Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-26
THE NEW COUNCIL,
porm BRANCHES TO MEET WED
NEspAY Fop ORGANIZATION
4 JOINT SESSION MILL FOLLOW.
The omcers Nominated at the Re-
cent Caucus VIII Then Bc Elected.
Committees and Their Patronage
Interest n. 60 Their Personnel.

INTEREST - 10 Jhctr itfsohncs.
Both branches OF the newly selected
City Council will meet next Wednesday
and will organize for the work that lie
before them during their two years
term. The Common Council has beer
called 10 meet at o'clock. and the BoarC
OF Aldermen at Z. The law requires tina
Joint session shall be held at the cal
OF the president OF the Board OF Aldermen
within ten days after the organization o.
both branches for the election OF officers
but 1t is probable that this meeting vii
be held next Wednesday after the al
,ournment OF the Board. though for OBJ
vious reasons, Mr.. W. 81. Turpin. the
nominee for president OF the Board. has
not yet issued call.
INTEREST IN COMMITTEES.
Within reasonable time. too. the
presidents Of both branches are required
to announce a. II appointments TO the
various committees OF the Council, and
in this direction a good deal Of specula-
ton has been exercised during the past
few weeks. 1t is believed that the per-
sonnet Of these bodies has already been
decided, and the announcement is looked
for next Wednesday. The committee ap-
pointments OF Messrs. Turpin and Caskie.
hitherto, have given very general salts
faction to councilmen. No personal con-
siderations have been allowed TO enter
into their selection. and wire-pulling has
never been effective, but the appoint
ments have always been recognized as
having been made for the best interests
OF the city.
An attempt 10 forecast THESE appoint
ments would be futile, as the two presi-
dents have neither consulted any one as
10 their choice nor given any assurances.
BY some 1t is believed that sweeping
changes are to be made, but others Diff
fer from this opinion, and old members
are being approached and asked for their
votes by the various asprants for Of
fees In the gift Of the committees.
The committees are always called for
organization promptly after they have
been announced by the two presidents.
They are summoned by the City Clerk at
the instigation OF the Council, in the
same order in which they are named in
the book Of rules.
THOSE MOST IMPORTANT.
The largest committee in the book Is
that charged with the superintendent
of the streets Of the city. 1t Is COM
posed OF twelve members, one alderman
and one councilman from each ward. Ii
enjoys a good deal OF patronage APP
proving the nomination of the Assistant
Engineer and the Clerk to the City Engi-
neer.
The most important committee is that
on Finance, which is composed of nine
members. 1t makes no appointments
A very important body is that on the
Relief of the Poor. This one has the APP
pointment Of quite a large number or
EMPLOYEES and officers, including the AS
fistant Superintendent of the Almshouse
fhe superintendent of the Coiored Aims
ouse, Physician. Steward, and Matron.
THE Light Committee is composed OF
nine members. and administers all affairs
connected with the Gas Department. 1t
appoints the Gas Inspector and number
OF Assistant Gas Inspectors.
MAKES MANY APPOINTMENTS.
The Committee on Water is composed
OF nine members. and controls the pump
houses and Water Department generally,
appointing the employees of the water
works, including the assistant superin-
tencent of the works and the superin-
tendent of the pump-houses.
The Committee on Fire Department has
grown 10 be a dead-letter under the last
Council. Its only powers pertained TO
the issuance of frame building permits.
and this work has been lately delegated
10 the Fire Department.
The Committee on Schools Is quite UNI
Important, its only duty consisting in the
approval of the claims of the Mechanics
Institute II boasts of seven members
however, with four necessary TO a quo
rum.
A small committee is that on elections.
which only has to approve or disapprove
the bills OF elections.
The Committee on Police has five men,
bers. who control the expenditure Of the
money appropriated by the city for the
Police Department. They appoint only
the janitors of the police stations.
The Committee on Claims and Salaries
investigates such claims as are not with
n the jurisdiction of the other depart
nents of the city.
HAS EXTENSIVE POWERS.
One OF the most important branches
u TIE Council is the Committee on
Grounds and Buildings, which is COM
posed OF nine members. having charge or |
he grounds and buildings of the city. |
Ind controlling the expenditure of all |
monies appropriated therefor. This body |
appoints the keepers of the several parks, |
anitors, watchmen. and others employed |
bout the city jail During the forthcom- |
ng session some interesting legislation |
5 looked for from this channel in regard |
% the city jail.
The Committee on Accounts and Print |
ng has charge of all expenditures for |
printing for the city government. 1t has |
he appointment Of clerk.
The Health Committee administers the |
lffairs of the Health Department. but |
has little patronage. 1t consists of nine /
members.
The Committee on Cemeteries Is quite /
though 1t appoints the keep
RS Of the graveyards, over which It has
The Market committees appoint the
anitors OF the markets. and the Ordi-
nance and Retrenchment and Reform
,ommittees have little responsibility.
The Committee on ST. Johns Burying-
;round appoints keeper for the old
The incumbent Is Mr. An
ONTO Griffin, who is probably one Of the
most interesting characters holding such
position In this country. He enjoys a
lational reputation.
The Committee on Improvement OF
ames River has charge OF the harbor
4 Richmond. 1t is composed OF men,
'ers OF both branches of the Council.
nd representatives Of the Chamber OF
Commerce.
OPERATION OF THE TRAMP LAW.
The duties OF the Committee on Shockoe
'reek seem likely 10 become more
important, II the new tramp law
Which has just gone into effect, works
$ well as is expected.
The Board OF Public Interest. stripped
4 its most particular duties-the recon-
nendation OF Police and Fire Commits
lone rs--ra rely meets and has nothing 10