The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-02
THE LYNCHBURG CHARTER.
Important Changes That Were Madeline
CoIored Woinsn's League.

LYNCHBURG. VA Tan. 30.-Special.-
The revision of the oi.y charter, as recon-
mended by the special Council committee
OF which Mr. Davis. President OF the
City Council, was chairman, winch was
signed by the Governor to-day. Is a gem
eral Encouragement of the old charter
with the elimination OF its obsolete pro-
visions. the correction OF ambiS ultles, ana
material Modification OF IT'S more inoor-
tant features.
The following are among the hot""ie
Tbc Mayor is relnvested with his former
functions as presldins Justce III t's
Mayor's Court, and becomes WORKING
official instead OF a sinecure, the salarier
Incumbent of a purely honorary position.
The Council is given new powers, such
10 acauire land for and maintain parks
outside the corporate limits-a Dreroga-
tive exercise heretofore, but without char-
ter authority. ,,,..t
or other purposes TO consumers within
or without the city, and TO exact pay
ment for the same.
TO impose an annual charge ppon par
ties who appropriate tne puDn , s is s,a |,
or steam pipes, rails and cross-tles, po.es
and wires for the transmission OF Cleo
To s,ipply light or water. with or with
educational institutions near the city, II
two-thirds OF the Council so determine,
to improve the approaches 10 the ceIns-
teres outside or the city anu 70 Dros-uS
boards OF commissions for the police anu
fire departments, but requiring the seiec-
ton of the chiefs for those departments
10 be approved by the Council.
The sinking-fund clause Is moulneu 80
that the semi-annual accretions of that
fund shall be applied TO the immediate
extinction OF the city debt thus giving
full protection 10 the bondholders ana re-
lieving the taxpayers OF outu ,i, wii nti
thousand dollars this year, and Mhico
was Increasing steadily. The limits OF
possible Indebtedness is reduced from ~
per cent to IL per cent. or the assessed
values. and there IS a positive prohibi-
ton as TO subscribing TO the STOCK or
endorsing the bonds of Internal improve
ment companies. The practical operation
of these latter clauses VIII be 10 lesSeh
interest charges on the taxpayers, put a
heck fo the rapid mourning OF dent, ana
incidentally to strengthen the credit oil
the city. Another innovation that fresl-
don't Davis was successful In carrying
through was the issue of bonds not sub
iact 10 call The advantage resulting
from the adoption Of this policy was
shown I'm the handsome premium realized
upon the recent sale Of city , per cent.
bonds amounting TO = il per cent.-the
highest price ever obtained for a city
security. -,
Many of these changes nave Deen ddNo-
Gated by Mr. Davis since he became a
member OF the City Coun I'll, and nearly
all. II not all. have been rs1ly needed TO
make the wheels OF the city government
RIM smoothly go that acts OF the Coun-
eli would accord with the charter
There may be objection To some OF the
chanees-as there always IS to any re-
form-but those who have carefully stu
died the revision are of the opinion that
IL is one OF the best things that mas oesn
done for wears and reflects credit on the
enterprising and wide-awake President or
the City Council.
meeting OF prominent colored peo-
pie was held Yesterday afternoon for the
purpose Of organizing a society TO i'm
prove the morals Of the race. A Derma-
nent organization was effected. with a
membership OF thirty. the following Off
GERS being elected: Mrs. Lucy h. Stephens.
president: Mrs Maria l.. Penn, vice
president: MISS Virginia Cabell. corre-
spending secretary. and Miss Maggie But
Ter. recording secretary. The orga nization
will be known as the Colored Woman
League.