The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-03-16
n~A C.Rp The articles In

n OAhD.-lut HTttUlcS III tt1C
local column of the Dispatch of this morning. and
and last Friday morning, under the head OF 'Lbdrd
Petition" requires q brief notice at my hands. -
f p T. rfs;s fT0 na Gt ahs
me as the author and presenter of the Istition, as
eosRws That there may be no further mi appre-
heDsfsn on this subject, L herewith publish the
petition, which will speak for itself
lregret to know that not only this petition, but
my connection with it, has been msconceiyed by
some and deliberately misrepresented by others
so far, however AS am individually and profession
ally concerned, take no note Of these disingena-
articles. They fail with lifeess nertness
my But So far the main object in view is con-
cerned, am not in the habit. as counsel OF shrink
ing from The discharge OF my ascertained duties be
cause my clients are friendles5 ami Vtld OF luhn.
ence. can never consent to cater to violated pub
lie taste, or yield ready acquescenCesto official or
Judicial TYRANNY, come from what dNafterit may.
make no complaint OF the ar icies referred to of
this morning aud last Friday; but must, with be-
coming humility. enter my entire dissent from the
tefH views expressed by the worthy local editor.
Let brief statement suffice to cohfite his views
Of the law and rule of practice. between the Hus
tings Court and the MayIf, touching the right r.
appeal.
By Sec 80 of tbecharterof Richmond, the Mayor
~ empowered to take cognizance of the mattors in
question. The following is Its language:-! be
1ayor, or when he is absent from the city or his of
nee vacant, the Recorder; if he is absent from the
CITY, or his oce vacant. the Senior Alderman shall
SIT every day except Sunday, in such place as the
Council may designate, andtale cogRtydncs Of S@ch
caSes as may be brought dony him. BINDER THE LAWS
oRBf LAW OF TIE CITY IS alleged 0hare bern rt0dte
Here Then. we have the source OF the judicial pow
er and official authority of the Mayer or Aldermen.
in the city Of Richmond In the IL, IA and II.
OF chap 2I3, page 7eS of new Code, have the
source. ftmn and scope Of the judicial and official
power OF the Mayor, or ust &c, under the Sdte lars,
over misdemeanors committed by shares or free ne
0IoeS he sec Is is in the following words: I'm the
ca Oh negro convicted of B,isdegtcdnOr, by a
J1Stsc' there may be an dpIsot from the decision to
Tie c3n'gor (0Iparatton f0uTt, By Utenegro II free.
law
/ respectfully ask where is the po,cer claimed to
be exercised by the Mayor, to den, the appeal I'M
der an ordinance, when the ordinance creating the
Offence, does not take it away And where il the
necessity or propriety of DENYING this right of ap
peal In any ordinance? 1t will not do TO resort to
tue thread bare argument, against free negroes
For be it remembered this pocer, is full
against the SHIRE rs 1t IL against the free negro Are
not the members of the Council the Mayor, and Al
dermeD, all elected at the same time. responsible to
ny this power-uncontrolled by the right of appeal
undeTsan 0rutRdnce-aCd allow it under the State
law?
Let this be tested by case: Two frea negroes or
SorcS, are brouE hit before the Mayor, for misde
meanor, at the same time the one committed under
State law, the othfr committees under an ordi-
nance. Why. should the offence committed under
the ordinance, be invested with the legal dsablit,
10 appeal, while the one committed under the State
law is proected by the guaranteed right to appeal
there reason, sound policy justice in this? where
Is the sonrce OF power. which constitutes the judy
ne s s @yo sI b 10 sre me sns Pgfr re-
principle Involved detects the falacy and discloses
the want of authority. in the premises Why should
Icy than the State law? Why should absolute and
uncontrolled power be vested ia the Mayor when he
acts uadcr ordinance while the full right of ap
peal, max his Judgment, under State law, subject
10 q higher po,cerf
Thus much deemed it necessary to say. in vindi-
cation OF the Petition In my own behalf, feel too
proud consciousness Of h ing right to write one
~G @G G s explanation hsi JsSs L. erLMrR.