The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-02

orsauisaticn or Bsth Branches or the City
Gsvernment-Cbnnac in the Presidency or
the Csmmon Council.

The new Common Council met yesterday
at noon.
On motion of Mr.. Pizzini, Mr.. John VI.
Higgins was elected temporary chairman,
Mr.. B. T.. August temporary sergcant-a,-
arms, and Mr.. n. G. Howard temporary
clerk.
Mr.. Higgins took the chair aad made q
brief speech Of thanks for the honor con-
ferred. lie II the oldest councilman In the
body.
Mr.. Phillips called attention 10 the neces-
s'ty u taking the antI-dueimg oath, which
has heretofore been published In the Dis
patch.
In order 10 expedite business, the clerk
suggested that Ii would be well for him to
call three or four names at time. and let
the members called come forward and take
the cath. Mavor w 9 Ca-ri~gs.5n was
o "a. for, snu he administered the oath 10
the members In the manner suggested.
The eiaxk called The roll, when .he fol-
lowing members, Including the entire
Council, answered TO their names Messrs.
Adams, Allen, Archer, Baben, Bowie,
Brauer, Campbell. Curtis, Elicit, Ellyson,
Friscbkorn, Gum, Hargroye, Hayes, IIig-
gins, Hooper, Hughes, King, Metzger, Nil
Ter, Mcdowell, Patton, Phillips, Pizzini,
Randolph, Rose, Straus, Turpin, Weisiger.
and Clarke.
PRESIDENT ELECTED.
The Chair announced the next business
In order TO be the election OF q president.
Mr.. Hayes made a brief speech, nomi-
mating Captain Maxwell Il. Clarke.
Mr.. LIargrove seconded the nomination.
Mr.. Bowie nominated Mr.. J. Taylor
Ellyson In few complimentary words,
which were endorsed by Mr.. Campbell and
by Mr.. Randolph (coloredO, who stated that
1t was the wish OF the people OF his ward
to baye AIR. Ellyson elected.
Mr.. Curtis then secured the floor, and
made,a vigorous speech. lie said:
Mr.. Chairman, it Is with some relutance
that rise here to have anything to say. 1t
is not my custom to say anything on these
occasions, but. sir, to my utter astonish-
ment, learned to-day that certain men,
bers OF this Council had met together for
the purpose Of defeating Maxwell T. Clarke
for president of this body.
The Chairman (Mr. Higgins: The mem-
Der is out OF order, and must confne him
self to the matter before the Council.
Mr.. Curtis: | am confining myself di-
rectly to the question. rise for the pur-
pose Of speaking Of Maxwell II. Clarke,
though there may be enough here TO vote
him down. claim it is my right TO speak
for any man whom l have known SO long
and well as Maxwell L. Clarke. As said,
sir, was utterly astounded when learned
that the chances were that j. Taylor Ely
son would be put in nomination and elected
by this body. But few days ago the
Council met, and the chairman Of that
body, our temporary chairman to-day (Mr.
IIiggins), spoke OF Mr.. Clarke in the most
glowing terms, and / remember well, sir,
that the gentleman from Monroe Ward
(Mr. Ellctt) claimed that the gentleman
der in cOmplimenting Maxwell L. Clarke.
AFoRNER FEUD.
IL Is but two years ago that there was q
fight in this Council for the office OF prcsi-
dent between Mr.. Taylor and Mr.. Manson.
1t was tic vote, and jefferson Ward her.
sell put In nomination Maxwell r. Clarke
in order to bring peace aud quietness in
this body Of the City Council. Every gen.
tleman here-it made no difference how
he was for his friend---said
q Peace" and peace has reigned throughout
the body. Can any member say aught
against President Clarke's rulings? Can
anybody say anything against the distribu-
ton Of the committees? He has acted
fairly, and bears q record that no man can
say aught against.
What DOVE find to-days An opposition
that has sprung up in the night. 1t has
not been many days ago that we were all
Tor him. There must be something at the
bottom Of it that we cannot see to-day. Il
my member OF this body dissatisfied with
his rulings or dissatisfied about what CON-
nittees he will be Opy As for me, having
been here eight years, would say that in
order to have peace and harmony would
Weld every committee that was on in or
der to have peace. But, sir, how can we
have il il we are to-day TO wage war!
CHRISTIAN AND KELLEY.
Are we to combine religion with politics.?
God forbid that any man here should let
come from his lips one iota OF such scnti-
ment. know that Il certain citizen Of the
city Of Richmond, who has been The cham
pion OF George l.. Christian, has sought
of this Council
Mr.. Higgins The gentleman is out OF
order.
MI. tultlS dil III VI
Mr.. Higgins The name OF Mr.. Christian
Is not before this body.
Mr.. Curtis know | have Il right TO
speak OF what bears upon the subiect-mat-
ter befor the Council. | want this dis
tinctly understood, that j. Taylor EllysOn
Is a friend OF mine. We have served to-
gether in this Council, but when see the
Tide drifting as 1t is cannot help but get
hat fhi.s l. a fif,,t ~ Ea-
tween Mr.. Elyson and Captain Clarke, but
so far as | can understand it, between
George l.. Christian and A. VI. Kelley.
Mr.. Higgins The gentleman is not in
order. lie is not coniinipg himself to the
question.
Mr.. Curtis: / am confining myself to the
question, and the question alone. The
Chair may decide that am not in order,
but am Of the opinion that l am. l want
to charge this--I am no backbiter. say
10 his face what would say on the streets,
aud beg this Council to-day, in the name
Of peace, in the name Of good order, not to
allow Maxwell Il. Clarke to be beaten for
the presidency. would repeat, sir, that
4 there is any gentleman who desires any
committee that l have l will yield il
i never aspiIed to high posi-
lions in the Council. never aspired TO be
upon any committee, but / have gouc TO
The president and asked him not to put me
on committees. We have come here to act
Iairly and honestly and cOnscientiously for
Lhe city's good.
We don't come here TO carry out our
own personal ends. We have nothing di-
rectly or indirectly to make out Of the
city's interests; but, sir, this question is
drifting the city into trouble and destruc-
ton, and it will defeat tue people Of this
city and this Council In such way that
you will regret it. You have called me to
order, but my fondness for talking has kept
me ON. l hope it will be the pleasure Of
This Council not TO displace Captain Clarke.
Mr.. Hooper then called the question,