Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-10-21
Richmond aud the Maximum.

The conIaon council OF Richmond, a. the instance,
We suppose Of the three members OF the city deega-
ion SAo also members OF the council, have di-
rectsd poll TO be opened morrow lor the purpose of
a 5rtaoing tie opinion OF ia, majority of the voters
upon the bill regulate prices, ~ instruction 70 the
delegates in casting their votes. We confess
no fancy this sortof legislation. IstUo nearly
bes the ancient Dsnocrscies which the turbulent and
tickle crowd made and uumade laws, frequently with
little credis to their intelligence advantage their
interest. We would get away as lar as possible from
the uObocratc Influences that exercised 80 balelul u
sway in the Government have cut loose from, and
tha for the future wl be the manyheaded despoG OF
that doomed cou-uy. WITH old DE-. Smoiiett, may
say The mob is amonster We never could abide either
N ,ts head tail mdrla or menabers" Our ideal OF what
legislative assembly should be, even in Republican
State ia body OF wise, calm, honest and independent
men, whom neither the hope OF applause nor the fear
Of eeasure can cause hairs breadth from the
ue OF recutude aud who hold the lasting good OF toe
commonwealth far above the transient caprces of the
popul.ee IL does no. exat the three members OF the
city delegation in estimation that they should seem
so uneasy at the canors Of ignorance aud plant to
the dctaton OF se-importanG fea who mss ire that
they have discovered aid from the wisdom Of all
the past for eyia that nov alct us as they have at
6icted ut timea all other people.
But the Council have consented to relieve the three
uneasy members from the dliy of thinking and acting
for themselves and protect them from all future &C
c0unabity, BY taking the direct voice of the people
upon the measure taas awaits their votes As the prop
oston is simply ascertain whether minority of the
constituents of these gentlemen desrs that they shall
vote for the bill the Council need have nothing more
tau open books for recording the names of all who so
desire, and when majority Of the whole voting body
IVES registered it might have been considered 10y those
who attach importance TO such hings) that the dele
gates were instructed to VOTE But the Council have
gone farther, and directed that POI! shall also be
opened for those who do not desire TO give any such
instruction aud uasmueh as unless the latter outnum-
Der the fcrmer it will be claimed that tho instruction
is given we hope that all who desire TO leave tae dele
gales free to vote their judgment and conscience
may direct. will attend and have their names registered
on the negative roll.
It of extreme Importance that the fatal measure
proposed by the Legislature shall become law
We hope shere is person uniformed needless
igue he question Is os.wsel nigh and low
prices Ii that We're 80, there would be ou: one re-
spouse ron ali Tae real quest is whether the
producing classes and especially the cisles shall oe cup
pued WIN the necessaes OF life. Uader the most ia
vo:ing egstng there ugly doubt upon this sub.
jet Under toe legislation proposed there would be
dOuos but the back certainty of scarcity, suffering
disorder and crime, with the contingency OF actual
famine and common starvation.