The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-26
PETERSBURG.


GuMExrs OF JUDGE GUILD AND Mr.. WATKINS
or COUNSEL FOR THE PLAINTIFFs-THE
coroREp PEOPLE AyB THE SCHOOL CUES
TON.
CORRESPONDENCE OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
July 25, 1882.
The decision OF Judge Weisiger to-mor-
row. whether it dissolve or perpetuate the
Injunction. will none the less pass upon the
legality or illegality OF the acts OF the Coun-
elf on June 18th, 10Th, and Both. Judge
Ould, Of your city, who appeared for the
plaintifrs (Funders) made an argument OF
great logical force. He laid 1t down as an
indisputable proposition that the power OF
the Common Council, within Its conferred
Jurisdiction. Is rs great as that OF the Par
lament of Great Britain. He argued that
the charter OF our city did not prescribe
the time at which the election of municipal
officers should be holden, and that any
mower which the Council had on the LIST
day Of January, 1882, it had III the same
measure on June 18th, 10th, and 30th.
The Dispatch contains a press telegram
this morning which summarizes the points
made bv counsel for the defendants. The
foIlowing abstract will exhibit the argyll
ments of counsel for the plaintiffs (Messrs.
w. +. Watkins and Judge Robert Ould) in
epitomized form: 49,,
First. The plaintiffs, as taxpayers, did
have such an interest as to entitle them 10
the Injunction, since for the city TO pay q
double set OF officers would entail an addi-
tional tax upon themselves and the other
Taxpayers OF the city.
Second. That under the decisions OF the
courts the Auditor and Treasurer were the
only necessary parties defendant.
Third. That the injunction was asked Tor
not TO try and determine the title any Off
Ger elected by either the Democratic or Re
adjuster Council, but merely 10 stop the pay
ment OF salaries OF the illegally-elected Re-
adiuster officers until the Court OF Appeals
can determine their titles.
Fourth. That the 2Sth-Junc Council did
not attempt TO elect officers in advance OF a
vacancy, but to elect officers whose term OF
office should commence OF the expiration
of the terms OF office OF the then incum-
bcnts.
Fifth. That the Common Council is ar
element OF the corporation OF Petersburg,
and as such has perpetual succession.
Sixth. That under the city charter the
Council has right to make, alter, and re-
peal the city ordinances; and since the
charter is silent as to when the officers are
to be elected the Council has right to fix,
and at pleasure alter, such time.
Seventh. That the Council alone are the
Judges of the reasonableness OF ordinances,
so long as they do not conflict with the
charter or Constitution, and the courts
cannot inquire into the motives of council
men.
Eighth. That the Democratic Council on
the 18th Of June acted in strict accordance
with its Rules OF Order Ordinance p,
while the Readiuster Council OF July lst
acted in utter defiance thereof, introduced
and passed an ordinance at the same meet
ing without suspension OF the rules, As
required by ordinance; then, under such
illcgallv-passed ordinance, elected their DO
gus officers.
The colored people are going to hold
another mass-meeting tonight in regard TO
the employment OF cOlOrcd teachers. The
great body Of the lower orders OF the COL
ored people are not altogether in favor OF
the dismission OF white teachers and the
substitution OF negro teachers in their
places. This is attested by the fact that in
the last mass-meeting held by them there
was no unanimity whatever in sentiment.
The resolutions which were offered for
adoption have never been published. But
the fourth clause OF those resolutions WAS
deemed 20 preiudiced and unwisc that men
who were in sympathy with the movement
fought earnestly and successfully to pre-
vent its adoption. The resolution in ques-
ton was as follows:
Resolved, That the cOlored people will
regard the action OF any white teachers
who are elected, or who may hereafter be
elected, for colored schools, and who shall
present themselves TO take charge OF the
same, as pushing themselves upon people
who 90 not want their services.
This was gratuitous insult to faithful
white teachers whom even the most sodden-
witted negroes did not deem themselves
justified i'm thus insulting.
The chairman OF the Finance Committee
of the Council has received n letter from
the Finance Committee OF the Council Of
Lynchburg. The letter proposes the sale
of the city's 5000 shares Of stock in the
Norfolk and Western railroad. Norfolk
has already sold her stock in this road, and
Lynchburg and Petersburg are the only
cities in the State which, rs municipal cor
porations, hold stock in this company.
The Sunday-SchOOl Convention OF all
the denominations in the State viii lie held
in Petersburg on the 10th OF October. and
will continue until the 18Th. Professor
Williams T. Davis, Of this city, has been
appointed chairman OF the committee which
will provide suitable entertainment for the
delegates. 1t is almost needless to say
that our I etersburg people, who are the en-
bodiment of Old Virginia hospitality, will
extend a warm welcome to the delegates
and visitors TO this Convention.
ROBIv ADAIR.