The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-21

annum. Mr.. Jones accepted this sub
stituie which was agreed 10 by the COM
mittee.
CITY Accountant Mccarthy then read
the ordinances OF the cii' In regard 10
the duties and compensation or those en-
ployed i'm the James River Improvement
department
Mr.. Noble renewed his proposition That
the salaries and wages In this depart
ment be not more that 5000 per annum.
Mr. Noble explained that there were TWO
deck hands drawing wages OF Siso each
per annum The chief duties of these.
he understood. were formerly as cooks
but he understood that these duties had
been abolished.
Mr.. Harrelson thought there would be
no economy in cutting down salaries since
the opposition was made in bulk for the
department. and If the salaries were cur
tailed the amount of the reduction might
be increased by that amount being placed
elsewhere. lie thought II would be bet
ter TO make a recommendation 10 the
Council TO make a special duty OF looking
into the matter and make a reduction In
the appropriation.
A motion was made that the Commit
tee on James River Improvement be re-
quested TO furnish the Council with an
itemized expense account in their de-
partment for the year together with such
recommendations as they saw proper In
the matter Of cutting down expenses In
the department. This was agreed 10 by
the Committee.
THE POLICE. TOO.
Tie Police Department next occupied
the attention Of the committee.
II was explained that by taking on
$3.50 per month from the salaries OIL
the roundsmen, and a proportonate re-
ductiJn IN the pay OF the sergeants ana
captains. about Sl.5o0 per month woula
be saved the city.
Mr. Zimmerman stated that he be-
lieved this would be a bad move on the
part of the committee. He thought the
police o. Richmond should be men OF
character and intelligence, and that most
OF them were men Of families who could
not live on less than the salaries tney
received.
As in the opinion Of the Council re-
duction in that department Is considered
necessary.
Upon motion Of Mr.. Noble. similar
resolution was adopted in regard to the
Fire Department the Fire Alarm Sys-
tenn and the city School Board.
Mr.. Rountree explained that Atlanta
WHICH 10 AhNAN A4iN rfAhA' "f~N '' ff'N--
mond. had nearly twice as many MEM
bers on the police force.
Mr. Zimmerman further stated that
the beats were very large and In some
cases extended all the way from Broad
TO Canal streets.
Colonel Jones moved that a resolu-
tion be passed recommending that the
Board OF Police Commissioners report 10
the City Council what recommendations
they could make looking 10 retrench-
ment and a reduction Of expenses in the
Police Department.
Mr.. Rountree agreed that the police
men Of Richmond were men OF good stand
ing, who performed their duties well.
There was considerable danger incurred
IN the duties OF a policeman. lie thought
it would be a hardship on the police ofii-
GERS TO cut down their pay.
Mr.. Harreson took an opposite view OF
the case. lie stated that it would be no
hardship on the policemen any more
than on anybody else, and il the IN
terests Of the city could be served by
this reduction of $l2.50 per month IN
the patrolmen's salaries, he thought the
police should share In the general re-
duetion. lie disagreed with Mr.. Zim-
hermann as TO the efficiency OF the force.
lie thought the police were not doing
their duty. lie had several times mad
occasion TO demand the services OF Il
policeman, and had walked several
squares in vain to find a patrol man.
A friend of his en- Eighth street had told
him that he was afraid to live where ne
dix lest thieves and tramps give him
good deal Of trouble. lie had several
times searched in vain for several
squares TO find policeman.
THE GAS WORKS.
When the Light Department was taken
M. Colonel Jones moved that the salary
OF the foreman OF the Lower Gas Works
be fixed at Sl.2O0 per annum instead of
81 500 per annum, as at present. This was
agreed 10 by the committee.
tIe also moved that the salary OF the
Inspector Of Gas be fixed at $500 per an
mum instead Of $500 per annum. Mr..
Ebel moved as an amendment that II be
fixed at 1900 per annum. Mr.. Ebel
amendment was lost. and Colonel Jones
motion, reducing the salary TO sl,DO per
annum, was agreed 10.
Mr.. Noble moved 70 reconsider the pre-
vlous action Of the committee. by which
the six Deputy Inspectors OF Gas, AT
salaries OF 81 O2O per annum each, were
reduced TO five deputy inspectors AZ sala-
res OF 1850 per annum each. lie eX-
planned that the object of this motion was
that he might make another motion 10
the effect that the number OF deputy In
spectors be put back 10 six and their
salaries be fixed at $500 per annum each.
The motion to reconsider was adopted,
but the previous action Of the committee
was sustained.
TO REDUCE THE MAYORS SALARY.
The question Of the Mayors salary was
TanRa axnl4fpei
that according 10 the chagter, the salary
OF the Mayor could not be changed during
mis- term Of office.
II was suggested that the committee
might take steps in the matter for the
future. Mr.. Rountree said that If the
Mayor Of Richmond would give his whole
time to the city's interests. and perform
his duties I'm accordance with the law, he
thought 5000 per annum would not be too
large salary.
Mr.. Noble stated that he thought the
office Of Mayor should be either a mere
nominal ofice with honor attached there
TO- or should be a position 10 require the
man holding the same 10 perform the
duties OF the Office in strict accordance
with the law. in which event he though,
the compensation should be increased.
Mr.. Noble further stated that II the
Mayor and Superintendents Of the Water
Gas and Light Departments. and the Au'
dltor had performed their duties in the
past In strict accordance with the law.
the members OF the City Council would
not be to-day censured.
Mr.. King moved that the salary OF the
Mayor be fixed at 5000 per annum from
July /. 1898.
Mr.. Harrelson moved as an amendment
that the amount be fixed at $500 per an
mum. The amendment was lost and
Mr.. Kings motion was agreed 10.
THE SINKING FIND