The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-10-12

COUNCIL CONQUERED IN - NEW BUsI
NESS
The Board OF Aldermen met YESTERDAY
fternoon-President Meredith in the chair
Present at roll-call: Messrs. Barksdale
Crenshaw, Crump, Dickerson, Gasser, Gray
Rankin, Scott. Smith, Wexford, and vii
liams.
DR.. Wexford stated that Mr.. Wagner was
detained from his seat by important bust.
ness.
sergeantat-Arms August presented tc
the Council communication from Mayor
Darlington, president Of the Board Of Po.
lice Commissioners, ealing attention to the
necessity Of appointing persons other than
members OF the police force to light the
street-lamps. Also, calling attention to the
necessity Of increasing the number OF po-
licemen now on duty by three, or restoring
the sanitary inspectors to regular police
duty, &c. Also, calling attention TO the
shameful condition Of the Third police-sta-
tion-declared not ft for the occupancy
even OF beasts, DC.
On motion OF Mr.. Dickerson so much OF
the communication as relates to lighting the
lamps and increase Of police force was re.
ferred to the Committees on Light and Re-
trenchment and Reform, and the residue to
the Committee on Grounds and Buildings.
An INTERESTING RELlC-coL0NEL JOSEPH
sELDEE's SWORD.
The Chair laid before the Board the fol-
lowing communication from Mr.. James
Lyons, which was read:
RICHMOND, Va, May 30, 1880.
To the Hon. John A. Meredith, President
Of the Board Of Aldermen, and Dr.. OTIS
+. Manson, President of the Council Of
the City Of Richmond:
Gentlemen,-My friend the late Colonel
Joseph Selden was staying with ne some
time before his death, which occurred soon
after he left my house. Before he left it he
did me the honor TO bestOw upon me the
sword which the city OF Richmond be-
slowed on him for his gallant military SER
vices, especially at Chepultepec, with ber
glorious tribute to bis courage and patriot
ism engraved upon it. / am very sick, and
about TO 60 to the Bedford Alum and Iron
Springs for the summer, IL live; but as 1
may never return / have the honor to re-
store the sword 10 the city which gave it
through her distinguished representatives,
the presidents OF her Council.
With great respect, your fellow-citizen
and friend, JAMES LYONS.
The Chair, after a brief explanation OF
the circumstances OF Lieutenant Selden's
wounding at Chepultepec, asked what dis
position the Board would make OF the letter.
DR.. Cabell moved that committee Of
three be appointed TO prepare suitable reso-
lutions on the subject. Agreed to.
The Chair appointed Messrs. Cabell,
Dickerson, and Rankin.
The committee retired, and after brief
absence presented the following:
Whereas the sword presented by the city
of Richmond to the late Lieutenant Joseph
Selden has fallen in the possession OF the
Hon. James Lyons, who now returns it TO
the city, therefore be it
RESOLVED by The Council Of The city Of
Richmond, That 1t accept the sword given
TO Lieutenant Seiden, United States army,
as tribute to bis gallantry and dstin-
guisbed services in the Mexican war-ser-
vices sealed by his blood at the storming OF
Chsputepec and by bis previous brilliant
achievements at PalO Alto, Resaca de la
Palma, Monterey, Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo,
Cherubusco, and Molino del Rey. These
services will ever dwell in the grateful
recollection OF his State, and particularly OF
Its metropolis, the scene OF bis education
and residence. The city OF Richmond is
proud OF so distinguished a son, who de-
Tended the rights, the interests, and honor
of his country, and will guard this memento
with the cherished fondness OF a mothers
heart.
Resolved, That the thanks OF the city be
rendered to our distinguished citizen the
Hon. James Lyons for this mark OF his con-
tinued devotion to the best interests and
welfare of our city.
Resolved, That the clerk be directed to
suspend this sword on the Council Chamber
walls Of the city, and that it be preserved as
a memento Of her distinguished son.
ReSoIued, That the above resolutions be
printed and framed and suspended beneath
the sword.
DR.. CABELL's REMARKS.
DR.. Cabell spoke in glowing terms OF
Lieutenant Selden, aud referred to his re-
turning from advance duty in Mexico and
being introduced with Quitman, Magruder,
Shields, and others to the Senate. The Presi-
dent OF the Senate then said:
"While Virginia recollects that at the
storming OF Chepultepec you were first on
the ing-ladder, she does not forget that
Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palms, Monterey,
Vera Cruz, Cerro GOrdo, Cberubusco, and
MoIino del Rey had already placed you
high on the ladder of fame under the proud
satisfaction that, with self-sacriicing devO-
ton to your country's honor, you have ever
been true to her interest and your duty.
She receives you back with all the cherished
iondness OF doating mothers heart"
With such compliments, said DR.. Cabell,
as these from the Legislature Of the Old Do.
miniOn, it will be a work Of supererogation
for me to say more In the memory OF Lieut..
Selden. His brow has been decked with
military laurels, and he has been the guest
Of the State and received as soldier who
CALAMITY defended bis country and contri.
buted much to the successful termination OF
the Mexican war-a war by which we OBJ
tanned New Mexico and California, thus
o1{6hd ding our domain from Atlantic TO Pa
ctic ocean and from Canada to Mexico.
The reputation Of 1t. Seldep, then, rests on
an enduring basis, and is not ephemeral.
He has done the republic much service, and
his name is historical, and should be ranked
with those patriots whose deeds have rem
dered them objects OF love and gratitude TO
their country. 1t is the possession OF such
men as 1t. Seden which constitutes the
strength of nation. For what constitutes
Statei Not high.built battlements and
towers or palatia residences, but men
high.minded men-that know their rights,
and, knowing, dare maintain. 1t was my
fortune to know 1t. Seldsn intimately from
boyhood. ] can without hattery say that he
was adorned with every trait calculated
to win and retain the affection OF his friends
and associates. He was devoid OF oil envy
and uncharitabless, and he was the fayorite
OF all who knew him. He was the welcome
visitor at many houses, and In fact he might
be considered a pet Of the city beloved by
all who knew him. His DersOual honor