The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-03
PETERSBURG.

THE ppocErpIxGs OF THE COUScrL--AN I'M
poRrAST srssI0S-TBE TWO MAfoHo-A
DEMAND by Nh. JARRATT DECLINED pI
COLONEL ARcHER--A CASE TO bh hAp ,
yoR THE SUPREME CUURT-N0 PAY foh Inh
,,rr orrrcrArs-sAIE or CITY PROPERTY
oRpyRFD-THE SOUTHAMPTON MUkphhh"'
correspondence OF the Richmond Di'paicn'
FEBRUARY 2, 1883.
The session OF the Common Councii las,
night was an unusually long one, ana, cs u
proved, q very important one In many IT,
spects. As telegraphed to the DtSPdtca'
the office OF Mayor was declared vacant,
and Mr.. T. J. Jarratt was elected 70 MI .ht
position. The resolution adopted by the
Council on this subject sets forth that ciI;
,Jarratt was elected Mayor by the qualineoi
voters Of tho city in May last for term OF
two wears, commencing July LIST, ana tha'
as he failed to qualify within the time pre-
scribed by law. the Office thereby became
vacant. The thirteen Readiuster members
voted for the resolution, and the eight
Democratic members present voted against
IL. The latter refused 10 vote for any one
for Mayor on the ground that no vacancy
existed In the office. Mr.. Jarratt was de-
clared elected.
This morning, in company with his coun-
sel. MIR. ,Iarrait went up to the courthouse,
stated TO Mayor Archer that he had been
duly elected mayor OF the city by the
Council. claimed that he was the legal and
only chief executive, and demanded the
surrender OF the office. This Mayor Archer
declined TO do, claiming that under the pro-
visions OF the law he is the lawful mayor OF
the city. These proceedings were con-
Quoted in the Mayors Office, and were OF
the most courteous and gentlemanly char
octcr. IL was agreed between them that
the matter should be left to the courts for
settlement, and that until it Is settled
neither one OF the gentlemen should eXer-
else the functions OF the office. a magis-
late will hold the Mayors Court until the
court decides who Is mayor.
1t is understood and agreed that a case
will be made up at once for the Supreme
Court. Exactly how tins will be done has
not yet been decided, but probably through
the means OF hdbcdS corpus.
The opinion OF Judge Budd, the city at
torney, in reference to payment OF the
salaries of the late Democratic officials,
was adverse to the latter. He holds that
these men have no legal claim to compen-
sation, and consequently that the Council
has no power to make an appropriation to
pay them. He holds that this matter was
definitely settled by the decision OF the
Supreme Court, when it declared that the
proceedings OF the Council on the 2Stb,
both, and 30th days Of June last were lie
gal and void. Many OF the lawyers Of the
city. however, differ with the opinion given
by Judge Budd.
1t is believed, now that the Council has
definitely settled that the late Democratic
officials are not entitled TO pay for their
services, that the citizens will take the mat
ter in hand and promptly raise a Subscrip-
ton for the relief OF these unfortunate
men.
The Committee on Public Property last
night submitted report to the Council
giving complete list OF the property
owned by the city, and the value thereof.
The total value Of this property, As report
ed, is S2iA, 200. The report recommended
the sale OF the block OF three brick stores
on Sycamore street opposite the court
house square. the old Grace-church lot on
Old street, and several other pieces of pro-
perry. The Council approved the report
and ordered the sale OF the property
named-deeming 1t better TO sell the stores
than to repair or rebuild them. The pro-
ceeds of the sale will be placed to the credit
OF the Sinking Fund.
An effort was made Ivy the Finance Com
mittee to get through an appropriation OF
$4,000 for the Colored Normal College, to be
located near this city, but ii was declared
that such an appropriation could not be
made without special authority granted by
the Legislature, and the matter was tempo
rarily withdrawn.
A colored woman named Margaret Fields
was arrested here last night OH the charge
Of stealing a bracelet valued at 800 from a
lady in New York. The property was re-
covered and the woman was to-day COM
mitted TO Jail for ten days to await the az
ton Of the New York authorities.
The case OF Mr.. Charles Gee, Of Prince
George county, charged with cutting Cap
tain William :. McCance some days ago,
was called in the Mayors Court this morn
ing and continued until the eth OF March
Captain McCance, while improving, is not
vet out OF danger, and is unable 10 leave
his bed. Mr.. Gee was admitted to bail in
the sum Of $1,000.
The building OF the large new dredge
for the New York Steam-Dredge Company
at this port is progressing satisfactorily,
though it has been somewhat delayed by
the long spell OF bad weather.
Lewis Carter, the murderer OF his wife
in Southampton county, it il stated, was in
this city the day after the murder, and has
been heard Of since. 1t is believed that
he has not left the State, and that he will
be vet captured. He has relatives living
in the vicinity OF Lynchburg.
ROBIN ADAIR.