Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-07
THE MAY0RALTY WAR
E,colltctlons Of Stormy Period in Rich.
mOni's History.
SIEGE OF THE OLD MARKET.
Two Rival Police Forces Contendng
for Supremacy.
CHAHOONVS. ELLYSON
rsrfara Of the Second ststion--stfrrIng
scenes and Important incidents of
Mighty Struggle.
NJ - Edilor Of IA Dlspa,ch:

am NlAl 10 uVtt Aldt othti1 hieo ItNo
called attention 10 tho obligation the cit
liens of Richmond are under to our la
msntod friend Mr.. ElIyson. for the su-
rerUy-balanccd courage and Judgment
exhibited by him throughout the trying
ordeal Of the mayoraty contest with
Chshoon. Ny own expression OF CRATE
fn obligation having turned my thoughts
lack again 10 those troublons times.
WIS amazed 70 find how the details had
fGr5 from my memory, and chance con-
rersstions with intelligent citizens since
Nr Ellvson's death havo revealed such
strange conflict and general haziness Of
recollection concerning even the man
outline Of The facts that / Am satisfied
combining approyimating consecutive
record Of the salient points Of this I'M
usrsl'elcd episode IN the city's history
win prove OF present interest, if not Of
permanent valuc.
The principal sources OF information
nra thofiles 81 the DISPATCH from March
1rth 90 April 10Th inclusive, and even
later than the latter date for mn account
az the Capitol disaster and the popular
election in May, 1S70-Volume 16 OF
Council Records. pages 800 to 59S. In
,,usiye-and "The Richmond Msyorsl-
tv Case. reported in the nineteenth vol
umo Of Grlttan's Reports, pages 65j to
700 inclusive.
CANBY's QUALIFICATIONS,
At this distance from the date and sur
~onu3incs IL Is dificult 70 realize the
condition of affairs and Of the public
mind IN Richmond in the spring OF 1870.
The weary, dispiriting drama of recon
eirlcuon had been played out to its well
come close, 50 flr ~ Virginia was con-
corlei. lv the act Of January 26, 1870,
which readmiitod the State to represen-
taii1n in Congress. On the next day,
the then military commandant, General
Candy finding that "District No. ] " had
been recOuyeual into the Sovereign
State of Virginia formally abdicated
ana turned over bis powers TO the civil
authorities. lut in so dOingh he fired what
was probably not so intended but proved
to De- uarthian arrow, in the shape OF
au order retain g all military appOintees
So civil Office in their respective Offices,
erat least in tho discharge Of their re-
fDrctee duties unit, their Successors
should be legally elc'i.ed and qualified.
Under this order George Chahoon, an
nlyeuturer from tho North and an Of
fce-holder under the Federal Govern
mmt. who had been appointed mayor Of
Richmond by General Schoheld in 1868,
n1d. hgi held tho position ever since
continued TO discharge the duties Of the
Office even after the rehabilitation OF the
State.
"THE ENABLING ACr.'
Meanwhile Governor Walker had
promptly called together the duly-elect-
"a Legislature Of tho Commonwealth,
which assembled in Richmond on the
fth Of February, aud on the 9th OF
March passed the statute known as the
"tuabling net" which recognized as le-
sd such OF the existing civil officers
throughout the State rs were cOnstitu-
ronally eligible-most OF whom were of
course military apuointees--and pro-
viiDd, "for the moro efficient govern
mnt Of cities and towns that the Gov
,ruor should. as soon as practical, APP
point councilmen and trustees, who
should Fupersele those at tho time fill
Iue ,uch positions and that the new
councils and boards Of trustees should
appoint. with specified exceptions, all
municipal officers, such officers upon
G1e notifications. also 20 supersede
those 10 the time discouraging the duties
Of lo.rre pectiyo Offices.
,sAYoR E11YsoN.
Under and in strict pursuance OF the
rIu, a0a. o. this statue. Governor Wal
hru tuesday. the 18th of March, APP
pointed c1l1c.lmeu for the city of Rich
uoai. 0a0. 40 the Governors request.
convened and organized at L. Nj. on
Wednesday the 18th, aud unanimously
elected OF appointed II. Il. Lliyson
Iay.r. With Characteristic promptness
and decision the appointee appeared I'M
Ltlmicly. IN brief words thanked them
for tle honor conferred, pledged hls
lest Efforts to discharge faithfully his
responsible duties, was sworn IN by JUS
tce fayier in presence OF the Council,
G.i as once submitted nominations IN
writing for the Offices Of chief Of police
Gnl captains OF the force, who were then
aul there elected as follows; John Poe,
Jr., chief. and ak captains, III the fol
loving oyder-to wit. James NJ. Tyler,
Reuben r.. seal. George Fowlkes. James
n. Peasants. Charles y. GGnther, and
John Disney. The report of the
mayoralty case in Nineteenth Grattan
dates Mr.. Ellyson's incumbency from
tue 18th. hut from tho records OF the
Council il is certain he qualified and en-
tered upon the duties Of his Office the
10th Of March.
THE ISSUE DISTINCTLY DRAwN-THE CRISIS.
AZ soon as the report Of these pro-
oeedincs reached Chahoon lac sent word
10 his men on duty at the several police
Citations 90 hold them against ell corners
aud 10 recognize no orders except from
himself or Colonel Egbert, his Chief OF
Police By 6 o'clock the next morning,
Thursday, March 18th. Major Poe APP
pearcd at the Old-Market station and
demanded the transfer OF tho place to
bin az lawful Chief OF Police of the
city. but Parker and Callahan, Cha
h00n's police captains on duty
there. refused to recognize his
authority or that Of any one save Cha
boon until his successor should be law
fully elected by the people. Major Poe
then went Immediately 10 Colonel Egg
bert's residence and presented his Gre
dtuiials. but they were not recognized
end Colonel Egbert even more distinctly
developed Chahoon's position, which
was substantially this: tie would not
surrender tie property Of the city TO
Fllyson. insisting that he and not lily
son was the lawful mayor that the en-
Aiding act, at least that feature OF 1t
which provided for the dppo'ntne,t
Of mayors Of cities was unconstitutional,
and that Ellyson therefore was not his
legally elected and qualified SUCCESSOR
bat fictitious claimant aud mere in-
huder upon the Office.
An hour later Mayor Ellyson hndihis
Chief u Police had opened sn executive
Office at l4ll east Main street. All the
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