Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-28
THE NEW FRANCHISE.
1T WILL NOT DE Considered UNTIT.
REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL.
MAY LAY on THE TABLE.
Rules Require Franchises to LIE
over for Thirty Days-Mnny Claims
Against the City-iienvy Damages
Asked.

The ordinance granting privileges 10
the Richmond Passenger and Power Com
pany to construct and operate a street
railway in this city will rot be considered
by the Council until the next regular
meeting. which VIII be held on Monday,
December 4th.
Under the laws of the Council. all fran
chises must lie upon the table for thirty
days before they are passed. and IL is
more than probable. under these circum-
stances. that the measure viii not be-
come a law until tine middle - January,
or later.
whether IL win be passed in It's present
form is exceedingly doubtful The syndi-
cate and the Richmond Traction Com
pany will both oppose the taxation clause
and there are members Of the Council
who have some amendments to offer to
the general terms.
Colonel Tazeweu Elicit has returned
from New York. but he Is not prepared
as yet 10 give out anything concerning
the new company which has just entered
the race for the Main-street franchise.
Touching the taxation clause, proml-
nent member Of the Finance Committee
said last night that Mr.. G. V. Meredith
argued the question AT great length be-
fore that body. IL was very hne and
fOrc.ble speech. be said, and would no
doubt have carried verdict from regu-
lar court jury, but the Finance Commit
tee was In possession Of information that
showed daylight through all Mr.. Mere
ditha arguments. and thought he was
carefully followed throughout his address,
when he left the room there was not a
member Of the committee who had been
convinced. and they voted soidly IN favor
Of the report submitted 10 the Commit
tee on Streets The session lasted over
four hours, but the subject had been pre-
yiously considered and discussed.
The Finance Committee will meet at
o'clock tonight Many matters OF i'm
portance will be considered. including
perhaps the reconsideration Of the taxa
ton question.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY.
The Committee on Claims and Salaries
met in the City Hall last night.
\ claim Of Lewis T.. Kemmerer, a sub
stitute fireman, for injuries received by
falling into WdshOut at the corner OF
Beach and Chafiln streets, which had been
referred 10 the chairman for investigation,
was returned with the report that the
city Attorney had given II as his opinion
that the city was not liable. Air. kem-
merer addressed the committee. and ask
| ed that no action be taken until he could
summon witnesses and their evidence be
| heard. The claim was laid on the table
| until the next meeting.
Robert S. Gray's claim OF S30757 for
| damages 10 his property at 10. 30S Arch
| street resulting from the grading Of an
| alley adjoining his property was returned
! By the chairman. TO whom It had been
referred. with the report that the city
! Attorney had held that the city was not
/ Liable. The claim was returned 10 the
/ Council with the recommendation that il
/ DO rejected
Charles Washington's claim Of $3.50 for
injuries 10 his horse by falling into a
| water-bOx, the cap Of which had been
left Off, was considered, and the sum OF
/ $3.50 recommended to DE paid by the city
in lieu OF the amount asked
4 report was received from the City
| Attorney informing the committee OF INC
| following suits against the city. Whltte
| SydnOr * Co., claiming damages in the
| sum Of s. 90 TO stock caused by over
flow of GollegO-Mins sewer.
James Powers, claiming 5000 damages
for injury alleged u have been sustained
| by stumbling over an obstruction on ths
pavement. and +. NJ. Leftwich, action OF
! eiectment TO recover two lots on Maple
! street. being a part Of the property now
occupied by the City Gas-Works.
|
were recommended TO the Council IA
| payment.
OTHER COMMITTEES MEET.
The Committee on Accounts and Print
ing met I'm the City Hall AT o'clock auc
| ordered the payment Of current bills ~
the month for printing stationery, an1
advertising. The committee viii meet or
the DIST OF December 90 award contracts
for printing. stationery, and advertising
| for the year 1890.
The Executive Committee OF the Com
| mittee on Reception of the President mel
I'm the CITY Hail last night for the pur
pose of auditing the bills incurred by the
| visit Of the Executive. The total eXpen
diture including carriages, flowers. lunch
con. etc. was Sl,l6SS0. The bills were
audited and referred 20 the General Com
mittee on James-Rver Improvement
which meets on Friday.
The Committee on Improvement OF
James River was to have met az
O'Clock to consider a resolution author
izing the City Attorney 10 proceed Il
purchase or condemn certain island pro
pertv near the dock for dykes and th'
establishment OF streets. The committee
failed to get quorum, and no actloi
could be taken.