Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-08

acquainted than ne with the ordinances.
Mr.. Mosby ventured the suggestion that
a knowledge Of the ordinances was not
all that was necessary for such a codih-
cation.
Mr.. Caskie spoke strongly in favor OF
the codfcation. IL was necessary that
some steps should be taken at once, he
said. for the Clerks book was the only
one In existence from which any citizen
could gain reliable Information as TO the
city's ordinances. He urged the passage
OF the resolution.
COMMITTEES REPORT ADOPTED.
Mr. walIcrstein suggested that the work
should be done by the City Clerk and
City Accountant. as being the two men
best equipped for doing it to the salts
faction OF every one Mr.. August. City
Clerk. stated that as far as he was con-
cerned It was beyond the realm OF
human possibility for him TO undertake
anything in addition TO his present work.
After some further discussion the report
OF the committee was then unanimously
adopted.
MINIMUM WATER RATE.
The report Of the Retrenchment and
Reform Committee on the amendment to
the city ordinance as to the water
works. which was comprised in a state
by Superintendent Boiling. and published
recently IN the Dispatch. was then read,
including a recommendation of the com
mittee that "A minimum rate should be
adopted where meters are used.
On motion of Mr.. Harrelson, Supern-
tendent Boiling was given the privilege
of the floor In order to explain the pro-
cess by which ne had arrived at his con-
clusions. When he concluded, Mr.. Har-
relson asked him whether ii was not
fact that only 81 per cent. of the water
pumped at present was paid for-lS per
cent being used by the city and 80 per
cent. Wasted, to which questions the
Superintendent replied in the Affirmative
Mr.. Gunst enquired whether the adoption
OF the ordinance would not entail heavy
additional expenditure for water-meters,
and was answered in the negative. In
reply to a further question, Mr.. Boiling
stated that there are about 800 meters
now on hand.
After the ordinance had been reported
Mr.. Rountree moved that II should be
referred 10 a joint committee or the
Water and Finance completes, with
instructions 10 report at the next meet
ing of the Council. which was adopted.
CONSOLIDATION OF COMMITTEES.
The report OF the same committee as 10
the consolidation of Council committees
was next taken uD.
Mr.. Rountree said. in supporting the
report. that the committee had passed IL
unanimously. The reduction of the num-
ber Of committees, and of the size OF
some committees, would tend to ma
terially reduce the work Of councilmen.
Mr. Blanks said he could not agree
with the reduction of membership on the
large committees. More work was done.
he contended. in committee than In the
Council. and members Of the Council OBJ
tanned d far clearer insight into the city )
affairs by attendance upon their meet
ings than they aid by brief debate ON
the floor Of the Council.
Mr. Gunst suid he d'd not think the
Finance Committee should be reduced
from nine members TO seven. He moved
TO strike out that part of the resolution
and his motion was adopted.
Mr.. Wallerstein moved to strike out
that part of the resolution which made
members Of the Finance committee IN
eligible for service on any other COM
mittee. He thought a clear insight into
the workings Of the departments was
INDISPENSABLE TO those who might be ap-
pointed to serve on this committee.
Mr. Rountree cOntended that no man
should be allowed to vote on appropria-
tions for departments in which he was
interested. The members Of the Finance
Committee would be given ample oppor-
tunity for obtaining clear insight mo
all departments.
Mr.. Briggs moved that the report
should be laid on the table. and printed
for circulation. The motion was lost.
Mr. Wallerstein's motion was then put
and lost.
Mr.. Hobson moved to amend by placing
the membership of the Committees on
Health. Grounds and Buildings, Light.
and Water at nine. instead of seven, ana
the amendment was adopted. The reso-
luton. as amended, WAS then carried
with only one dissenting voice.
THE BUDGET TAKEN UP.
II was ten minutes after 10 o'clock
when the budget was reached. it was
taken from the table on motion Of Mr.
Wallerstein. and read by the Clerk
II is entitled "An ordinance cancelling
anpropriations of 1897, and making ap-
propriations for 1898.
It's provisions are given below, together
with a list Of the appropriations made
last year, which will be interesting tor
the sake Of comparison:
/. Be 1t ordained by the Council OF sns ins
city Of Richmond, That all uneXpended
appropriations shall be considered as can
ceiled and the Auditor Is hereby Ill
rected to balance his books accordingly:
2 There shall be appropriated from the
funds and resources or the city for the
year ending the 3lst day OF December leSo,
the following sums, and for the purposes
mentioned. and the said sums shall not,
in any case. be increased or added to. ex-
cept by a vote of two-thrds OF the whole
Council in favor Of such increase or ad-
dition. said vote to be taken by yeas ana
Appropriated.
Account Of 1873. 1881
Interest and redemp- 49,. ,-,.o,, ~.
Assessment Of taxes 5,yO 10