Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-11
TO BUILD THE ANNEX
COMMITTEE ON POOR RECOMMEND
a NEW COLoRED ALMsHoUsE.
THE COST TO Be ABOUT $4,000.
Proposition TO Repair Old building
Voted Down-PInns for Proposed
Structure, Which Is 90 he Placed
In Rear of White Almsbouse.

The Council Committee on Relief Of
the Poor held an important session in
Room No. of the City Hall at o'clock
last evening. and considered at great
length the matter Of building an annex
TO the present white almshouss for the
I accommodation OF the colored poor Of
the city. Those present were: Messrs.
Samuel H. Cottrell chairman. Brock,
/ Gunst, Miller, Noble, Smith, and Wake.
The City Engineer appeared before the
body with the plans for the proposed
annex, made in his Office, descriptions Of
which have already appeared in the Dis
patch.
Mr.. Miller offered motion that the
committee deemed it inexpedient to make
any additions or repairs to tho present
colored almshouse. He argued that
making an addition to the present col
ored almshouse would cost nearly half
| as much as the contemplated annex to
the other buildings. Mr.. Noble concurred
I'm this view, and he argued that It was
essential for the two institutions to be
close together, and that the idea OF
bringing the colored line into the matter
was fallacious one, as there was hard
| ly a family in Richmond that did not
| have a negro servant living In the house
with them.
OPPOSED TO THE ANNEX.
Mr.. Gunst opposed the erection Of the
annex, arguing that the present colored
almshouse could be repaired to meet the
emergencies. lie said he was not will
ing TO spend $4,000 in building the annex
over a gully, and was not willing 10 put
the white and colored inmates so close
together. lie thought the time had rot
yet come for the building of an addi-
ton TO the white almshouse, and stated
that there would not be the economy in
IT that was bespoken for It.
Mr.. Gunst offered the motion as an
| amendment, that It is the sense Of the
committee that a new coored almshouse
should be built, or that the present col
0red almshouse should be repaired. lie
said that he would vote for the erection
Of a new building for the colored poor,
but not for any addition TO the white
almshouse
Mr.. Wake agreed with Mr. Gunst. and
said that the placing Of an annex to the
north of the white almshouse would be
giving the colored people the most deA
srable part of the premises, and cutting
off part Of the white paupers from the
north-side breeZes.
MIR. MILLER'S MOTION PREVAILS.
The committee voted down Mr.. Gunst's
amendment and Mr.. Miller's motion pre-
vailed. Col. Cutshaw then went over his
plans carefully, and the committee decided
o recommend the building Of the proposed
wing to the white almshouse. in accord
ance with the drawing presented by the
Engineer, TO accommodate 800 persons,
and to cost about $4,000.
On motion of Mr.. Noble, the City En-
gineer was directed to prepare two or
three sets Of specifications for the pro-
posed building, I'm order that the COM
mittee might determine as to the charac-
ter Of the materials 10 be put in the
structure.
There then ensued some discussion as
TO whether the committee should ask for
a straight appropriation Of $4,000. or for
authority 20 sell the old colored aims
house property, and place the sum de-
rived therefrom to the credit of an ac-
count to be called the new almshouse ac-
count
The committee finally decided to re-
commend that a direct appropriation be
made.
Mr.. Atkinson, a shoemaker by trade,
appeared before the committee and com
planned that superintendent Davis had
refused 10 take him into the almshouse.
The Superintendent made statement to
the effect that he declined TO receive the
applicant on account of intoxication, and
the committee sustained him.
COUNCIL NOTES.
There was to have been meeting at b
o'clock last evening Of the Committee on
Ordinances, but no quorum was present
Mr.. Fred. II. CARRIER on yesterday
qualified as a member Of the Common
Council from Marshall Ward. lie was
elected 20 succeed Mr.. j. H. lawder,
who was made a member OF the boaru OF
Aldermen. upon the death Of Mr.. Joseph
7 Mountcastle.