Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-24
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REPRESENTATION IN THE COUNC1L.s
Thepresent division of the wards OF the city appears
tous 10 be arbitrary unequal and UNJUST and we think
we shall be able to convince all candid and impartial
men that this opinion is correct.
Since the establishment of these wards, into which
tho city originally laid off, Monroe Ward has been
gradually expanding and jefferson Ward as gradually
shrinking whilst Madison Ward has held its own; but
it falls largely behind Monroe Ward n population.
To prove this it is only necessary to examine the vote
the last municipal election. 1t will be SEEM by refe-
to the returns, that Monroe Ward polled about
$50 votes, Madison Ward 259 and Jefferson Ward $50
votes spirited contest existed in the lower ward, and
it is, therefore, fair to presume full vote was poled,
whilst in the upper ward, it is believed at least hun
dred voters failed to vote because Of the delay en-
counered in reaching the polls, consequent upon the
Inability OF the pokeepers record all the Of
ered sufficiently rapid to clear the approaches Ia
king the actual recorded vote, however, will be
that Monroe Ward polled more than double as many
votes as Madison Ward, and nearly sir times more
than Jefferson Ward Yet each of these wards sends
equal number Of representatives to the City Council
and the Bench Now, apart from the grievance euf-
fered by this inequality of representation great that
manestly is, there grows out Of ianoher and very
serious evil. Monroe Ward has grown so popuous
and unweldy that under the present system of voting
i is almost impossible TO poll the whole vote in one
day. This operates partial distranctisement OF
portion OIL the residents of that ward ard ought there
fore, to be remedied. But may be asked, how these
grievances are be remedied we answer, by dvi-
ding tho ward. Split it in twain, and establish sepa-
and distinct ward, and thus give the people of the
Western and Northwestern portions of the city full
voice in the Council They pay fair proportion Of
taxes, and ought to demand full representation.
The present Council numbers among its members Sc
veral gentlemen Learned in the law" and it would
therefore, appear presumptuous in tell them that
the City Council is clothed with ample power TO do this
thing. But as there may be some who are not as well
posted in this respect the members of the bar we take
occasion to cite the law on the subject.
The city Charter authorizes the Council to apportien
the wards from time to time, as circumstances may seem
to demand, and we submit that the facts mentioned
above call for the exercise Of this power nop
Permit US, farther in support of the proprety of cree
ting new Ward out OF parts of Monroe Ward to call
the attention Of the Council the following section of
the general law oil the State with regard to ncorporat
ed towns:
"The Council of any town may lay off the same into
wards, and ALTER such wards &c The wards
SHALL BE so fixed to make the number of persons
entitled TO vote in any ward bear the whole number
OF those entitled to vote in the town the same propor-
ton, mary be, that the number OF psrsons
elected for such ward bears to the who lie number elect
ed for the town.