The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-13

Now that the constitution has been ratl-
jed, every one would like to knew what its
provisions for the government of cities and
towns are. We quote these provisions:
GOVERNMENT CT CITIES AND TOWNS.
"SEcTIoN IA. For each city or town in
the State containing population of five
thousand there shall be elected, on the joint
vote of the two Houses of the General As
scmbly, one city judge, who shall hold Il
corporation or hustingS court OF said city
or town MS often and as many days i'll each
month as may be prescribed by law, with
similar jurisdiction which may be given by
law to the circuit courts of this State, and
who shall hold his office for Il term of six
containing thirty thousand inhabitants there
may be elected an additional judge, to hold
courts of probate and record separate and
apart from the corporation or huStings
courts, and perform such other duties as
shall be prescribed by law.
.'SEcTIoN 10. Also, the following enume-
rated officers, who shall be elected by the
qualified voters of the said cities or towns
One clerk Of the corporation or hastings
court. who shall also be the clerk of the
circuit court, except i'll cities or towns con.
tanning population of thirty thousand OF
more in which city or town there may he
separate clerk for the circuit court, who
shall hold his Office for ii term Of six years.
''SEcTioN 1G. One commemorative ATTIC:
pcy. who shall be the commemorative att or
ney for the circuit court ind shall hold his
office for term 81 g. two years.
- SEtTloN II. One city sergeant, who shall
mold his Office for Il term of two years.
"SECTloN Is. One city or town treasurer,
whose duties shall be similar to those OF
county treasurer, and shall hold his Once
for term of three years.
"SEcTIoN 10. One commissioner of the re-
venue. --sa-- t.-.... ,'~.-.. - -
"SEcTIoN 90. There shall be chosen by
the electors OF every city mayor, VINO
shall he the chief executive officer thereof,
and who shall see that the duties of the Va
rious city officers are faithfully performed.
He shall have power TO investigate their
acts, have access to all books and documents
in their offices, and may examine them and
their subordinates on oath. The evidence
given by persons so examined shall not he
used against them in any criminal proceed
ings He shall also have power to suspend
or remove such officers, whether they be
elected or appointed, for misconduct IN
office or neglect Of duty, to be specified III
the order of suspension or removal; but no
such removal shall be made without reason
able notice to the officer complained OF, and
T an opportunity afforded him to be heard in
Ms defence. All city, town, and village
Icers, whose election or appointment Is
it provided for by this constitution, shall
/ elected by the electors Of such cities,
owns, and villages, or of some division
ahereof, or appointed by such authorities
thereof Us the General Assembly shall de-
signate. All other officers whose election
or appointment is not provided for by this
constitution, and all officers whose Offices
may be hereafter created by law, shall be
elected by the people, or appointed, rs the
General Assembly may direct. Members of
common councils shall hold no other office
in cities, and no city officer shall hold seat
in the General Assembly. The General As
sembly, at its first session after the adoption
of this constitution, shall pass such laws as
may be necessary to give effect to the pro-
visions of this article. General laws shall
DC passed for the organization and govern
4 sment Of cities, and no special act shall be
81 passed except in cases where, in the iudg-
Wment Of the General Assembly, the object of
such act cannot be attained by general laws.
Nothing in this article shall affect the power
Of the General Assembly over quarantine,
or in regard to the port of Norfolk, or the
interest of the State In the lands under
water aud within the jurisdiction or bounda-
rics Of any city, or to regulate the wharycs,
piers, or slips, in any city. All laws or city
ordinances In conflict with the provisions of
the preceding sections shall be void from
and after the adoption of this constitution.
SECTION 81. All regular elections for city
or town officers under this article shall be
held on the fourth Thursday in May, and
the officers elect shall enter upon their du-
ties on the 1st day OF ulysucceeiing."