The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-22
WILLIAMSBURG.

TIE SPLIT IN THE COALITION RANEs--THE
LUNATIC AsYLUN-CABAL vs.. TIE MAYOR
SECRET SESSION or THE COUNCIL.
correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.l
MARCH 20. 1889.
The war between the Coalition factions
j. raging fast and furious. and i rapidly
developing into the stage OF individual
luminosity and personal hostilitieS. The
CITY Council met to-day and INDUCED in a
regular set-tO. Twelve O'Clock had been
fixed upon a. the hour OF meeting, but the
MAYOR, who is the leader OF the anti-Boss
faction, va, the Only one on time. At I'D
L. H., however, the asylum sages came
down TO the courthouse and proceeded 10
business. The Mayor being then absent,
II. II. Richardson was elected temporary
chairman and 4 committee appointed TO
wait on the Mayor and urge his attendance.
When the Mayor arrived he requested
the clerk TO read the minutes OF the last
meeting. in order that he might sign them
and formally organize. At this point /.
VI. Soutball. who heads the opposition, eN-
pressed doubts a. 10 the necessity OF such
proceedings. stating that a chairman had
been elected, and the Council was organ
lied and ready for business. seeing HIM
self i'm a hopeless minority, and knowing
full well " hat the Cuisines meant, the
Mayor demonstrated his defiance in sarca'-
tic pantomimc, and retired in sublime dis
gust.
George Potts (coloredl moved that the
public be excluded, and the public follow
ed the Mayor, filled with kindred emo
tionS. Not being able 70 prove his discon-
nccton with the public. your correspond
emf was forced into Punishment also, but
Is.t a IA, al, no or
the newspapers tclephoncd the particulars
of The secret session. By way Of cXplans-
tion If i, necessary to mention here That the
Council at a former meeting had elected the
Mayor chairman Of the Street, Poor, and
Finance COMMITTEES, and had authorized
the sale Of certain public lands.
As soon as the door was shut on the out
,idcrs. who. like political Peris, stood
vainlv hankoring for Abundance. without
the acceptable gilt Of abicct Sr7ility to the
/ machine. the Council arose in Indignation
and passed the following resolutions: That
the conduct Of the Mayor was unsecmy
and altogether unworthy Of his position,
/ and furthermore was an insult to that
| h-o-n-o-r.s-b-l-c body: that the previous
order OF the Council relative to the selling
Of public property Ly the Mayor be re-
>cindcd; that the Mayor be prohibited
| from expanding any more Of the public
| funds: that the Finance Committee make
full report OF the financial condition OF
/ the town at the next meeting.
The Council then adjourueduntil Thurs
day. when no doubt the tight will he re-
ncwed with increased bitterness.
This j. the first time that Council has
ever mel in this town with closed doors.
and the point has been raised as to their
right 10 usurp the clerks office and pre-
vent access thereto. The Mahoneitc> bad
everything their own way, aud evidently
think that they have pretty elfec!ually lam
pcrcd the Mayor. The Mayor says that
| the secret OF the attack on him hes in
| his refusal 20 Jet his actions be moulded
and stamped at the lunalic asylum.
| He also ntmatcs, in language mere
forcibe than here used, that the tug
OF war is vet to come; that he asked no
quarter. and intended to pluck IN eye for
an eve and 4 tooth for tooth.
i. Slater, the present City Sergeant,
will undoubtedly be the asylum candidate
for mayor. Exciting times are in pros
pcct. W.