The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-09
MIR. MEREDITH RESIGNS.
HE WILL NOT SUPPORT THE CHI
CAGO PRESTDENTiAL TICKET
And Therefore Gives Up His once
Fearing strained Relations With Coun-
ell Might Impair His Efficiency.


The announcement yesterday that Mr.
Charles V. Meredith. who for eleven years
past has held the position of City Attor-
ncy. had rendered his resignation TO May
or X. NJ. Taylor, was the principal theme
Of conversation nthe streets. On Tues
day night last Mr.. Meredith resigned hi
position as president Of the Pown''a.-
club. His resignation was accompanied
by letter setting forth fully his rea-
sons the same being printed in The
Times the following morning. "a. thu
same time that he transmitted his reslg-
nation TO the club, Mr.. Meredith s-nt
by messenger 10 the house OF Mayor
Taylor his resignation Of the Vthce OF
City Attorney.
Mayor Taylor was absent from the city
at the time and the fact did not become
known until yesterday morning.
MIR. MEREDITH LETTER.
Mr.. Meredith's letter. which is frank
and manly. is as follows:
Richmond. Va. oct. 6. 1896.
To the Hon Richard NJ Taylor. Mayor:
herein tender to you and to the cry
Council my resignation as city attorney
OF Richmond.
1 take this step as have decided not
TO vote FOR Messrs. Bryan and SewalI-
As a large number of the Council who
voted for me at the last election would
not have done so had they thought that
/ would not vote what Is termed the
straight party ticket 1 prefer not TO
hold the office under the existing CIR
cumstances. Ny experience teaches HS
that the position Of city attorney Is one
which calls so frequently FOR fuil ana
untcsitating confidence on the part OF the
Council towards its attorney that
D. f.H
Iesseniug or estrangement OF mat CON
rdence would be injurious 10 the city
interests. I therefore tender my resiE-
nation 10 take effect upon the election an"
qualification Of my successor.
Allow me to express TO you anu l."
the members Of the city Council my hlgL
appreciation of the great courtesy anH
consideration have always received from
each OF YOU during the years OF our o.
fetal intercourse.
I am very respectfully.
C. V. MEREDITH.
A TALK WITH MR.. MEkEDl ~
4 Times reporter called upon MT. mere
st,h ~ his residence. No. 20i east Grace
street. yesterday afternoon ior une pu
roee Of enouiring whether he had any
tbirg further 10 give out concerning MS
reasons for resigning the city auorhey-
chin other than those expressed IN MS
DNAANA
Mir Meredith although still suffering
c,,,,, ,,,.skness caused by his recent i'll
ness. received me courteously' but sara
that he did not think there was anything
further to be said concerning the matter.
My letter" he said. explains why
resigned. My relations with me CHy
Council are very close. and tho"s"' .
host I'm view Of the Iact that l I'm not
resign my position. For. IS a number OF
m. members OF the Council are In iaVoI
Of what they term the regular ticket,
orr relations would necessarily not DC
as cordial and confidential as the interests
OF the city demand
M. Meredith. who is easily one OF tue
leading lawyers In this city and IN lhe
state WIS elected 10 the position OF CITY
Attorney in April 1850. At tnat tlme
he was engaged in collecting evidence 4h
the famous case of the Commonwealth
against Thomas j. CluFerius, 'haIbtu
with the murder Of Fannie Lillian Madi-
SON. which he afterwards conducted so
ably as prosecuting attorney. So much
ENGAGED was Mr. Meredith with this ease
that he nad little or no time 10 make
carv.ss for the position and HIS election
was n tribute OF the highest kind 10 ms
brilliant attachments as n lawyer. lie
has conducted the LEGAL business or the
CITY during his term In manner which
reflects the highest credit upon his char
acter and ability.
HIS COURSE COMMENDED.
Mr. Alerodnh's course in resiguing Dis
positlon received the highest commenda-
ton from persons Of every shade OF POI
utical opinion yesterday. 1T was FRANK,
MANLY act" said "a gentleman Intimately
ACQUAINTED with him. but IL was III Keep
Inc with Charlie Meredith's character
through life. le is as straight as a
single. and an honestcr, sQuarer man
is not living"
This Is a sample Of the opinions eN-
pressed and they come from gentlemen
who are qualified from their intimate
acouaintance with Air. Meredith TO know
whereof they speak. His motives III re-
sienlng are thoroughly appreciated, ana
his honesty in placing principe ABOVE
gain highly applauded.
AS soon as Mr.. Ben. T. August. CITY
clerk was Informed by Mayor Taylor Oh
Mr. Neredith's resignation. he wrote 10
President W. VI. Turpin, OF the Board
II Aldermen. I'm regard to the ealing OF
a caucus of the two branches or the
common Council. TO elect successor
Mr. Turpin came 10 Mr.. August "I4lce
Yesterday afternoon anu AiA'' '-'----'
the law on the subject informed ihat
gentleman that lie would to-day inform
him when the meeting should be called.
II is thought the time set VIII be during
the early part Of next week.
HIS PROBABLE SUCCESSOR
Before Mr.. Morcdiths resignation had
beel. public property an hour. two can
6id,tes had Appeared in The field, and
number of others are spoken OF. Those
who have positively announced them
selves as willing TO accept the ONCE are
Mcssrs. J.. O. Wendenbuig ana Junlh
Drvant. 1t is said that Others who would
serve If elected are Messrs Henry X
Pollard. 6. 5. =. Patteson. W. O. Skeiton'
II NJ smith. Jr.. J. l.. Anderson Jackson
Guy and j. Aston CabelL None oil theso
gentlemen have been Heard TO express
Themselves on the subject The salary
attached to the office is $3.50, but there
Is leisure for outside work
= A II