Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-07
KEEP OUT SMALLPOX
Council Makes an Appropriation
for Use # Necessary,
DISEASE EPIDEMIC IN NORFOLK
Dr. Oppsnhimer Causes Prompt Pre-
CautiOnary Measures Taken.
REMOVAL OF THE CAR TRACKS.
proposItIon Amended and Referred
,o street Committee-Opposit TO
Ncw JaiI-To Test Methods for
Clearing Our Water,

An adjourned meeting of the Common
council was held in the City Hall last
rleht The session was unusually In
tsresting. many matters of importance
being considered Only two members Of
The body were absent. and there was a
large attendance of citizens outside the
bar. Some dissatisfaction was expressed
bv gentlemen who have hitherto had ac-
cess TO the floor of the Council chamber
at the enforcement OF the rule that only
members shall be allowed inside the rail-
ing.
The crowd was evidently there in an
ticipation Of q lively fight over the re-
moval Of the Union Passenger tracks
from Franklin and Bank streets. but if
they were disappointed in its reference
10 the Committee on Streets, they We're
none the less entertained by the introduc-
ton Of a mild surprise in the shape of
A recommendation that $1,000 should be
appropriated to fortify the city against
the possible spread of smallpox, which
the President of the Board of Health
learned yesterday afternoon was epidemic
in Norfolk. On the strength OF informa-
lion that he possessed, Dr. Oppenheimer
called the Health Committee to meet in
special session. and this body made the
above recommendation, which was adopt
ed. The measure is purely precautionary,
and was taken pending more definite in
formation from the Norfolk Board Of
Health.
The Jail question was disposed OF to-
wards the end of the session, and re-
mains in statu quo, and the resolutions
looking to the flterlng Of the city water
was sent back to the Finance Committee
with much better prospects of a favorable
report than ever before.
THE SESSION IN DETAIL.
When the Council was called to order
the following members were present
Messrs. Blanks. Bloomberg, Camp, Cot.
trell. Curtis FERGUSON. CARRIER. Gibson
Grimes, Gunst, Harrelson, Heeke. Hob
son. Mccarthy, Mills, Miner Neale
Peters, Pollock, Shea. Tanner, Teefey
Wallerstein, West Whalen. Williams
Winston, and Woody.
The ordinance framed by the Water
Committee granting to the Richmond
Union Stock-Yards Company the privilege
of using city water, providing the mains
are extended from the corporate limits
at the expense of the company. and i'm
posing other conditions. was referred
10 the committee again, with som,
amendments. that will make It more ac
ceptable to the promoters OF the enter
prise.
CONDITION OF OUR WATER.
The report of the water Committee on
the condition Of the water was read anC
the resolution accompanying it. asking
for an appropriation Of 5000 for tests
and examinations. so as to determine rh'
best methods TO clear it. was amended
20 include the words, 'or az much thereof
as may be necessary" and went 10 th'
Committee on Finance, under the rules
Of the Council.
on motion Of Mr.. Gunst, the resolution
OF the Finance Committee-laid lpon th'
table at Mondays meetihg-was taker
up This resolution, while rejecting th'
recommendation of the City Engineer an(
Superintendent of the Works tha
5000 should be appropriated for expert
menting in methods to filter the James
river water, expresses the opinion tha
some means shall be adopted TO this end
and that the experiments shall take place
under the supervision of the Water Com
mittCe
This resolution was also referred TO the
committee.
INSPECTOR or PLUMBING.
The amendments to the ordinance Great
ing an Inspector Of Plumbing, whicHcam'
from the Health Committee. were adopt
ei These amendments deal solely Will
nitary plumbing.
The recommendation OF the Committed
on Ordinances that the ordinance i'm
posing license tax on bootblacks shoulC
b. rejected was concurred in. but th'
adoption Of that provision or the lnstru
mcnt that prohibits bootblGcks from fol
lowing their avocation after $3.50 O'CLOCK
Oh Sunday morning was advocated by
Ar Harreison.
Mr. Cottrell opposed this on the GROUND
that II was class legislation. He saw NJ
reason why the oootbla should b'
singled out and newsboys allowed 10 81
uUrestrained.
Mr. Bloomberg argued that If ii were
wrong to black boots after $3.50 on sun
day IL was equally wrong before ina
hour.
An ordinance providing for the codify
ing Of the city ordinances, and appro
phating 81 GOO for that purpose. went t'
the Finance Committee, under the rules
PRECAITION AGAINS- SMALLPOX
From the Health Committee came thu
following resolution:
Where's n appears from reliable
sources that the disease OF smallpox II
Spreading In Norfolk city, Va; and
whereas, there Is danger that the sale
disease may reach this city; and, whereas
the Committee on Health IS withon
funds to take any steps 10 prevent th'
Introduction Of said disease within THU
city, therefore. be II
Resolved by the Council OF the city o.
Richmond. the Board OF Aldermen con
curing, That the sum Of 5000. or -
much thereof as may be necessary, be
and the same Is hereby, Appropriated Z
the credit OF the expense account OF tn
Health Department for the purpose o
defraying all expenses that may De In
CURED in preventing the Introduction o
smallpox within the city, and for vac
cinating such persons. residents OF tn
city. as may be necessary, and the Com
mittee OF Finance II hereby INSTRUCTED
10 provide the said amount.
Mr.. Hobeon moved 10 sus1end IN