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

srlpecsts a commutatIon OF tue sen1ence "
Imprisonment for life. The parucuiars OF
this crime are, briefly, as foliows: Oh FIJI
day morning. April eth, Mr.. and Mrs: Gray
and Mr.. Jones (who was employed as man.
ager OF the farm breakfasted together, as
was their wont. Mrs. Gray crank
freely OF coffee, as did Mr. Jones
also. Mr.. Gray does not drink THIS
beverage, and was thus saved by
that circumstance. Early in the gay
Mrs. GRAY and Dir. Jones were both taken
sick, their illness increased, ana DESPITE
all medical aid both OF them died. me
stomach Of Mrs. Gray was sent TO hich-
mond for chemical examination by Dr.
TAYLOR, whose analysis showed the traces
Of arsenic. subsequently Mary and Nir-
pinia BoO.he, two negro girls' were al,
rested on suspicion OF having administered
the poison by means OF the breakiast COZ,
fee. Both OF these girls were employed
bv Mr.. Gray, and the impression was pre-
duced, by reason OF their youthfulness,
that they had been but instruments OF older
persons. The evidence adduced III tneT
trial failed to substantiate the impression,
and was very clear in pointing to the gum
OF the two girls, who probably aid the dted
unassisted and uinspircd ly outside par
tics. The case Of Virginia Boothe mas
been continued TO the next term OF the
County Court The condemned girl, Mary
Boothe, is about fourteen years old. :,
Mr.. s. A. Plummer. the Auditor eiected
on Tuesday by the outgoing Democratic
Council, this morning demanded OF Mr.. +.
r. Russell. the incumbent, who is Read
ius,er. the Office and books and appurte-
nance. thereof, basing his right thereto on
his recent election by the Council under
amended ordinances. Mr.. Russell refused
to recognize and comply with his demand,
declaring that there is no vacancy. Later
on. when the Mayors Court met. Mr..
Ph,mmer. who by virtue OF his office OF
Auditor il also clerk OF the Mayor, went 70
the MAYORS Court and demanded OF Mr..
Russell, who was seated beside the Mayor,
performing the functions Of his Office,
that he step down and out the office,
basine his claim, az before, to his cleo
tion by the Council under amended or
dinances. Mr.. Russell again refused, de-
nying the existence OF any vacancy and the
validity of his election. Mr.. Plummer
then appealed to the Mayor for recognition
as the properly elected officer. and Colonel
Archer, the Mayor, promptly recognized
him. Dir. Russell denied that Colonel
Archer is a legal Mayor, and continued his
seat and performed the duties OF the posi-
ton. Mr.. Plummer took position on the
other side and performed the duties also,
and so the Mayor was and will be doubly
served until the courts have decided.
A special telegram received from our
correspondent last night says
The Readjusters have not only done
what was expected from them, but have,
in the opinion OF the Democrats, out
heroded iIerod. The Council which met
this afternoon comprised majority OF Re-
adiusters. They first elected temporary
chairman, Mr.. Bowie, who took his seat
without opposition, the Democratic presl-
dent (Mr. SMITH being rather late III ar
irving by reason OF the premature session
of the Council, rs he claimed. No obstruc-
ton was offered by the Democrats. The
Injecting was smooth and uninterrupted,
The Readjusters elected an entire set oil
officers and police corps and committees.
Colonel J. u. Minnetree was elected
president OF the Council. When the cleo
ton of officers had been accomplished, Mr.
Couch, Readiuster member, offered ht
resignation, which was accepted. This
left the status Of the parties thus: Reid
, busters, -; Democrats, 8. The Democrat:
Immediately left the Council chamber
i Their purpose in thus doing was to leave
/ the Readiustcrs without a quorum. TIT
q Rcadjusters Immediately nominated, elect
Q ed, and swore in w. 7. Hargroye to iii
. the vacancy. The Democrats claim tina
. the election WAS rot in conformity witt
. the rules of the Council, and hence wa
q illegal and invalid.
The city has been in a state OF ieversl
, | all Conner
!. chamber was packed, and crowds congre
I gated ON the strcet-corners. Altogethe
o things have the appearance OF genera
O election in the city.
= Judge Mann, OF the Hastings Court, dc
cided this evening that Il. W. Couch
:. elected treasurer OF the city at the munlci
nal election, and who has held position
= n councilman since the day fixed Tor in
= cumbency, was emitted to part q positio
a to which he was elected.
= Argument was heard from counsel o.
n both sides, Judge Budd and the Messr'
70 Bernard representing Mr.. Couch; IL. q
Pegram, Esq, and Mr.. Hamilton, OF thi
city, appearing for Mr.. johnson, contest
ant. Mr.. Pegram, representing johnson
present incumbent, cited the case OF Bum
, Ing, sheriff OF the Elizabeth City courts
I and argued earnestly and ably. The argr
} ment Of Judge Budd for Couch was Of
high order and f0rceful.
lr Judge Mann decided that there was n
q, analogy between Buntng's case and til
le case OF Couch.
1t An appeal will be taken to higher court
IN Two sets Of police officers are on dut
Is tonight. Both claim TO be the regularly
Is elected and valid force OF police.
K A committee appointed by the Readjust
is er Council this evening demanded O
ej EaneS, chief Of police (appontee Of III
( Democratic CounciD, the surrender Of Oh
Is station-house, which was refused.
n A petition Is being circulated by tn,
ministers OF this city praying for the dis
continuance OF the Sunday excursion train
on the Richmond and Petersburg railroad
4 The petition has been numerously signed
e The Democratic Council appropriate
|. certain sums Of money during its last ses
y sion for the payment Of outstanding &C
d counts. The payees were refused settlement
l. this morning, owing to the complication
@ with regard to the authorship.
4 Consultations have been held by Til
r counsel representing both sides this morn
+ ing. Judge Ould, OF Your city, is in town