Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-04
THE PLAN CHANGED.
Ely Democratic Committee So Alters II
as 10 Allow q Direct Vote
BALLOTS WILL CONTAIN NAMES
hitter Fight to Get the Substitutc--
Pay Of the Registrars Incrcased-
Other ImmateriaI Amendments
Nade-workingme Convention.

for the primary In a most important re-
spect. The ballots are 10 contain list
OF all the officers proposed by the Epps
resolution to be elected by the people.
and each voter may specify which Of
Yicers he wishes. or does not wish. elected
BY a direct vote OF the people. Other
charges. which are OF but little import
snce. were made.
The committee was called TO order
promptly By Chairman Dawson. and the
attendance OF members was quite large.
Under the head OF new business. Mr..
Jarvis moved that the action of the com
mittee on last Tuesday night In hxihs
q time for the primary be reeonsidereu'
The Chair ruled that Mr.. Jarvis could
not make such a motion, upon the grouhd
that he had voted against the original
motion.
Mr. Wood moved that the question be
recopsidered, and also that the question
of pay for the election judges be reopened
for discussion.
Mr. CoaIter offered as substitute that
the whole question of the primary plan
adopted at the last meeting be reconsid-
cred.
WANTED SOMETHING SPECIFIC.
Mr.. Coalter's substitute was accepted,
but. before 1t was voted on, Mr. Coaiter
stated by way OF explanation mat the
plan adopted. especially That portion peal-
Ing upon the submission or the ques'lo"
OF changing the city charter so as 10
elect certain city officials by pOpuii'
vote. would amount TO nothlhg' Inc ~
ha1
structed as TO how the city Charter shouid
ne changed or amended. Mr.. Coalter
added that q plan ought to be adopted
fnstructing the delegates how the chatte.
should be changed. Specifications shouiu
be made. so the delegates would Know
how 10 act TO represent the WISHES VI
the people .,,or
IN the fact that Mr.. Coalter had voted
In the NEGATIVE at the last meeting, put
the Chair ruled that as Mr.. WOOD hau
accented Mr.. Coalter's substitute as such
Mr. Coalter was In order.
Mr. Wallace then asked for recorden
vote. which was accordingly TAKEN anu
AFR. Coalter's substitute was carried by a |
large majority only two members Young |
sQainst-Messrs. Wallace and Murray.
THE COMMITTEES HEARD.
II was then moved that a committee
zach from the Thurman and Old Dohih-
ion Democratic clubs be allowed the
privilege Of the floor. Inis was Voted
1own by Il vots of il TO !.
Messfs Morris and Mckenny opposed !
the admission Of the representatives. OF
The two Democratic clubs upon the
grounds that such action would be
bad precedent 10 establish. There was
some discussion upon the question, the
opponen, holding that Jefferson ward
was well represented on the City Demo-
cratic Committee, while the advocates
Of the measure thought 1t would be |
slam on the two clubs not to allow thar
representatives TO attend the meeting OF
the committee.
Mr. Dawson (Mr. Wallace In the chair
thought the representatives OF the two
clubs ought TO be admitted. They could
come In and say what they had to say
and then retire without taking any part
IN the proceedings OF the committee or
remaining at the meeting during the
transaction Of business
Messrs. Hall. l.atouchk. Wood. ana
others spoke on the question. and II was
decided TO admit the delegation from the
two clubs and allow them twenty minutes
to bring the matter before the committee
for their consideration.
ASKED FOR A CHANGE.
The delegation was admitted. and pre-
scented to the committee "A series OF reso-
buttons asking that the committee change
Or modify tho plan for the Democratic
primary to be held October Sth SO as to
submit to the people the question OF 50
changing the city charter as to proviie
that oil the heads OF the departments of
the city government be elected by the
people, the same officers to be nominated
at Democratic primary. or otherwise.
as the City Committee may deem adj
visable these officers to include In ad-
dition TO thcse officers now elected by the
people. City Engineer. City Attorney SUI
perintendent of City Gas-Works. Superin-
tendent of City Water Works, Superin-
tsndent OF City Almshouse. Chief of Po-
lice. Police Justice. Chief Of Fire Depart
ment. and Fire and Police commissioners.
MINOR CHANGES.
The communication from the two Demo-
cratic clubs was read before the commit
tee. and the delegation then withdrew.
An effort was then made to change the
date OF the primary from October Sth TO
October 1st, upon the ground that the
Virginia Exposition would open on Oc-
tober Sth. The committee decided. how
ever. TO let the date. as already fixed.
remain unchf nged.
Quite q discussion arose over the ques-
ton OF changing the amount to be paid
the election officers for their services
on the day Of the primary.
IL was argued that the registrars should
be paid 81 and the judge and clerk should
be paid $3.50 each. while the other mem-
beers OF the committee thought all ought
to be paid alike.
1t was finally decided that the regis
trars should receive s. and the judges
and clerks $3.50 each for their services.
MR. GORDON's PROPOSITION.
The question OF submitting the matter
Of amending the city charter to a popular
vote was discussed at length. Mr.. James
W. Gordon submitted the following:
Whereas. a large number OF the Demo-
cratic voters OF the city Of Richmond
have signified a desire TO express their
officials by direct vote OF the people In
ptead of by the Common Council:
Resolved, That on the ticket to be
nsed at the primary election ON the Sth
lay OF October. 1876, there shall be print
I'd the following officers. viz-Board OF
II Fire Commissioners Board OF Police
Commissioners. Chief Of Fire Department
Superintendent OF Works. Chief of
Police. City Attorney. City Engineer, Po-
Nee Justice. Superintendent Of Almshouse
and superintendent Of Water Works
above which shall be printed these words
Scratch the names OF the officers whom
you desire to be elected as at present
leaving fhose whom you desire to be
elected by the direct vote of the people,"
Mr. Gordon's motion WAS seconded, and
he stated that II was evident that the
portion Of the committees plan bearing
upon this question was not In accordance
with the desires OF the people at large.