Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-04-11
Lexington Charter.
From the Richmond Dispatch,

From the Richmond Dispatch.
The am endments to the charter of the
town of Lexington which were adopted
by the House of Delegates-the ayes
being al! Readjusters and the noes all
Democrats provides
l. That the mayor and six councile
men, who at present constitute the gov.
eminent of the town, the cOuncilmen
having been elected from the town at
large, and whose term of Office does not
expire untiI July 1, 1888, shall be legis-
lated out OF Office on the 1st day of July,
1882, thus cutting short by one year the
term Of service to which the people had
elected them.
g. That the town shall be divided into
three wards, each to elect three council-
men. As thus gerryTnandered the first
ward contains majority of 80 white
votes The second ward a majority of 16
colored votes the third ward majority
of 80 colored votes thus showing q
clear white majority in the town of "a
white votes represented by three coun-
cilmen, and oolored minority repre-
sented by siC councilmen. This division
of a town of only 2 $50 Inhabitants into
wards is believed to be unprecedented
in this State, and as divided the glaring
|
that the first ward contains 900. the Sc
ward has nearly douDle the numbef-
namely, l. 100 Inhabitants
The real estate in Lexington is assess
ed at $500 O0O, being one sixth of the
entire real estate Of the county of Rock
bridge. The personal estate is assessed
at 1852 900, being nearly one-fourth of
the whole value in Rockbridge county.
In the division by wards, the value in
the First Tor white) ward amounts to
$3.50, GOO, while the values in the other
two wards amount to $196 900 in the Sc
cond and $l98.O00 in the Third, or an
aggregate of 1894 900 in the two wards
controlled by colored votes, and with
power to elect two thirds of the Coun.
Gil. 1t will thus be seen that, for party
purposes, the town of Lexington, with
a population Of $3.50, and with property
values of $95l 600, has been put in the
power, SC far as the dominant party in
the House of Delegates could effect it,
of 20l colored voters living in the Sc
cOnd and Third wards, and owning, it
is safe to assume, scarcely a twentie: b
part of the property of the town
An amendment was offered by Mr.
Johnston, Of BOtetOurt, in view of the
above facts which was fully discussed
on the floor If the House by himself,
Mr. Skinner, of Augusta. Mr. Evans, of
Middlesex, and Mr. Frazier, of Rock
bridge, providing that before the amend
ed charter should take effect its adop.
ton should be determined by the duly
qualified voters of Lexington bnt this
amendment was voted down by strict
party vote, and Lexington, the Athens
of Virginia, handed over to be govern
ed, if they so please, by the Bmotian
blacks, who polish the understandings
alias boots-of the learned gentlemen
who dispense science in the halls of
Washington and Lee" aud the "Vir-
ginia Military Institute"
The speech of Mr.. Tucker on the
Chinese'bi is regarded one OF the finest
discussions of the rights and powers of
the Government in regard to races ever
delivered. 1t Is well for the younger
people to study these questions, for they
will make trouble In the country one Of
these days. Lynch. Advance.