Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-03-02

{AI#$ EnSaged MN. Alexander Potter to Su-
perlntend tine construction ~f thu sewer
system.
ReferTed the request for 5000 to con-
1snue the public schools to the Finance
Committee
Referred the petition iof the police
force for an increase in salary to t he
Ordinance Committee
Talked about tells phone poles.
(feeiused to amen1 the franchise
granted the Newport News, Hampton
and Old Point Railway Company.
Heard the recommends uion of Fire
Commissioner r G. Biclfond.
Adjourned to meet next Tuesday
night.
The Common Csuncil convened in
regular session last might, president J
J. O'DonneM presiding. There Were. ten
members present, Cou1pe1lmen Nc
lalghin. Mugfer, Rcane and Thomas
sbetng the only ones who did not re-
spond to the roll call.
There was one communication from,
MAYOR w. A. Post, and it was adon,ed
The message follows:
10 the Hon. President and Council
OF the City of Newport News:
"Gentlemen:-The last report of the
clty auditor, examined in the light of
the average monthly expenditures of
the CITY, indicates that the council
must practice the most rigid economy
IN order to avoid the unpleasant con-
year; but the cause of public educa-
ton rs one of such vital Importance to
the general welfare of the city that I
1eel impetled to recommend that the
council institute such an investigation
onto the current expenses of the city
gas Will permit the council to ascertain
var economy cannot be practtced in
some other direction, and thus justify
an appropriation sufficient to meet the
requirements OF the school board at
this time, and enable them to continue
the sessio ion throughout the year. To
this end I would respectfully recon-
mend that the matter be submitted to
the finance committee for invastiga-
tion and that the city auditor be re-
quired ITO attend the meeting of the
committee, furnishing all necessary in
formatio
wv. A POST.
.-$ Mayor
A Petition signed by the members of
the pplice force praying the council to
dncrea the salary OF patrolmen from
$50 to- $50 per month. and to grant each
ssnted. together with the recommends
ton of the Board of Police Commits
sioners to the same effect. The papers
Were referred to the ordinance com
mittee.
There were no reports from tiha
sta nding committees.
Chairman ]. A. BuXton. of the Sew
eraSe Commission, submitted report
recommending that M:, Alexander Po,-
ter, the expert civil engineer wrio de-
viSed the plans Tor the system of sew
ers which the city proposes to con-
Struct, be emllloyed To superinte, the
w'trk. according to the terms ana con-
Ed'tlons set forth in the following letter
from that gentleman:
NEW YORK CITY, Feb. IS 1898.
y no the Special Sewer COMMITTEES, New
port News. Va:
II Gerltlemen:-I have the honor OF pre-
( Senting for your cons!dera ton the fol-
i lowing proposition for taking entire
charge OF the engineering and inspec-
tt0n Of your proposej system of sewer
age:
For this sum uf 6h per cent of the
Antire cost OF the work l VIII agree as
follows:
Il. To act as consulting engineer for
the construc tom OF the entire system
spending a. considerable poniUn of my
own time upon thu work at different
periods Of its advancement.
2. Will provide a chief resident eng-
neer, whose whole time shall be spent
upon the work He shaft be g man we'll
qualified FOR the position. and onee who
has had actual charge of sewer CON-
strslction for many years.
8. VIII provide all additional assist
amt engineers. transit men, Jewellers.
and all necessary helpers neeied on the
work as it progresses.
4. W7lfl provide % chief inspector.
whose duties it shall he to examine all
material as 1t arrives on the ground
and to assist the resident engineer gen
crafty to secure a perfect and thorough
compliance with the specifications.
s. will employ the requisite number
OF ordinary inspectoTs ths number de
pending upon the rate of progress with
Which the work Is advanced.
6. I will further employ all help of
whatever description neeieki to thor
Oug.hly perform the engineering and in
spectfon of the work called nUnr by the
specifications.
cost of whatever description nee: ssary,
land fixes the entire responsibility of the
Eodk upon one man.
Respectfully submitted.
! ALEXANDER POTTER.
MT. Buxton said that while the
amount might seem large he thought
1t would be wise to employ Mr.. Potter
as he was experienced in CONSTRUCTING
sewers.
tMr. Potter. who was present, was re-
quested to address the council He
stated that his bid wars a reas0nab1e
one. and explained the duties he would
have to perform.
On motion OF Mr.. LEM the report of
the special committee was unanimously
adopted.
The matter of appropriating funds
for carrying ON the work OF the public
schools was next taken UP.
MT. John G. Livezey representing
the Board OF School Trustees. was
present, and made a short address urg-
ing the appropria ton of 5000 ITO be
used in finishing the present scholastic
year. Unless the council appropriated
the funds it would be necessary to close
dsae doors of the school houses IN April.
Mr.. III. II. Epes, principal OF the high
school. was the next speaker. He said
that there had been an unprecedented
increase in the attendance in the va
rious departments of the school system,
y making 1T necessary to employ five ad-
ditionai teachers, buy furniture and
erect another school building.
MIR. John 8. Jones. a member of tine
Board of School Trustees, also made an
& address advocating the appropriation.
On motion of Mr. Wiilett the matter
Il was referred to the finance committee
II for report at next meeting. Mr.. viii.