The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-22
THE ClTY CHARTER.
FIRST MEETING og THE SPECIAL COUNCIL
COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS suGGEsTIoNs OF VARIOUS
MEMBERS, &C., &c.

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AMENDMENTS UGGEsTIoNs OF VARIOUS
MEMBERS, &C, &c.
A meeting OF the special Joint committee,
consisting OF the president OF the Board Of
Aldermen, and hfessrs. Cannon and BealI,
OF the Board, the president of the Com
mon Council, and Messrs. Gray. SIRIUS, and
Haxall, of the Common Council, appointed
to confer with the city's representatives in
the Legislature upon the question OF making
such amendments to the city charter as
may be deemed necessary and proper, was
held yesterday afternoon in the Council
chamber.
On motion OF Mr. Straus, Judge Mere
dith was invited to preside.
Messrs. Henry, Anderson, Gray, and Pull
liam, OF the House OF Delegates, were pre-
sent.
General Anderson addressed the commit
tee and gave his views as to the Importance
OF having q permanent charter, one that
shall be passed by the General Assembly,
and after having been submitted to the
qualified voters not altered by the Legisla-
ture unless by the vote OF the people. He
had very few amendments toBuggest him.
self, but was OF opinion thata would be
very desirable for the 31st and @2d sections
OF the charter to be amendedso rs to pro-
vide that the Auditor OF the city and the
City Collector shall be appointed by the City
Council instead OF being elected by the
people, as at present.
Z Mr.. Cannon agreed fully with General
Anderson; moreover, he was Of opinion
that the charter should be so amended as to
prevent the Council from increasing the
debt OF the city unless ratified by the peo-
pie. -
Mr.. Cannonspresented a resolution for the
appointment of subcommittee Of five men,
bers-two from the city's delegation in the
Legislature and three members from this
committee shall be instructed to con-
slider and report to the general committee, at
its next meeting, all propositions looking to
the amendment OF the charter OF the city OF
Richmond, with such recommendations rs
said subcommittee shall think best for the
interests Of the city. Agreed to.
The Chair appointed Messrs. Guy, Cam
non, Straus, Henry, and Anderson.
Mr.. Christian suggested that 1t would be
priety OF amending the 103d and 10Th Sec
tions OF the charter so as to provide for the
appointment OF the Hight Constable and the
the Council instead OF by the people.
Mr.. Christian also suggested that it would
be we'll to change the time for the election
OF the city officers to February in place OF
July, as at present, so as not to require
neWly-eected members Of the Council to
elect officers Immediately upon their going
into office.
Mr.. Strans suggested that the sub-com-
mittee consider the propriety OF amending
the 25th section Of the charter, providing
whenever public Improvement, such as
new street, is laid out, and that part Of the
expense shall be borne by the owners Of
real estate benefited, that two. thirds OF the
Council shall concur in thepimproyement
instead OF three iourths, US at present.
Mr.. Straus also asked that the committee
consider the propriety OF comforting upon
the Committee on the Fire Department
power to grant and reject building permits.
MIR. Sraus also thought that the 10Th sec
ton should be amended so as to provide
that elections in the Council shall be for the
uneXpired lerm.
Mr.. Cannon asked that the committee
consider the propriety OF providing by
charter that no joint standing committee OF
the city shall consist OF more than seven
members.
Mr. OanUOu DitSCiitGu W CuC Suo-SohA
mittee an independent section:
An amendment to provide that all bonds
or evidences Of debt heretofore or hereafter
to be issued shall be regarded as issued upon
the faith of the people OF the city OF Rich
mond; that the charter OF the said city shall
not be so altered as to impair the security
which the holder OF such bonds or evil
dences or debt may have for the payment OF
such bonds or evidences OF debt: provided
that nothing herein contained shall be con-
strucd so as to prevent any amendment or
alteration of the charter which. shall be re-
commended by both branches OF the City
Council and accepted by three fourths OF
the qualified voters Of tire city Of Richmond.
including a majority Of the frceholders OF
the city OF Richmond.
Judge Meredith presented an amendment
to section G7, which was referred to the sub
committee, authorizing the city, in case 1t
has been q subscriber to or has loaned any
work or internal improvement money OF
bonds, to purchase said work OF bid for the
same in case said work is sold.
Judge Meredith also presented tue fol-
lowing, which was referred:
This act shall be in force so soon rs it
shall be adopted by the qualified voters OF
the city at the first election held after the
passage OF this act, and no amendaent to
this charter shall be valid until it shall be
in like manner adopted by the qualified
voters.
Adjourned.
The subcommittee will meet on Thurs.
day ut IS P. n.