Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-31

y. Sydney Smith, and the members OF
the press present We're requested to act
as secretaries Of the meeting.
Mr. Sans then clearly explained the
burdens and penalties of the present
law, for non-performance of the orders
OF the street inspectors, including the
fine of So per day running ad infinitum.
and penalty of three months imprison-
ment In jail for non-payment of fines.
MT. L. e. Rogers then read letter
from Margaret McCarrlck. wherein she
stated that. in her Judgment. the side
walks and pavements should be paid
Tor, In the first instance, by the owner
of AUDITING property, and thereafter the
proper maintenance of the sidewalks
should be burden on the city general
Mr.. Rogers stated that his Views were
similar
Mr.. II. L. Page suggested the need of
system, and that sidewalks should
have some uniformity. and that the
Beard of Street. Sewer and Drain Com
missioners should designate the charac-
ter of sidewalk to be first put down,
the city thereafter to have charge and
maintain all sidewalks.
Mr.. Pollard suggested that plank
walks might be preferable In some
parts of the city. The chairman said
that, in his judgment. board walks
were expensive In the long run.
Mr.. BaIton Myers supported the reso-
luton With Mr.. Pages amendment. He
said he thought the Councils favored
the proposed ordinance and would pass
it.
Mr.. Myers explained that the pro-
posed ordinance would not result in any
increased expense to the taxpayer over
present conditions; that 1t merely
changed the forms of Payments.
MIR. Core also favored payment of
first cost of sidewalks by the owner of
abutting property and subsequent
maintenance by the city.
Mr.. Pollard then explained his former
utterance relative to wood sidewalks,
and said that there might be other
desirable sidewalk materials than the
three mentioned in the proposed ordi-
nance.
Mr.. r. S. Rufin said that it should
be the duty of the city,to care for all
sidewalks in the city. and he urged
that the city. from now on, take charge
o. and do all the paving and sidewa k
building at its own expense. He spoke
of Cove and Plume streets, City Hall
avenue and other streets that are ready
for sidewalks, but have none. He
thought that the abutting property
owners could not be forced to build or
paw for sidewalks new or repaired.
Mr.. ]. S. Smith regretted that there
was any opposition among those pres
ent to the proposed new ordinance. He
read that portionNof our city charter
relative to public street improvements
This grants he claimed, all the power
such as is desired; that the State Leg
islature can grant. but that the Legis-
lature had exceeded Its authority. He
suggested that property-owners,w where
there are no sidewalks. be requested tc
put down sidewalks and that the city
thereafter maintain them at it's own
eXpense-this to apply to Atlantic City
Ward, Brambleton and all other parts
of the city. He urged that the city
could do this cheaper and more sys-
tematieally than individual property
owners.
Mr.. Sans then spoke again in favor
of the proposed ord nance, and quoted
decisions of the Court of Appeals sus-
talning the power of cities to tax
property-owners for public improve
ments abutting their real estate.
Mr.. Townsend then called Mr.. Pol
lard to the chair. and spoke briefly OF
the large mileage of streets and side
walks of Bramblcton and Atlantic City
wards, greater than in all the other
four wards or NOrlOlk. lie favored
the adoption of the ordinance as pro-
posed, and charging the first cost OF
sidewalks to the owners of property
abutting.
Mr.. Runin stated that he favored the
proposed ordinance as amended.
Mr. Sans again urged adoption OF the
resolution by the meeting.
On call of question, the resolution
was unanimously adopted as amended
On motion OF Mr.. Smith, the resolu-
ton will be communicated to the Coun-
ellis.
Mr.. Core seconded the motion, and IL
was carried unanimously.