Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-14
ASK FOR CITY MONEY
MANY PETITIONS BEFORE THE
COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE.
NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENTS.
The Work on the Annual budget
Begun, and Many Chnrit"oie IN
stJtutions Make Applications for
Appropriations.

The Council Committee on Finance mas
begun the work OF preparing the annuai
budget of appropriations, and last nigh;
held an interesting meeting, at which
many of those DESTROYS of securing appro'
priations appeared in behalf of their petit
| tions.
The committees in charge OF the various
city departments have made up their esti-
mates of what work they purpose doing
and what the cost thereof will be. and
these estimates are now in the hands OF
| the Finance Committee, though some of
them were not taken up last night as no
one appeared in their behalf The most
interesting of the estimates yet to be con-
sIdered is that of the Street Committee,
which proposes to make many improve
ments. and asks for more than SSOOoOO.
Miss Mary Greenhow, president Of the
Home for Incurables, asked for an IN
creased appropriation for that institution.
The home has been receiving $40 per
annum from the city, and it now asks
for an additional $50, with which to de-
fray house-rent.
AI.MSHOUSE IMPROVEMENTS.
Superintendent George b. Davis, Of the
City Almshouse, appeared and asked ior
S23 so for his institution. For the MAIN
tenance of the almshouse he only asked
for Sl3. 500. the same amount appropriated
last year and for the outdoor poor
81 200. the same amount set aside Tor thls
purpose last year. The rest or the APP
propriation asked for was for proposed
improvements to the white almsnouse.
He spoke of the Importance of Improving
the colored almshouse, emphasizing the
fact that the building is in dire need OF
plumbing and heating apparatus
Sergeant ]. +. Shnberger represented
the Police Department, and asked Tor an
appropriation of 500 1888 for the conduct
of the department, and for 5000 additlonai
TO make improvements at the Second ana
Third stations.
Nessrs NJ. S. Quarles, T.. j. Bosher,
and Thomas Elicit asked for. $4,000 for
the Mechanics Institute. This sum was
appropriated until last year, when the
amount was reduced TO 5000. Mr.. Bosner
smoke for the committee, and SAID IL
was absolutely necessary to the success
of the institution that the appropriation
be restored TO its original amount. Inc
reduction of the appropriation, ne as
serted. had caused a 10 per cent. reduc-
ton in the salaries of the teachers
TO FURNISH BETTER GAS.
The Gas Departments needs were next
discussed. and Superintendent w. T.
Knowles asked for sl67 500 for his depart
ment. This amount is 5000 in excess
of that appropriated in 1897 and this Mr.
Wallersten said would be used with
view TO improving the gas, and would
place the Light Committee in position
to make more money for the city. MI
Knowles said his idea was to make %
per cent. water-gas and 80 per cent coal
gas. instead of 60 per cent. water-gas
and 80 per cent. coal-gas and thereby
render the gas of a higher illuminating
power. The profits from the works last
year were shown TO be S91 ,26O, which
amount. together with 5000 OF the APP
Precipitation not expended, was turned
into the City Treasury.
A committee of ladies from the Kinder
garten and Day, Nursery. appeared ana
memoralized the committee for an APP
propriation of $50. the amount usually
donated for that institution.
Dr. Christopher Tompkins, in behalf OF
the Free Dspensary at the Medical Col
lege of Virginia. asked for $1,000 for the
support of that institution. The appro-
priation was scaled last year 20 $50, and
the Board of Visitors are anxious that
the appropriation be restored to its orgi-
nal amount.
LESS THAN LAST YEAR.
The Water Department asked for SD
47475 which Mr. Boiling said was about
s.. 600 less than asked for last year. He
explained that $1,000 of the amount asked
for this year was for water meters.
Captain A. 3. Guigon presented petit
ton from the lady managers OF the
Sheltering Arms Hospital, asking for a
restoration of their appropriation to $500.
and made a strong appeal in behalf OF the
institution.
The report Of the Committee on Health
was read. and showed that the depart
ment would need altogether $5l.9OS.3 for
1898 Mr.. julius Hobson spoke in behalf
OF the report, and assured the committee
that If the appropriation asked for was |
given. no additional amount would be re-
quired during the year. The appropra
ton last year was 5000 less than that |
now asked for.
No one else appearing before the com
mittee. the body went into executive SEES
sion to consider the budget in detail. |
There were any quantity of petitions from
other departments and institutions, but
no one appeared for them. and they were
passed by.
AFFAIRS OF THE HEALTH DEPART
MENT.
The Committee on Health held its regu
lar semi-monthly meeting in the City
Hall last night. The members present
were: Messrs. Hobson (chairman, Bur
ton. Cutchins, Rountree, Moore, Williams,
and Snead.
The following report of the financial
condition Of the department TO January /,
1885, was received and filed:
Payroll appropriations, $4,000; expend-
ed. S32 235. %; unexpended S6i.1; expense
account appropriation. $6,l0067; expended
5. N4S7; unexpended, S5i6.3O; crematory
account. $2,77942; expended, S2.76l.2; I'M
expended. SIS.
The payroll Of the department and bills
amounting to SaS6.S9 were approved and
ordered 20 be paid.
The ordinance concerning the creation
Of a STRENGTHENING department, which
was adopted by the Common Council and
referred to the committee by the Board
Of Aldermen at its December meeting,
and which was referred to a sub-com-
mittee for consideration. was returned
without report no meeting having been
held.
on motion Of Mr.. Rountree, the ord-
nance was laid on the table for special
by the committee of the
whole. at it's next regular meeting.