The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-08-14
MEETING OF SELECT COUNCIL
Letter From Mayor Petit on Po-
lice Commissioners,
MIR. Goodridge Says They Are Mud
die Headed Galoots. A Resolu.
ton by MIR. Wrcnn. The Rich.
ardson Affair TO Be
Investigated.

tue IOliOWiuR nempeTs Ircscut. Iehe'
ley, Broug Bunting, Rowland.
Mallory, Grubb, Goodridse. Fisher,
Prince.
The minutes of tue last meeting of
this branch were read aud approved,
the minutes of the last meeting OF the
Common Branch were read AMI con
CURED in except rs to the following:
The subway ordinance WAS discussed
at length by Messrs. Broug h'on, Prince,
Goodridge, Grub. Winston aud others,
and letter was read from MIR. Thorn.
attorney for the long distance phone,
saying that the ninth section would
bind the hands OF the Council.
a letter was read from Messrs. White.
hurst X Hughes, special attorneys for
the city, i'll which they say that the
franchise is not exclusive.
Mr.. Prince moved to refer to attor-
peys for opinion us TO the Legality of
the ordinance, was then adopted by
vote of Z TO 4. AIessrs. Prince, ROLAND,
Mallory and WInslow voting no. MIR.
Grubb being excused.
The report of the Committee Oh the
Greater Norfolk, was referred to Fl.
nance Committee.
A Court allowance in favor of II. l..
Worthington was referred to Speciul
Committee.
All properly approved bills were
ordered to be paid.
mir. Goodridge offered resolution
that the special committee appointed
on Southern railroad be instructed to
confer with the Southern railroad with
view to making Norfolk the head
quarters for the system. Adopted.
The petition from the Police Com.
missioDers, asking that Il matrou be
appointed for the police station, was
referred to the Committee on Ordi.
nance and Police.
A petition from the City Library for
1880 was referred to the Finance
Committee.
The President then called ND the
letter of Mayor Petit on tho condi
tion OF the police force, which was
read by Nj. Goodridge, by request.
az follows:
MAYORS LETTER,
August Gth.
To the Honorable Select 0nd com.
mon Council:
Geutemen-lt becomes nv impcra.
tive duty to submit 10 you report of
rec sut matter OF great importance
connecting the city's interest with the
action Of the Police Comm !ssiouers.
viz:
On or before the 2nd day OF July of
the present year, n rnid was made on
private dwelling occupied by colored
people III the upper portion of the city,
and during the excitement in making
the arrests, one of tho inmates of the
house was shot by Police Officer c. l..
Richardson,
The case was heard by Police Justice
burroughs and the said police officer.
G. l.. Richardson. was sent on to the
grand jury for unlawful shooting.
The grind Jury heard the case the
same day and found true bill against
him.
Immediately thereafter | suspended
the ofhcer on the same charge.
On the 18th day OF July your Com.
mlss!oners, Nerdier aud Bolton, met
aud resolved that there were 10
charges against Officer Richardson;
thnt his case had been taken
ont OF their hands and carried
TO higher court, ana that 1t was IN.
juet to the Office for him to remain
longer suspended. On motion, Lo was
restored to duty with full pay for the
time OF his suspension.
lour Chief Executive is Of the opin.
ION that the Board had the right to
place the officer on trial and to hear the
proofs in the case and to decide nc
cording to their pleasure without
reference TO any evidence. But no
attempt was made TO have even for.
mai .fin!, no proofs taken i'll
the matter ana suspended of
hcer not even present Mt the
meeting. 1onr Cmef Executive
uid not think 1t proper that his action
I'D TINS matter of suspendIng the officer
Should be SO completely ignored by
your commissioners. and an attempt
made by them to override him in his
powers guaranteed by the Constitution
OF the Stale of Virginia and the charter
of the city of Norfolk.
1 therefore reordeted his SUSPENSION
and commanded tho Acting Chief of
Pollce not to reinstate him until the
charges IN the indictment ara besrd
aud acted upon by the court and he
nonorably acquitted by Jury.
ibis served to quiet the matter until
the 9th day of July, the regular nav.
day Of the force. On this dav. or the
day previous, your Commissioners. NOT
III stated meeting, ordered that the
name OF q. l.. Richardson be placed on
the roll for full pay TO date. which
order was executed by the Acting Chief
OF Police and his assistants (nots,tb
standing the orders OF the Mayor sus.
pending him for cause on the "a and
18th OF the month"; aud by such further
action did utterly condemn and ipuore
lie action OF the Mayor.
no