Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-12

To the Editors of tie Richmond Times,
| GENTLEMEN:--ln your report OF the proceedings
the City Council, held Monday, the 9TH inst no.
ticed that the committee whom was referred the
Act to revise and amend the Charter of the Civ Of
Richmond, and Tor other purposes passed March 2yth
1871, have made report, appended to which is Sc
RES OF resolutions adopted by the Council. AS mem
Der OF that committee, beg leave TO state that was
! not present at the meeting OF the committee held on
Saturday evening last, when this subject was acted on
nor was my, colleague, Mr. Haskins present-and wa
never saw that report before it presented TO the
Council Tor adoption. And at meeting of the Coun-
GU with but bare quorum present, and four members
from Jefferson Ward absent, this report was finally
acted on. blame one, | censure no one for this
proceeding. Having been debarred therefore from
any opportunity to offer any amendment or substitute
Tor that report, deem it proper say do not d.
port and should if had been present at the last meet.
ing OF the Council, have voted against it. The reasons
that have brought my mind TO this conclusion are these
LIST. That very large and respectable number of the
citlzens OF Richmond peloned the Legislature for an
amendment OF the Charter of the City as to allow
the people to elect their officers many of whom
are now elected by the Council and the Hastings Court;
the people certainly had the right petition the Leps-
ature tor this amendment of the Charter, and, in nv
OPINION, there is no power on earth that can interfere
with that right
End. The City Council who are the servants OF thu
people and responsible to them for their acts ought not
10 assume the attitude of dctators to their constituents
who are capable OF self government, and intelligent
enough to know what is best promove of their own
hteress these are truths too often forgotten by men
in power ~
4th. The City Council has no Jurisdiction over the
subject natter for the Court OF Appeals is the legal III
b9nal to decide upon the validity and consttutionaity
OF the Laws passed by the General Assembly and the
City Counc has transcribed lis powers in the express
SION OF an opinion upon the validity of an act OF ns.
sembly
5th This report is framed as to have the effect (as
ar as Its influence extends to toresa public sentiment
and to present that full and free exercise of the right nj
suffrage which is SO important correct decision of
the questions so to be passed upon by the people
Richmond at the polls and am confident the people
OF Jefferson Ward and indeed, OF the whole city will
When the time arrives, vote their best Judgments
dictate, without regard to instructions given in advance
ana unasked for by their servants and representa-
nVes Tor feemen know their rights and knowing dare
IN ntain Them" The people are intelligent enouot,
TO Know what are their rights and interests and viii
on all occasions, assert the ono and promote the
other T VIZ
You will oblige me, Messrs Editors, by giving the
ABOVE communication place in your paper of to-
morrow
Yours, very respectfully,
JOSEPH M. CARRINGTON.
RICHMOND, April 9th, 1851
N. B. The Republican and Enquirer will please
cOpy. 1850 FN