The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-01-09
1e.,er from petersburg.

urrr,.c OF TIE COMMON CoUSCIL-ABoUT TIE
pI1I AMENDING THE TOWN CHARTER ~
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED COMMITTEES AffoiH1'
i ED TO PRESENT THEM TO The LhaL'i'Ai ne: a
coLoRED MAN RENDERED INSANE oi a hLo"
ON THE HEAD-A MAN FALLS r hon a D"iDoh
KIP. ELECTION, sc:
PETERSBURG, January 8, 1874.
Tho efforts OF the terror-stricken Radical
of,ice.holders to obtain meeting of the Com
mon Council for the purpose of adopting
resolu lions denunciatory Of the bill amend
Ing the charter of this city proved more sue
cessful this afternoon than OH yesterday.
Mr.. Tapley, who, by virtue of bis removal
from Fifth Ward, is no longer member of
| the Council, was present, and completed the
quorum upon which the organization was
| effected. Councilman Hill subsequently,
made his appearance, and impaired to the
proceedings semblance of legality, though
| in reality he did not appear until after 4:15
o'clock-the time provided for adjournment
in case Of no quorum.
Mayor Wood explained the object Of the
meeting in few remarks, deprecating the
action OF tue "self-constituted committees"
who were pressing the measure for changing
the charter of the city against the wishes of
the masses.
The following preamble and resolutions,
prepared by Mayor Wood, were then SUBJ
mitted by Mr.. MeCaleb, and unanimously
adopted:
"Whereas a committee of citizens, with
out any consultation with the Common
Council, officers Of the city government, or
any known expressed desire on the part of
majority Of citizens for such action, have
presented to and propose pushing through
the General Assembly new charter for this
city; therefore be it
"Resolred, That this body finds no reason
for petitioning the Legislature for change
in the organic or chartered rights Of the city;
that, always willing and DESTROYS of carry
ing out the expressed or implied wishes of
majority OF our constituents, we fail to
find such majority, or even any considerable
portion thereof, fayoring a change in the city
charter.
"Reso'ced, That inasmuch as the Consti-
tuition OF the State provides that general
laws shall be passed for the organization
and government of cities, and no special
act shall be passed except in cases where
in the Judgment Of the General Assembly
the object Of such act cannot be attained by
general laws; and further, the Bill Of
Rights, part Of the same instrument, pro-
nounces 'all power vested in and conse-
quently derived from the people, we do not
see wherein tue General Assembly finds any
justifable grounds for acting upon a new
charter for this city, presented by sef-con-
stituted committee and without the appro-
val or recommendation of this Council.
"ResolUed, That we respectfully request
the General Assembly to refer the proposed
~, Sol op, fhaty
with full kno wledge of the changes pro-
posed to be made, take such action in the
premises as may be wise and eXpedent for
the best interests of the city.
~Resolred, That committee Of three, of
which the Mayor shall be chairman, proceed
forthwith to Richmond for the purpose Of
laying these resolutions before both Houses
of the General Assembly," 49,.
In pursuance Of the above, the Mayor
appointed T. G. McCaleb (white) aud 2. G.
Morgan (colored) as the committee to visit
Richmond and present the resolutions to the
Legislature.
A colorcd man named Alexander Green,
while assisting in removing a safe from the
Merchants National Bank to-day, met with
an accident which resulted in breaking his
ankle by the falling of the safe upon it.
Yesterday morning colored man named
Sandy Brown, employed as brakeman on
the Richmond and Petersburg railroad, re-
ceiyed q fearful blow on the head, near Ches-
fer which rendered him insane. He con-
tinued TO perform his duty until be reached
Richmond. when his insanity was disc0Y-i
cred. BE formerly belonged to Mrs. Gum,
: The Mayor to-day appointed Thomas
Davis and William Roberts as special police.
men. ...s.
man ON the material train of the Petersburg
and weldon railroad, fell through bridge,
across Gill street, about twenty feet high,
and sustained injuries of the spine and other
portions Of the body that threaten to result
Rev. DR.. Witherspoon will deliver his lee
ture on q Prison Life at Fort McHenry to-
night in the Second Presbyterian church for
the benefit Of the Ladies' Aid Society.
Last night Naomi Lodge, No. 80, Knights
Of ythias, elected Past Chancellor E. G..
Eanes as a delegate to the Grand Lodge,
which ,conYenes in Richmond shortly. Past
Chancellor George G. Wheary was elected
as alternate.
Judge Mann to-day appointed MIR. n. T..
Patterson, of the Inder-Appeal, justice of
the peace for Fourth Ward to fill vacancy
occasioned by the resignation of Mr.. L. b.
Nollner. ROBIN ADAIB.