The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-31

/ A joint meeting Of the Board OF Alder
men and Common Council was held yester-
day afternoon to consider the proposed
amendments to the charter OF the city.
Present at.roll-call ..@
+ From the Board Of Aldermen -Messrs.
Bass, Beail, Cannon, Gasser, Gray, Scott,
Smith, Spangenburg, Todd, Wagner, vii.
liam:f, and thinner.
From the Common Council-Messrs
Adams, Campbell, Curtis, Davis, Elicit,
Foster, Gregory, Guy Hargrove, Haxali,
Higgins, King, Starke, Skinker, Stokes,
Taylor, Timberlake, Vanderyall, and Wood.
President Meredith, OF the Board Of
Aldermen, occupied the chair.
Mr.. Todd stated that Mr.. Christian was
absent from the city.
Mr. Todd stated that Messrs. Pickrell
and Talbot were also absent from The city.
THE OBJECT OF THE MEETING.
Ts Chair stated the object Of the meet
ing.
Mr.. Cannon, from the special joint COM
mittee appointed to consider certain amend
ments to the city charter, presented the
proposed amendments as already pub
lisheG in the Dispatch.
The report Of the committee was read.
Mr.. Cannon said that he did not feel
bound to support all Of the proposed
amendments.
A POINT OF ORDER.
Mr.. Todd raised the point that it was not
competent for the two branches Of the
Council sitting jointly to transact any legis-
lative business. He had examined the char
ter and could find nothing in it that coun-
tenanced such action.
The Chair said he had called the meeting
in conformity with the order contained in
the resolution, which required the report
to be submitted to joint session OF the
Council.
Mr.. Cannon thought the point was not
we'll taken. The meeting was not called by
the president Of the body, but by order Of
the resolution itself. He insisted that it
was not contemplated to pass any laws this
evening; no legislative business having
transacted; and he thought that it
was perfectly competent for the two
branches to meet and confer together us to
the interests OF the city. He insisted that
there was nothing in the charter that pro-
hibited the consideration and consultation
OF a subject in joint session.
Mr.. Todd said that he was perfectly will
ing to listen to an expression OF opinion
from the committee that framed the report,
but beyond that he was unwilling to go.
THE POLICE FORCE.
At this point In the proceedings Sergeant
at-Arms August laid before the joint session
the. following communication from the
Mayor:
RICHMOND, January 20, 1878.
TO the honorable members of the City Coun-
Gil:
As President OF the Police Board it was
my duty to forward to-day the suggestions
as to amendments to the charter, &C., and
in all which I concur.
deem it my duty as Mayor to call your
attention to the fact that under the present
charter the Police Board have entire con-
troll OF the police force, without any power
reserved to the Council to give directions for
its management.
1t does not appear to me as wise and
proper for the city to part from all control
OF so important an arm of the city service,
and to have no power to control the body
that controls the police.
I ask your consideration. OF such an
amendment to the charter as will allow the
Council to control the force and the Police
Board In all matters except the appointment
and removal Of members.
The present very honorable members OF
the Police Board have attended diligently
to their duties, and no fear need be enter
tained of any wrong at their hands, yet [
think the principle dangerous and wrong
for q city TO be po,cerless by la,o to have a
voice in managing one OF its most import
ant departments.
Very respectfully,
w. G. CARRINGTON, Mayor.
4 communication was also received from
the Board OF Police Commissioners recon-
mending various amendments to the char
ter concerning the police force.
Mr.. Cannon moved to consider the report
of the special committee section by Sec
ton.
On motion OF Mr.. Williams the report OF
the committee was directed to be forwarded
to the two branches OF the Council.
Adjourned.
GY,r,,