Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-30
TEST AN ORDINANCE.
INJUNCTION AGAINST COLLECTING
STREET ASSESSMENTS.
Coming Trial Of bob Ridley for
Murder I'm sussex County-Warned
by III. Brother That His Case II
Hopeiess--Ontcers Elected.

PETERSBURG, VA. January 2s.-tspe-
cial.)-It Is understood that two eminen'
lawyers OF this city, acting as counsel
are preparing bill, shortly 10 De pre-
scented to the court. asking that the CITY
be enjoined from collecting assessments
against residents for abutting improve
ments to the streets and sidewalks. The
injunction will be asked for the purpose
Of testing the validity OF the city ordi-
nance on the subject. II Is UNDERSTOOD
that the validity OF the ordinance VIII be
contested OH the ground that II Is not
justified by the citys charter.
The committee appointed by the Cham
Der of Commerce TO inquire into ana re-
port as to cheaper telephone service
will meet at an early day to receive pids
for furnishing prices. The present rates
are deemed rather high. and II lower
rates are offered by a competing COM
pany they will probably be accepted.
A MURDERER's TRIAL.
The next term Of the County Court OF
Sussex will be held on the 9TH OF Febru-
airy. At this term II Is expected tnat
the murder OF Mr.. Williams, near Hiida'
in that county, on the night before CHRIST
mas. will probably be tried. Ridley, after
the murder, which is declared TO have
been very deliberate one fled TO Bruins
wick county. thence TO NottoWay
county, where. after applying ana
engaging himself for work, ne was
recognized and arrested as the murderer
of Mr.. Williams. and brought TO inis
city for imprisonment untl such t'ine
as ne could be identified. He has been
fully identified by parties from sussex
county. and his own confessions, as
previously published in this correspond
ence remove all doubt as 10 his idehtty
and his motive Ridley. ever since ms
arrest, has been confined in the jail OF
this city for safe keeping, as, by reason
Of the excitement In the county causeu
by his unprovoked crime. II has peeh
judged unsafe to carry him 10 the SusseA
Jail Ridley recently wrote TO ms protIer
in Brunswick county, asking him 10 raise
money enough TO employ counsel 10 de-
fend him. 1t is hardly probable however
that this request will be granted mas
much as the brother of the prisoner, VINO
recently visited him, soemnly told nun
that there was no hope for him, that 1t
was useless to employ counsel, ana thde
the best thing for him 10 do was 10
pray for the forgiveness Of his sins.
VERY SUDDEN DEATH.
About o'clock this afternoon Henry NJ.
Stanley, a well-known coiored man. en-
Moved at the store of Mr.. John HanVa-
han. at the Centre Market, dropped deau
of heart-disease. while walking along
Third street
At a meeting Of the Board OF directors
of the Petersburg Perpetual Building ana
Loan Company. held last night the ioi-
lowing officers were elected for the en-
suing year: President, n. ]. Patteson;
Vice President, w. S. Alley; Cashier. Ro-
bert Harrison.
The recent order OF the Post-Ofilce De-
partment relative to the work of the car
riers has not yet gone into effect in this
CITY. Postmaster Smith is trying TO have
the order suspended so far as his Office
Is concerned. as its enforcement Will Sc
riously affect the prompt delivery OF the
mails All OF the carriers at this Office
are willing TO continue their duties. as
heretofore, without any idea OF pay for
extra service. If the order of the depart
ment. however, IL carried out and the car
riers are not allowed TO do any clerical
work. several new clerks will be required
in the Petersburg Office.