Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-20
THE NEWS or NORFOLK ON PAGES q 8 s s.

tfrsly valid. The charter Of the city In
section, 60 OF chapter VIII. provides as
follows: The Water Department Of the
city of Norfolk shnil be under the gem
eral control and management Of q
Board of Water Commissioners, which
shall consist Of three electors Of said
city, to be chosen by the Councils for
the term OF two years. or until their
successors are appointed and qualify.
The commissioners shall elect from
their body q president, a secretary and
a treasurer. The treasurer shall give
bond In the sum Of ten thousand dol
lars, and shall receive such compensa-
ton as the Councils may authorize; the
Councils may also allow compensation
for the services of the other commis-
sioners. THE WATER COMMISSIONS
ERS SHALL HAVE SUCH POWERS
AND PERFORM SUCH DUTIES AS
MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY LAW OR
ORDINANCE.'
"This is from our city charter, and
was enacted by the Legislature. 1t
clearly gives the Councils the power to
define the duties of the Board OF Water
Commissioners. Accordingly we find in
an ordinance passed January IA, 1857,
the following provisions: Section 8. It
shall be the duty of the said Board Of
Water Commissioners to manage the
works. TO EMPLOY LABOR, TO
RECEIVE PROPOSALS AND TO
AWARD CONTRACTS. They shall APP
point competent scientific engineer,
who shall make all requisite surveys
and specifications for all portions of the
works. and who shall report and be
subject to the control of sold board:
and also appoint such other officers as
they may deem necessary for the con-
StructfOn of said works
This ordinance was afterwards
amended (Norfolk City Ordinances,
1885, page 1889, but the power of the
board was practically the same. I sub
NIT that the features of our present or
dinance that were capitalized in yester-
days Virginian-Pilot are valid; that
the power given the board to make pur-
chases necessary for the daily opera
ton of the works and to employ neces.
sary help and fix their compensation is
in accordance with our charter and
previous ordinances. The ordinance is
valid. IF 1t does not meet with the APP
prevail of the public that Is a different
matter. The best thing to be done in
that event IS to get the Councils TO
APPOINT A COMMITTEE TO PRE-
PARE a NEW ORDINANCE IN. THE
PLACE OF THE PRESENT ONE, and
then, after examining into the matter
and after proper discussion, let the
Councils enact another ordinance elm.
mating any objectionable features in
the present one"
THE ORDINANCE IN QUESTION.
Amending and Re-enacting Section
Z. Chapter 46, of ordinance of 1894.
Passed by Common Council February
Passed by Select Council February
18th, 1899.
Section 1. BE 1t ordained by the Com
mon and Select Councils of the city of
Norfolk that section OF chapter XLVI.
City Ordinances. 1894. entitled Water
Department, which was amended and
re-enacted SO as to read as follows: 1t
shall be the duty of the Board of
Water Commissioners to conduct and
manage the affairs of the water depart
ment of the city in such armanner as
will best subserve the city's interest;
and to that end they are hereby AU-
TIfOIaIZED AND EMPOWERED TO
MAKE CONTRACTS FOR THE PUR-
CHASE OF THE SUPPLIES necessary
for the daily operation of the works
and for such ordinary repairs to the
machinery as may, from time to time,
be needed: to cner into contract for
permanent improvements to the works.
subject to the approval of the Councils;
to employ laborers necessary to the
efficient working of the plant; to use
Tie OF sui ally SlTGel,
road or highway within the county Or
city of Norfolk for the purpose OF re-
pairing or laying water pipes. erecting
hydrants and making connections with
the water mains for private or public
use; but with the express stipulation
that they are to restore the surface OF
such street, road or highway as near
rs may be to its original condition
and repair all damages caused by
such use thereof; to appoint superin-
tendent. q registrar, one or more in
spectors, q lineman. a chief engineer.
six assistant engineers, and SUCH
OTHER OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY: TO DE-
FINE THEIR DUTIES AND TO FIX
THEIR COMPENSATION; TO ES-
TABLISH RATES FOR WATER: to
make rules and regulations governing
the plumbing and introduction of water
into private or public promises and
for the general conduct OF the water
department not in conflict with these
general ordinances.