Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-19

The majority ofthe Committee, to whom WAS refer
red the memorial OF M. Branch, j. c. Redwood and
others, pettionng Tor relief from the operation of the
ordnance passed on the 18th day Of February, 1851
requiring posts and awnings to be removed from The
streets and sidewalks thereon of the City, which ord-
dnance is entitled an ordinance to prevent nuisances
and improper distractions in the streets and
te use thereof &C. beg leave to report, that they have
had the subject refer ed 10 them, under consideration
and alter deliberate and careful examination OF the
merits OF the said petition and the ordinance to which
u refers have come 10 the conclusion recommend
the Council repeal OF much OF the 9th section of
the said ordnance as declares that an awning over
sidewalk shall be deemed nuisance or obstruction 10
street or public alley, it supported in whole in
part by posts in the sidewalk, or any other part of
streets and awning of whatever kind shall be DEEM
ed nuisance obstruction if it remains at night over
sidewalk or other part OF street, or any other part
OF the awning or frame be less than eight feet above the
sidewalks. The reasons that have influenced the ma
JoIty oil your COMMITTEE IN making Ibis report are as
follows The petition referred TO your COMMITTEE for
their consideration signed by number ofrespeclabe,
enterprlslng and honest citizens, and by persons VINO
merchants mechanics and ers. who are ged
in all the various avocaious of life. and from parts
OF the city, which shows the general interest manifest
ed IN this SUBJECT and thai II Is not particular class
particular individuals who are professionally COMPLAIN
ing OF an ordinance OF the Council, but The whole COM
munity represented in this petition, dissatisfied with
that provision oil the said ordinance The right Of the
people 10 petition their representatives for redress OF
grievances is principle well established 10 be de-
MED by any this day, for the City Council but
the trustees ana servants OF Inc people, Inc source oil all
power and are in all points amenable to their consu-
ent body for their acts aud the majority OF your Com
mtee did not believe that they had any right to turn
deaf cart petition so argely and respectfully signed
by citizens who certainly competent Judges then
own rights and interests. But there is another point to
which wish to direct the attention Of The Council
Ii is taken Tor granted in the above mentioned ordinance
that all distractions the streets are nusances: if this
doctrine be true, all commerce trade and Industry must
necessarily be brought to stand for it is an unayoda-
Bile evil iii a large and popuous city that the streets
should be obstructed to certain during The busy
seasons OF the year, when the fall and spring trade il
brisk, and IT tins doctrine is to prevail, Richmond
would soon be depopulated and lose all her wealth
and prospeFny; and while the regulation prescribed in
the sand o dnance might have answered very we'll
when Richmond was village, it now be
benehcaly applicable 10 the metropolis OF the State,a
large, toursting and popuous city, and new avenues
OF trade being opened TO the city every year. In add
lion TO these facts the awnings and posts at present in
the ely could not be removed without an enormous ex-
pene to the citizens whose property they are ard in
many instances the great loss and injury OF the poor
and working classes in the community, and to the prea
Inconvenience Of all the citizens; and upon The princ
pie that private property cannot be taken for public
uses, without just and adequate compensation, the city