Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-08

The City Council held its regular
monthly meeting last night. Those pres
eHt were Chairman King and Messrs.
Browne. Palmer, Hume, Overton. Brin-
son. Johnson. Glover. Deans. Ballen-
tine. Langhorne, James w. Brown, Jr.,
Crump, NIurden and Grice.
The Finance Committee reported ad-
versey on the petition of Mr.. Joseph +.
Weaver, Jr., for an increase OF salary
from $50 to $40 month; referred to
the City Attorney n equest OF the
Board of Health to allowed to i'm
pose a tax of 81 Il head on residents
of the Fifth Ward for the purpose of
carrying out sanitary measure; re-
ported adversely in the matter OF I'M
creasing the pay of Police officers from
$50 month to $2.12ls n day; recon-
mended an appropriation of $3.50 for the
completion of city map and survey; re-
commented an appropriation of 5000
for catching dogs, and further recon-
mended that stringent measures be
taken to abate the dog nuisance; re-
ported adversely in the matter of in
creasing the police force by the APP
polntment of three additional men: re-
commended that the City Collector be
the city by the Portsmouth street rail
way. that the City Collector be direct
ed to furnish a list of delinquent taxes
for the past five years to July LIST.
The committee also submitted an esti-
mate of receipts and expenses for the
coming year. The esti mated receipts
from all sources is $135,956 In round
numbers, and the appropriations. esti-
mated. will be $751; 61. This leaves n
balance of 1896.
The Fifth Ward tax rate was made
the same as last year-$1.30. The city
tax rate remains at S1.75.
The report of the Finance Committee
was adopted as a whole.
In regard to the matter of taxing
Fifth Ward residents for sanitary
measures. the City Attorney reported
that the Council had no right to i'm
pose such tax.
In discussing the report OF the
Finance Committee, President King re-
fcrred to the large increase in the city's
Indebtedness, which is now S97 GOO. and
said it would be impossible to make any
extra appropriations during the year.
1t was the purpose of the Council to set
aside the receipts from the ferry in
order to luuidate debts incurred for
ferry improvements. and he hoped in
three or four years that the city would
he able to wipe these debts off the slate
Mr.. King asked that the committee
make an effort to live within their ap-
preparations, and advised that an effort
he made to collect delinquent taxes.
amounting to s145.000.
One clause of the report. referring to
the collection OF taxes of the Atlantic
and Danville railway. was. on motion
OF Mr.. Glover, referred back to the COM
mittee to ascertain what steps have
been taken in the matter.
Mr.. Langhorne moved that the City
Collector and City Treasurer take steps
for the Immediate collection OF oil de-
linuuent taxes.
The Street Committee recommended
that merchants be allowed 10 place per-
81 Il H..
vided not more than four feet of the
sidewalk was taken This was referred
to the Ordinance Committee.
The committee recommended that the
complaint of the Board of Health in
reference to certain streets in the coun
ty draining into the city be referred to
the City Engineer.
The Public Property Committee rec
commended that offices be fitted up in
the city hall for the use OF the City
Collector. Commissioners of Revenue
and City Treasurer. The ofrer of four
rooms in the Commercial Office build
ing was rendered the council for the
use of these officers. Chairman Bal
lentine. Of the Public Property Com
mittee. stated that 1t would require an
extra appropriation OF $3.50 to fit UP the
offices in the city hail. The report of
the committee was adopted. the matter
of appropriation being referred to the
Finance Committee.
The Public Property Committee also
submitted specifications for repairs to
the Third District School, which were
adopted. Mr.. Ballentine said the City
Council should assume the responsible
ity of repairing the school buildings,
and make repairs annually. The repair
of the buildings Is now looked after
by the School Board. but their plan
said Mr.. Ballentine, Is not satisfac-
tory.
The Almshouse Committee requested
permission to buy provisions in open
market for the present without adver-
Using for bids for supplying provisions
The reason given was the high price