Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-31
WILL ACT PROMPTLY.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN CALLED TO
CONSIDER THE BUDGET.
WHAT CHANGES COMMITTEE MADE
Left All Appropriations Unchanged
save Those 10 Certain Charities,
the sinking Fund, and streets
Generally.

The Committee Of Conference appoint
ed TO consider the budget for the fiscal
year 1877 having completed the ardudus
task assigned to it. President Turpin,
of the Board Of Aldermen, has called
"A meeting Of that body for tonight. at
7:So O'clock for the purpose of acting
upon the appropriations ordinance as
fixed up by the committee. on Mon
day evening next the Common Council
convenes in regular session. and II the
Board should agree TO the budget. as
recommended by the Committee of Con-
ference, the lower branch can act upon
it In time for the ordinance to have
the signature of Mayor Taylor by the
middle OF the week.
The Conference Committee did not very
materially alter the figures of the bud
get as it came from the Finance Com
mittee. save in two instances. The APP
preparation made TO pay the $4,000 due
the Sinking Fund was reduced by $4,000
and the item of streets generally was
raised from $4,000 to $4,000. All the
charities contained i'm last years bud
the Home for Incurables and the Kin
cergarten, were cut % per cent. These
two institutions were allowed their usual
appropriations. The giving Of aid 10
sectarian charities is feature Of the
budget which many members of the
Common Council are strenuously OPP
posed to, and there will probably, even
yet, be a fight upon this matter when
the ordinance reaches that body for
consideration.
Then. too. there is much opposition in
the Board Of Aldermen TO the proposed
expenditure OF $1,000 in water-meters.
and also 10 the cutting down of the
appropriation for schools pay-rolls
In the proceedings OF the Conference
Committee Monday night, Mr.. Jones
made the statement that member Of
the School Board had said that with the
appropriation Of 100000 the schools
could be run for fun term Of nine
months without reducing the pay OF the
teachers, principals. or janitors 81 a
month.
WHAT SUPERINTENDENT FOX SAYS
Mr. w. +. Fox. Superintendent of the
City Schools yesterday, in speaking Of
this matter said:
THE estimate of the board for a nine
months session was made after the most
careful scrutiny. The amount needed for
pay-rOlls was $1,000. Experience with
previous estimates of the board shows
that they cannot be materially altered.
''The actual expenses vary but little
from the estimates. While IL would be
manifestly improper for me TO anticipate
by any statement Of mine any action that
the board might take. II would not be
improper, perhaps for me TO gather into
one group the suggestions that have been
made by other persons in reference TO IL.
The situation may be met by reducing
10 o lower schedule the pay OF our prin-
Nc nd ufrsre I1trHa
j. already about the lowest for similar
work in this country.
cor by shortening the session. which in
different way reduces the pay of our
employ ets, necessitates readjustment OF
out school outline, or the compression of
our already crowded work into a shorter
period.
"Or We may leave out some of the SUBJ
jectS Of study. This will necessarily lead
10 the dismissal of some of our teachers,
and the reduction Of our system TO a
lower rank
Our present course is the result of q
careful study of the views of the most
distinguished educators in this and other
countries, IN connection with our own
good general education, and is in sub
stantial agreement with the best courses
IN the United States. Richmond can
hardly afford TO step OF its own will into
lower educational rank.
1T Is the unanimous judgment Of edu-
Gators the world over that no part OF
school work Is more important and neces-
sary than thorough. systematic reviews.
lions"
Report of the City Tax-COiIector.
The annual report Of the City Tax-Col-
Jector, Captain Frank W. Cunningham
Tor the fiscal year ending January 81 1897
ms been submitted 10 the Mayor. Cap
tain Cunningham has already entered
upon his duties for 1897, and thinks ne is
entitled 10 raise this point since the CITY
Attorney gave to the Committee on Re-
trenchment and Reform an opinion thar
the compensation of the COMMISSIONS
OF the Revenue could not be cut this wear
because that officer had already done
much OF The work Of his office for this
The Tax-COllectOr will tomorrow an
nounce his readiness 10 receive license
taxes for 1871 and all who want to avoid
t me ln mp OF the penalty provided by
the city ordinance would do well to call
upon him and pay their licenses before
April Both next.
Below is given the full text Of CAPTAIN
cunningham report 10 the Mayor:
Richmond, Va, March / 1897
Hon. r. NJ. Taylor, Mayor of the civ Of
Richmond: ~ VI
Dear Sir,-I have the honor Of handing
you me annual report Of this office for
the fiscal year Of 1896. ending lamar n
1887. showing settlement OF an accounts
namely:
Statements OF the amounts charged 70
the COllectOr OF City Taxes and money
collected and paid over during year 1856
statement OF the account of the col
lector of City Taxes
statement showing amount of taxes as
sessed per ward, and amount of delin-
quent bills per ward.
Your attention is called to the follow
ing:
The delinquent list is larger this year
man Tor many years previous, and is at
tributed 10 the fact that in very MANY
cases where tiduciary taxes We're charged
there were disputes as to the legality of
the tax, and while the matter was pend
ing the end of my fiscal year compelled
me TO turn over all bills delinquent
Another reason is that personal hills
sgainst two railroads. amounting 10 $3.50
703.ll, were assessed and charged To this
ONCE on the 18th day Of January 1897
only two days before they had to be re-
turned delinquent.
Respectfully submitted
FRANK w. CUNNINGHAM
Collector of City Taxes.
STATEMENT
OF accounts charged TO the City Collector
and moneys collected by him during the
year ending January 81. 1897. for tsxes.
licenses. paving. pipe connections, and