The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-13
FREE LIGHTS ARE
CAUSING TROUBLE
Manchester Aldermen WrestIe
With Question al Length.
RAILRoADsPAY clTYFoR THEM
Resolution from Lower Body as to
Cleaner Streets Adopted After Dis
cussion-Sad Death of Mir. r.
G. Wood-Southside News.
Manchester Bureau, Richmond Times,

Manchester Bureau, Richmond Times.
11O2 Hull Street.
Whether the city of Manchester should
continue to accept money from two rail-
reads for the use OF electric lights which
are furnished to the city free by the Pas
senger and Power Company. or the roads
be released from the contract with the
CITY and left to deal directly with the
electric company, and what disposition
should be made of the lights in the latter
instance. occupied the attention of the
Eoard of Aldermen for over two hours
last night. Finally the Board concurred
in the action OF tie lower body in reject
ing the report of the subcommittee. which
released the railroads from paying the
CITY for the lights used The resolution
OF Assemblyman Bradley, that Manches-
ter continue to collect for the lights
named. though the city did get them free
was adopted.
NIessrs. r. L. Patram, chairman of the
subcommittee. and J. w. Barrett vigor-
ousy fought the rejection of the report.
declaring that Manchester had no moral
light to force railroads to pay for lights
when they We're furnished free by the
electric company. Taking the stand that
the lights were beneficial only to the
company the rest of the members voted
the two gentlemen down.
The Southern road has been paying Man.
chester lOE lllc use OIL one llSLl IeSu-
arly ever since the city has been get
ting free lights The Atlantic Coast Line
road. since the free contract went into
effect. has refused to pay for the three
lights they have had. This fact developed
after about an hour and a half had been
consumed in discussion. Finally a resolu
ton was adopted, instructing the City
ATTORNEY to communicate with Mr.. Rid
die. Superintendent of the road, and eX-
11,,S Il Ill L. 10 n
WANTS MONEY REFUNDED.
Mr. Patram then offered resolution
that the city refund to the Southern road
the amount paid since April for the one
light used
Mr.. Perdue moved to lay the resolution
on the table for future meeting.
A vote was taken resulting to 4, and
Mr. Patram withdrew the motion.
In the discussion Mr.. Tilery made the
allegation that an old member of the
Council had told him the arc light at
Thirteenth and Semmes Streets was
placed there for a. purpose. The insinua-
ton upon some retired member came in
the nature of a surprise to many.
When the resolution from the Assem-
bly, that a sufficient number of hands be
put to work on the streets to rid them
of filth was read. Mr. Abbott made
strong speech against what he termed
useless expenditure of the clty's funds.
in employing men with no one to see
that they attended to their work Mr..
Abbott would not amend the resolution,
as this would send it back to the Assem-
bly, for ratification, and time would be
lost
With a tacit understanding that the
chairman of the Street Committee. Mr..
r. H. Patram. would see to it that some
one was made the foreman OF the city
hauds who would be responsible that
they worked and not idled away their
time the resolution was adopted MT.
Patram assured the board that he would
use his efforts in the Street Committee
to have some one made foreman OF the
gang. further saying that he had seen
CAPTAIN Lipscomb, City Engineer, hence
the boss of the city hands. and entreated
with him to allow some one to be fore
man and see that the men worked
Mr. Perdua suggested that only white
men be employed as grave-diggers at
Maury Cemetery, and that they dress
more neatly at afuneral The Cemetery
Committee will take up the matter.
The Mayors message was, on motion
az Mr. Barrett, placed in the hands or a
committee of five. two from the Board
and three from the Assembly, who Will
look into it. Messrs. Barrett and Perdue
were appointed.
rae clerk was instructed TO communi-
cate with the clerk of the Business Mems
Association with view to ascertaining
when they would receive the Joint com
mittee from the two municipal branches
in regard to inducing manufacturers to
come TO the city.
Mr.. John z, Utz spoke of his resigna-
ton, telling his regret at leaving and CIV
ing his reason for so doing. He said
that owing to the fact that his successor
had not vet been decided on. he would
not send his resignation in until the next
meeting.
R. c. WOOD DEAD.
Mr. R. c. Wood, 2S years old, son of
Mr. a. j. Wood, of 30 West Twelfth