Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1904-06-11
CITY FATHERS
WERE IN SESSION.
W!NN NOT PAY FOR BRIDGE
UNLESS COMPELLED.
Considerable Business was
Transacted.

The regular meeting OF the Common
Council was held Wednesday night in |
their chambers. Those present were /
President l. w. Lane. II. 4. Bird, w. |
T. Binns. K. w Warburton and J. V.
Morris
The bid of Mr. w. B. Braithwaite |
for lease Of parcel OF land at Capital |
Landing Bridge was accepted. 1t EN-
braces a body OF land 10x25 feet The
bid was 81 per year. Other leases
were continued.
On motion OF Mr.. BIRD. one-third o. |
the cost n a book-typewriter for the |
clerks office was ordered to be paio |
out OF the next annual levy.
The request Of Mr. -. }. Andefsos. |
TO be allowed TO build pOicn iron.
of the Star Restaurant WIS referee
to the street committee for action
Mr.. W. II. Sweeney appeared before
the council and requested that the |
width OF the sidewalk on Stage Road
be defined SO that property owners
who are building would know where
TO locate their houses. On motion OF
Mr.. Morris. the street committee was
directed 70 ascertain the width OF the
street, define the width OF the side
walk and TO suggest a name for the
street, which Is now called Stage
Road" or Richmond avenue.
The President at the Council then
submitted the following opinion OF the
| commonwealth attorney, pertaining
| to paying one-half the cost OF build
ing a bridge over Queens Greek.
was then read.
June Q. 1904.
| Capt w l.. Lane,
President of the City Council.
williamsburg, Va.
Dear Sir: At the last term OF the
Circuit Court OF the City Of Williams
burg and County Of James City. when
the City OF Williamsburg was being
called upon 20 pay one-hah Of the ex
pense of building bridge across
Queens Greek at Capitol Landing. as
Commonwealth Attorney. represent
ing said City, l took the ground that
under the Statute Law OF Virginia
Williamsburg was not called upon 20
pay any part OF this expense, and
thereupOn filed exceptions 10 the pro
ceedings which had been had in con
nection of awarding contract for said
bridge. and moved the Court TO dis
miss the proceedings as TO said City.
Upon this motion the matter was con-
unued and the Court ordered that a
| copy OF the order then entered, Ming
my exceptions, he served on the Com
monwealths Attorney OF York County.
am frank 20 say that ! am of the
| opinion this motion should have been
made sooner, but you Will bear in
mind the TACT that ! made such mo-
ZION upon the first calling of this mat
ter after / had qualified as Common
Wealth's Attorney. In justice 70 my
predecessor / should state that he
. stated in open court that he made the
same objection which 1 raised before
e the County Court when Judge Smith
was on the bench, but that Judge
, Smith over-ruled his motion, unfOrtu
nately the record in the matter doe,
not sustain my predecessor in this
particular. but shows, on the contrary
mat ali OF the reports were cOnnrme'
without exceptions.
was then, and still am, OF the Opin
ion that under the language OF the iav
williamsburg is not bound 10 pay an.
part OF this expense. My concluslOl
= Is based purely upon legal aspect o
= the matter. and not from the point o
| view OF citizen. IL may, OF il ma.
Ourg TO snare in the costs or TIM
Orluge. 4 am fully aware OF the fac
that it is not wise 10 be narrow-nind
ee ana close-nsted about such matte 5
/ out as All omcer of the City | deeme'
IL my plain duty TO raise Ine point.
| am not informed as TO when yol
nave another meeting OF the Cit
| Council, but request that when yo'
| 90 meet you VIII lay this matter be
fore it ana IL you think proper, rea'
this communication, and then advis
me whether OF not it is the desire o
the Council that the matter be pres:
ed. 1 certainly have no desire TO d
so unless the Council desires IT,
the finances of the City are sush tina
IL can afford 10 contribute 10 this In