Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-20
MEETING OF COUNCIL.
Legislation in Behalf OF the People OF
the City.

the City.
An adjourned meeting of the City
Council was held at the Council cham
Der last night at 8 o'clock with the
president, j. j. King, in the chair and
Messrs. Ballentine, Reed, Slater Codd.
Walker. Crimson, Montague. Reynolds,
Murdcn. Palmer Glover, Overton, Will
kins, Wonycott, Williams and Brown.
members, present.
President King stated that the meet
ing was held for the special purpose Of
hearing a proposition from the South
ern Bell Telephone Company for Ger
tain rights and privileges in the cor
porate limits of the city. Mr. Ballen-
tine was called 10 the chair, and the
Council resolved itself into committee
of the whole for consideration of the
Bell Companys contract
The joint committee to whom the
matter was referred rendered their re-
port. recommending that the franchise
as prayed fer be granted for period Of
TWENTY-FIVE years An amendment
offered by Mr. Reel relative to a max
imum rae was defeated by an aye and
ma? vote. Ayes-NIessrs Wonycott
Crimson, Murden. Overton. Cold, Reed
Wilkins. Nays-Nfessrs. Brown, Ballen-
tine. Walker, Montague Glover, Pal
mer' Williams. Reynolds. King and
Slater.
The original coin ract was then call
cd up and passed by an aye and nay
vote. Ayes-NIessrs. Brown Wilkins.
lSaientine, Walker, Montague, Glover.
Palmer, Williams, Reynolds. King and
Slater. Nays-AIessrs. Wonycott. Brin-
son, Murdcn. Overton. Codd ard Reed.
during the consideration OF the mat
Ter sharp tilt occurred between coun-
sci for the Bell Company and MIR. Reed.
The broad view taken by Mr.. Reed
was that the telephone people Is q
great monopoly. while Mr.. uatton
counsel, held that the company was
only seeking Il Just and equitable agrea-
ment In the operation of their service
IN ms and all other cities in which
they do business.
The Council heard an able arcu-
ment from Mr.. Chipley, who has charge
OF all telephone plants of this COM
pany. He was followed by Mr.. Slater
anu other members. the majority of
wnom were favorable to the franchise.
on motion. MIR. Slater was appointed
session.
a bill for s1o2.So in favor of Mr. o. l..
Morrisett for painting the court house
was, ON motion, allowed.
me FINANCE Committee was author
1zed to purchase a safe for the City
Auditor.
y communication from Mr.. r. G
l.
jacent to the ferry was read and re-
ierred to the Ferry Committee.
The Cemetery Committee recon-
mended that the contract for BUILDING
the wall ut the east end of the ceme-
terry be awarded to G. S. NTinter at SOS.
and the contract for building the fence
and gate he let to Mr.. Ambrose VIII
liams at sG5 Adopted
The Following committee was appoint
cd to. frame suitable resolutions look
Ing to the erection in this city of a
public building: NIessrs. Walker. Slater,
Montague and Brown, to which Mr..
King was added as chairman.
The Public Property Committee was
instructed to communicate with the
Legislature with n view OF obtaining
the necessary permission to dispose OF
lot corner of High and Washington
streets, should the Government desire
the same for a public building site
The Ferry Committee was authorized
to take any steps they may think proper
to protect the rights OF the city in the
matter of ferry legislation. The lessces
of the ferry, on motion. are to be re-
QueSted to publish any change that NAV
be made in their schedules.
The report recommending that
Armory Hall be placed in the hands of
the Public Property Committee to be
rented at $40 per night or $50 per week
was adopted.
The application OF the 7. NJ. C. a. for
use Of Armory Hall one night each
week until April LIST was granted, with
the proviso that the Association pay
the gas bill for that time and assume
responsibility for any damages that
may occur to the hall by their use.
y number of bills from the Board OF
Health were allowed, after which, on
motion, the Council went into secret
session.