The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-20
THE CALDER CASE
CLOSED AT LAST
He is Given Twelve Years to Pay a
Grocery Bill
AT THE RATE OF $3.50 A MONTH
The Project To Make Reservoir Park
an Attractive Place is 90 he Pushed
The City Jail Water
Question
AT THE RATE OF $3.50 A MONTH

Tile much-discussed case Of Mr.. A. c.
Calder. machinist to Ike city Hall. came
up before the Committee on Grounds
and Buildings last night and was finally
disposed OF. Mr.. Calder agreeing TO pay
Mrs Eliza Francis. 10 whom he is in
debted for groceries 10 the amount OF
yo'5.Ji, the sum OF $3.50 month. By
this means Mr.. Calder will iiquidate the
debt in twelve years ana one month
The subject was fully aired last night
both Mrs Francis and Mr.. Calder being
allowed to make statements. The former
explained how the deot mad beeh M
CURED and how Mr.. Calder AFTER taxing
the bankrupt law had said that he would
pay her when he could. bur would agree
to mo- definite arrangement. She further
said tbat Mr.. Calder had told her that a
good many of the councilmen, ne hau Ho
doubt. owed more than he ana.
MET WITH MISFORrUNES.
Mr. Calder. I'm his statement admitted
that he had made that remark about the
o,uncllnen and said he had no DOUBT Il
was true. He explained that his misioi-
tunes had prevented him from paying
Mrs FRANCIS. but said that he would
mas, her when be could. notwithstanding
having taken the bankrupt law
Tbe committee met promptly az t.5V
o,clock Chairman Marx Gunst presiding
and nresent Messrs. West, Neale, Heeke
King Ferriter. Snead and Lawder Inc
civ Attorney and city Engineer were III
attendance. also Mr.. a. c. calder ma
chinist 10 the city Hall, and Mrs. Ellza
Francis -.
Mr. John y. West. Of the sub-commit-
tee appointed 20 examine the oven AT ''e
city iau. reported that an inexperienced
Grenan was the cause OF the collapse
of the oven. and recommending that un-
loss more care was used I'm the future the
committee refuse 20 make any more re-
pairs 10 the oven. The report was adopt
ed
The chairman reported that the city
Engineer himself had appeared before
Oh. Finance Committee and advocated the
increased appropriation for 1893 lie stat
CA that be considered the chance to Sc
cure the amount asked for was good.
RESERVOIR PARK.
Mr. Snead addressed the committee IN
regard 10 The idea advanced by him at
the last meeting i'm regard 20 making
improvements ut Reservoir Park. lie
advocated "a
subject. and suggested that the full com
mittee meet at the Reservoir and consult
with the parties DESTROYS Of obtaining
the privilege of conducting amusements
and dispensing refreshments at the PARK.
Mr.. Snead made his report rs chairman
Of subcommittee appointed at the last
meeting. which was appointed 10 con-
slider n plan for making the park more
attractive Mr. Snead said that there
were a number Of people anxious 10 Sc
cure these privileges. but they desired
specific information on the subject.
Ii was decided that the 'ull committee
should meet at the park next Monday
week at 2.3O o'clock. at which time all
parties interested are requested TO be
present.
The question OF the duty OF the COM
mittee regarding furnishing water 20 the
city jail. was brought up by the City
Engineer. who said that IL was not
obligatory upon the committee 20 pay
the water bills at tho jail. and should
not think Of such a thing.
lie held. as did numbers, that the de-
cision Of the Water Committee that the
Grounds and Buildings Committee should
pay such bills was without effect as that
committee had no power TO enforce any
such thing.
The case Of Mr.. Calder was then taken
w. and Mrs. Francis stated mat Mr..
Calder had made no arrangements with
her looking 10 the payment Of her bill.
The City Attorney IN response TO ques-
tions stated that the Committee on
Grounds and Buildings had no power to
dismiss any city employe, who was an
Ordinance officer" that IS. an officer
elected under an ordinances creating the
Office, unless the City Council had so pro-
vided By special ordinance.
In cases Of that kind. the City Attor-
nev held. the committee was simply au-
thorzed 10 make selections Of employees
Of the department under their charge,
and that such employees could only be
removed by the action Of the city Coun-
ell
Mr.. Poilard's opinion created consider
able surprise among the members Of the
committee. Some OF the ordinances ex-
amined sustained his position. He held
that The movers Of the committee were
10 appoint, suspend and recommend the
discharge OF employees, but that they
went no further.
A SPECIAL ORDINANCE.
A further search among the ordinances,
however. resulted in the discovery of an
ordinance enacted IN 1894, which gives
10 the committee the power 10 remove
an employee "for good cause" after no
tice.
Mr.. West moved that unless Mr.. Calder
made some definite arrangement with
Mrs. Francis before the next meeting he
be removed
A substitute offered by Mr. King was
adopted. however. providing that both
parties be heard before any action was
taken.
Mrs. Francis told OF how the bill was
contracted and how Mr.. Calder after
running up a large bill. had taken first
the homestead and then the bankruptcy
law after she had gotten judgment
against him.
Mrs. Francis said. however, that she
had no desire 10 cause Mr.. Calder TO lose
his place. but was willing 10 take s. a
month on her bill.
Mr. Calder then made a statement TO
the effect that after spending a large
sum OF money with Mrs. Francis he had
met with misfortunes which had rem
dered n impossible for him 10 meet his
obligations and made II very hard for
him to support large family.
He told Of how after selling Traction
Company stock for 500. which he turn.
Ell over TO Mrs. Francis. his salary had
been reduced by tho Council s25 month
1. IL -. t.