had prom
Used TO drive them up cary or MaIsndil
when ever possible and only TO use Leigh
as a last resort.
length. and 1T was finally determined 10
communicate with the Southern railway
to see If that corporation could not make
some arrangement with the &. and o. road
whereby cattle could bee taken of at the
northern side of the city and driven 20
the pens 10y way OF Hospital street.
THE WALTON INNESTlGAIlON.
The Committee on Health Will meet az
1880 o'clock Tonight 10 look into the
charges against officer j. ). Walton, who
Is accused OF dischareing five men from
the street cleaning department without
cause and also of using The city hdnus
and carts for his own purposes.
4 large number Of witnesses have been
summoned. Ond the meeting VIII be
lengthy one.
Inc Committee on. Charter Changes will
meet at o'clock tonight when the plan
for the formation of a Finance Commits
sion. drafted by Mr. Meredith, VIII be
further considered.
The Committee on Grounds and Build
ings will meet at o'clock