Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-07-03

The CRY CouSciL-REvIsIos THE ORD4s AscEs.
The follosng il copy of letter from Conway Robinson
Esq., which has been lift with the clerk of the Council
he laid before that body meeting. Ii will
observed that Mr. r declines proceed further with the
revision OF the city ordinances task upon which be has
been engaged at intervals for several months past and
the execution of which he has brought an amount Of tact
experience, aud sound judgment possessed by few indi
viduals here elsewhere IL will be difficult indeed for
this Council appoint successor who will discharge the
duties required Of linn With the fidelity and ability which
Characteristic Of Mr.. Robinson.
Those who have noticed tue proceedings Of the present
Couucil-their ''doing aud undong'-wl readily apprc
ciate the motives which have led Mr. to the determine
ton expressed in his letter. They seem TO be guided by
liked principles. hut apparently from the Impulse
prevailing idea Of the moment. We have NO DISPOSE
ton to anpoon the honorable body for their sins of
omission commission. The positions which they
hold and the hOnors which they enjoy have been thru.
upon them by the people, and if their measures are op
pressye otherwise Objectionable the "dear people
who have selected them their Lawmakers are alone re-
sponsble aud should be abide by the conse
quences OF this We have always regretted that
party politics should be allowed exercise controlling
influence in tie selection Of Counmen or Aldermen for the
obvious reason that such policy rather mpolcy vas
detrimental 10 the best interests Of the city IN bygone
days fitness and capabiy the requisites for official
position aud the first men, distinguished for their pro
dence aud wisdom invariably selected TO guide the
dests'es OF the city, aud manage its municipal affairs but
under the ne~ regime fcay 10 party constitutes the mau
qualification AMI only those who eau advance party inter.
ests deemed worth Of the robes Of ofce The conse.
qusnce s that elected who however estn, bl.
and worthy they may be in private life are not adequate 10
the duties Of CounohmeR The appcllaon CITY Fathers
has become alhost Of hdicue aud deserves to be ,
Perseded b. the expressive one Of "City Yonh,
s sad TO witness this degcDeacy hut have before re
marked The people alone 10 blame and they have the
remedy In their hands they ought 70 suffer the con-
seqnsRoes Of their ownfolly without iepning The fol-
loving IL the communication referred 20.
TO hs Presidshf ofn, Counc1 of he Citvof Richmond
Sr-i have to request you to lay the following CON.
muniea'iou before The bodyover which you preside
iormsr council having adopted resolution eopss,irg
my cid 10 che revision Of the City ordinances and In p,s
pairing the sane Tor publication Eith an index thereto
have from tiHe 20 te gwen such aid and when tho str
Council vent out OF Office there had been made sucb o.
gress IN The work give reason 20 bolete n be -
tenn on which they we're proceeding continued the r.
vision might be completed during the present snmme+
and the volume published in the fsll.
lnai,smptug % carry out the systems which the .,,
Council resolved o. IN respect 70 the important snct n
TAXATION had constantly IN view the provisions On bs
subject IN he State Constitution and the Cts chsre, Z
" my anxious wish that the ordinsnces .boud b ~
framed, W not ~ give nse 20 constitutional oueson.
which could be veil ayoided Such questions /, sper,
cd ~ ne Ihightbo AVOIDED In great degree by o,,,
coedhg on the following principles st taxing propertg
ohsr.thsh slaves &C en- cqad and unorn per csnta,n (,
proportion 70 is value assessing on slave who ma
attained the age otl2 years equal and no, exec
ding that assessed on land, Of the value $500 g. /,
wing on every white male inhabitaut Of the city VIII
has aiaipcd u'e age Of ~ years. cspaton not les
than the az asesed On aud n the value Of 5000 aud
tsrng ne capita Invested in trade business o. Tar
sng te cense IN respect that business hat not tixn
both tie capital and the license
In rcspec a. the second ~ tIrse propositions tler
aaopH te mesubefs Of The late COuucl some dive
sity of opinion and IL Saa concluded reqaire the
sssso make feigfos hob Of ne number and the Vaue
tbc asves sho had attsned the age ~ years thar n
couoo n.rhf have matersls fof imposing on every sar
slave auV his Whole value % tsS equal 70 fbat
iaud 81 she value al $500 might 10 " most prO
~ whea che Assc-sr sh0uld make his returns In Al
ohei propostioos 20 Wit the lst, 81 and fth the 10