Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-30
THE CITY COLLECTOR
JUDGE ATKINS TO FILL THE VACANCY
FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM.
A Confusion Of Provisions in the Charter,
and Now We Have to Fall Back
on the State Law.

The city charter has often been tested
and found wanting.
Thus it is with regard TO the Office OF
City Collector. ~.
There are two provisions in it in re-
gard TO filling vacancies in municipal
Offices, and they conflict with each other.
BY one the Hastings Court would order
an election by the people for the unex-
pired term OF Mr.. Woodson. BY the
| other the City Council would proceed to
elect n person to fill the unexpired
term-till July lst. While trying to find
his way ont OF this dilemma. City-At-
torney Meredith ascertoined that both
Of these charter provisions were oblite-
rated and repealed in effect by general
law passed at the session of the Legisla-
ture in 1888 -'Si--a later date than the
revised charter-giying the power to the
Judge OF the Hastings Court.
JUDGE AND ATTORNEY.
Mr.. Meredith called upon his Honor
Judge Adkins yesterday morning and
talked the matter over with him.
There was no doubt upon the minds
Of either.
it was clear to them that the appoint
ment was with Judge Atkins.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
During the day Mr.. Meredith fur
nishci to Mr.. A. Pizzini, chairman Of
the Finance Committee, his written
opinion rs to the power OF the Court in
the premises, and n called meeting OF
the Finance Committee was held last
night, at which Mr. Meredith was pres
ent.
After considering the whole matter,
and coming to the conclusion that Judge
Atkins would give respectful c0nsidera-
tion to any recommendations that they
might make, the committee resolved to
recommend to the Court the following
three names:
First-Edward J. Warren.
Sccond-Willam II. Talman.
Third William 4. Price.
One Of these, it is hoped, the Court
will appoint
Mr.. Warren is clerk to the City Audi
tor and to the Finance Committee. and
is understood to be willing to accept the
appointment.
Mr. William II. Talman was Mr.
Woodsons first deputy.
Mir. Price is IN the insurance business.
These nameswill represented TO Judge
Atkins to-day but if he concludes that
the appointment can only be made III
open court none will he made until the
April term, which begins on Monday
next.
The bond required is "not less than
$4,000"
TIE LAW.
The following is the law as approved
March +, 1881:
BE II cnocfCd bV the GCncrM Assom-
biy II Tjr0Uia, That the eighth section
of an act entitled an act for ,he election
and qualification Of county officers, ap-
proved March s, 1875, be amended and
rc-enactcd so rs to read as follows:
Section 3. Writs of elections to fill va.
cancies in county, corporation and dis
trict Offices shall bc issued by the judges
of the county or corporation coUrts Of
llit ibunklto Ol AB4 D'iHtION' III Nuiii
such vacancies occur so thGt vacancies
in county. corporation, or district offices
shall be filed ut the next general elec-
tion forcountyoficers after such vacancies
occur. The term of Office Of all county,
corporation, and district officers elected
under this section shall cOmmetce on
the lst day Of july next succeeding
their election ; prorided, hOWcycr, that
Uh.u n rncdacy Occ1rs in any cOmiV,
corporation or diSfricf office, the conn
N or corporation courts IN Which such
racqHcy occurs, and when a vacancy
occurs in the Office of circuit court
clerk when the county court clerk Is
not clerk Of the circuit court, slch rn-
caRcY ShaH BE- temporarily .Fhcd bY
the judqc of Hc court IN rhioh sUch
rac0Hcy occVrS; and provided further
that when n vacancy occurs in the office
Of the hus;ings conrt clerk, or attorney
for the commonwealth for city or
town, such vacancy shall be temporarily
filled by the judge Of the hustines
court of the city or town IN which such
vacancy Occurs &c. sc.