The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-01-23
CITY COUNCIL.
CONDITION oFGAS WORKS DIS
CUSSED.
Opening of Prince Edward Street
Normal Schooi-Poiice Justice Etc.

Opening OF Prince ecWaro ot'eet
Normal School-Police Justice Etc.
The City Council held its January meet
ing Thur s1ay night. Present-President
Cole. and Councilmen Revere, Rowe,
Bradley, Embrey, Dannehl, Mills, Chan.
cellor. Wallace and Brent.
President Cole announced that through
a misapprehensiOn OF the rules he had
decided that the ordinance Tor expectora-
ting on the pavements bad been defeated
at the last meeting of the Council. lie
now decided il carried and the minutes
40 corrected The ordinance will be In
force in 60 days after 1t is approved by
the Mayor.
Col Co'e. in making his finance report,
statrd that his committee had paid oil
81 900 of the floating debt since the last
meeting, and asked the Council to APP
prove same. which WAS done. He said
the floating debt was now S6,761.
The bonds of Superintendent of Water
and Superin iendent OF Gas for 1000
each were presented and ordered to be
placed in National Bank.
Col Cole reported fines Tor month S32
lie also presented bill forstreet sweeper
amounting to $500, which was ordered
paid.
Mr. Embrey. OF Streets, asked for an
appropriation of $500. Ii was granted.
He announced that the report on open
ing Prince Edward street across the
Narrow Guage railroad would be pre-
sented at the next meeting OF the council
and ioreshadOws report by saying the
city had no right to open the street,
and asked that Mr.. Fitzhugh, who IL
preparing said report, be heard. Mr.
Fitzhugh's remarks indicated that the
report would be adverse TO opening said
street.
When the Light Committee was called,
Mr.. Rowe, In the absence of Chairman
McCracken. said he had no formal report;
that the gas works were in bad condi-
ton. and IL will cost certainly 50, 900 to
nut them in first-class order that COM
plants were frequent a. to quality and
quantity Of gas; that the weather had
been such since the last meeting OF the
council that the committee had been
unable to make any improvements; be-
sides. the sickness of Chairman McCrack-
en- has retarded any action, although
correspondence has been going on look
ing 20 "a thorough overhauling OF the
works.
This brought on lively discussion, in
which Messrs. Embrey, Brent and Brad
ley participated, which ended In calling
Snpt Fitzpatrick before the council, who
said 1.-THE works are in a very bad con-
dition." The retorts are full OF carbon
which are now being burned out; the
gasholder il leaking badly and has to be
stopped with putty each day; besides
that the coal is not az good az that
formerly used at the works In the dis
cussiOn the fact was brought out that
the Finance Committee was ready to
furnish the money "a soon az plans are
perfected TO improve existing conditions
Mr.. Bradley 81 Schools, read letter
from Chairman j. r. West, Of the Joint
Committee OF the Legislature in regard
TO locating the propos ed Normal School
north OF the James River. The letter
follows:
Huon, Louisa Co., Jan. III, 1904.
Mr.. T McCracken
Nv Dear Sir-Your's OF the lith TO
hand. Our committee wishes 10 have
an outline of the nature OF the donation
/ your town proposes to make. II town
offers no indncement in the nature of
giits OF site buildings, money or some
| such substantial inducement, the com.
mittee does not feel empowered to visit
such town. You will recall that the
committee is not charged with the power
/ to locate, but il charged with the duty
/ of investigating and reporting the nature
| of the gifts and inducements offered. The
question OF water, light, railway and
steamboat connections and health viii
be reported on by the committee; 80 II
your town proposes to make donation
please outline az well az you can do so
az this time IL ia highly probable that,
If the General Assembly continues in res
aion two months, that the work OF in-
vestigaton will be done in the next few
weeks: butif the General Assembly should
take recess from February II TO the
fall or a later date, as was talked OF when
left Richmond on the 18th, the commit
tee will not begin it's work so sooD. At
any rate the committee will not have
any open session to hear parties 10 in
terest except at the town that makes the
proposition. The General Assembly will
not be held down to the report OF the
committee in making the selection, butt
il hardly probable that such will be the
ease. that il to 90 outside Of the report.
After reasonable time has been given Tor
all towns and cities to make at least an
outline Of what they propose, the com
mittee will meet and decide upon the
time, &c of visit, and then visit thoso
places that come within the scope OF the
act that created the committee.
Yours very truly,
Frank-T. West
Chairman Joint Committee
Mr.. Dannehl offered a resolution look
ing to the appointment OF police jus
tice for the city. This resolution evoked
much discussion. 1t was bitterly op
posed by Mr. Embrey. IL was withdrawn
and then MFR. Dsnnehl gave notice that
at the next meeting OF the Council, he
would ask the creation OF the office o.
police Justice, and call for direct vote
on the question. The Council then sd
jOurned.