The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-11-16
TEXT OF THE ANSWER.

These respondents, tthe members o.
the City CounciN, reservins AL r-ght O.
exception by Way of demurrer or nsAet-
w4se, to the regularity OF these proceed
.ngs, for answer 10 the said rule, or 70
90 much thereof as they arc adv sed IL
5 material for them to answer, answer
ing, say that prior to the entry or the
order Of tbs honorahle c5urt en- the -
day OF October. 1900, the Council OF the
,ty Of Richmond had referred, and It's
Finance Committee. by order Of the Coun-
ell, had under consideration a Toso!ut!oh
OF the City Council, which resolution IS
n words and figures following:
..Ba it resolved, by the Council OF ths
city of Richmond tthe Beard Of Aldermen
conc,lrring) That the sum Of Sio,Geo or
so :nucl thereof as may be necessary.
be, and the same is hereby, arpropf:atec'
for the purpose OF constructing a ne"
ia;l upon the site of the present ptluhls
The Committee on T nance pc, ana liieS
are hereby, authorized TO provide the
funds and 10 report an ordinance prov d
ing for the erection OF the jail by the
Committee on Grounds and BUILDINGS.
ana the provisions for the prisoners our
ing the erection Of the new building.
SITE AND COSTS.
Thai. the said committee has had untisr
consideration at several meetings lfe
matter of the selection OF proper site
n
strl,ction. cost, etc. all of Which queS-
tons ratlu.re-search'ng invest cations ;snd
CAREFUL consideration, rs vii readily a2-
near to tho court; for 10 make mlstaAe
e;tler il! the seIection OF site or IN the
p,.,, OF construction would be most un-
fortunate. That, Besides these important
matters, the said committee must take
under consideration the raising OF the na-
cessary money to pay for the construc-
~, IN, sr,I E1JilClipp with fbe
imposition Of ths least possible burden
upoI. Taxpayers.
Your RESPONDENTS. further answering.
say that without going into s,aectic de-
mails of some of the statements made III
the reports to the honorable court by the
ate committee. who made an exam.na-
ton OF the jai. under order OF the court,
and OF ltle sweep rg charges made by the
physician OF the JAIL they feei con-
,ity officials to deny some Of the state
nlea;s contained in these papers: notably.
hat prisoners h3ya baen f,f,-'? she'd with
muddy or polluted water, which had af-
fected Their health, aid tllaI thare is moe
sickness in the jail than elsewhere in the
city.
PER CENT. OF. ESCAPES.
Your RESPONDENTS. further answering.
say that while it is true thar some of the
wards of the Jail are not secure against
SSS1iI)tS pS pttSSicfS ISSiIitS to IHahe
their escape. yet this is OF little import
ance, for a. large majority Of the prison
ers confined in the city Jail have neither
the motive nor The inclination TO make
their escape. The per cent. of ESCAPES
from the city Jail. Your respondents be
''eve. will con,pare favo,'ably with that OF
the. Jails of other localities.
These RESPONDENTS. further answering:
say that they have no disposition. and dc
not intend. to evade or disnhe.- any order
of tbs court, directing them TO provide
a new, setnre and rrope. sail for the
citysof Richn,ond; but. on the contrary
they mean and intend 70 prt'Seed with al
reasonable dispatch te provide a new. Sc,
cure and proner jail fer tho city of Rich.
g1ana. bur they resnsctfuilr Wy. ask az, the in,
may l;e carried forward with due delibera
ton, after thorough inYestigation as sc
securing a correct location for the new
jail. and the proper plans and snecifica-
ions for irs erection, ,and providing the
means OF iauiiating the Indebtedness tc
be @inrs,rred.
| And 'aow. having fully answered, youl
respondents pray 10 be hence dismissed