Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-02
THE CoCKADE CITY.
The Wnter-Supply Questionable
r., u. and G. Raiirond.

r.. y. and c. Raiirond.
PETERSBURG. VA. February I.--(spe-
cial.)--The general interest felt in the
action OF the Common Council on The
question OF the city's water supply called
out full attendance of the members
Of that body tonight. and attracted a
large number of spectators. As has been
stated In this correspondence. the special
committee appointed TO consider and re-
port upon the proposition of the Upper
Appomattox Company. to furnish the
city with water from their canal, were
equally divided as TO the feasibility and
expense Of that plan-three favoring and
three opposing it.
The proposition. in brief, of the Upper
Appomattox Company is TO sell to the
city outright 100000 gallons OF water.
right OF way 10 lay pipes. Eater-power
SUFFICIENT TO pump the water. and twenty
one acres Of land on which to establish
the plant. for $G00 900 in Az per cent bonds,
running forty years.
The City Engineer estimates that 10
lay the pipes. buy the necessary water
pumps and filters sufficient TO filter all
the water used will cost the city about
$4,000. The annual cost Of maintenance
Of the plant at these figures, including
engineer, patrolman. and incidentals, win
be 1855, as against the present cost OF
S,l65; or an excess in cost Of $500 per
annum.
Risks of suits for damages from mill
owners dependent on the canal water
power in the event that their operations
may be lnterfered with during low water
by the withdrawal of the citys supply
are to be rum but ii is believed that
such damages II any, will be overbaIanced
by the $1.70O in taxes which the company
proposes TO pay annually on its property
to the city.
In connection with this matter of taxes,
Ii is claimed that the company owes the
city back taxes amounting to $4,000 The
company. on the other hand. claims
that, under it's charter its property is
specially exempt from taxation, and the
courts Of this city have so declared, with
out any appeal having been taken TO the
Supreme Court. The payment of taxes
to the city. commencing with this year,
is, therefore. a voluntary proposition on
the part of the company, dependent upon
the acceptance by the city of the propo-
sition TO buy it's water supply from the
company on the above terms. If calcu-
lation is made, II will be seen that II the
sl70S Of additional taxes per year is
used as a sinking fund at per cent,
it will produce in forty years, the running
time Of the bonds. sum greatly more
than enough to pay them off before they
become due.
The Council tonight appropriated $500
for the purpose Of building new scow
for the Appomattox river. The ordi-
nance creating the office of plumbing
inspector was laid on the table for thirty
days. An ordinance making changes In
the city charter was read and discussed
at length. and the changes proposed
adopted. and the Legislature will be
asked to empower the Council to make
the changes.
The question of water supply was post
poned until tomorrow night.
PETERSBURG AND CAROLINA r. r.
Hon. William r. Mckinney, general
counsel for the Richmond, Petersburg
and Carolina railroad, stated most en-
phatically to-day that there is no ques-
ton about the early building Of the
road. The contract with the city pro-
vides for the construction and operation
of twenty miles of the road south from
Petersburg within one year from date of
the contract. and this time expires on
the 10th of June next. Mr.. Mckinney
states that contracts for the building Of
these twenty miles have been given out,
and that the work will be completed by
June 10th.
PERSONAL AND GENERAL.
Mr.. and Mrs. William H. Talley have
returned home from their bridal tour.
Nr. John w. Bradbury, one of our most
honored citizens. who has been promi-
nent and successful in mercantile life in
our city for many years, retired from
business to-day.
The police of this city made ninety
eight arrests during the month of jan
uary. the large proportion of which were
for violations Of city ordinances.
In a difficulty last night. Alex. Brown
(colored) was struck over the head with
a shovel by William Hudgins (coloreO,
and seriously injured. Hudgins, who
was to have been married tomorrow, is
in Jail, and his marriage will doubtless
be Indefinitely postponed
The cold wave struck here severely,
and tomorrow ice of sufficient thickness
will be housed.
WHOLESALE JAIL-DELIyERY.