Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-04
MAY PAY TEACHERS.
COMMON COUNCIL Asks FINANCE
COMMITTEE TO DO THIS.
The WATER-METER ORDINANCE
Interesting Discussion ms to the
Rafes--Thc City VIII Dispense With
New Codincrs TO he Engaged.

The monthly meeting of the Common
Council was held last night, and was re-
markable chiefly for the large amount OF
business transacted In a comparatively
short time. There was a lively discussion
over the water-mcter ordinance, but no
action was taken.
Perhaps the most interesting feature OF
the meeting was the adoption Of a reso-
luton asking the Finance Committee to
provide In the budget for the compensa-
ton Of principals ana teachers who re-
Gently gave their services for ten days
without compensation. a motion was also
introduced to arrange for the codiiicaton
Of the city ordinances. without respect to
the work already done in that direction
| by Mr.. Alexander Coke.
The following members were present.:
Messrs. Caske, Bloomberg. Briggs, Ebel
Foster, Gunst HARRISON, Hobson, Jones.
King, CARRIER Miller, Mosby. Rountree,
| Tanner, Walerstein, Whalen, White, and
| Woody.
THE TAX ON METERS.
| An interesting discussion was raised by
| to the effect that the tax on water-meters
put in by the city should be repealed
until the minimum rate question was
settled by the Council. Mr.. HarrelsOn
said ne hoped the Council would take the
ordinance framed for this purpose up, and
settle the matter, and he made a motion
to this effect.
Mr. Ebel moved. as q substitute, TO do
away with the g tax altogether. Colonel
h.. nFHf s-t.
as to provide that no charge for water
should be less than 81 a year. where a
meter is furnished and put in by the city.
Mr.. HARRISON said a proposition had
been submitted at the last meeting that
q minimum charge should be made of 81
cents a month, with meter rates for all
water used over 80 gallons. The Finance
Committee was in favor Of a minimum
charge: il this were not enforced, the
water-works would bring the city in debt
each year. From careful and extensive
enquiries II had been ascertained that all
other cities using meters imposed mimi
mum rate.
METERS REDUCE THE BILLS.
Mr.. Briggs. chairman OF the Water
Committee stated that the water bills
OF 45 per cent. OF the people who were
using meters, amounted 10 less than 80
cents month.
Colonel Jones said it was unreasonable
to ask people to pay for what they did
not get.
Mr.. Ebel supported the last speaker.
and advocated the raising of the rate. il,
as at present constituted. it was not sufti-
cient to cover the expenses of the city.
Mr. HarrelsOn said the adoption OF
minimum charge would be great benefit
to the city. Some people were so stingy
and so mean. that if meter rates were
charged without the imposition Of a mini
mum rate they would not use enough
water to keep themselves or their pre-
misses clean. thereby engendering disease.
Colonel Jones argued that II the con-
sumption were cut down. the expense Of
production would be reduced. Mr.. Tan
ner suggested that it would be Impossible
TO cut down the interest on the money eX-
pended by the city in the works.
Mr.. Briggs said that unless the ordi-
nance governing meters was repealed, the
Water Committee would be compelled 10
send out bills for rental which he thought
would be a hardship to the people.
Colonel Jones thought that the city
should put in water meters on the same
terms as gas meters.
Mr. HarrelsOns motion was then put |
and lost Mr.. Ebels amendment 10 |
abolish the water-meter tax was adopted. |
CHANGE OF OFFICE HOURS.
An ordinance changing the Office hours !
Of the Water and Light departments OF |
the city from TO s, instead Of to 6, |
was put upon its passage.
Colonel Jones said the existing ordi-
nance had been amended TO It's present
form some time ago, after much dis
cussion and consideration, and he OPP
posed any further charge. II the en-
oloyees liked to begin their work earlier
han the prescribed time. well and good.
out he did not think the public should
be Inconvenience by the early closing
IF the offices.
Mr.. Briggs. Of the Water Committee,
md Mr.. Wallerstein Of the Light Com
made for the convenience Of the public,
many people sending their children 10
,ay the gas and water bills on their
way TO school. The ordinance. which
anne to the Council from the Board or
aldermen. was concurred In.
ELECTION OF COMMISSIONS
The amendment TO section So OF the
,ity Charter. which provides that the
,olice commissioners shall hereafter be
lected by the two branches Of the City
'ounci instead Of by the Board of Pub
c Interest. was adopted. by their ac-
ion the Council concurred In the action
f the Board Of Aldermen I'm eliminating
he provision which came from the Char
or Changes Committee. that no COM
missioner should be eligible for re-elec-
ion. The bill providing for the govern
lent Of the Fire Department was also
pproved.
JEW COMPLICATION OF ORR
NANCES.
Mr.. James Caskie introduced the fol-
)wing:
Resolved. That the Committee on Or
inances be, and hey are hereby, direct
j TO ascertain and report whether II is
dvisable to abandon the codifcation
'ork Of Alex Coke, Esq, and TO employ
new codifier and assistant whose joint
shall not exceed $1,000. and
hose duties shall be 10 codify. and not
, revise, amend, or in any way alter
ne present charter ordinances of the
ty OF Richmond
Mr. Caskie reviewed the efforts that
al been made TO codify the ordinances.
he city. he said, was i'm the grave pre-
cament Of having only one copy OF the
in the City Clerks Of
,e-and the loss to the city II that book
,ouid be destroyed or mislaid would be
reparable. The city had paid Mr.. Coke
500 besides considerable interest when
lat gentleman claimed was due to him
" delay I'm the part or the city in pay