Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-11-15

the company would be glad to cooper
ate.
The communication was referred to
the committee on fire department and
water.
Ordinance C~oncurred I'm.
The public safety ordinance was
adopted, after some discussion by Il
vote OF s to =. Mr.. Walker questioned
the wisdom of having an examination
made by the city electrician but the
ordinance was finally adopted as II
came from the common council.
The ordinance authorizing the sup
plemcnting of liz salary of the super
i%ntendent of public instruction by
$5S.33 o month. passed by the common
council was adopted.
The ordinance passed by the COM
mon council at its last meeting, in.
~creasing the salary OF the superinten-
dent or streets from s75 a month to
$40 was objected to by Mr.. Gayle. who
stated that in his opinion the position
couid be filled by as capable 4 maj for
less money.
Mr.. Robinson spoke in favor of the
increase, declaring that Mr.. Harwood
Is the first man who has filed the posi-.
ton satisfactorily and the increase Is
more than justified by the saving he
has effected the city. The ordinance
was carried by a vote of D to 9. Alder.
men Gayle and Walker voting against
the increase.
The appointment Of G.. +. Ware in
the place of Driver Mills. of the fire de-
partment. adopted by the common
council, was concurred in.
To Investigate Water Question.
The report OF the committee on fire
department and water recommending
that q committee be appointed to in
vestigate the ~advisability of the CITY
owning its own water plant. was op-
posed by Alderman Davis. Ar. Davis
stated that in his opinion tho idea of
the city being in u position to issue
bonds TO own its WI plant is non
sense.
Mr.. Walker. the author Of the propo-
sition, stated that the report merely
recommends an investigation and does
not carry with 1t the power to pur-
chase. III it did," he said. ~ nm not
prepared TO say | would vote for IL.
! think the investigation will have u
bearing on the renewal of our on
tracts
Alderman Robinson stated he only
hoped the city will he able TO renew
her present contracts for fire hydrants
at the present rates. The motion was
carried, Mr.. Davis voting no.
The board concurred in the action OF
the common council in authorizing an
expenditure of $500 for the purpose of
improvements in the fire alarm system.
To Examine Assessment.
MIR. Walker presented n resolution
calling for II committee to be appointed
by the presidents of the two bodies,
consisting Of two members of tho
board Of aldermen and two of the com.
mon council to inquire and report IL
there is any real property in tho city
assessed at n lower valuation than is
roper
MI. Walker moved n suspension Of
the rules in order that the resolution
might he acted upon Immediately.
This was lone and the resolution
adopted unanimously.
City's Population.
Mr.. Burcher offered L resolution for
the city attorney tn take such steps a.
may be necessary to make the apDlica.
lions of the councils to the Judge of
the Corporation Court to have n legal
enumeration of the population OF the
city.
The rules were suspended and II. w.
Reynolds explained the object. of the
resolution. He stated that in his opin.
ION The city is much larger than the
present census figures show. He de.
clared that it is u matter of the great
est importance to the city in the mat.
ter of securing new industries to have
II tho nf,tr'. lofYn1 ,-.I -.
II cited the case of the American
Tobacco Company, which recently de
cided to come here instead OF Danville,
as an instance.
President Jones spoke on the matter
and stated that it is n matter of great
Importance, the only question being
the matter of expense.
The resolution was adopted under
suspension of the rules.
The Joint Session.
Phc joint session of council. called
1cr The purpose of electing a successor
to Mr.. William Wilkcrson, resigned, as
q member OF the school board, occu
pied more time than was anticipated
Rev. X. 3. Sanford and Mr.. G. w. Blick
We're the opposing candidates placed III
nomination.
ocipVOl ulStriCt III question Is
composed of the entire Third ward and
that part of the Second ward lying
north OF Twenty-seventh street. The
Third ward now has ono member and
the Second ward contained two.mem-
hers. prior to the resignation of AIR.
Wilkerson. The fight between the
candidates was brought down to a line
up between the two wards and the
! Second won out in tho election IF Rnv
Mr.. Sanford.
During the discussion the eligibility
OF MIR. Sanford was questioned and
MIR. Walker disposed OF this by stating
that the objections are mere tecllni.
c~alities and that Mr.. Sanford would
not think of attempting to qualify un-
L IlA.. H.