The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-24
The Norfolk Pnlica

We arc glad TO learn, rs we do from the
Norfolk Vrgiaidn, that the Police Com
missioners appointed by Judge GOODWIN
arc as good selections rs could be made
from the ranks OF the Rcadjuster party "
in that city. That fact, however, does not
Justify the removal Of McsSrS. TAYLOR and
MYERS, nor restore TO Norfolk the right to
govern herself as guaranteed to her by the
Constitution. II does, however, pave the
way 10 calm judicial decision upon con-
Stiiutonal points involved in the altera-
tons recently made in the charter OF Nor
folk, seeing that there is no question OF MI
ness raised. The courts can coOlly con-
slider and wisely decide the case upon its
merits. Norfolk owes it to her city sisters
TO secure the judgment OF the courts upon
the main point in dispute. Let us sec
what that is
The Constitution OF Virginia, Article
VI, after providing for the election Of va
rious city officers, provides, in section 20,
as follows:
IAN city, town, and village officers,
whose election or appointment is not pro-
vided for by this Constitution, shall be
elected by the electors OF such cities, towns,
and villages, or of some division thereof,
or appointed by such authorities thereof
a. the General Assembly shall designate"
The General ASsemby's power in the
premises is, fortunately, set forth in the
very section which gives that body the
right 10 provide how city officers shall be
!. appointed or elected in certain cases. The
General Assemblies power is merely de-
signaling power. II can't appoint the city's
officers itself; nor can il delegate their
appointment unless II delegates the same 20
one or more Of "the authorities thereof
that il. OF course, as nobody disputes, the
authorities Of the city.
The only question the courts need 10 be
called upon 10 decide is this: L. Judge Cop
WHY one Of the authorities" OF Norfolk
city, within the meaning Of the COnstitu-
ticni We think not The Constitution of
Virginia was in many respects modelled
after the Constitution Of New York. In
New York State the Republican Legislature
had appointed police commissioners to con-
troll the police OF Democratic New York
city. The UNDERWOOD Convention was q
Republican body. In that body Richmond
city was represented by two or three ne
groes and several white men; but all were
Republicans. Richmond was a Republican
city. The provision in question was in
tended, we suppose, 10 prevent the Legis.
Iaturc OF Virginia from initiating the New
York Legislature and governing Virginia
cities by commissions. In other words, II
Was intended 10 secure to the people OF
every city in Virginia the right TO self-gov-
ernment. They were to have no officers
selected for them by the General Assembly
itself, much less by judicial officer OF the
State.
II this view Of the case be correct, Judge
GOODWIN is not one OF the authorities " OF
Norfolk within the meaning Of the Consti-
tuition. He Is as Independent OF the voters
Of that city as he Is Of the voters Of Rich
lnond; and no one would claim that the
General Assembly could constituiionally
authorize him 10 appoint police commits
,ioners for Richmond. The spirit OF the