Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-10-06
CONTRACTOR OAVIsToGfT H|sk0AEY
Ten Per Cent OF Total Amount OF
Contract Is Retained Pending Out
come Of Sand Base investigation by
Mayor Jones Next Week-money
for Public Parks.

sltion Of the new city almshouse IN
Elizabeth City county and the paying
ef the monthly estimates due Contrac-
tor J. w. Davis on the vitrifed brick
paying-which have been hanging
fire before the council for several
months were disposed Of by the com
mon council last night. BY vote OF
twelve to one, The council adopted
the recommendation of the finance
committee that the almshouse De
opened at once and. by a unanimous
vote. the entire balance due Mr.. Da-
Wis on the brick paving less the ten
per cent retainer was ordered pad.
Both matters were discussed at con-
siderable lengths and every member
present had something 20 say on each
proposition. AT first there was vio-
lent opposition on the part of some 10
opening the almshouse. but all except
one of them was won over. Those
who at first opposed the paying OF MI.
Davis bills gave up the fight after
nearly an hours discussion and voted
In the affirmative when the question
was put.
Open New EImshouse.
When the recommendation OF the
finance committee that the new aims
house be opened as speedily as pos
sible was taken up both Messrs. Cox
and Fellows simultaneously moved
that the recommendation be not adopt
ed
Mr. Ford, member OF the finance
committee, spoke briefly In favor oil
opening the new almshouse. He said
that on Monday night the finance COM
mittee ordered paid bills aggregating
5000, which were contracted by the
city in caring for the poor and needy
curing the past two months. He said
further that the committee was unani-
nous in the belief that the almshouse
should be opened
Councilman Wallace, Of the Third
ward, who was chairman OF the
almshouse and poor committee when
the almhouse site was bought. spoke
long and earnestly In favor OF open
ing up the new building. He declared
that with winter here now the city
should provide some place for the
poor He also expressed the opinion
that the place could be run cheaper
than the city can take care of its
poor under the present arrangement
Mr. Cox spoke against opening the
almshouse. saying that he would just
as soon consign the poor people to
graves in Greeniawn cemetery as TO
send them 10 the new poor house. He
also objected to the place because the
f..A1 arh ..cr a nj
hospital on the site.
Flags Finance Committee.
Mr.. Fellows took the finance com
mittee to task for "disobeying" the in
structions OF the council in that they
recommended that the almshouse be
opened instead of advertising IL for
sale or exchange as the council d.
rected. He declared that the council
ID bigger than its committees and II
should vote down the reccmmenda-
lion.
Just before Mr.. Fellows concluded.
Mr.. w. +. Spruill asked him what the
city will do with the poor this winter.
Mr.. Fellows replied that they would
have 10 be cared for until a new aims
house Is secured in the same way they
have been cared for during the past
year or more.
Messrs Cheadle and Christie spoke
In favor Of opening the almshouse az
once. Both urged that the property
be improved a; the smallest cost con-
cistent with the needs Of the people to
be taken care of there at this time
Mr.. Cheadie said that the city is now
providing for people who are able TO
.u
the city win take care OF them. With
the aimshcuse open, he said. this con-
elton world not exist and the city
would save money
Draws Horrible Picture.
Speaking on the subject for the
third time. Mr.. Fellows told the coun-
ell Of one family in the city which Is
IN destitute circumstances. The hus-
band Is suffering AT tie Elizabeth Bux-
ton hospital with tuberculosis OF the
homes. his wife Is suffering with
tuberculosis Of the lungs, one OF the
children has fever and the family has
nothing to eat
Mr.. Ford closed the discussion with
a brief. bat vigorous speech in favor
CO opening the simshouse at once. Mr.
Boiling called for the question and the
vote was taken.
HolIo~ Places Under Psving-
During the discussion 81 the paving
matter. President Jones said that no
had driven over the new brick paw.
ing on Huntington avenue above
Forty-sevsnth street and that he b.
neved that there are hollow places IN
der the paving.
Mr.. Cheadie. Of the old highways
snd sewers committee. which tapped
the paving az various places. said
that no hollow places had been found
~ the committee.
TIE discussion Of the question Of
pay1ne Nr. J. W Davis for the pavinf
vas general. every member Of the
councn hzvirK something 70 say on
TIE matter. Nj. Christie OF
posed paying the balls because b