The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-08
PLANT
MATTER DEFERRED

IkIOllIiU IInuI
MATTER DEFERRED
CONTINUED From First Page.)
foregone conclusion, there being no OPP
position to the ordinance, which would
be imperative July list, when the scity is
sued redemption bonds. Its adoption at
this time will place the annexed terri
tory on the same basis OF taxation as
all other city property. Mr.. Mills succeed
ed In having attached an amendment
providing for the equitable distribution of
the proceeds of the bond sale In the an
nexed territory.
Electric Plant Matter.
The question of paramount interest
before the Council was the Dabney or
dinance proposing the construction of a
municipal electric light and power pump
Ing plant at the Old Pump-House and
the issue OF $34o 900 therefor. After a
brisk skirmish between advocates and
opponents in the nature Of a test OF
strength and the uncovering of the posi-
lions OF various members thereon, action
on the proposition was deferred on the
initiative Of advocates OF the project
until the next regular meeting. It do
't'opNu, OH tHe LcSl SOLe InaC
a bare majority OF IS to Is favored ac-
tlon at this meeting, however, many or
few may favor the proposition ultimate
ly. 1t was deemed best to have the ordi-
nance and amendments printed for the
information of the members before any
attempt at final action was had.
What the result OF the vote will be
when the project finally comes to a vote
it is difficult to predict. but Judged by
the test vote last night. 1t Is going to be
close. 1t should in full truth be stated,
however. that several OF those who advo-
Gated delay expressed Themselves as in
favor of the electric light project
The debate on the ordinance was en-
tirely superficial, not reaching the merits
or dement's of the proposition at any
time. It was hardly more than 4 par
liamentary skirmish, designed to align
| the opposition. The advocates OF The
proposition did not venture into the de-
| tails at all. and the opposition confined
It's efforts to a plea for delay Of action.
Perhaps the most striking and sisnif-
cant utterance in the desultory discus
| sion was the statement of Councilman II.
r. Pollard, Jr.. subchairman of the FL
nance Committee. that that body had
been practically unanimous" in report
ing the measure, though some favored
ascertainIng what the Passenger and
Power Company offered. So
Mr.. Pollard, in stating hts own position
and his changed attitude on the subject
since the old Council, declared with char
acteristic oldness and bluntness his con-
viction that the Passenger and Power
Company would do nothing, except at the
point OF the bayonet.". The opposition to
the municipal project argued that 1t would
further increase the city debt. and that
it was poo business sagacity to do this
when all that would be accomplished
thereby would be attained by the propo-
sition OF the contractors for lighting the
streets. 1t was further argued that the
adoption of the ordinance YOU mean the
provision OF numerous offices to be dis
tr1buted in the shape OF political re-
wards.
The proposition to purchase the John
Marshall Mansion and lease it at a nom
inal figure to the State and City Bar
Associations ELECTED eloquent and fer
vent eulogies of the great jurist by
Messrs. Cary and Cannon. lawyer mem
bers Of the body, but the opposition by
the laity drove the advocates to post
ponement. as told elsewhere.
The remainder of the procedure was
largely ~perunctory, the propositions
considered en%countering little or no OPP
position and the action taken assured
in advance.
Session in Detail.
As soon as the body had been raped
to order and the roll had been called,
minutes OF previous sessions approved
and other prelimlnaries disposed Of the
call OF committees for reports on mat
tiers referred to them was begun.
COUNCIL-LEAD TO COME
SEND PROOF T VI
%rHFSESaeRSH* fchp nc TETcT y
The ordinance relative to the WIDEN
ing Of Monument Avenue was referred
to the Finance Committee.
An ordinance to permit the removal Of
the Southern Railway spur track from
the north to the south side of Cary
Street at Twenty-second was passed.
Ordinances permitting Klngan & Com
pany to erect an awning; permitting the
Jefferson Realty Corporation to erect or
maintain certain marquises, or awnings,
at the Jefferson Hotel; permitting the
Home Brewing Company to construct
and maintain an overhead bridge con-
Meeting portions OF their plant: forbid
ding the driving OF heavy vehicles over
asphalt paved streets, where there Is a
contiguous street paved with more dura-
BILE material, were all passed.
Electric Plant Matter,
The matter of paramount interest at
the meeting came up In the form OF a
report from the Finance Committee of
an ordinance for the construction OF q
municipal electric light and power pump J
ing plant on the site OF the Old Pump
House, and providing for an issue OF four
per cent. bonds therefor.
Immediately after the ordinance had
been reported. 1t was read at length, |
whereupon Mr.. Miner arose and stated |
that he desired to present a resolution |
and a communication accompanying same, |
which he desired considered along with |
the ordnance recommending the estab- |
lishnent of the electric light and power
plant.
The resolution OF Mr.. Miner proposed
to refer the ordinance reported by the
Finance Committee, the amendments |
thereto and the suggestions contained in
the communication herewith appended
from the receivers OF the Richmond |
Passenger and Power Company to the
on Water, Light and Eleo-
to be by them considered Jointly,
Inc to embody the recommendations
In an ordinance to be reported