The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-04-01
OFFICE OF THE CTY ATTORNEY, ,

HENRY G. CANNON, Chairman.
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY,
RICHMOND, VA, March IS, 1879.
Henry @. Cannon, Esq, Chairman Com
7nittee on Finance:
Dear Sir,-I am in receipt OF your letter
Of yesterday asking me to furnish you with
a statement OF the pending suits against the
city, and OF those adversely determined but
not yet settled. The following statement of
the principal cases will, presume, answer
the needs Of the committee for which you
ask the information:
l. The SmdH-Note GascS.-There are
some twenty or more actions at law, aggre-
eating claims to very heavy amount, the
proceedings in which have heen arrested by
chancery suit 10 avoid multiplicity. This
will be determined this year, think
2. Isabella Ritchie and Others Us. The
Cuy.-This is an action 10 recover part OF
the site OF the Second Market. l recovered
verdict in the Circuit Court, but notice OF
appeal has been served. ! am quite conf
dent OF success therein.
3. The Slate BdnE Us. The CWu-This is
an action to recover the sum Of $4,000 or
81, 900 OF taxes claimed to lrave been inn
properly charged and received by the city.
The cause is rcnuing in the Court OF Ap-
peals, and will probably be reached next
winter. Am unable to speculate rs to the
result; but it will involve nc charge on the
Treasury this year.
4. Stohes d Go. and The GoItego- Mills
Company Us. Tile City.-Vcrdicts were
rendered against the city in both these
causes in the Circuit Court, with aggregate
damages OF $1,000 and possession of the
disputed portion Of Twelfth street. I ap.
pealed, and in both causes argued the appeal
last week. A decision must soon be reached
5. Sedgocick Us. Tie City Of Richmond
To recover some $500 Of fines claimed to
have been improperly imposed and collect.
ed By the Police Justice. l argued the case
at the present term OF the Circuit Court.
and am confident OF success.
6. Jackson Us. City of Richnond.-Ac'
ton for 5000 damages for loss OF valuable
animal by reason OF defective highway
Will be tried at next term OF Circuit Court
probably.
I. Miles Harris Us. The City.-Action fol
| $4,000 for damage to person and property
| on account Of failure TO repair. Tried a
next term probably.
s. g. Il. Wallace Us. The City.-Assump
sit for $4,000 damages for destruction o.
liquor. The liability OF the city in such case:
was determined in Jones t. Co. Us. The City
OF Richmond-1S Grat. i presume the eYl
dence will greatly reduce the claim.
8. FTommer Us. The city Of Richmond
| This il an action TO determine the validity
OF license ordinance. recovered q juds
ment in favor.of the city in the court below
and IN appeal was taken, which was arguec
couple of weeks since i'll the Supreme
Court. think we will win.
10. Eiz. Courtney as. The city Of Rich
,nond. Action for damages from failure t
repair. A verdict for $1,000 was recovered
against the city at the present term OF thu
Circuit Court, but I demurred to the EVIL
dence, and the demurrer is pending.
II. DUKES administrator Us. The City,
Action for damages for $4,000 for loss o.
life Of child by falling into Il hole in from
of Cullingworth & Ellerson's tobacco fac
tory. viii probably be beard at the May
term of the Circuit Court.
u. Charles Heiniein rs. The Cty.-Ac
ton for damages by overflow of land CON
scuuent on street improvement in the west
crn part of the city. $4,000. This suit ha:
lust been instituted, and know nothing Of
its merits.
l3. City of Richmond Us. The State Bank
as qarnisheer.-Thisp procccdlngl is pending
in the Hastings Court, to try the right oil
the city to levy taxes on building-fund as'
sociations. An adverse decision involves
nothing beyond cost.
il. The CITY Petitioner, in Gil Us. John
SON, in the Chanccry Court.-This was an
action to recover 81, 100 Of taxes. lrecovereo
Judgment in the Chancery Court, but thC
defendants have appealed. ard the appeal
has been allowed.
Is. The CITY of Richmond rs. Crenshau
and otherS.-This is an action TO test the
scope OF the law allowing 4 rectiflcatlon
| of assessment by the Hastings Courts (noW
repealed). 1t is pending in the Court OF Ap'
pcals, but will not be reached for over
year to come.
These are the principal pending matters
now in court, in which q money recovery
is Involved. There are stlndry cases oi
emnation-arbitratio OF damagcs--ob-
struction OF the hiehway-matters OF rental
&C., in my bands (and always in hand as
part CT the current duty Of the Office which
do not concern the treasury seriously, and
which therefore I will not trouble you with
may add that, finding no docket OF city
causes, when | was elected to my present
office l had proper book prepared rs the
law requires, and it is at all times open to
the inspection OF any member OF the Coun'
ell
Ii have failed to give all the information
desired / shall be happy to make further
and fuller reply.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,