Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-24
Mp GEORGE 2 DAVIS

MR.. GEORGE B. DAVIS,
superintendent of the City Almshouse.)
the last meeting were Messrs Cottrell.
Brock, Gunst, Hobson, Miller Smith, and
Wake.
THE correction was made but my ac-
ton I'm turning over the so to the young
physicians, was endorsed by the COM
mttee by this vote: Ayes-Brock, Hob
son. Miller, Smith, and Cottrell; No
Wake.
"Mr. Wake, at the last meeting of the
committee, took the position that his
resolution also embraced an OUTFIT Tor
the driver of the ambulance, but L did
not bear him say anything about the
driver. the records of the committee 90
not show Il, and the driver, himself, VINO
was present, while this matter was pelns
discussed at the December meeting, says
he did not hear Mr. Wake say anything
about an outfit for him.
AS TO the ambulance surgeons WORK,
Superintendent Davis said that one OF
the other of these doctors was con-
stantly on duty. They have 10 go AT
any hour Of the day or night ana IN
all kinds of weather. When the sep
tember cyclone occurred DR.. Lyme went
out on the ambulance when the wind
was at its highest, taking his lie IN
his own hands, and going down on
Broad street, SeWeu up lho iN =,
wounds a man had received by the tall-
ing of a heavy plate-glass upon him
WHAT THE CHAIRMAN SAYS.
Mr. Samuel II. Cottrell, chairman OF
The Committee on Relief of the Poor
corroborated the statement OF super
intendent Davis in toto. In concluding
what he had TO say, Mr.. Cottreil SAID:
Mr.. Wake opposed the endorsehiei.
Of the superintendent action. lie saiu
II was his intention in his original mo-
tion that the ambulance outht pur-
chased should include an oyercoat and
cloves for the driver of the vehicle He
also intended. he said, that the articles
should remain the property of the CITY.
NV recollection OF his motion was that
he simoly said an ambulance OUTFIT
which was construed by the Superln-
tendent to mean overcoats, &c, for the
two physicians, who receive only their
hoard. and no salary, while the driver Is
paid for his work.
"a vote was taken on the motion to
sustain Superintendent Davis, and was
carried. only Mr.. Wake voting against
it," .,,
Mr.. Cottren declared that the $50 did
not come from the fund for the purchase
Of medicines for the city poor.
w
league will hold a meeting for the pur-
pose OF organization for the years work
AT Corcoran Hall, at o'clock tomorrow
night.
THE WORK OF RETRENCHMENT.
The Council Committee on Retrench-
ment and Reform is determined to press
forward in it's work. 1t will conclude It's
examinations into the affairs OF the
offices of the City Tax-Collector, City
Treasurer. and Commissioner OF the
Revenue before IL goes into any other
department Of the city government.
Chairman Otway 5. Allen and his assoc
ciates have spent no end Of time ana
research in the interest Of munlclpal
economy. BY far the most important
question to be considered by the COM
mittee is that Of getting proper returns
Of personal property for taxation. III IS
believed by some of the city oiilclais ana
coincilmen that II the city could collect
mon a. proper assessment of all personal
nronerty I'm the city, she would have
nIentv OF money TO meet her annual ex-
penses. and would be able 10 lay some
thing aside for the retirement or her
bonds.
Commencing with February 1st the du-
ties OF Captain Frank W. Cunningham,
the CITY Collector, and the attaches OK
his office will be increased. IL Is then
that the city will compel people to pay
interest of per cent. year on their
delinquent taxes from that time on In
this office this interest must be calcu-
lated. and it will require large amount
Of figuring each year.
CAPTAIN Cunningham was asked yes
terday how much extra work II wouid
entail He said that he did not know,
but n year hence he thought he would be
able TO give some very interesting infor-
nation on the subject.
While the adding Of interest TO delin-
ouent taxes will increase the work III
the Tax-Collector's office. 1t will be a
very good thing for the city. 1t viii UNI
doubtedly largely reduce the amount OF
delinauent taxes, and add considerable
revenue to the city on those unpaid when
they are due, and which go on the delin-
ouent list. While the reporter was talk
ing to Captain Cunningham gentleman
came i'm and requested the amount OF
delinouent tax bill. When 1t was gwen
him he said that he wanted 10 pay IL
before the LIST Of February-now seven
days off.
The Collector stated that the total
amount of delinquent taxes due the city
for the year 1896 on January /, 1877, was
S10s. 9el. SO. of which S79 1850 was on realty.
He remarked that fully one third or the
delinquent personal taxes are lost to the
city. Colored people beat the city out
az a great deal of head taxes, and De-
linouent- Taxi Collector 7. c. Walford
went on to explain the reason of this.
He referred to the books, and, picking
ont several common names, showed
several pages OF each name, with hfty-
one names to a page. Then he pointed
ont n dozen or more with the same given
name. - g.
Now, tc find the delinquent negro Is
like looking for a needle in haystack,
said Mr.. Walford. II go to a house,
where I have every reason 10 believe
that my quarry resides but no one knows
him there. At the same time no may
be in the house"
DON'T WANT MIR. ROUNTREE TO
RESIGN.
The committee appointed by the cay
Ward Branch of the Good Government
League last night TO walt upon MI.
Henry w. Rountree, member OF the COM
mon Council from Clay Ward, ana ask
Rim 10 withdraw his letter or resignation
az a member OF that body. fulfilled the
office assigned It, The committee was
comnosed OF Messrs. John b. Purcell
TJttel Wilson. and Mann. S. Valentine.
THESE gentlemen were cordially received
nv Mr. Rountree at his residence, on
Eto,,a avenue and after they had stated