The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-07-04
z,svi.;op of the Ordinances.

tbs following letter from Mr.. CONWAY ROBIN
SON to the City Council was crowded ont of our
paper yesterday. 1t will be seen that Mr.. r. re
signs the task of revising the city ordinances
which at the earnest solicitation of the Council he
undertook some months since:
~ 20 the President Of the Council Of Ill q
CITY of Richmond-Sis l have to request You TO lay
the following communication before the body over
A formsr Council having adopted resolution re-
ousstng my aid in the revision OF the city ordinances
ana in preparing the same for publication, with an
iudsY thereto have from time to time, given such
.iG; and when the late Council went out of oifice
there had been made such pIosfess Ia the work
sive reason to hope, If the system which they
were proceeding WIS continued, tho revision might
be completed during the present summer and the
lome published and distributed in the fall.
In attempting to carry our the system which the
late Council solved in respect to the important
subiect of taxation had constantly in view the pro
visions on that hect in the State Constitution and
the city charter; and it my anxious wish that the
ordinances should be 80 framed not TO give rise
constit atoual questions, which could be well avoid
ed Such questions, 1t seemed TO me mi ght be avoid
cd in a great desrse, by proceeding on the follow
principles:
l. taxing property, other than slaves st an equal
and uniform per centuIn, in proportion 10 valu-
. Asses sing slave, who has attained the age OF
~ years. equal to and not exceeding that
on land of the value of $500.
g. Levying on every white male inhabtans who
has attained the age VI Fl years capitstion not
less than the assessed en- land of the value OF
$2OO; and
l. Taxing the capital invested in trade or bust
ness taxing the Accuse III respect that
bat not "a king both the capital and the license.
In respect to the second of these propositions there
was among the members of the late Council some
diversity of opinion; and IL concluded require
tho Assessor make both OF the number and
The value of the slaves who hal aimed the age of Il
years. that the Council might have materials for i'm.
posing every such slave tax on his whole value
equal TO that land of the value of f3ty Is
might seem 10 10 most proper, when the Asse ssor
should make his returns.
la the ether propositions, TO wit: the lst Sd and
4'h. the late Council, was told, fully concurred-
heir view upon the 18th nersliy 10 tax The
license for trade business but 10 tax the capital
Invested therein and upon the LIST assess on pers
nal estate generally st the of per CEN
ium real estate.
since the present Council came into Office its mes
sures have not always been upon the SANS system
This council has been proceeding in way that does
not accord either with my views Will; those of the
late Councils way which 10 not adapted 30 ordi-
nsnees revised and passed by the La Council and
which 1t seems 10 lie must hsve The ect of greatly
rstarding the completion Of the reyslon Under ex-
islng circumstance do oct think can re asonaby
be expected TO continue In conpexion with the work
priery, yield 10 the Inclination which strongly feel
10 get rid of the labor thought snd annoyspcs Incl
dent 70 II and take in the press vacation of the
Courts. some res; and relaxation.
fou and the Council will therefore be pls asea To
CONSIDER that my services. in the position which !
nsse referred are now terminated.
kespeci fully, yours
Richmond, July |, 1856