The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-10
ton
IS NOT WANTED i D
The majority Of the Board Of Alder.
men Oppose Ii.
WOULD INCREASE TAXATION.
Important Amendments TO be Made TO
The City Chartcr-rhe Bills Givin.
New Power TO the City Conc
Over and Discussed.

Only three voices were heard fapor!nS
the annexaiion of Richmond and Man
chester at The meeting OF the Board OF
Aidrrrlen last night. while all the o'her
members were outspoken in Their oppo-
eltion to the resolution favorins anneAa -
lion.
AIR. Allen thought that the city was
lmranned enough With taxes already
without niainE them heavier, winch
annexation would surely do.
Mr.. Bahcn was more emphatic IN his
slisapproval and was enraged TO h!sn
pitch when The resolution was prou6nt
up for disposal.
NEW POWER TO ACT.
synopsis of each of the three bl!lS
10 be introduced in the Legislature by
the Richmond representatives was 1eau
by City Attorney Pollard, and the hcces-
sary explanations were made y! MN
The bills give The city and INC common
Council new power. and auihori1cs ine
city 10 Improve and keep in good, safe
and nayicab,e condition, the harbor of
James river within the corporate limits,
and to that end, to acquire by condeH-
nation or otherwise. all lana or interest,"
therein deemed by the Councll heccs.
sary for such Improvement ana 10 ho.o
such land as public properly, OF le'se'
for. the better Improvement, malnten-
ance or use OF the harbor, also TO au-
.horize tho laying down of street rail
Hay tracks in the streets OF the CITY,
and the running of cars. thereon unotr
such conditions as they may prescribe.
That the Council may also. IN ofder 10
meet the expense OF such acquisition,
issue bonds 10 be known as the CITY
railway bonds and secure same upon
the stock of the railway COMPANY.
TAX THE TRACTION CONPAN1-
The question of fixing the taxation OF
tho Traction Company was quickly dls-
posed Of Many of the members are
we'll pleased with the service of the
Traction Company, and matters per-
tanning 10 its interests do not seem to
conflict with the opposing sides oil either
branch.
TO CONTROL THE STREETS.
An important and interesting feature
OF the amendments to the city charter
authorizes the city to ''close or extend.
widen or narrow. lay out and graduate,
pave and otherwise improve streets and
public alleys They may build bridges
In, and conduits under said streets, or
authorize the construction of condultS,
and annex conditions and restrictions
TO the construction. maintenance and use
thereof, and no company shall ocupy With
its works the streets of the city WITH
Major Allen thought that the city was
acting as it had in the case of the South
ern Bell Telephone Company in regard
to the erection Of poles and conduits
:. few years ago.
The following members were present:
Nessrs. Allen, Rahen. Burton. Cutchins,
Donahoc, Drewry, Ferriter, Hardwieke,
King Lawder, Mosby, Smith, Whittet,
and President Turpin.
Tho ,afitjnn Of Mr. T HlrtZlcr. asking
Il, be relieved of the gas bill for 4o1 east
Broad street. was read. 1t was adopted.
JUSTlS ISLAND PROPERTY.
The, resolution OF the James River I'M
provement Committee in regard TO pro-
curing Justis Island by condemnation or
Otherwise. was returned to the Board.
accompanied by a substitute resolution.
and was received and filed.
The ordinance granting permission TO
the Southern Railway TO construct
sIlur-track on Mill street was concurred
In.
A resolution favoring an increase of
salary Of the steward Of the city aims
house was read and referred 10 the
Committee on Finance.
a resolution requesting the City Attor-
ncy to report to the City Council and
Board of Aldermen the cost of acquiring
the sand-bar. known as Justis Island.
and the cost Of improving all streets and
approaches thereto before any final action
IS taken, was concurred in.
City Attorney Pollard stated that it
would be possible to stop the proceedings
at any time.
IMPORTANT CHARTER CHANGES
The report OF the Committee on Char
ter Changes. accompanied by three bills
10 be presented to the Legislature. was
submitted, and the various features of
the bills were explained by Mr.. Pollard.
-ajor Cutchins asked that the portion
relating to city railway and sewer bonds
be stricken out. The city, he said, was
already within narrow margin of its
maximum bond issue allowed by the law.
He thought the elimination OF this fea-
ture was OF sufficient Importance to call
the Common Council together TO pass upon
the amendments. President Turpin said
the session of the Legislature was about
half over 1t might not be possible TO get
a meeting Of the Council and the pas
sage of the bill might be jeopard!zed. and
opposition was withdrawn. The action of
The Council was then concurred in
TO EXTEND CITY LIMITS.
The Board concurred in bill authoriz-
ing the extending Of the city limits SO AS
10 take in Lee District and to put the
residents on the same footing as regards
Ia taxes as all other residents OF the
city
The ordinance fixing The rate of taxation
on the Richmond Traction Company, was
taken up and concurred in by the Board.
This ordinance provides for a tax of 81:
rer cent on the gross receipts up TO
$780, a1: . per cent on $4,000: per cent.
over that sum. This is in addition to the
general taxation within the city and La
bility. for street Improvements.
The ordinance providing for the erection
of fire-escapes on all business buildings
over two stories highiwa -recommitted
to the Committee -on Ordinances.
DIDN'T FAVOR ANNEXATION
The resolution providing for the arnexa-
ton of Manchester and the appointment
of a committee to look into the question.
was introduced. President Turpin. Mr..
Bahen. and Major Allen We're emphatic
in their opposition to the measure. 1T
means rination to those people. and 4
heavy tax to US. said Major Allen.
we. don't want 10 take in that town,
said Mr.. Bahen.
Mr.. HardwicFe said the resolution did
no; commi, the city 70 annexation. and
he urged that the resolution be adopted.
no fn1l