The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-23
LOCAL MATTERS.
See Sd Page for other Local Matters.


ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
A called meeting Of the new City Council
was held yesterday afternoon. Present
Messrs. Yale, Pelouze, Miller, Ordway,
Gregory, Van Lew (old members), Alfred
King, W. G. Durham, William H. Crowell,
NJ. Il. Merriman, and Samuel Freedley
(new appointees).
At half-past S o'clock Mr.. Yale moved
that Mr.. Miller take the chair. Adopted.
Mr.. Yale then stated that, the Council
being without presiding officer, he would
move that they 60 into the election of Pre-
sident; which motion was carried; and he
then put in nomination for that Office Mr..
Horace L. Kent, who was declared unani-
mously elected.
The Council then, on motion, appointed
Messrs. Yale and OrdWay committee to
inform Mr.. Kent of his election, and took
recess of fifteen minutes.
The committee in short time returned,
and stated that Mr.. Kent was too unwell to
turn out during the inclement weather.
He had, however, written note accepting
the position which was ordered to be spread
upon the record.
Mr.. Ordway moved that the bond Of Mr..
C. P. Word, City Collector, be referred to
the Committee on Bonds. Adopted.
On motion, the Council then adjourned
until Thursday evening at o'clock.
Letter of Mr.. Kent.-The letter of Mr..
Kent accepting the presidency is as follows
"RICHMoND, March %, 1869.
Gentlemen,-I am deeply grateful for
the unexpected honor you have conferred
upon me in selecting me as your presiding
officer.
81 accept the position given me with
great reluctance, .distrusting, as do, my
abilities to discharge its duties satisfactorily
to myself or to this Council. Having never
presided over deliberative body, am, OF
course, unacquainted with parliamentary
rules, and may, therefore, commit many
errors which, with more experience,
should avoid. I cannot hope to preside
with the urbanity and dignity which 80
greatly distinguished my immediate pre-
decessor, our late president, nor with the
promptness and sagacity which were SC
Characteristic Of the gentleman who pre-
ceded him, and who for 30 many years was an
honored and efficient member ofthis Council,
but will endeavor to discharge my duties
faithfully, without fear, favor, or affection,
and any errors I may commit will most as
suredly be unintentional.
"I trust, gentlemen, that 1 shall have
your aid in maintaining good order, IN pre-
serving the dignity and in enforcing the
rules Of this body, and that We may work
together tremendously, with the full de-
termination to see that the ordinances Of
the city are duly enforced that strict &C.
countability be required Of its officers and
employees, and that the most rigid economy
be introduced into all its departments. 80
"Your labors, gentlemen, will be onerous
and wholly unappreciated by large ma
iority of our citizens, nearly all of US being
new members and being unacquainted with
the varied and important duties which will
devolve upon US. They will for some time
be exceedingly lsborious, but [ am sure
they will be faithfully, promptly, and ett-
ciently discharged. ar,.--g
"Let us work together for the general
good of our fair city, having neither friends
to reward nor enemies to punish, and oil
will be we'll. a brighter day is dawning
upon US, and trust that peace, prosperity,
and happiness will soon be ours. e
"Again thanking you, gentlemen, for the
honor conferred upon me, can but renew
my assurances that my efforts shall be de-
voted to promoting the best interests of our
city, in which trust shall have your CO.
operation and assistance. -
SCI am, gentlemen, with great respect,
your friend and fellow-citizen, Is s. o.
'~rl = &,s5 - "HORACE L. KENT.
&c 70 the Council of the city of Richmond